Spotlight: ASOS Africa

During her visit this week to South Africa, Michelle Obama wore a couple pieces from one of favorite online shops, the British site ASOS.  ASOS has a collection of fair trade pieces made in Mombasa, Kenya.  £5 of the sale of each piece will go back to the woman's collective for a new workshop. She pairs the tunic with J. Crew suiting separates. Head on over to Mrs O for more pics and outfit details.

Both photos: Charles Dharapak / AP Images

Above, she wears a great beaded collar jacket. After the jump, some of of the key pieces from the collection including the ones she wears above.

A Bold Floral Maxi Dress

Old Navy Dress

Red Carpet Rundown: Much Music Video Awards

I know it's hard to keep up with Canadian Fashion. Population wise, about 0.5% of the world's people live there, so that's about how much attention you should spend. To be fair, that's about the same number as there are Californians, and I spend nearly 100% of my mental energy focusing on my own Californian clothing. And as you know, I spent the last year of my life on the phone with Anglo and French-Canadians doing customer service with Gap Inc, and thus have a well documented fascination with them. The most important thing I learned from my year of talking to Canadians were that they're people too, just like Americans. Except more polite. 

In case you missed the highly influential Much Music Video awards, here's what went down on the red carpet.  Judging by the fashion at this awards show, however, I may have been giving Canadians too much credit. Here are some of the questionable choices made by the young Canadian stars and some Americans who probably just happened to be shooting in Toronto (plus Lady Gaga). In addition to the clothes, I question their judgment to let Selena Gomez host their awards show, simply because she is dating Canadian Crowned Prince Justin Beiber.

Avril Lavinge (born Belleville, Ontario)

Nina Dobrev (born Sofia, Bulgaria, rasied Toronto, Ontario), The Vampire Diaries. She wears Georges Chakra, plus too-casual-for couture Aldo pumps.

How I Wear: Red, White & Blue

I've already shared my musings and suggestions regarding patriotic Ts for the Fourth of July (and Canada day to 'bout). Here are few ways I styled Old Navy's Women's Americana-Logo Tees.  They would of course be appropriately casual with shorts, but my dress form doesn't have legs, and I wear more skirts anyway. I'm not sure what I'll end up wearing for the holiday itself, I'll keep you posted.

Let's Talk About Stripes

Old Navy T/Vintage Scarf bought in Toulouse

I'm a big fan of stripes. I hate to call them a trend, since there is nothing more classic than a Breton-style stripe, but this season we are seeing a lot of fun permutations (thick, thin, pinstripes, chevron, color blocked, ombré, vertical, horizontal, and more!) worthy of your attention. There's something that can work on everyone. Here are some cute Ts and dresses to consider, plus some of (most of) the striped pieces in my closet.

Classic Blue & White:

Gap: Soft V-Neck Striped T (also in grey stripe)

Gap: Striped Cap-Sleeve T (also in lavender and orange stripe)

 Juicy Couture

Le Petit Bateau: Organic Cotton Marinière