The wait is over ladies! I have been stalking The Brooklyn Circus blog, feverishly awaiting the drop of their women’s line…Ouigi and his crew have come through for the ladies with just as much fire/fiyah as the men’s line…Bright pink, yellow and blue colors adorn one of the T’s with their infamous mantra “The Brooklyn Circus Experience is Everything”. And you have to appreciate the fact that they chose two models of different figures to display the diverse fit of their T’s. Looks like the Brooklyn Circus is continuing their successful reign in fashion with the expansion of their line and retail locations set to open this weekend in Brooklyn!

For more information on our Brooklyn Circus please visit www.thebkcircus.com

Sharpton defends Jackson despite Obama comments
The Rev. Al Sharpton on Tuesday defended the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has come under fire for his recent crude off-air criticism of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. “We have all made mistakes. We have all erred, and we ought not try to sugar coat when we err,” Sharpton told a gathering of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in this New Orleans suburb. “But we should not throw away everything when we err, and to say that Rev. Jackson made a mistake is correct, but to act like Rev. Jesse Jackson is not pivotal to our movement, our history … is wrong.” “Jesse Jackson,” he added, “is somebody.” Jackson had been scheduled to address the SCLC’s 50th anniversary convention Tuesday morning, but his press office said he was on vacation and a representative was sent in his place. (Continue Reading…)

New York Jewelry Company Sues Wyclef Jean
The company founded by the New York businessman known in the hip-hop world as “Jacob the Jeweler” has sued Wyclef Jean, claiming he owes money for watches and jewelry he bought. Jacob and Company Incorporated says in Manhattan court papers filed Tuesday that the hip-hop star bought several items between March 2002 and January 2006 for $765,100. The company says Jean still owes $319,680, despite “repeated demands for payment.” (Continue Reading…)

House formally apologizes for slavery and Jim Crow
The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws. “Today represents a milestone in our nation’s efforts to remedy the ills of our past,” said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only white lawmaker to represent a majority black district. Cohen faces a formidable black challenger in a primary face-off next week. Congress has issued apologies before — to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws. (Continue Reading…)

The latest beauty magazine has just stepped on the scene — Shine Magazine. Apart of Shine Expo Beauty Culture (SEBC), Shine is a complimentary beauty news publication, dedicated to beauty professionals and enthusiasts. Shine Magazine not only highlights beauty tips, but has an online community for beauty professionals to find the latest trends, styles and beauty techniques. Also, Shine offers tips on how to better connect with your styles and features beauty profiles. To order your free copy and to learn more about Shine Magazine and the Shine Expo please visit www.ShineExpo.com

For those attending the Bronner Brothers Int’l Hair Show Aug. 2th - 4th in Atlanta don’t forget to check them out at booth #604!

To talk about fashion’s street-wear culture and not mention Kidrobot isn’t exactly a sin, but it should be. Kidrobot, founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, is one of the leading retailers of art toys and street-wear apparel. Intermixing graffiti, fashion, and elements of pop culture, Kidrobot is definitely in a league of their own.

Rewinding back a few years to the company’s conception, Kidrobot was first known for their artistic collector’s toys. Designed by artist across the globe, these toys are crafted using vinyl and then hand painted. Although I must admit, unique indeed, they have the faces that only a fan or collector could love, but cute nonetheless. They even have a cool way to purchase your toy with a technique called Blind Assortment. “Blind Buying” is where each box has several characters printed on it, and the only way to find out which is inside is to buy the surprise filled box. Interesting concept and seemingly fun way to shop!

However, here at Clutch we don’t need another reason to shop, but Kidrobot couldn’t have given us a better one. In 2006 Budnitz released Kidrobot’s first apparel line. Two years and four exclusive retail stores later, Kidrobot has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, YRB, Paper, and now Clutch Magazine. Showcasing vibrant colors and bold capricious patterns the clothing is equally as artistic as the toys. The line has something for everyone, men, women and kids, including everything from hoodies and sneakers, to skirts and bathing suits. Sizes range from xtra-small to large and prices start at $25 (for kids) $40 (for adults).

