Laura Smalls, an African-American fashion designer whose dresses have been seen in Vogue, New York Magazine, and on the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, closed out NY Fashion Week in true panache. Her spring/summer 2012 presentation entitled ‘Legacy,’ captured my affection as one of my favorite shows of the week.

Set in the penthouse suite of the Centurion Residence on W. 56^th St., the emerging NY-based designer showed a beautiful collection of 26 meticulously crafted looks that were alluring, smart, even whimsical at times. There was the oriental floral print organza dress fit for an elegant night out, the form-fitting coral asymmetrical dress with a print back, and the head-turning emerald green, hip-hugging Dorothy Dandridge trumpet style gown with a rose flounced bottom. Guests of the show were the crème de la crème of the fashion and entertainment industries including Andre Leon Talley, contributing editor at Vogue, supermodel Chanel Iman, Bethann Hardison, the editor-at-large of Vogue Italia, magazine publisher Jocelyn Taylor, opera singer Kathleen Battle, philanthropist Grace Hightower De Niro, and musical icon Valerie Simpson, of Ashford & Simpson.

As the show progressed, I became more and more impressed. In addition to the more upscale evening wear options, there were sexy jersey dresses (one in a gunmetal color with shoulder cut-outs), jumpsuits, flattering summer dresses, and a show stopping peony pink shift dress with cap sleeves. Almost every look was moving and resonated with the aesthetic of a modern, sophisticated woman which Smalls executes flawlessly.

The designer also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Nick Ashford, a singer-songwriter, who was a dear friend of hers. As Smalls emerged to close out the show, her famous friends and colleagues were there to congratulate her. For more information on Laura Smalls’ collection, visit www.LauraSmalls.com.

For more fashion musings, check out my blog Disciples of Haute.
– Sharifa Crawford

It’s fashion week. So, we decided we’d have our own Fashion Week at the offices. With the fashion world undergoing a black girl power supermodel renaissance anchored by Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Sessilee Lopez, Selita Ebanks and Arlenis Sosa, it seemed less likely of a rise in black male models, let alone models of color. Somewhere, beyond the rainbow, came forth male models who were not your average Herculean beach bum Fabio Lanzoni-type with feathered tresses and a sun-kissed tan. These male models had melanin  that soaked up starlight and had an edginess that blended rock n’ roll excess, punk revolt, urban swag and soft-core kink without batting an eye. Among them, Chavis Aaron is just that: A prime example of nu-vogue and urban decay; a photogenic chameleon able to shock and able to entice sex (a fashion favorite).

Talking to several male fashion models of color to discuss the fashion world and its ups and downs, race and culture, we get the skinny on the experience of being diverse in fashion. Recovering from a heavy night of intoxicating birthday debauchery, Aaron is the second of fashion beaus to bluntly tell us what is going on in the world of fashion beyond the runaway and share an insight to what he wants out of life.

Giant: How were you discovered? What age were you? And how do you think you can get more exposure?

Chavis: I started modeling at 7 years-old, but I still feel like I have yet to (with emphasis) truly be “discovered.”

Giant: What was your first gig?

Chavis: My first gig was a local Indiana paper.

Giant: What is the most attractive trait to have to be a professional model and why is it important?

Chavis: There’s no such thing as a trait you must have to model. Models are created based off being different. You have to bring a different look to the table, but a toned body is super important for male models

Giant: The modeling world is ruled by women mostly. Is it because they purchase more clothes or is it because menswear is so simple?

Chavis: I think it’s ruled by women because they are more open to fashion options and combos.

Giant: Other than modeling agencies RED and Benetton, there’s not a lot of diversity. What do you think the fashion world is missing?

Chavis: I think that the fashion world is missing equality between male models and female [models].

Giant: Some designers have stated they don’t design their clothes for black people like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Do they hire black models or have you been approached by a fashion house of this caliber?

Chavis: I have known these designers to choose black models for shows, but I still feel that it’s a “token” black model situation.

Giant: What do you feel about blacks and other minorities wearing the clothes?

Chavis: I think that its their choice to wear [the clothes] or not; I have no problem.

Giant: How do you feel about the opinion of male models being accessories in fashion shoots?

