Hi, everyone! Nothing soothes the savage fashionista more than some soulful tunes. Music is also a well-known stress reliever! When I heard the inside buzz surrounding Gospel and Soul singer Isaiah Grigg, I just had to hear more! I recently had the opportunity to chat with this hot music-industry commodity to learn about his latest album and other exciting projects & events he’s taking part in this summer! I’m also looking forward to attending his Benefit Concert on May 24th — rock it– appropriately entitled “Ready to Win.”

DP:  Tell me how and when you got involved with music.

IG:  I was born into music. Everyone in my family, near and far either sings, plays an instrument, or both. My mother especially was always the model singer I wanted to be like. Music is something I’ve just always been around; it’s a part of me. Church really gave me the opportunity to experiment musically and express my craft. My first ever music job came via the Gospel Choir at my High school. Great experience!

DP: What is the music style you perform and what influences you?

IG: Stylistically my music is definitely contemporary gospel music. It can be defined as Inspirational as well. God is the creator of my gift and talent so he’s definitely my greatest influence. Everything I write derives from my belief in his word. What influences me… a lot. I take inspiration from life experiences. Things I’ve seen and been through, also observing life around me. My music is about people. It’s meant to reach everyone. I love knowing that my music has helped someone. Doesn’t matter how. I just want to inspire those who listen. I feel privileged to do so.

DP: Where can we find your music?

IG: Well, I’m blessed to say that my Freshman album Ready To Win will be available on iTunes and all other digital download sites as of 5/22/12. The album is also available for per-order on my website at www.isaiahgriggmusic.com.

DP: When is your upcoming benefit concert?

IG: The “Ready To Win” Benefit Concert is May 24, 2012. Doors open at 7pm and concert starts at 8pm. I have 4 great artists who are also performing to help raise money for my MusicBreeds Foundation (MBF). We plan on dedicating 50% of that nights proceeds to aid in the Annual MBF Scholarship to be awarded to a college bound male/female senior who exhibits solid musical ability and aspire to really make a difference via their craft. We want to inspire our youth and help them along to their dreams!
 
DP: Wow — that sounds very inspirational! Now, describe your sense of fashion style – because you’re quite the dapper man.

IG: My fashion style I’d have to say is a mixture of the business professional and the retro-look. I love my suits but I also love my vintage tees and a nice pair of classic Chuck Taylor’s! You can never go wrong with Chucks. I feel my personality should show through your music and your presentation.
 
DP: What is your best advice for other performers looking to make it out there in the music industry or creative industries.

IG: My advice would be to put God first, stay prayerful, and just go hard. Use your trials as fuel. Understand your purpose and live in it. Never let a situation or present time in life good or bad steer you away from your goals. Sacrifice hurts sometimes but nothing great is easy. Stay the course and go after it!

With spring here, leave it to Clearvision and Marc Ecko to show us the latest as featured in the GQ Trend Report! Men get ready to read how to wear those chinos with style!

Normally, chinos are worn in subdued, earth tones like tan, brown, and olive. Break out of that box with this season’s brightly colored pants! They’re not just for vacation, either. Featured in GQ’s Spring 2012 Trend Report, these bright pants give your wardrobe an extra pop that will surely get you noticed. Chinos have the versatility of jeans – they can be easily dressed up or down and there’s a style and fit for everyone. Now available in a stunning array of colors, these chinos were seen all over the runway for Spring 2012 by designers like DSquared2, Ralph Lauren, and the Gap. As always, the key to pulling off a bright color is keeping the rest of the outfit’s colors toned down so the vibrant color of the pants (and you) really stand out!

The Marc Ecko Voyeur pairs well with this look. Chic with a sexy edge, this acetate frame features a unique raised temple pattern that mimics leather tufting. It is available in Black, Blue Black Tortoise and Green Olive Tortoise.

View the style here! Here’s looking at you, men!

Hi, everyone! I don’t know about you, but I find true success stories very inspirational! One such mega-achievement story is definitely about designer Marc Ecko.  Not only has Marc built a substantial empire based on contemporary style with mass appeal, but he’s also approachable and willing to share insight on what it takes to make it in these challenging financial times.

Recently, artist and designer Marc Ecko made a very special celebrity appearance at ClearVision Optical’s booth at Vision Expo East, an annual expo held at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Center. Hundreds of fans and expo attendees lined up in the booth to see Marc and receive a copy of his exclusive interview with “20/20 Magazine” & received a set of limited edition cleaning cloths. This latest interview in “20/20 Magazine” includes behind-the-scenes coverage of a candid, interview in which Marc discusses his new consumer website: marceckoeyewear.com. Marc also signed autographs and posed for photos with those who attended the event. The designer extraordinaire was in-booth to promote the newest optical and sun styles for his “Cut & Sew” Eyewear collection, as well as his new consumer website, marceckoeyewear.com.