Having a can’t stop won’t stop mentality they recently debuted their first bag line consisting of totes, duffle(s), fanny-packs, and the classic street-wear bag of choice backpacks. Kidrobot’s new fall line is now available on their website. For more information or to purchase Kidrobot collectibles and apparel please visit www.kidrobot.com.

Vanity Fair Covers The New Yorker
We here at Vanity Fair maintain a kind of affectionate rivalry with our downstairs neighbors at The New Yorker. We play softball every year, compete for some of the same stories, and share an elevator bank. (You can tell the ones who are headed to the 20th floor by their Brooklyn pallor and dog-eared paperbacks.) And heaven knows we’ve published our share of scandalous images, on the cover and otherwise. So we’ve been watching the kerfuffle over last week’s New Yorker cover with a mixture of empathy and better-you-than-us relief. (Continue Reading…)

Over 2,000 raped last month in Congo’s east: report
More than 2,000 rape cases were recorded last month alone in Democratic Republic of Congo’s violent North Kivu province, a new report said on Tuesday, highlighting the failure of a U.N.-backed deal to deliver peace. Many more women and girls were raped but did not report it, the document added, saying that, since the signing of a January 23 deal between rebels, militia and government, 150,000 civilians had fled their homes amid continuing “horrendous violence.” The report by the Congo Advocacy Coalition, a collection of 64 international and local aid agencies and rights groups, is the latest damning indictment of an agreement meant to finally pacify North Kivu, a province in the mineral-rich east. (Continue Reading…)

Slavery in US Lingered Long After Civil War
This is how John Davis became a slave: He was walking one evening from the train depot in Goodwater, Ala., when a white man appeared in the road. “Nigger,” he demanded, “have you got any money?” The white man, Robert Franklin, was a constable. He claimed Mr. Davis owed him. This was news to Mr. Davis. “I don’t owe you anything,” he said. But what Mr. Davis said did not matter. He was arrested that night and summarily convicted. A wealthy landowner, John Pace, paid the alleged $40 debt and a $35 fine in exchange for Mr. Davis’ mark - Mr. Davis was illiterate - on a contract binding him to work 10 months at any task Mr. Pace demanded. For all intents and purposes, the one man now owned the other. For all intents and purposes, John Davis was John Pace’s slave. This was September 1901, 36 years after the end of the Civil War. It would be appalling if it happened once. Douglas A. Blackmon says it happened hundreds of thousands of times in Alabama alone. Mr. Blackmon, Atlanta bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, is the author of a compelling new book, Slavery by Another Name. Yours truly flatters himself that he is well versed in black history, but this book introduced me to a chapter of that history I did not know. (Continue Reading…)

I initially wanted to write about Sen. John McCain’s double-talk on the issue of affirmative action. Based on his various statements, I’m not sure where in the heck he stands. Another potential topic was the silliness over getting a new press release each day about Sen. Barack Obama canceling a visit to troops in Germany. Another potential topic was the vice presidential picks of each candidate. But after logging onto CNN.com Tuesday and seeing the bold headline: “1 out of 2 with HIV in U.S. is black, report says,” nothing else really mattered.

And as I thought about that startling fact, it only reminded me how little attention has been paid to this health crisis during this election cycle. It has been mentioned in two or three of debates — on both sides of the aisle — and that was only in passing. I shouldn’t be surprised. Who can forget 2004 when PBS host Gwen Ifill asked Vice President Dick Cheney and then-Sen. John Edwards about AIDS affecting black women, and both of them spent more time discussing the problem on the continent of Africa, instead of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and other states.

Cheney even said: “I have not heard those numbers with respect to African-American women. I was not aware that it was — that they’re in epidemic there, because we have made progress in terms of the overall rate of AIDS infection,” he said. While Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain go back and forth over who didn’t visit troops in Germany; the impact of Obama’s overseas tour; and who is best positioned to deal with the crumbling economy, critical domestic issues like AIDS goes unnoticed. (Continue Reading…)