Chavis: I think its def. true that male models are just that, accessories. And [I] think that we have just the same to offer, talent-wise, as any one else.

Giant: What does the fashion world need most?

Chavis: The fashion world needs more of an open mind and ethnic understanding.

Giant: You’ve traveled quite a bit. What places have you been to? Any place in particular that you just adore?

Chavis: I love South Beach! The energy there is amazing. [I am] waiting for London, [that trip is] coming soon.

Giant: Have you picked up any skills in your travels?

Chavis: I have learned patience, organization, dedication, passion, and [a] strong work out habit.

Giant: Have you allowed yourself to learn other cultures because of your ability to travel?

Chavis: Unfortunately, I haven’t left the country yet.

Giant: It’s a recession. How are you making money in such a harsh socioeconomic zeitgeist as this?

Chavis: Yeah, modeling is not always easy. So, I also started two companies: C A Reaction, where we do Branding/Marketing/ Event planning, and also C A Reaction Staffing, where we staff other models for Bartenders/servers for events nationwide.

Giant: Are casting directors and designers a lot harder than they were five years ago because of the recession?

Chavis: Yeah, I think casting [is] a lot harder and [I] also [think] there is a lot more competition with the increase of new models from reality shows and [the] media push to want to become a model [is a] frenzy.

Giant: What is the one thing you would change about the fashion world?

Chavis: That it would be more diverse.

Giant: Its fashion week, will you be a part of any shows?

Chavis: This year, I felt as though I need[ed] a break, and [that I will] come back and hit the industry with a big bang!

Giant: Is there a particular client that you are always happy to work with?

Chavis: I love working with new designers that just have the passion for what they do best—design.

Giant: Anyone in particular that you are not willing to work with?

Chavis: Never; I am an equal opportunity employee! (laughs)

Giant: Any labels or clients you’d be smitten to work with?

Chavis: I would love to be the face for D&G, Dsquared², and Diesel.

Giant: Anything in the future you’re excited about?

Chavis: I’m excited to shoot a lot of new work including a calendar/website coming soon, so [be on the] look out!

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8 Booties For Fall For Under $50

A classic fashion icon in the making, just like her name. This multiracial model, has changed the runway with her girl next door  appeal. She has wowed us with her runway walk and have made heads turn with her  off the runway style. She has showed us she knows how to bring her best walk forward.

- Jasmine Hampton

Check out  the Video of Chanel Iman Behind-The Scenes at GIANT Photo Shoot

Forget about all the hoopla circling these outrageous “fattys” nowadays, these female celeb’s understand that “It ain’t ya booty, it’s ya beauty.”

Chanel Iman is doing big things. Hitting runways internationally and appearing in ads from coast to coast, the 19-year-old stunner is everywhere: Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, you name it. This month, you can find the part Korean, part African-American model gracing the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Dubai and flaunting her stuff in the new Victoria’s Secret campaign for the VS collection.

Iman, who was featured in the March issue of GIANT, has been modeling for Victoria’s Secret for over a year, appearing in ads for the Pink collection, a brand geared toward high school and college students. Iman describes VS as a more “sexy but comfy” line. Excited about the campaign, Iman tweets “I love mine, go buy yours.” I guess that’s an order from the model herself.

-Felicia Kelley

Sophisticated shades? No more! Natural lips? Naw….

This season sunglasses, aka hater blockers, found there way back to the playfulness of the eighties and early nineties; the more color the better. Plastic, pastel, neon, mirror, or metallic.  If they cause a commotion you know you’ve selected the perfect shade to protect yourself from the sun.

And gone is the rule that says if you go crazy with one thing, you have to ease down with the rest. New rule: f**k that! Colored lips enhance your cool. Think pink, but don’t stop there. Orange, purple,red and even black or a super pale. It may sounds like your picking out  nail polish  other than lipstick, but check out how these fabulous ladies pull it off!

If modeling was step one to a fantastic career, then co-hosting MTV’s House of Style (which we reported about a month and a half ago) premiering this weekend, would be step two.  What step three is we can only wait and see, but Chanel Iman has earlier said to Teen Vogue that she, wants to do more television and even get into film, music and designing.

“When I got back from Paris – I was in Paris for ready-to-wear and did the whole fashion tour for Fashion Week – they told me I got it. I was really excited because it’s just another way for me to express myself!” Iman says to about getting her new job at MTV.

