The "Good" Citizen :) 'Tis The Season To Donate Used/Not-So-Used Goods

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Life & Style Notes! I spent a chunk of time yesterday reorganizing my closet and parting ways with things that I haven't worn, or used in forever. If I haven't touched something in my closet in the last 3 years (excluding vintage), I will most likely sever ties. For example, I've been holding on to a red Baby Phat clutch for several years -- need I say more? That said, I never throw things away as someone else could possibly use them.

Photo Credit:
Dress For Success Charity Drive

Donating to charity is one of my civic duties... organizations like Dress for Success will accept clothing donations at affiliate locations around the world, specifically business attire and accessories for disadvantage women who aspire to thrive in the business world. Moreover, earlier this year, Elle published a fab list of places to donate clothing, and I encourage you all to take a look! Honestly, I never understood why/how people could trash perfectly good clothes. C'mon. Really? Simply box them up ... D O N A T E

WOW! A "Toned-Down" Nicki Minaj Covers ELLE Magazine In April

Photo Credit: elle.com

Nicki Minaj Covers Elle, April 2013 

I was speaking with my sister-in-law a few months ago about Nicki Minaj. I told my sis that I couldn't wait to see Nicki reveal another side in terms of personal style—and now look at Nic—all toned-down and stuff. Could this be the end of pink wigs and theatrical clothing? Eh, it doesn't matter, as long as she doesn't get rid of the multiple accents!

The following is an excerpt via next month's cover story which I found particularly interesting; the topic of bullying is a brutal issue that's killing our society and we must address it continually. We must SPEAK UP if we witness horrible acts of bullying.

(Interview Excerpt) On experiencing bullying in school as a child: "I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I've always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It's sad." [Source]

April issue on newsstands March 18.


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Nicki's Must-Haves!

Photo Credit: thatgrapejuice.net

Beauty Notes | Elle gave its readers the lowdown on superstar Nicki Minaj's beauty secrets, as well as her favorite products. And because I am such a huge Nicki fan (*ahem* Trinidad, please stand up!) — I had to put the spotlight on this fun-filled girlie interview. 


See it now! The World Premiere of 'Stupid Hoe'

Interview Excerpt:

What’s the most high-maintenance part of your beauty routine? 

My eyes, because they’re the one thing I need my makeup artist to do. I don’t have the patience, my hands shake, and I mess everything up. So my makeup artist has to do my brows and lids and lashes. Everyone knows I’m a lash girl by now. When I don’t have my lashes, I feel naked. 

Are they extensions or strips? 

Today I’m wearing strips. I used to wear the individual lashes, but those became so time-consuming. We needed to figure out an easier way, so my makeup artist has been experimenting with cutting lash strips in half and piling them on top of each other. 

What’s the best tip a makeup artist has taught you? 

I contour by using a lighter shade of foundation under my eyes instead of concealer. I take it down in a triangle by the sides of my nose, and then apply blush on top. I don’t do round, rosy cheeks; that’s for old people. It’s played out. I like the color to be like a diagonal line across the cheekbone up to the temples. It really changes the shape of my face. 

What’s always in your makeup bag? 

I can’t see myself without pink lipstick. I can go without it for a couple days, but if there was no more pink lipstick in the world, I’d be useless. Seriously. And a good white pencil for under the eye, just inside the rim. It helps you look like you’re on. [Source]

Nicki's Superstar Must-Haves!
Get the Deets Here

"Bohemian Punk"

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen via Elle

Style Notes | Over the years, I would jot down fashion words and phrases that might describe my signature style. And recently, while browsing Elle's Web site, I saw the term "Bohemian Punk" and thought: Ah yes ... that's it! The look demonstrates the compilation of trendy, chic, comfortable pieces—and yes—"geometric patterns, shells, skulls, and chains," according to Elle. Very nikkistyle!

I try never to play-it-safe in regards to my overall style. My clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and even hair accessories, gotta have a hint of the "Wow!" factor. 