Tyler Perry Reups with Lionsgate in ‘09
Oprah School Trial Set to Begin in South Africa
Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Break Off
McCain Backs Effort Banning Affirmative Action
ABC, NBC and CBS Tougher on Obama than on McCain
Black Journalists Scoff Coverage of Obama Tests Objectivity
Sugary Drinks Boost Black Women’s Diabetes Risk
Thousands of Black Men in Northeast Ohio Unemployed
Howard University and CVS Join to Produce Pharmacists
Diddy Nabs Nelly for Sean John Underwear Campaign
Rights Group: UK Trained Kenya ‘Torture Troops’
Rick Ross’s Complete Department of Corrections File Obtained
New Miss Black USA Crowned in Las Vegas

Stereotype takes center stage
There she is — no, not Miss America, but the Angela-Davis-Afro-wearing, machine-gun-toting, angry, unpatriotic Michelle Obama, greeting her husband with a fist bump instead of a kiss on the cheek. It was supposed to be satire, but the caricature of Barack Obama and his wife that appeared on the cover of the New Yorker last week recently rightly caused a major flap. And among black professional women like me and many of my sisters in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, who happened to be gathered last weekin Washington for our 100th anniversary celebration, the mischaracterization of Michelle hit the rawest of nerves. Welcome to our world. We’ve watched with a mixture of pride and trepidation as the wife of the first serious African-American presidential contender has weathered recent campaign travails — being called unpatriotic for a single offhand remark, dubbed a black radical because of something she wrote more than 20 years ago and plastered with the crowning stereotype: “angry black woman.” And then being forced to undergo a politically mandated “makeover” to soften her image and make her more palatable to mainstream America. (Continue Reading…)

How Obama Became Acting President
IT almost seems like a gag worthy of “Borat”: A smooth-talking rookie senator with an exotic name passes himself off as the incumbent American president to credulous foreigners. But to dismiss Barack Obama’s magical mystery tour through old Europe and two war zones as a media-made fairy tale would be to underestimate the ingenious politics of the moment. History was on the march well before Mr. Obama boarded his plane, and his trip was perfectly timed to reap the whirlwind. He never would have been treated as a president-in-waiting by heads of state or network talking heads if all he offered were charisma, slick rhetoric and stunning visuals. What drew them instead was the raw power Mr. Obama has amassed: the power to start shaping events and the power to move markets, including TV ratings. (Even “Access Hollywood” mustered a 20 percent audience jump by hosting the Obama family.) Power begets more power, absolutely. (Continue Reading…)

U.S.: Iraqi civilians killed by soldiers were unarmed
Investigators have determined three Iraqi civilians were unarmed and attacking no one when U.S. soldiers fatally shot them in western Baghdad last month, the U.S. military said Sunday. U.S. military officials initially said at least one of the three Iraqis, who were riding in a car approaching the soldiers, started shooting, and that the soldiers returned fire. The military also initially said a weapon was later found in the car, and bullet holes were found in two of the soldiers’ humvees. But an investigation found the soldiers shot and killed three “law abiding citizens of Iraq,” and that no weapon was found in the vehicle, a military release stated. Also, the investigation determined only one humvee had a bullet hole, and that the bullet hole’s source isn’t known, said Lt. Steve Stover, a military spokesman. Still, investigators determined “neither the soldiers nor civilians involved in the incident were at fault,” the release said. “This was an extremely unfortunate and tragic incident,” said Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff for Multi-National Division-Baghdad. “Our deepest regrets of sympathy and condolences go out to the family. (Continue Reading…)

The increase in makeup consumers becoming aware of what’s being put in the products they buy has created a market for products that are not only natural but also good for your skin. Gone are the days where you would slather your precious skin with products that had ingredients that you couldn’t even pronounce. Now you can find products everywhere that treat your skin to the best of what nature has to offer.

Prescriptives, a longtime leader in innovative and exciting products has just created All Skins Mineral Makeup SPF 15 ($32.50, prescrptives.com). This all-natural mineral foundation contains vitamins, minerals and gems that provide amazing coverage at the same time leaving skin looking naturally radiant and unbelievably healthy. Skin is able to breath instead of being hidden under a mask of makeup. You are left looking like yourself but a better version of you.

The mineral powder has no oil, talc, fragrance or pore-clogging ingredients so it is perfect for every skin type. And it comes in an extensive collection of 18 shades so there is a powder prefect for everyone. With Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Makeup, skin looks and feels naturally flawless, naturally better. And you can’t ask for more then that.