We can also look forward seeing her make an appearance amongst all the upper east penthouses and well dressed guys in this season’s Gossip Girl.

For more Chanel Iman, click here to watch the exclusive video from her GIANT photo shoot here.

It is rumored that Chanel Iman, busy catwalking this week, will appear on an upcoming episode of Gossip Girl but there is no word on whether it will be an ongoing role, or just a breeze-through.

Also, we’re still waiting for confirmation of her post as the new host of MTV’s revised House of Style, a position that Leo DiCaprio’s lady, Bar Rafaeli, is supposedly up for as well.

Looks like Chanel Iman is preparing to invade the small screen in a big way…

Click here to read an excerpt from Chanel’s GIANT feature!

And for more Chanel, click here to see her sexy GIANT photo gallery!

And take a peek behind-the-scenes for her GIANT shoot!

She’s one of fashion’s hottest runway models… and GIANT has her. Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes video with the fabulous Chanel Iman below:

Click here to read an exerpt from Chanel’s GIANT feature!

And for more Chanel, click here to see her sexy GIANT photo gallery!

And Chanel isn’t the ONLY sistah really doing on the runway! Check out newcomer Lyndsey Scott here!

With today (Feb. 13) being the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, who better to kick of GIANT’s week-long coverage of all things style than runway “it” girl Chanel Iman. Check out her seductive GIANT photo shoot below:

Click here to read an exerpt from Chanel’s GIANT feature here!

And for more Chanel, click here to see our behind-the-scenes video with her!

Click here to subscribe to GIANT today!

And Chanel isn’t the ONLY sistah really doing on the runway! Check out newcomer Lyndsey Scott here!

A couple days before this interview, Chanel Iman turned 18. As a fashion model on the rise, the busy teen spent the whole day working. “I flew in from Los Angeles and went straight to an Allure shoot,” she says perched in the dimly lit lounge of Manhattan’s downtown SoHo Grande Hotel. But this is not an occasion for sympathy. “I celebrated my birthday last night,” she reveals, “It was Britney Spears’s birthday party. My friends and I danced all night with Britney.”

Born in Atlanta, raised in Los Angeles and now living in New York City, Chanel Iman Robinson is part Korean, part African American. She is named after her mother’s favorite designer and an aunt, who is named after the legendary model. She has the looks, the cultural mix and the moniker that signify a modern fashionista.

The teenage Iman represents a new generation and proves that a lot can be accomplished in a short amount of time. Her runway debut for DKNY’s Fall 2006 season was a few months after her first “single beauty shot” in Teen magazine. Since then she’s walked for Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney and Diane Von Furstenberg, as well as virtually every other major designer worldwide. She is also the muse to Philip Lim and wears half of a puzzle-piece charm necklace that her mentor, Tyra Banks, gave her.

FOR THE FULL STORY, CHECK OUT THE NEW MARCH ISSUE OF GIANT ON NEWSSTANDS NOW!

Click here to see all the photos from Chanel’s sexy GIANT shoot!

And for more Chanel, click here to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video of her!

Click here to subscribe to GIANT today!

And Chanel isn’t the ONLY sistah really doing on the runway! Check out newcomer Lyndsey Scott here!

Welcome to the March 2009 issue of GIANT featuring cover star/action hero Dwayne Johnson. For all the details on the new issue, watch GIANT editor-in-chief Emil Wilbekin’s editor’s note video below:

COVERSTORY

Dwayne Johnson “Metamorphic”
Formerly known as The Rock, Dwayne Johnson is no longer a wrestling phenomenon, but now a Hollywood leading man. Johnson is starring in the Disney remake Return to Witch Mountain in March. The half Black Canadian/Samoan actor talks about his troubled past, his former wrestling superstar status, and his quest to become a serious thespian. Click here to see our exclusive photo gallery!