What's YOUR signature style? Tweet me at @nikkistyle, or leave a comment. 

ELLE MAGAZINE'S Kyle Anderson Talks Spring 2011 Trends For nikkistyle.net

As promised, here's Part II of my interview with Elle magazine's Senior Accessories Editor, Kyle Anderson!

Nikki: I read that you loved the Giuseppe Zanotti Mirror High Heel sandals last spring (2010). In regards to footwear, what do you love this spring?

Kyle: I tend to love things that are sexy, sparkly, very high heels and a bit crazy. I love Rock n’ Roll—and I always love leopard for shoes. For spring we are seeing a lot of bright colors, natural materials, and very high heels and wedges. One of my favorite shoes this season is the men-inspired Oxford Lace-Up Platform wedges from Prada in black; and I love the sexy strappy Python Knee-High sandal boots from Pucci.

Nikki: In terms of accessories (handbags, jewelry, shoes, etc.), what are the hottest color trends this season? Are you feeling bright neon colors?

Kyle: Not so much neon. But yes, a lot of bright colors and python. For bags and shoes, I think color and python are great. If you aren't into bright-colored accessories go for something python (in a classic shape, and in a natural python color like tan or brown). For jewelry, our stylists go for statement pieces instead of personal little things. I’d say this season is more about gold; we always love the jewelry at Lanvin.

"I think in fashion there are no rules anymore..."

-Kyle Anderson

Photo Credit: closetconfections

Nikki: “Mixing Metals”—do or don’t?

Kyle: I think in fashion there are no rules anymore. Yes you can mix metals—you can do whatever you want. I personally don’t mix. But last year we saw a really big trend in mixed metal pieces and that really kind of made me think differently: So many designers (especially Balenciaga) had jewelry collections with gold and silver mixed colors. Now I’m open to it ... maybe for styling, but not for me personally. I wear silver colors. And I don’t wear jewelry except maybe my Rolex or something from Chrome Hearts.

Nikki: What are some timeless accessory pieces that should remain in a woman's and man’s wardrobe, regardless of the current trends?

Kyle: I can probably talk more about women’s accessories than men’s. But if you want to spend some money and invest in something that you can wear for the rest of your life, you will not waste your money buying a black Kelly or Birkin bag. You can wear [it] every day for the rest of your life! Or the classic Chanel quilted bag in black ... you will wear it literally thousands of times—everyone loves them. I always tell people if you look at the pictures of “It girls” from the 50s, 60s, 70s, they wear the same bags as the “It girls” do today. So buy those bags and wear them to death! You will love them.

kyle on shoes - Buy a few classics like a pointy toe Manolo pump in black, tan and/or nude, or a Louboutin pump in the same colors.

kyle on watches - Invest in a beautiful watch like a gold Rolex or Cartier and just wear it every day. You don’t need tons of shoes, watches and bags ... just get the right ones and wear them often. I’d rather invest in a bag or a watch and wear cheaper clothes (in basics) from Zara or something—and enjoy my accessories and let them speak for my style instead of the clothes. I like basic clothes ... and love fab accessories!

Click here to read part one of my interview with Kyle Anderson.

EXCLUSIVE! INTERVIEW with Elle's Senior Accessories Editor, Kyle Anderson

By Jahn Hall

A Chat with Kyle... I almost crapped my pants (kidding!) when I found out that Elle magazine’s SENIOR ACCESSORIES EDITOR, Kyle Anderson, agreed to an interview for nikkistyle.net. This was a MAJUR ‘O-M-G’ moment! Com’on ...  Elle? Anyone who’s anyone reads Elle magazine—and I am lucky enough to get the inside scoop from an accessories editor guru who works for a top fashion publication.  

Kyle and I covered so much fabulousness that this is only part one of a two-part interview. So grab a fruity cocktail—poolside if you’re a rock star—your laptop or Smartphone and get-to-know Kyle Anderson the person, and how he landed the gig at Elle (the job a million girls would kill for, including me!)