One of my favorite areas of this innovative, cutting-edge new Ecko website is the virtual try-on portion! That’s right — consumers can see how sharp they look in various Ecko frames and also get a feel for what looks best on their particular face shape. I truly like the new optical and sun lines because the styles are amazing, sleek and flattering! The men out there can actually afford them, too! Even the names of the various eyewear styles shout affordable sophistication; “Entreprenuer,” “Lip Reader,” and ”The Alex” ( just a few styles which are as hip as the collection, itself). Not sure what to wear with your new frames? Marc has that covered too with a stylizer section of the site (how cool).

About the Cut & Sew Collection by Marc Ecko: With a turn of the century design aesthetic and meticulous attention to detail, each frame in the collection has custom temple tips inspired by the curvature of a tailor’s shears handle. These unique and subtle details creatively pay tribute to the true craftsman who is passionate until the end.

Micah Jesse chats with designer Betsey Johnson backstage at her Fall 2012 Fashion Show at Lincoln Center

Every fashionista or fashionisto needs to stay refreshed with a spring in their stylish step! With the hustle and bustle during Fashion Week it’s important to stay happy and hydrated. Leave it to entertainment blogger and media sensation Micah Jesse of MicahJesse.com to join forces with Pepsi during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as one of their official sponsors. At the “Diet Pepsi Refresh Studio” inside Lincoln Center guests were able to enjoy a crisp Pepsi with specially designed colorful striped-straws by Jonathan Adler! At the refresh studio station a revolving fashion window showcased the hottest fashion week designers’ looks! While on Diet Pepsi patrol Micah interviewed fashion icons such as Betsey Johnson, Richard Chai & BCBG, Carolina Herrera, center-stage at Reem Acra, Custo Barcelona, brunette beauty Maria Menounos, Debra Messing and supermodel Jessica White to name a few!

What was I drinking when I attended the shows at Lincoln Center? Well, Diet Pepsi of course! I found the Diet Pepsi station to be the perfect combination of upbeat, friendly, fun and fashionable! Cheers Micah to a job well-done. I’ll have another Pepsi, please. Enjoy these fabulous clips of the stylish action during the New York Fashion Week Pepsi extravaganza. A fashionable twist to a Fashion Week favorite! For the entire Pepsi playlist you can also click here!

Dailyfashionista.com would like to wish everyone a very loving Valentine’s Day! In this behind-the-scenes clip from the Valentine’s Day edition of Victoria’s Secret (one of our favorite retailers) you can learn more about their latest bras, sultriest new fragrance and everything sexy & beautiful! Go on set with Supermodels Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Lindsay Ellingson, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima and Lais Ribeiro as they shoot Victoria’s Secret’s 2012 Valentine’s Day campaign. This video also features the Angels’ gift tips and ideas for a Gorgeous Valentine’s Day. This video is a treat for both the women and men — enjoy!

Photo: Getty Images

ELI MANNING WEARS ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA FOR GIANTS SUPER BOWL XLVI PARADE!

Eli Manning celebrates at the Super Bowl XLVI – New York Giants Victory Parade in Ermenegildo Zegna. The Giant’s quarterback and years MVP has been a long time supporter of the brand. Eli Manning wears a grey Elements jacket, patterned dress shirt, brown trousers, and grey suede belt by Ermenegildo Zegna. The best words used to describe this look: utterly handsome! Men, take note.

About Zegna: Ermenegildo Zegna is the world leader in luxury men’s clothing. The company was founded in 1910 in Trivero, in the Italian Biella Alps, by the young entrepreneur Ermenegildo, whose vision was to ethically create the world’s finest textiles through innovation, sourcing the noblest fibres directly from their markets of origin. Managed today by the fourth generation of the Zegna family, the company is led by CEO Ermenegildo Zegna, grandson of the Founder. Since the end of the 90s the company has accomplished a comprehensive strategy of verticalization, creating a Global Luxury Brand which now ranges from fabric to clothing to accessories – and focused on retailing, pioneering early entry in emerging luxury markets. In 2010, Zegna celebrated 100 years of excellence.

Worldwide there are over 560 Ermenegildo Zegna points of sale in 80 countries, of which over 330 are direct operating stores. www.zegna.com.

I think there isn’t anything quite as sexy as a guy that leaves a little to the imagination with his look. Women can admire and men – can take fashion notes (*wink). This is a relaxed way to look under-cover cool in 2012.

