In 2008, we discussed a lot of different figure flaws and how to address them fashionably. Yet, there was never really a true discussion about one person who displays himself or herself beautifully in public on a regular basis. So, in commemoration of the New Year, let's do it. Who is this person? America Ferrera!

For those of you who don't know, America Ferrera has become a national sensation because of her show "Ugly Betty." This TV show is all about a young lady who is muddling through the viscous fashion world. Her looks are odd, but her insides are beautiful. In real life, America is only partially like her character. Despite her non-traditional size (for Hollywood), she always shines.

Throughout Ferrera's acting career, her weight has gone up and down. However, unlike a lot of other actresses struggling to remain "Hollywood" slim, she has always managed to look good. Why? Ferrera knows how to dress her body.

Until recently, America Ferrera has fluctuated between a size 10 and 14. Although these sizes are normal for American women, they are big for Hollywood. As a result, she has embraced several things that accentuate a curvaceous body. What does she do? She keeps it simple and wears solid colors and classic cuts. This style of dress is both slimming and elegant. The other thing that Ferrera does is play up her positive attributes.

No matter what size Ferrera is, she always has a pretty neck, shoulder and breast line. As a result, you will see her wearing a lot of sleeveless dresses on the red carpet. Then, to add a little flavor to all of this, she wears bright colors. They bring out her vibrant skin tone.

So, basically, America Ferrera embodies the kind of style we all hope to achieve. Whether thin or voluptuous, she looks fabulous because she knows how to dress. Keep this in mind as you dress yourself in 2009. Find a signature style and stay with it through thick or thin.

Like any television show or film that features a fashion magazine office (and there are a surprising number of them) Ugly Betty is a show largely driven by its wardrobe -- from the ridiculous to the sublime. With sexy power outfits, strong silhouettes and intriguing uses of color, the employees of the show's Mode magazine always dress fabulously. And even Betty's often awkward wardrobe has a charm and whimsy worth bringing to your own closet.

When trying to emulate the great parts of Betty's style, go for bright colors and mix-and-match prints. Leggings under skirts and cardigans over blouses help provide the look of layers and textures that she favors. Of course, accessories are critical for Betty, although you probably don't want to be as over the top as her. A pair of fun earrings or a vivid hair clip can bring a sense of fun to your look. Most importantly, be comfortable in your clothes and make sure you're dressing for you. Betty's outfits work because they make her happy.

For a look that's both more assertive and sexy, take Wilhelmina as your template. With a preference for designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen, Wilhelmina is all about the power of clothes, and it shows both in the cut and colors of the outfits she prefers. Black with splashes of jewel tones (particularly purples) are always a hit for her. She also exhibits success going with silvers and golds with the occasional splash of red.

Even gents can take their fashion cues from Ugly Betty, by looking at Daniel's fashion choices. With clothes from Gucci and Dior, Daniel dresses in sleek, conservative styles, but always brightens up his wardrobe with a spectacular tie or stylish shoes. Classic, with one item worthy of comment, is the way to go here.

While over the top both in look and plot, Ugly Betty makes a surprising amount of fashion sense as long as you can step back from the drama queen antics of the plot and bring a bit of playfulness to the show's fashion ideas.

It appears that Jessica Biel wants to be just like her boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. Biel visited a recording studio earlier this month and recorded a couple of tracks. Her rep stated that Jessica did "an amazing job." What is her rep supposed to say? That she really sucked at singing? Her rep is on her payroll! Jessica has sung before when she was a younger kid and preformed in musicals and plays. So, who knows, maybe she can really sing. Maybe her and Justin will put out a pop record together and become the king and queen of pop?

Carrie Underwood is the latest celebrity to be featured as a wax figure at Madam Tussauds in New York. When asked about her wax figure, Carrie stated, "Honestly, it looks so good, it's almost kind of creepy looking at myself." While at the unveiling of her wax figure, Underwood also answered questions about her feud with Jessica Simpson, who is dating Underwood's ex, Tony Romo. Underwood stated that there is absolutely no feud between her and Simpson, who she has only met once quite briefly, and Jessica "seemed really nice." I guess this is one celebrity feud we can put to rest.

For all you fans of Lindsay Lohan's character on the television show Ugly Betty, don't get too attached to her. Lohan has been cut from the six episodes of the series down to the four that she has already recorded. Among the rumors swirling in Hollywood is that America Ferrera, who is the star of Ugly Betty, and Lindsay Lohan were not getting along so well on the set. Supposedly, Ferrera was getting tired of Lohan thinking she was the star and acting like she was too good for everybody. If you remember, Lohan had the same issues when she filmed a couple of movies in the past. I guess her rehab didn't help her professional attitude.

Source:
www.people.com

Those of us in the fashion industry tend to forget there's a whole country in between New York and L.A., and many who may never have attended a fashion show in their life, but still have style and taste. While we're reading WWD and obsessing over whether our cut of jeans is in or not, they're going about their everyday business, and if they're young, hip and inventive, they're creating street fashions that well-known designers will eventually latch onto and adopt for the runway. Now that fashion has become a spectator sport due to TV shows like "Project Runway" and "Ugly Betty" and books and movies like "The Devil Wears Prada," the rest of the nation is no longer content to sit back and let a handful of people on both coasts dictate what they will or will not wear. Hence the proliferation of Fashion Week in every city in the U.S. with a population of more than 500,000.

One of the more interesting of these Fashion Weeks is a relative newcomer; Detroit Fashion Week is in its fifth year now, and these shows are annual, not biannual like the bigger Fashion Weeks. Detroit may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of a fashion show, but it has a long history of style, and Motown left its imprint on fashion in a big way in the 1960s and 1970s, an influence that's still being felt today.

Detroit Fashion Week

Detroit-based fashion photographer Brian Heath conceived Detroit Fashion Week in the hopes of creating a serious fashion industry in the city that's possibly been hardest hit by recession in the country. Detroit Fashion Week has employed a number of skilled designers, stylists, makeup artists, models, photographers and publicity people, and their youthful optimism and energy could be just what Michiganders need to regain their confidence. It's kind of like when you're depressed and your mother tells you, "Put a little lipstick on and you'll feel better!" It may not solve the whole problem but it's a start!

Detroit Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 will be held from Sept. 27 through Oct. 3, 2008, with most of the events being held at Campus Martius Park. One of the designers to look out for is Lasijas Miller, a 25-year-old male Detroit native who designs under the label Nethade. Miller, who also works as a fashion stylist and as such is familiar with the myriad and competing needs of performers, is a versatile designer who does sportswear, menswear and couture with equal composure.

My favorites of the looks at his 2008 fashion show were the evening gowns, which included a brown mermaid shaped gown with velvet bodice, embroidered skirt and tulle ruffles at the hem and collar (it may sound busy but was fiercely sophisticated), a silver metallic asymmetrical gown with black ribbon accents, and a black jersey halter gown with ruched satin bodice. Keep your eyes out for Lasijas Miller in years to come. If I were attending the Oscars and needed something for the red carpet, he'd be one of the first people I would call.