Vogue Italia launched Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy as supplemental web sites to focus on fashion, beauty, and news in the aforementioned factions. Through the successful experimentation of diversity in its 2008 and 2009 black issues, the magazine is hopeful that it can fill a void in the mainstream.

Vogue Black’s home page includes R&B singer Ciara for “Look of the Day” as well as media mogul Tyra Banks featured in a video interview. For Vogue Curvy, model Crystal Renn and actress America Ferrera satisfy those voluptuous wishes of women labeled plus-size, who rarely grace fashion pages.

Without a doubt, Vogue Italia featured black women more often than its American counterpart but its attempt at provoking change segregates the overlooked segments even more. Embracing diversity takes time –it also takes bravado, where people don’t have the choice of overlooking a tabbed link in oblivion.

When Vogue Italia’s homepage features some of the same articles that are posted on Black and Curvy, why would they need further segmentation?

To put it bluntly, size and race are the two elephants in everyone’s atelier that no one wants to admit they see. Talks of slavery, obesity, eating disorders, and classicism still make us uncomfortable and there’s no light trampling over that. Not even if your parent company is Condé Nast.

For more visit www.vogue.it/en

The post Vogue Italia Launches Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

In honor of Black History Month, Street Etiquette produced Sewn From the Soul – a 22-page editorial project that meshes style and history. With 5 of their friends, Josh and Travis paid homage to some of Black America’s greatest like Nat King Cole, Dr. Cornel West and Huey P. Newton.

Here’s a look behind the making of the spread.

Sewn From The Soul from Alejandro on Vimeo.

For the complete Sewn From The Soul experience, click here.

The post Sewn From the Soul appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Shayla Jamerson, Tasha Dial and Tiffany Stapleton created Headbanger Accessories in 2008 for that very reason: They knew what they wanted to wear, but just couldn’t find it in stores. So the trio experimented with designing accessories and it quickly turned into a movement with an eager following.

Headbanger Accessories speak for themselves, so whether you’re keen on understated beauty or like to flirt with your ostentatious side, Headbanger Accessories is accommodating and highly affordable.

Visit Head Banger at www.headbangeraccessories.com.

The post Headbanger Accessories appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

French Market Amour Candles (Set of Two) $5

Bows and Eros Perfume $15

Made With Love Bra Set $165

Cameo Princess Necklace $48

Golden Knotted Earrings $39

Sterling Silver and Copper Heart Ring Set $55

Lirola Romantic Top $75

The post Red Light Special appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

His designs have landed on Lady Gaga and Jaslene from ANTM, but who exactly is LaQuan Smith?

LaQuan Smith is a budding New York designer with a definitive mission: Design clothing that pop stars and regular women would covet and so far, so good. Aside from getting Rihanna in his designs for the “Rude Boy” video, his designs have hugged the curves of Amerie, Electric Red and Amber Rose. The best part about it, he’s only 21. With such love for creating beautiful pieces, we’re eager to see where Smith’s career takes him.

For more information on LaQuan Smith please visit laquansmith.com and follow him on Twitter @ twitter.com/Laquansmith.

The post LaQuan Smith Clothing appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

N’Damus London is still in its early years, but its working hard to get the hand-making art down to a science. Offering an array of clutches, totes, wristbands and belts in colorful, abstract shapes and folds, it’s easy to see how power girls Estelle, Nia Long, Laura Izibor and Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes have grown fond of the brand.

For more information, please visit N’Damus online @www.ndamus.com

[photo credit: BWLee Photography]

The post We Love: N’Damus London appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Calvin Klein, the American brand known for its provocative advertising and classic jeans tapped four diverse faces to model it’s “X” underwear that will debut in stores next month. They are Mehcad Brooks (True Blood and The Deep End) , Kellan Lutz (Twilight), Fernando Verdasco (Spanish Tennish Player) and Hidetoshi Nakata (Japanese Soccer Player).

The campaign, which starts later this month, will take the boys to the households of many in Asia, Europe and the USA. Holding nothing back with its highly digital and global campaign, Calvin Klein is reportedly using 19 percent of its ad buy for digital platforms.

Be on the lookout for teasers – then again, anything with Brooks has our undivided attention.

The post The New Faces of Calvin Klein Underwear appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Photographers Julia Galdo and Cody Cloud (JUCO) collaborate quite often, capturing their subjects in the most alluring state.This time, they’ve managed to illuminate the beauty of model Nikia Phoenix in the series Freckles. We’ve seen shots of Nikia before and these happen to be our favorite so far where “fierce” is an understatement.

View JUCO’s work here. (http://jucophoto.com/)

The post Nikia Phoenix in “Freckles” Portrait Series appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Three years after graduating from the interior architecture program at the Rhode Island School of Design, Courtney Simmelkjaer mustered up her creativity and took a leap of faith, launching her own collection.

Inspired by the essence of South America and exotic materials, Courtney Simmelkjaer Jewelry takes its wearer for a ride through handmade modern chained necklaces and soulful charm bracelets all without breaking the bank.

Courtney Simmelkjaer Jewelry is available online @ Max and Chloe.

The post Courtney Simmelkjaer Jewelry appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

In 2008 Vintage Royalty launched and now offers brooches, earrings and belts that are highly customizable. We’re talking size, color and style. No pair is exactly the same as the next and every piece has its own eclectic personality. What more could we really ask for. Clutchettes, we think we’re in love.

For more information please visit www.etsy.com/shop/vintageroyalty.

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