Everyone knows Iman for her success as an international supermodel and cosmetics company founder. The inspiration for Yves Saint Laurent’s “Africa Queen” collection, for fourteen years the singularly named beauty graced the runways of the world’s most renowned fashion designers. Before Tyra, Heidi Klum and the other model moguls we know today, Iman was one of the first to capitalize on her modeling background with an entry into business via Iman Cosmetics.

Launched in 1994, the company focuses on products designed for women of color. In addition to her cosmetics line, Iman has also added accessories designer and TV host to her resume via stints at HSN (Home Shopping Network) and Project Runway Canada respectively. Today Iman is broadening her reach even further collaborating with Design Consultant, Carlos Mota on a new home fabrics line called IMAN Home.

Scheduled for its debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Iman had this to say about the project being showcased at such an event.

“I am so excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz on this project. We have worked tirelessly in preparation for the launch of IMAN Home and to have this forum, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a great way to unveil the collection.” {Talking Makeup}

Obviously Fashion Week is a great time to introduce something new because the audience is so broad. People look up to Iman for her fashion sense so it seems likely to be a hit. Look out for the new line sometime late September.

Falcon is, and (in her own words) always will be “the biggest girl in the room” — and in the fashion world, that’s a tough pill to swallow.  But rather than (a) completely withdrawing from fashion and hiding out in sweats and flip flops, or (b) completely withdrawing from fashion and lashing out at the fashion world in a fit of bitter fury, Falcon decides to take the more constructive route by encouraging women to dress well for themselves.

Instead of essentially ignoring the existence of women like herself, Falcon says, there should be emphasis on reminding them that fashion is just as relevant to them as it is to the size 2-4-6’s.  Beauty knows no bounds when it comes to size, and attempting to ignore a chunk of society just because it doesn’t conform to a certain set of numbers is missing out on a huge opportunity to truly understand what it is to be human and beautiful.

Read more {Marie Claire}
Read more {STL Today}

But don’t worry — we’re not media zombies in the Twilight Zone just yet.

Faithful TV viewers lately are taking their style cues from shows like Gossip Girl and Mad Men, which have helped to democratize fashion by showing how “real people” can wear clothes.  Viewers are certainly aware of the fact that these characters aren’t real, but by relating clothing to palpable personalities rather than abstract circumstances like runway shows, they are more likely to understand how certain styles can work in their own lives.

Of course we don’t think you should go out and try to dress 100% like Blair or Serena, because personal style should never be a carbon copy of someone else.  Instead, use TV fashion as a set of guidelines — and a source of inspiration — that helps you develop your own look.

Read the full story {Associated Press}