Hey guys, I’m excited to inform all my bag ladies that Madison Kelly NYC has been nominated as a finalist in the 2010 InStyle Independent Handbag Designer Awards http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/finalists_2010 “The Midtown” bag is one of five nominated for “Best Handmade Handbags” Designs will be judged and chosen by, Deborah Lloyd; Associate Executive Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Meggan Crum; InStyle Accessories Director, legendary handbag designer Carlos Falchi,  Lisa Smilor; the 2010 Iconoclast Recipient & Creative Director of Kate Spade New York, Claudia Poccia; Global President for MARK, and Lincoln Moore; Senior Vice President & Divisional Merchandising Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue . The judging will take place Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at Parsons The New School of Design… But, you my lovey’s also have an opportunity to vote for “The Audience Fan Favorite” *The Midtown*

Check out www.InStyle.com/ihda and cast your vote!!!!

Alexander McQueen

The fashion industry has suffered a major loss… This morning British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was discovered dead after apparently taking his own life, its believed that he hanged himself.

The industry was left reeling after hearing word of the 40-year-old’s suicide, which comes just days after the death of his beloved mother Joyce, who’s funeral he was scheduled to attend this morning.

McQueen, who was christened Lee but used his middle name as a designer, was found at his luxury flat in Mayfair, central London.

As a fan and admirer of I can only say this….

He was obviously suffering very deeply and felt there was no other way out, and as artist we tend to be driven by emotions, feelings and gut instincts.. Logic is usually last on the list when it comes to our natural nature…… I feel anyone who is in any “creative” industry can relate. With that being said… I feel one can often times become consumed with vices, demons, fear and disappointment. You can have everything and still not understand how much you are valued… The personal struggle can outweigh the joys of  & in life. McQueens death also comes eerily close to his close friend, mentor and  style guru Isabella Blow - who plucked him from obscurity and helped him become a star - killed herself.

There is sense of numbness as I write this…. McQueen was someone who I looked up to, admired and often times obsessed over!!l He was a true visionary in every sense which was prevalent throughout his career, PURE talent!

There are no words I can write that will ever truly express how this has made me feel, but I will say…. There are other options!!

I was a follower of McQueen on twitter, I read his last words and didn’t really understand them, but I guess now it makes sense!!

“My friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together and finish with the HELLS ANGLES & PROLIFIC DEMONS!!!”

Its almost as if he had it all sorted out, it’s almost poetic….. But also so tragic!

Below are a few of my favorite McQueen moments!!

This is a loss I don’t understand and will not judge… May God rest his soul, Alexander McQueen you were such an inspiration and you gave LIFE!

Taylor Swift

Beyonce'

Rihanna

Katy Perry

Lady GaGa

Keri Hilson

Carrie Underwood

Ciara

Black Eye'd Peas

Jennifer Hudson

Last night cameras were pop’n & flash’n on the red carpet for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Musicians and celebrities flooded the red carpet in their sundays best….. Some were hits, some were misses! Who was your favorite???

My personal favorite dress was Carrie Underwood….. My overall favorite carpet look was GaGa in head to toe Armani. That bish brings the drama and executes flawlessly!!

Halle Berry

Mo'Nique

Zoe Saldana

Cast of The Hangover

Gabourey Sidibe

Kate Hudson

Leona Lewis

RAIN, HAIL, SLEET, SNOW….. Well maybe just the rain. But A-listers & celebrities alike attended the 67th Annual Golden Globes Awards last night held at The Beverly Hilton. Now, usually my attention tends to drift after the red carpet segment, but I’m noticing more and more how enjoyable the Globes can be (I’m an oscar gal)! I was watching the Critics Choice Awards the other night, and found myself actually getting excited for Sunday’s Golden Globes… Well needless to say the red carpet was underwhelming! It was raining, there were no tents for guest and everyone on the red carpet was pretty much photographed with umbrellas in the shots!  I was also annoyed by the watermarks and stains on the silk charmeuse & satin dresses….  But hey, what can you do?? The show must go on!!

Meanwhile Mo’Nique wins the first award of the night….. That was all I needed to forget all about the red carpet disaster, I almost lost my shit!!! I’m so so happy for Lee Daniels and the entire cast of Precious and Mo’Nique’s speech was absolutely touching. And that Gabby…. Gabb got spunk, she’s just amazing to me!

Speaking of amazing… How about Halle Berry??? I can’t…. I really can’t!! I’m just going to call her “the face” from now on! lol She is breathtaking and the dress, insane!!

The cast of the Hangover were adorable too…. That damn Bradley Cooper, so cute! I was happy to see my man Mike Tyson in the building as well! Kate Hudson was my favorite red carpet look of the night…. Leona Lewis & Zoe looked fab as well! Good times & inspiration watching the awards last night!!!

They are a new online magazine devoted to everything HAUTE… Footwear, that is! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the Founder & Editor in Chief of Miss Mean Shoe LIZMARYS ARIZA, she’s such an inspiration…. This girl works hard! Please check out her site and learn more about them and subscribe. Meanwhile… Here’s another goodie I found yesterday!

Now, that’s MEAN!!!!

Balenciaga is giving me feva!!! Nicolas Ghesquiere’s S/S 2010 Ready To Wear Collection is insane, for a brief moment its as if we are warped into the future. The Look: Woman of the future…… strikingly beautiful, confident and ready for anything. She wears neon oranges, greens and pinks around her eyes. Long black streaks run from her eyes, appearing as war paint. The woman of the future is Balenciaga!  She combines leather with an assortment of materials, making a vicious statement. They remind us of female assassins! Balenciaga went to Paris Fashion Week and gave us all a glimpse into the future. I like what I see!

Street Fashion Photographer, Scott Schuman, has published The Sartorialist! Following his immensely successful namesake blog, Scott has published a paperback edition and the coveted Bespoke Edition. The Bespoke Edition is a beautifully bound hardback for those who would use this as a conversation piece and thing of beauty. The pictures of everyday people are simply mesmerizing. These photographs give you a feeling of reality and fabulousness all wrapped into one. People rushing from here to there, all the while looking effortlessly chic. It makes me think about who they are, and where they are going. The expressions on their faces, the way they stand, all paint a picture and convey a message. The Sartorialist has performed the magical feat of truly capturing the realistic beauty of day to day style & fashion!

We love the Sartorialist!!!

The founders of the uber-popular fashion website WhoWhatWear.com, have teamed together to create a high fashion tricks of the trade style manual for the everyday gal. Two former editors from  Elle Magazine, Katherine Power & Hillary Kerr, are the flygirl duo behind the hugely successful site and now book. They deliver fashion Do’s and Don’ts, helping the fashion perplexed navigate their way past fashion faux-pas. Raving customer reviews of the book show that it is practical enough to be understood while delivering powerful and applicable fashion advice. Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie, and Rachel Zoe are a delight as celebrity contributors, dishing their insider style secrets. 

The Who What Wear book is a witty & clever go to guide for everything fashion, every girl should own a copy…… I do and so should you!!

Photos courtesy of www.whowhatwear.com