Editor's Note: NY Fashion Week + Black History Month & More!

Happy New Month! This month is so exciting! We’ve got the Grammys, NY Fashion Week, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and of course the PRIMARIES! Oh My! As a reminder, February 5th, 2008, is Super Tuesday in the USA. To our USA readers, be sure to go out and VOTE!

On to Black History Month, a recent article says Advertising Targeting African American Consumers Exceeds $2billion dollars annually. WOW! It brings us to what has been the central issue, of late, in the industry as NY Fashion Week, Fall '08 kicked off today. Why is there a scarcity of Black models on fashion runways? Even the Wall Street Journal wants to know.

While the industry figures out a solution, the show must go on. Of course we bring you our take on Fall 2008's haute and not so haute fashions. Plus, you get direct access backstage to some of the best shows for Fall '08 thanks to Ladybrille fashion insiders. Speaking of fashion insiders, the funny and savvy PR guru, Kelly Cutrone, of whom I have had the pleasure of working with is a MUST READ . She is hillarious as she spells out Fashion Week etiquette.

Creating a clearly defined pathway for African Fashions in the West is not one Ladybrille intends to embark on with only Africans. Accordingly, we reach out to our beautiful Black brothers and sisters as we, throughout this month, celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of Blacks to the fashion industry nationally and internationally.

We also extend our hands of friendship to the beautiful non-African/Black fashion-forward women whose challenges and successes parallel ours. Be sure to watch out for our upcoming feature with the very passionate and energetic San Franciscan Irene Hernandez-Feiks; a Latina who through her event "Chillin'" has created opportunities for emerging artists, designers & filmmakers within San Francisco and across the country. Similarly, be on the look out for the Ladybrille Woman of the Month Kaushie Adieseshan, a USA based emerging Indian designer who is gaining momentum in India and at IMG's Indian Lakme Fashion Week.

Make room for LOVE! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY in advance. We want to know, "How has love changed you?" Send your responses to ladybrille@ladybrille.com for a chance to be featured!

Finally, mark your calendars for March 9th, 2008 for the very major leagues of music, media & techonology conferences, The South by Southwest [SXSW] Interactive Festival. I will be a speaker on the Africa 2.0 panel at the conference alongside some cool folks & fellow bloggers: Eric Hersman, Chosan, Nii Simmonds and Kofi Annansi . Kofi Annansi, who is the moderator and producer of the Africa 2.0 Panel, will lead the discussion on "how technology is being used to affect change in Africa & how it factors into efforts in different industries including fashion, entertainment, finance, and marketing." Come out and support us plus, I would really love to meet YOU!

Have an absolutely beautiful and love filled February!

Remain Blessed,

Uduak