Fashiona

Well the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics are soon coming to a close and what a ride it has been. Fashiona loves watching because the competition is so genuine and friendly at the same time. She has always loved swimming, diving, gymnastics and still loves track and field (despite the infamous purple panty incident).

To round out her Olympic coverage, Fashiona wants to highlight Olympic athletes that have really flexed their fashion sense. Florence Griffin Joyner (Flo Jo),the late track star, made a huge impression on a young Fashiona (and the rest of the world) by her incredible speed and flashy one leg costumes. And who could forget her long nails when she won 200 meters in the Seoul Korea 1988 Olympics.

Since then female athletes have followed her lead by merging their athleticism with their femininity. Lisa Leslie has had a fantastic modeling and basketball career. She also written a book Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You. LOVE the title- Fashiona couldn’t have done better herself.

Gabrielle Reece played on the pro beach volleyball circuit for years and modeled swimsuits along the way.

© Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Serena Williams gets a “A” for effort because she takes risks with her choices.

… some just work better than others. Here is Fashiona’s favorite Serena look, remember this from the 2002 US Open!!

And yes Fashiona does read your comments (thanks Faith).

Guo Jingjing

just won Gold in Beijing and is named by the Chinese Press, “World’s Number One Princess in Diving”. She is also pursuing a modeling career to the point the Chinese are worried if they will lose their star to the bright lights. She can do both…right?

That’s it for Fashiona’s Beijing Olympic Coverage, will she cover London’s 2012, hmm?

Beijing has come along way since the dark days at the Tieman Square, but China is still a Communist country and well things are very different. There are many factories that manufacture clothing and conditions are sometimes questionable, but Fashiona must remind all this  blog about fashion not politics.

Now, China Fashion week has been going on for 11 years. With each successful fashion week, China hopes to expand their status from supplier/manufacturer to trend setter. China Fashion Week for Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 held in March was among one of the best evolving from 3 shows to 30. This year’s featured 50+ designers from more than 20 countries. Fashiona has tried to find out which designers actually showed at that week but information is limited and up the government’s release.

Now in her hunt, she did find news on the China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, organized by China Fashion Association. The annual “Hempel Award Contest”, features designers from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Finland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Portugal, Italy,Spain, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Russia, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand and Morocco. The goal is the competition was to merge the east with the west while paying the tribute to both.

Here is one of Fashiona’s favorite shots from German Designer David Ubl:

A very rare 2 post day because Fashiona is trying for her first awards.

Voting ends on August 16.

Based on the rules:
I think I am eligible for these three:

Best New Blog 
Best Personal Blog
Best Style Fashion Blog

Step 1 click below

http://www.blackweblogawards.com/database/step1.php

Step 2: Find these three categories

Best New Blog- probably my best chance

Best Personal Blog
Best Style Fashion Blog

Step 3: Copy and paste the following URL into the above categories.

http://www.todaystyle.today.com/

Thank you so much with love Fashiona

Fashiona has been staying up late to watch the Olympics. She watched the gutsy mens US gymnastic team clinch the bronze medal and the womens’ team squeak out the silver. Last night’s all around womens’ competition was the best she has seen in years with the Americans Nastia Liukin going gold and Shawn Johnson silver.

The Chinese teams picked up gold in both the mens and womens gymnastic team competitions. The Chinese have also been a dominating force in the diving contests. Synchronized diving and gymnastics are some of the best displays of the balance of beauty, great attention to the smallest of details and countless hours of unrelenting hard work.

These three factors are also seen in well known fashion designers of Chinese descent. Vera Wang , the premier bridal designer may be one of the best known. Here is Fashiona’s favorite gown from the Sex in the City Movie designed by guess who: Ms. Vera Wang.

Born on June 27, 1949 in an affluent family, Vera Wang grew up attending fashion shows in Paris and also attended the famed Sorbonne.

Vera Wang was also trained a world class figure skated and competed in the 1968 US Figure Skating Championships. When her dreams of making the Olympic team were dashed, she put her sights on conquering the fashion industry. She worked as beauty editor before lauching her line of wedding gowns.

Fashiona’s comment: Who says the world of sports and fashion don’t collide?

Fashiona’s friends over at the Magazine Cafe have the September Harpers’ Bazaar with Tyra as Michelle Obama. She will pick up her copy tomorrow and report back.