Tami B. has us working on our Bikini Bodies

A Tami B. design from her debut 2008 Collection,
Shown at the Islands of the World Fashion Week 08.

"It's even sexier than it looks - how the hell am I going to wear something like this!" was the only thought I had running through my mind, after closely inspecting one of the Tami B. swim sets.

Exclusively designed by the St. Vincent-based American designer, Tamiko Brown, these bikinis, maillots, and resort pieces are the stuff that lounging-by-the-poolside dreams are made of. And they'll stay put if you manage to take a dip in real life, too.

Turning the adorned halter-style bikini inside out, upside down, and all around, I marveled at its near-perfect construction, comfy lining, and uniquely bold, Italian-made printed material. But alas, I had to ask out loud, "Can people like me wear this?"

Keep in mind, that I'm actually rather slender, and I lack the heavy-set, rotund figure that would swallow up a tiny swimsuit in a snap. As a matter of fact, I even lack the 'Coca-Cola curves' and the ample derriere that would do justice to any skimpy two-piece...

"It only looks small, but it'll definitely cover your bum!" Brown quickly chimed in. "Even full-figured women regularly come to me for sexy swimsuits, and they always leave my studio pleased."

Well, if that stretchy sexpot of a swimsuit could indeed fit the average, apple-bottomed, woman, then it could definitely fit me, right?"

That's just a little excerpt from the Tami B. Swimwear feature on the pages of the December 2009, year-end issue of Au Courant Magazine. Read the full piece and see more of Tamiko Brown's designs when the issue is web-published, later this week!

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Tamiko Brown

Au Courant Magazine November 09 Issue

Click the image to read the November Issue!

And finally, our DIY & Vintage-inspired November issue of Au Courant Magazine is available online!

We had some major delays with this month's publishing due to a few technical glitches, but alas, even that couldn't stop us from bringing you our monthly goodies.

The must-see this month? The vintage images and illustrations from classic women's dress patterns. As one of our Facebook fans aptly said, "I love the era, but without those old female stereo types and lack of work choices, etc... But I would so wear the CLOTHES from way back then!"

I guess that's what we're loving, too. Not the social issues and limitations from the era, but the fabulous, womanly styles that emerged during the 40's,50's & early 60's.

Also a must: take a peep at the ogle-worthy accessories, the Leopard print must-haves, and some of the sewing essentials every DIY-er should have. As always, share your ideas, likes, dislikes and suggestions with us.

And, enjoy!

LMN Harris

Au Courant October 09 Issue is out!

The October Issue of Au Courant mini-magazine is out, and this month, we're championing individual style.

Our cover muse, Lisa Mayock, is the co-designer of the uber-cool Brooklyn label Vena Cava, - a line that I absolutely heart - but we're featuring Lisa for another reason: because of her decidedly unique sense of personal style; love the '80s sunnies!

Across our pages, you'll get some other, equally unique finds, like the colourful Mexican Bolsas Totes on page 5 that will be soon available on our Caribbean + International fashion shopping spot, Au Courant Boutique!

Writer on the rise James Gittens lays down the date night dressing laws, and you'll catch glimpses of the Poshe 2009 collection by Jamaican designer, Camesha Powell.

So go on, read, foward to your pallywalls, and enjoy. And have a happy October!

LMN Harris

Au Courant Mag Sept.09 - Anya Ayoung Chee

Everyone seems to be loving the September Issue, with our cover girl Anya Ayoung Chee, and I'm sure you'll love it, too!

The Pilar Designer and current Miss Trinidad & Tobago chatted with me over a light lunch in NYC, and I transcribed some of our convo for you in the issue.

Also in this issue, we share some above-the-radar Style Secrets from NY/LA Fashion Stylist & Blogger Jazzi McGilbert; beanie hats and vintage dresses, anyone?

See our faves from the debut Pilar collection, just in case you haven't scooped the looks already, and coo over 20 pages of fashion-y goodness.

Enjoy!

LMN Harris

New Model to Watch: Lindsay Scott @ Click

And she's a Trini, to boot! Shot for Italian Elle Magazine, above, the newish model has been quietly making strides; have you seen her in the F09 DKNY ads?

Or maybe you've seen her as the exclusive black model on the Calvin Klein runway recently?
From what I've found out, she was discovered by posting her preliminary portfolio on Models.com!

Didn't I tell you guys in the debut issue of Au Courant Mini-Mag that MDC was a hot option for a new model who's trying to get discovered?

Well, wherever you got the heads-up on Scott, get a peek into her rise here and here.

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy Pony Rider/Elle

New, Clean Look for AuCourantMag.com!

