June 22 – Nicki Minaj & SB Arrive @ LAX

Photo credit: Nicki-Maraj.com

Nicki Minaj and also Mariah Carey will take the stage at the BET Awards.

BET announced Tuesday that India. Arie and Ciara will join the former “American Idol” judges as performers at the June 30 awards show.

Previously announced performers include Chris Brown, Miguel, R. Kelly and Kendrick Lamar.

Full Article Here. 

Ciara announced via Instagram that she will be releasing the video for “I’m Out” featuring Nicki Minaj during the pre-show of the 2013 BET Awards. So be sure to tune in at 6 PM EST on June 30 to watch! Stay tuned for more.

Gather ’round Barbs, Queen Barbie has released the first look at her new line for Kmart and online retailer Shop Your Way and it’s kinda cray.

The rapper announced her partnership with the budget megastore earlier this year, describing the line in a press conference as, “rich stuff, quality stuff; my big thing is that it cannot look cheesy or cheap.”

Not cheap? We’d have to give the clothing a proper feeling up to determine that. Not cheesy? We can’t check that box off with confidence just yet. As teased by the preview video released this week, Minaj’s line is pretty much what you’d expect from a fashionista-without-borders—tethered by Kmart execs.

The collection appears to emulate the outlandish Minaj’s style at a fairly basic level. Although the 30-year-old star has historically hit stages and red carpets in Gaga-threatening costumes, her style in 2013 has been exceptionally toned down. It may have a lot to do with her time as an American Idol judge, given that the show’s audience isn’t the most style conscious.

From what we can see, the line flaunts bright colors, neons, and bold prints, focusing on leggings, body con dresses, and blazers similar to what the rapper herself has been wearing this year (that gray one has got to go).

Minaj said of the line, “There are some dresses that I’m obsessing over already, just the shapes of them. They tuck you in at the right places and they enhance the right places.”

Overall the collection seems a bit hit-and-miss, ranging from stuff you could find at discount street shops to fairly chic Versace-esque chain print dresses and fun metallic bustiers. Guessing by the presence of puffy jackets and fun fur, the line will be released this fall.

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It’s no secret that Nicki Minaj has transformed her look in a major way this year. She’s stepped away from her wild styles and ridiculous ‘fits into an image that “highlights that she is a woman, a very attractive woman with a great body,” her new stylist Jerod McClairn says.

Since joining her glam squad in November, McClairn–who has also lent his sartorial know-how to Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway and Brandon Jennings–has become the visionary behind creating the Queen Barbie’s current look. He credits the 17 years in the entertainment industry as his preparation for his first foray into switching up a client’s image.

Vixen caught up with the stylist/ fashion designer as he talks about working with the new face of Myx Fusion, gives tips on how to find the perfect stylist and what celebrities he would love to style. — Sharifa Daniels

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