Ludacris is a young man with personal style that has as much to do with his deliberate choices as it does with designer labels. He is well dressed and has a penchant for well-made, couture gear. (He jokingly threatened to abscond with a pair of Prada sneakers he rocked in the photo shoot.) Still, when asked what he considers his best accessory, his response had nothing to do with clothes. He reflected momentarily, before saying, “My intuition and my heart. I care, and I have the ability to understand people’s needs and meet them.”

In 2001, The Ludacris Foundation was organized because Chris Bridges recognized that there are many youth in the Atlanta area in need of guidance to build a brighter future. The self-assured Ludacris, who began doing community outreach years ago during his stint as a disc jockey at a local radio station, admits that his initial involvement in community service was just about fulfilling a requirement. Over time however he grew to love the work. “I could see the impact,” he recalled.

Since starting the foundation, which consists of a team of 11, Ludacris has enlisted the support of partners across the country and remains enthusiastic about using his voice to encourage others to make the same impact. He said, “When I speak, it’s like an extension of my music. Words are very powerful, and I’ve learned that the words (you) use can make a world of difference.” Chris Bridges’ message has proven, no doubt, to be powerful. So far, The Ludacris Foundation has raised funds (to date, more than a half a million dollars) and generated significant alliances with celebrities and corporations, including Sears, WalMart, and Harley Davidson, in an effort to help other nonprofits and to touch the lives of a lot of people, many of whom live in Atlanta.

While Ludacris wasn’t born in Atlanta, he grew up here and readily talks about his love of the city and the people he is driven to help. “Everyone here is like family. It’s a home away from home for a lot of people, and it’s encouraging and motivating to me. It’s important that we continue to work together.”

It’s that same sentiment that led him to bring his restaurant to Atlanta. Ludacris’ business partner, whom he met at the annual Ludacris Foundation dinner about two years ago, invited him to his restaurant in San Francisco. He renewed his love affair with Singaporean cuisine and knew instinctively that the building he already owned in Atlanta was the perfect home for Straits. “I wanted to bring something different, something exquisite, to the city I’m so very passionate about.” He’s happy with how Atlantans are supporting the restaurant and praises them for being diverse, energetic, and receptive to new concepts.

While some celebrities complain about invasions of privacy, Ludacris has adapted well to the realities of being a public personality. In fact, he makes light of his attempts to maintain some semblance of a normal routine. “I move like a crook. I kinda know where I can go without anyone disturbing my peace. I maneuver in a way that’s very comfortable. I move through back doors, through side doors… It’s actually kind of fun. I move like 007.”

One of the less fun parts of being a celebrity is having detractors. In spite of his legions of fans, Ludacris is not without his share. In addition to the public squabble with Bill O’Reilly—which Ludacris characterizes as an issue of the past—Bernard Goldberg, a political commentator, included Ludacris on his list of 100 People That Are Screwing Up America. Mr. Goldberg claims that Ludacris, among others, contributes to the country being a cynical place. Ludacris, who has strong political convictions, shrugged it off. “He (Goldberg) should add himself to that list for always trying to look for the bad in people and not the good. I’ll keep it at that.”

Christopher Bridges clearly is not fazed by his critics. And he apparently does not allow them to distract him from the master plan he has carefully laid out for himself. He continues to make the music that his fans love, but—more important in the big picture—he is an artist who is striving to bring about change where he sees it is needed the most. Even Bernard Goldberg would have to admit that there’s nothing cynical about that.

Kors is known to many as the former Creative Director of the house of Celine, during his time with the French fashion house he revolutionized its accessory line and created amazing collections for them.  To others he is famous for being one of the judges on Emmy nominated reality show Project Runway, and there he is always armed with a witty comment waiting on the aspiring designers.  To fashionistas all over he is known as the man who gave us luxury sportswear. Entering the world of fashion at the young age of 19, Kors proved to be a force to be reckoned with.  In 1981 he launched his first women’s wear collection under his own label and has been working ever since.  In an industry where longevity is not a guarantee and a somewhat unrealistic goal Michael Kors has been able to consistently bring us fashion that counts.  He is showing us how to be a lot without being too much and over the top.  Although there is something fundamentally “New York” about Michael Kors, he is a designer that fits in every scenario and every location, even here in the Atl.  There is a piece for everyone in his collections and the sense of freshness and ease that comes with his clothes is undisputable.

In grad school I was once told that marketing was a brands external face and for that reason a solid marketing plan was imperative for the success and future of an entire organization.  The art of communication is not one to be looked upon lightly.  In fashion this is what allows a designer to be embraced by the consumer.  Along with beautiful pieces there must be a promise made, it could be a promise of hope, or confidence, or power, maybe even conservatism or dignity.  In Michael Kors our promise is tasteful luxury along with jet setting all over the world.  It could be dinner along the Dubai Marina, yachting in Saint Tropez, scuba diving in the mighty Red Sea by the great city of Masawa or a long walk with someone incredibly beautiful on the Brooklyn Bridge.  There is a promise made of an effortless and chic lifestyle and this is one of the ingredients as to why we keep falling in love with Mr. Kors.  Just as a painter Kors tells a story with his collections, nothing too complicated or too serious but just enough to keep us dreaming and wanting more.  I believe that this is one of the key ingredients to his success.
For the Spring/Summer collection Kors is going for optimism saluting the colors of the great American flag.  This is a happy collection and with a troublesome economy it is highly appropriate and much needed.  The pieces are extremely wearable and very flattering.  I will give a personal wink to the high waisted 50’s inspired bikini which is fabulous beyond belief and totally something I would compromise a meal for (if that’s what it would take).

Michael Kors has built an empire based on simplistic luxury.  His name has become synonymous with the art of grand jet-setting that could put some of Europe’s royals to shame.  He has established himself as a pioneer in chic sportswear design, adding luxe to good-ol American fashion.  This fusion was not only a stroke of genius but also a very necessary direction for American style.  Having solidified itself as an important fashion house the empire of Michael Kors has grown into a full fledged fashion platoon armed with clothing for him and her, timepieces, shoes and handbags that would make any fashionista salivate, as well as enabling college girls to trade in book money for some MK arm candy (or is that something only I would do?).

Someone once said that one of the highest honors is being recognized by your peers and in June of 1999 Kors was honored with the most prestigious award in the fashion industry.  The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awarded Kors women’s wear designer of the year, followed by the same award for men’s wear in 2003.

So what is it that makes people tick when it comes to this particular brand?  If you ask me Kors has captured the essence of simple luxury.  Even though there is nothing kitschy or too loud about his collections, the Michael Kors man or woman are not anonymous, on the contrary when entering a room they portray American fashion at its finest.

Viktorya Asmëret Abraham

Atlanta's Newest Celebrities

Every since the first season of the controversial reality-based TV show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, ended last year it seems the whole world had an opinion about the show… so of course Bravo had to bring the gang back for a second season.  As every good television executive will tell you, controversy means ratings…