It’s time to give your old shoes the boot. This winter, kick it up a notch with boots in a variety of styles. According to Askmen.com, black ankle boots are great for office wear. Comfortable, simple, and sleek, these boots are a staple similar to a dress shoe, but provide a bit of extra warmth and durability. They also transition well from work to an evening out; just remove your blazer for a modern, dressed-down look.

For a classic style in a modern silhouette, try leather wingtip boots. Wingtips are characterized by a pointed toe cap with “W” shaped wings running along the sides of the shoe. The decorative perforations and serration along the edges provide interesting detail. Wingtip boots will give your look a touch of sophistication that is great for casual or business wear.

Another version of this season’s must-have shoe is the lace-up boot. The timeless military influences and thick rubber soles provide a rugged and cool feel. Just tuck your slim jeans into the boot and pair with chunky knits or flannel shirts for an easy weekend look that’s on-trend.

Complete your boot look with the trendsetting Marc Ecko Cut & Sew Private Eye. Futuristic and sleek, Private Eye is an oversized acetate sun style with a unique metal bridge décor and metal logo trim. Available in Blue Navy, Smoke Crystal Matte and Merlot, Private Eye features CR 39 UV 400 protective lenses.

For further stylish details, click here!

‘Tis the season, and ’tis the delectable flavors! As we know, Ginger is one of the most celebrated flavors this time of year. Go ahead and spice up a glass of Champagne (be a mixologist at home). All you need is Champagne or Prosecco, pour Domaine De Canton, add a Wild Hibiscus flower and you have a million dollar cocktail (without the million dollar price-tag & no shaking required).  Another wonderful treat that will be certain to warm things up this season — Bourbon & Ginger make a great pair — is “The Winter Gold Rush” which consists of 1.5 Ounces of Domaine de Canton, 1 ounce of Makers 46, Half ounce of fresh lemon juice (shaken – strained into a martini glass and garnished with a luxardo cherry) with super premium ginger liqueur, Domaine de Canton. This Liqueur is very special, as it is made with rare baby Vietnams ginger. Domaine de Canton, can be served alone on ice or mixed with any spirit. The versatility in making cocktails is endless, as well as cooking with Domaine de Canton (you can find great recipes on the site). Liqueurs are historical descendants of herbal medicines; they were made in Italy as early as the 13th century and were often prepared by monks (how, interesting).  Nowadays, liqueurs are made worldwide and are served in many ways: by themselves, poured over ice, with coffee, mixed with cream or other mixers to create cocktails. Liqueurs are also used for cooking from savory to sweet. Cheers to a positive, healthy and happy New Year to all! This fashionista is certainly looking forward to trying out the recipes on the ultra-cool Domaine De Canton website!

 

*Please note: Dailyfashionista.com only suggests alcoholic beverages to those who are of legal age in your respective state or country. As always, drink responsibly.

Ring in the New Year with new ways to wear denim. Let’s face it, every lady is drawn to a sharp-dressed man! I just noticed these handsome new sunglasses from IZOD and ClearVision Optical. I just had to share it with the DailyFashionista.com readers and men out there — take note!

Denim shirts are a classic American piece, favored throughout the years by cowboys, rock stars, and lumberjacks alike. As versatile as jeans, denim shirts can be worn with khakis, corduroys, or even your favorite old blues for the double denim look.

Keep it casual by choosing a denim shirt with western-style snap buttons. Chambray, a lightweight fabric resembling denim, also gives a relaxed feel. According to Men’s Health, denim shirts can also be dressed up several ways. Pair yours with a slim tie that’s knit, wool, or cotton. Or, try a gray denim color for a unique, sophisticated look. Make a resolution to try this trend during the chilly days of January: wear your denim shirt under a sweater or topped with a cool blazer.

Complete any of these looks with IZOD LX 754, a stylish blend of classic design and modern luxe. This men’s Navigator style features a double bridge and custom leaf spring hinges that are as technically appealing as they are durable. The LX 754 is available in Chrome and Black. This look will be certain to turn heads! Let’s stroll into the New Year with confidence and style.

View this aviator- style: IZOD LX 754, here.

TV personalities Maria Menounos and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (in a black track jacket).

On behalf of OfficialSituation.com and Dailyfashionista.com I would like to thank everyone who entered the holiday contest to win the ultra-cool Official Situation black track jacket!! Mike has shown us that a sleek track jacket can go from the city streets to the red carpet in a flash. It’s a great jacket and stylish wardrobe staple. The winner of this contest is Amy Frenkel. We hope you enjoy the jacket and have an enjoyable winter break from school! Happy Holidays, everyone!