With a client list from MTV to W magazine, its no surprise that styling duo Emily Current and Meritt Elliott are slated to debut their self-titled denim label . Using plush Japanese denim manufactured in America — Los Angeles to be exact-creating a worn in vintage look but most importantly perfecting the fit you’ve always wanted. Each individual piece is a sort of history lesson in denim with style names like “THE LAUREL CANYON”,”THE HARLEY VEST” and “THE FONTAINE SHORT”;ranging from the 1950-’s to 80’s. Meritt and Elliott were able to capture the essence and authenticity of each era. Their ability to transcend time is a defining element of mainstay within the industry. The feel and fit offer a classic look in a new era of vintage. It just goes to show that real fashion never goes out of style unlike trends, it recreates, resurfaces or reappears for a second look!

We are currently seeking detail-oriented, creative, and enthusiastic interns to join our team. Intern candidates should be well organized and self-motivated, with strong writing skills and a strong interest in digital media including a broad familiarity with media websites and blogs. If you are interested in becoming a part of Clutch, please send a resume, 2-3 writing samples, and a short cover letter to internships@clutchmagazine.com.

{*All internships are unpaid. College credit is available. Internships available in the following departments: fashion, beauty, lifestyle and pr/marketing.}

India’s president and prime minister have appealed for calm after a series of explosions killed at least 38 people in the western city of Ahmedabad.

President Pratibha Patil urged people to “remain steadfast in this testing time and maintain peace and harmony”.Ahmedabad was the scene of religious violence between Hindus and Muslims in early 2002 which left hundreds dead. On Saturday, 17 blasts within an hour struck residential areas, market places, public transport and hospitals. It is thought the explosions were caused by crudely-made devices containing ball-bearings and other shrapnel, hidden in boxes and on bicycles. Local media reports say a little-known Islamist group called the Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility. The attack in Gujarat state’s commercial capital came a day after several devices went off in the southern city of Bangalore. The government has put the security agencies on alert in other major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur, some of which have been targets of serial bomb explosions in the past.

‘Peace and harmony’
The bombs in Ahmedabad were detonated with timers and all went off in the space of 36 minutes, the first at about 1830 (1300 GMT), officials said. (Continue Reading…)

Ciara Brings New Attitude to ‘Journey’
It was a scalding summer day in Los Angeles as some of the music industry’s most distinguished urban artists made their way to the Shrine Auditorium for the 2008 BET Awards. This year’s bill featured all the heavy hitters: Usher, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys and T-Pain assisted by DJ Khaled, Ludacris and Rick Ross. But what drove the audience wild was Chris Brown’s set with Ciara. For a performance of Brown’s “Take You Down,” she ditched her traditional oversized sweat pants and bedazzled sports bra in favor of a black, skin-tight dominatrix-style cat-suit, thigh-high black stiletto boots and a black wig. The performance’s steamy choreography ended with Brown and Ciara seductively staring at each other as the crowd gave them a standing ovation. (Continue Reading…)

‘Racist’ License Plate Stirring Controversy in Arkansas
3 numbers, 3 letters…that is what license plates look like in the State of Arkansas. Most of the time the characters are meaningless, but what would you think if you saw a plate on the road with the letter combination of ‘NGR’? When one Arkansas resident was issued the plate at the DMV office, she was mortified. And she told the clerk that there was no way she was taking it. In light of the complaint, the state decided to pull the entire series of license plates with that letter combination. (Continue Reading)

Halle Berry Goes After Paps for Backyard Breach
Like most new moms, Halle Berry may not be able to take her eyes off her baby. But unlike the spawn of most celebs these days, her daughter is not for the world to see. Some paparazzi shots that circulated earlier this week showing the Oscar winner carrying 4-month-old Nahla Ariela Aubry—the little one’s media debut—apparently were not taken while the duo were “out and about,” like many captions accompanying the photo claimed. Rather, according to Berry’s attorney, the pics, one of which shows a foliage-covered slope and a patio table in the background while others include glimpses of Berry’s mother, were taken when the X-Men star was in her backyard, constituting a “very blatant and invasive trespass.” (Continue Reading…)