Well, this is just the on-site holding image for the July 09 issue of Au Courant Magazine, but it illustrates the brand new direction of AuCourantMag.com, which is more in keeping with our sleek, B&W feel of the blog.

So go on, check it out, and tell me what you think! One note though: there's a slight viewing issue on Internet Explorer that we're still cleaning up - you can still check it there (it's not going to infect your laptop, or anything) but it would be so, so much better to use Firefox or even Safari.

Enjoy!

LMN Harris

Au Courant Magazine is Live, Live, Live!

Click here to subscribe to the FREE Monthly Mini-Magazine!

After much ado, Au Courant Magazine is live, and ready to be read, shared and browsed, by you, you, and you!

To give you the scoop, folks have been contacting me and asking when I'd create a weekly or monthly emailer or newsletter to keep them abreast of what's happening here, on the blog.

Personally, I don't read many newsletters; they clog up my inbox, and hardly ever have info that's worth reading.

So instead of doing one of those, I decided to go ahead and form a publication that's all about International Style + Caribbean Aesthetic, albeit in a format that's a tad different from most.

Au Courant Magazine is a FREE Monthly Digital and Quarterly Print publication that delivers the AuC focus through two different formats:

The Monthly, Digital Magazine is a totally FREE mini-magazine (10-15, Ad. free pages) that's published entirely online. Issued on the 1st of each month, the Au Courant Monthly is a fast read, and has a light and fun tone, with a focus on independent shopping/style pages, personal style features, street style and such. Don't believe me? Browse - and subscribe to - our Premiere Issue above, and go quell your doubts!

The Quarterly, Print Magazine (Available for purchase in the Fall09 season) is a glossy, limited print - and we mean limited - coffee-table style fashion publication, that's printed, and directly mailed, on demand. Each issue is 'themed,' with full-scale Fashion Editorial shoots, in-depth feature stories & photo-journalistic pieces, original prose, and a more in-depth, reflective, creative focus. And once again, it's Ad. free!! Because of this, and because our tiny team supports Au Courant all by ourselves, the price-per-issue will be a bit higher than the average, commercial magazine.

Read more on the inspiration behind Au Courant Magazine, and get in on the goodness here.

L.M.N. Harris

I Dare You, I Dare You!

Casual-chic, and rocking an 'of the moment' bold print blouse.
Brazil; Rio Carnival 08

In the immortal words of the Soca singer, Ms. Destra Garcia - I Dare You! But to do what, exactly? To arm yourselves with pro. cameras, and to take to the streets, cool island locales, bars, and fetes, and REALLY get some hot shots of uber-stylish Caribbean folk.

To someone (anyone!) out there who loves Island style as much as I do, I dare you: why not become a Caribbean Street Style Photographer?

I'm not talking about getting random shots of folks who are posing up in random Fetes across the region, vogueing for the pic because they're at a party that Machel Montano, or Beenie Man performed at, and they want to be seen on some random party site, saying, "Cheese!"

No, no, no. I'm talking about snapping everyday people doing their daily thing - people who clearly rock an impeccable sense of personal style. One of the best things to happen within the turbulent fashion publishing world, has been the rise of intrepid style savants who independently go beyond reporting on 'which Celeb. wore what.' In an almost similar fashion, I say it's time we celebrate individual style in the Caribbean, too.

Want some inspiration? Check out one of the leading Street Style blogs/Photograpers, The Satorialist, and one of the lesser known - but equally cool - sites, Chicktopia. Now, don't just go out there and be a carbon copy of Scott Schuman!

There are certain fashion-y things about dressing in the Caribbean that makes the look unique - go find those things, and the people who rock those fantastical looks, and snap that. And let me know how it goes, ok?

And maybe, just maybe, I'll feature your shots on the pages of Au Courant Magazine - the debut issue hits this week!

L.M.N. Harris

Coming This Week!

Your eyes are not deceiving you - the Au Courant blog is indeed expanding into a magazine!

It's been a long time coming; in a few days, AuCourantMag.com will be launched, and the premiere issue of Au Courant Magazine will be Web-Published, and internationally available online - for FREE!

It's an actual, monthly online mini-magazine, to be published at the start of each month. And, as to be expected, it's all about 'International Style + Caribbean Aesthetic.' So it's a Caribbean Magazine that's exclusively about Fashion & Style.

Many readers kept asking me why I've never started an emailer/newsletter to keep them up to date, instead of just having the RSS subscriber. Well, it's because I've always felt a magazine would be more fun! Beyond the Web-Published version, there'll also be some quarterly specials to keep you hooked on the goodness - more on that, as time goes by.

Keep posted here for the release date of the first issue of Au Courant magazine.

L.M.N. Harris

NB. Image - Copyright (c) Au Courant Magazine. All Rights Reserved.