FEATURES
Chanel Iman “The Wonder Years”
At 19 years old, Chanel Iman is leading the pack of new fashion models of color as they break barriers of the mostly white runway. She talks about her success, ambitions beyond the catwalk, and dancing all night with Britney Spears. Click here to see our exclusive photo gallery! And click here to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

Chris Paul “On Point”
The New Orleans Hornet point guard is one of the best players in the NBA. Just in time for NBA All-Star Weekend, the 23-year-old talks about his work ethic, new Nike Brand Jordan sneaker, and friends like LeBron James, Reggie Bush, and Lil’ Wayne. He’s even won a Gold medal. Click here to see our exclusive photo gallery!

Rashida Jones “The Beautiful Mind”
The TV star of Boston Public and The Office is making her screen debut in the bromance comedy I Love You, Man in March. The daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton is a brilliant and funny lady. Next up, a sitcom with SNL alum Amy Poehler.

Jean Pigozzi “Out of Africa”
Venture capitalist, philanthropist and sportswear designer Jean Pigozzi has one of the largest contemporary African art collections in the world. Pigozzi talks about his missions to bring these works to public view and his passion for this artwork. Here, he shares some of his colorful and cultural finds.

Young Hollywood “Star Track”
Who are the next stars of the silver screen? Freida Pinto, Luke Grimes, Lauren London, Jesse Williams, Isabel Lucas, and Tristan Wilds are all on deck. Here, GIANT turns the spotlight on the new wave of actors. Click here to see our exclusive photo gallery! And click here to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video with Lauren, Freida, Tristan and more!

Fonzworth Bentley “Gentleman’s Agreement”
Sean “Puffy” Combs’ former assistant has gone from carrying umbrella sot hosting his own successful reality show MTV’s From G’s to Gents, writing an etiquette book Advance Your Swagger, and scoring a record deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Here, the talented Mr. Bentley shares his secrets to success. Click here to see our exclusive photo gallery! And click here to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video here!

Click here to subscribe to GIANT today!

According to Page Six, MTV wants to remake the fashion show House of Style. GIANTmag.com sexy lady Chanel Iman may host. Can she carry the role? I mean, was she even born during Cindy “the mole” Crawford’s reign? Personally, I can’t wait. I loved that show.

Here’s a classic trip down memory lane with Jean Paul Gaultier and Linda Evangelista in Paris.

8. Rihanna

Not only did the Bajan beauty have her fair share of chart toppers, but her relentless touring, jaw dropping outfits and non-stop appearances in the press kept everyone’s eyes and ears locked on her.

7. Beyonce

Sure, we’re partial, but there are very few stars that shine brighter than our Dec/Jan 2009 cover-girl Beyonce. From her monster album I Am Sasha Fierce… to her performance in  Cadillac Records as Etta James, the incomparable star proves that no matter which personality she’s channelling, she’s always fierce.

6. Chanel Iman

For Spring/Summer 2008, these were just some of the shows for which the Atlanta born/Los Angeles bred model ripped the runway:

Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang,  Badgley Mischka, Behnaz Sarafpour, Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, D&G, DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Doo.Ri, Erin Fetherston, Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, L.A.M.B., La Perla, Louis Vuitton,Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vera Wang, Yves Saint Lauren.

Need we say  more?

4. Scarlett Johansson

When it’s reported that you’re Blackberry buds with President-Elect Obama before he even secured the office, you know you’re kind of a big deal.

3. Kerry Washington

Lakeview Terrace may not have been the box office smash that Kerry & co. were hoping for, but given that she’s got a reported five movies in the works, we’re pretty sure that she did something right in ’08.

And yes, we’re talking specifically, about this

2. Eva Mendes

If you things really come to those who wait, then you’d want to check out Eva’s femme-fatale appearance in The Spirit to see why she wouldn’t let 2008 go without a bang!

1. Michelle Obama

“Behind every strong man”…ah, you already know how it goes.

One thing’s for sure: the future First Lady proved that the old adage is true.

Throughout the historic 2008 election, Mrs. Obama kept her composure under fire and helped to rally support for her husband. Comparisons have been drawn to Jackie O., but we’re sure that Michelle Obama will make her own mark during her stay at the White House.

Those were our pick. What about yours?

Sexy and sophisticated ladies were all the rage in 2008. From political stages to fund raisers, the front row at fashion shows to red carpets, women weren’t afraid to show their femininity wearing short, colorful dresses and showing lots of leg. REMEMBER: Beauty + Brains = Power. Check out 8 of the smartest, most social and sexiest women of ’08.