Bryanboy and Kyle Anderson in Morocco

Nikki: Darling! How are you? How was Morocco?

Kyle: Hi Nikki, doing great! Morocco was amazing. It was somewhere that I had always dreamed of visiting, a sort of mysterious place that not everyone has the opportunity to visit. I had a great time traveling with [renowned fashion blogger] Bryanboy as well. We definitely have a lot of stories to tell.

You’re currently Elle’s senior accessories editor; previously you worked as the magazine’s associate accessories editor. WOW—that’s a major leap! What has [that] transition been like?

Kyle: I started off at Elle over 6 years ago as an intern, then a freelancer, assistant, associate, editor, and now senior editor. I was lucky. Elle was my dream job—and I got it! I cover a pretty big market, all American and Italian designers. I really feel like it’s a good fit for me. Working in New York … it’s great to be able to have Americans as my market, and also I really love Italian fashion. I’m not that Avant-garde. I really like Milan’s sexy and more wearable style than Paris. I love Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Cavalli, Pucci, and Prada.

"I had 6 internships and loved magazines. I loved everything about it!"

At what moment did you know you wanted to become an accessories editor?

Kyle: Well, originally as a child I thought I wanted to be a designer or a stylist. I took some classes at FIT and I realized being a designer isn’t anything I wanted to do at all—maybe accessories, but not RTW [Ready To Wear]. I had 6 internships and loved magazines. I loved everything about it! Seeing the most beautiful things in the world as they come in the office for our shoots is exciting. We never get bored because we do something new and different every day. So to answer the question: I knew since elementary school that I wanted to work in fashion. And I definitely only wanted to be an editor probably after I started interning. I interned at Esquire, CosmoGirl, Marie Clarie, Vogue and Elle.

You are always going to the coolest appointments and sharing the most rock star behind-the-scenes pictures via your Tumblr page. I think the other day you were rubbing elbows with folks at the Victoria’s Secret headquarters—I’m so jelly! Walk me through a typical day as a senior accessories editor at Elle.

Kyle: Usually I start my appointments at the designers’ showrooms about 8:30 A.M. and finish appointments around lunchtime. I usually do like 6 per day. I cover everything in America from mass market brands to major designers like Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren. In the afternoon I work on finding and calling-in things I've seen all season at the many appointments. I take digital pictures of everything I see and email them with the shoot info to get the samples. It’s fun! It’s like a scavenger hunt for the coolest best things to fit each story.

Andrej Pejic, Kyle Anderson and Andrew Young at the Dossier Party NYC.

What is the best thing about your job?

Kyle: The best thing is seeing new things. I get bored very easily. The newness makes me excited! After a show or an appointment it’s like taking a drug, you feel high and excited to have seen amazing things, or on the other hand, disappointed when you don’t. Though, every designer has their off season so there is always something amazing waiting around the next corner.

Tune in next week, as Kyle Anderson talks all about SPRING/SUMMER TRENDS! You don't want to miss it!

Photo Credit: Kyle Anderson's Tumblr

Gwen Stefani Covers ELLE [U.S.] May 2011 - On Newsstands April 12

Photo Credit: Elle 

Interview Excerpt:

On her appearance: “I mean, I’m very vain. That would be my middle name. Of course I am, you know what I mean? I love the visual.”

On whether Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry have taken a page out of her playbook when it comes to style: “Really? I don’t see myself in those girls. I usually put pants on. I see these girls as more going for the sex-symbol thing. I was more, in the band, like a tomboy. Of course, I think every girl is sexy, so there’s going to be a little of that. But I see a lot of younger artists going more toward the sexy thing.”

On pop music: "When we were growing up, some of the hits were legendary ones that you hear your whole life. But certain songs, I don’t know if you’ll ever hear them again. Because that’s what that music is, like a guilty pleasure, it’s right at the moment. It’s like fashion—it’s now, then it’s gone."