Once upon a time I watched American Idol, pretty much like everyone else in America was doing at that time – the early seasons. It was Season Two, better known as Clay vs Ruben. Ruben Studdard (the velvet teddy bear as he was nicknamed) went on to win that season. I can say he’s a very nice guy, having met him on more than one occasion. Actually I only watched American Idol that season because there was a contestant on the show that was from my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins, better known “Trenyce”. She had a pretty dynamic voice and made it all the way to being a top five finalist.

I met Trencye at church and she was very friendly and took tons of pictures upon request. I briefly did some PR work with her that included an appearance at the BET Awards, various events in and around Memphis and its metro area, as well as several “chitlin circuit” plays in the south. I’m not sure what happened to her or her career because we both went on to do other things.

At that particular BET Award show though Michael Jackson gave an award to James Brown so I personally will never forget it because it featured two of my favorite recording artists of all time!

At any rate if you fast forward to most any reality competitive show now it’s often the non-winners that end up in the lime light just as much as the actually winners. Case in point, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, singers Daughtry and Kelli Pickler just to name a few. Kelli has recently reunited with Ryan Seacrest on a revised reality show on Fox called “Knock, Knock Live” and her foundation regularly partners with the USO.

Now let’s talk fashion, cause it’s fashion week in NYC and I couldn’t help but notice that several American Idol’s alumni, most notably former winner Carrie Underwood who debuted a line of active wear clothes called “Calia by Carrie Underwood.” Carrie stated that “we just wanted everything to be fun and energetic, and I feel like we definitely accomplished that.” Her show featured models posing in various aerobic styles while wearing her designs.

For more information on her new line you can either visit her website or Dicks Sporting Goods where her line is also sold.

Oscar winner and another American Idol alumni, Jennifer Hudson, is the new face of “Soho Jean Collection,” a new line of ’70s inspired denim jeans with a downtown vibe by NY&C. “What I love most about New York is the diversity. It’s a haven for individuality and I have always found that to be inspiring,” Hudson says in a statement. “That sort of energy affects me in all ways but especially when it comes to my style. New York & Company’s Soho Jeans Collection helps women the same way with a line that’s fashion forward, great fitting and comfortable for whatever your day brings.”

Hudson has recently relocated to NYC to star in The Color Purple on Broadway and she’s looking pretty fantastic doing all of her various endeavors!

Fashion Week has always been one of my favorite times to visit NYC but I haven’t had an opportunity to actually attend any shows in person for a few years but thanks to WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) and the internet, we can always google our favorite designers to see what’s hot right now and what’ll be coming down the runways and on our backs pretty soon!

NY Fashion Week ended Friday, but below I’ve complied a few of my favorite designers for you to enjoy by clicking on the link:

Ralph Lauren: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/ralph-lauren-rtw-spring-10230061/#!41/ralph-lauren-rtw-spring-2016/

DKNY: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/dkny-rtw-spring-10228980/#!1/dkny-rtw-spring-2016/

Michael Kors: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/michael-kors-rtw-spring-10228175/#!1/michael-kors-rtw-spring-2016/

Vera Wang: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/vera-wang-rtw-spring-10225982/#!1/vera-wang-rtw-spring-2016/

Carolina Herrera: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/carolina-herrera-rtw-spring-10223367/#!1/carolina-herrera-rtw-spring-2016/

Tommy Hilfiger: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/tommy-hilfiger-rtw-spring-10223545/#!1/tommy-hilfiger-rtw-spring-2016/

Diane Von Furstenberg: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/diane-von-furstenberg-rtw-spring-10222416/#!1/diane-von-furstenberg-rtw-spring-2016-38/

Oscar de la Renta: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/oscar-de-la-renta-rtw-spring-10227554/#!1/oscar-de-la-renta-rtw-spring-2016/

Until next time my Veteran Fashionistas, as always, stay fashionable!

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