Join Inquirer fashion writer Elizabeth Wellington for a chat on Thursday, starting at 11 a.m. Discuss the latest styles for fall and ask all your fashion questions. Plus, Elizabeth can chat about the fall I Magazine about luxury living in Philadelphia.

Naomi Sims died on Friday. Many refer to her as the first black super model. Here she is on a cover of Life magazine.

Before there was Naomi Campbell, there was Naomi Sims.

Sims, who many call America's first African American super model, died from cancer on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. She was 61.

Sims grew up in Oxford Mississippi during a time before black was beautiful. Before getting her start as a model in a 1970s New York Times Magazine fashion spread, she was told by many in the fashion industry that she was too dark to model. In 1968, she became the first black model to appear on the cover of a major magazine with her appearance on Ladies Home Journal. After five years of modelling professionally, she would go on to design a line of wigs and makeup lines for black women. We thank Sims for her tenacity, her courageousness and for being amongst the firs to help us see the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice! 

In 1974, Halston called her a pioneer.

He couldn't have been more right.

Photo courtesy of AP. Cute, but people, really, it's not a big deal!

I like Michelle Obama's faux bob. Really, I do. The sweep has a classic look to it and like fashion writer Samantha Critchell at the Associated Press, wrote, "Mrs. Obama also is reminding women how versatile their hair can be and how much an easy change in style can lift their overall appearance." But people, it's not really a big deal. I've seen many a black woman in my day tuck their hair up with bobby pins, just so so that it looks like a bob. Usually it's a a fall back look when our ends need trimming, or we need a new press or a relaxer. Save the shock and awe for when the First Lady gets Great Lengths  Extensions, or a a Lace Front wig, or braids. This, bob, however cute, has the same news value as a French Twist!

Fake Gucci bags - Did they look like this real one? - became part of New Jersey sting operation. Enough to make you SYH...

there is always drama.

Today's story about the New Jersey corrupt politicians and Rabbis is a complicated web of lies, deceit and worse, a complete break in the public trust. But being the fashion maven that I am, my mind keeps stumbling back to the fact that Rabbis "were using charitable organizations to launder money that they believed came from bank fraud and selling counterfeit goods. The witness allegedly told targets he was in bankruptcy and trying to hide his cash. In some instances, he said, the money came from the sale of fake Gucci bags." Come on! I mean we've all dabbled fake designer labels, but did you think the money was going to help make Rabbis - alleged men of the cloth - and public officials, filthy, stinking rich? Gucci bags. Kidneys. It was all the same to them. Now, I know there is a lot more in this story that has to come out, and after reading it twice, it was hard to connect the dots. But I'll ask you this: When it comes to "It" bags, do we really want to make crooked public officials rich? Think about that the next time you are tempted to go for the fake option, you might find Target to be your best bet! Did anybody out there purchase a fake Gucci in Jersey recently? Where the heck were these bags sold? How are you feeling now?

President Barack Obama responds to questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Wednesday, July 22, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) What's up with the brows, Mr. President?

So glad my colleague,

Annette John Hall,

pointed out Barack Obama's bushy eyebrows during last night's press conference. Her Facebook status last night, "Note to makeup, go easy on The President's brows next time." Truer words have never been written. Is it us, or is Barack's brows getting more bushy with each appearance? Or maybe they just has to work harder on him so he doesn't appear to be furrowing them. Speaking of brows, we also wish First Lady Michelle's weren't so stark she appeared to be frowning. What do you guys think? Are there brow issues in the White House?

The New York Times Style section wrote and intersting story

. Strangely enough, as much as I love

, I've found myself going into Ulta much more often these days (there is one in Plymouth Meeting) for quick, affordable items. Sephora may be the modern day Queen of Cosmetics, but

is practical. Isn't that more important in today's economy. Ok, cosmetic junkies, which do you prefer, Ulta, or Sephora? 

James Heaney/ Staff Photographer. Something about Bilal's no nonsense look says she's dedicated to making her city safe.

I want to thank my colleague Monica Yant Kinney for writing today about Philadelphia Police officer Rochelle Bilal, president of the black police officers' Guardian Civic League. I'm greatful the city has someone like her to stop racism at the hands of law enforcement officers in its ugly tracks.  Well, if anyone can handle the bull, she can. Her actions - not to mention her Afro - earned her the nickname, Angela Davis. Her sculpted brows, her pursed lips remind me of sisters on a mission.  Kind? Yes. Purposeful? Yes. It's the don't mess with her look we need.  Yeah, I know this is not really fashion and some of you may not care, but I was struck by her take no nonsense style and at the same time I was comforted buy it.  It screamed, "Go head, give us your best shot!" and in Bilal's kind of business that's the kind of style this city needs.

Photo courtesy of AP

I wish we knew what kind of jeans President Barack Obama fancied. Are they Sevens? Seven for All Mankind? AGs? The black man's favorite, Lucky Jeans? Or, were they simply Old Navy? Who knows? Who cares? The President was STYLING  in his britches. What do you think? Should a President wear jeans to throw out the first pitch at the All-Star baseball game, or should he stick to the tried and true blue suit, red tie combo?

photo courtesy of AP. Jermaine Jackson performing at his brother, Michael's funeral with his musical and fashionable tribute.

I couldn't stop watching Michael Jackson's funeral.

Not because I wanted to look at the fashions. The new black is the old bl ack, but  because I still can't believe my Michael is really gone. It was a moving tribute with lots of kind words and amazing remembrances.

That said, I was incredibly touched by the Jackson 5 -  Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, and Randy - sat in the front for of  Los Angeles' Staple Center in black suits, white shirts, gold ties and just one glittering, right handed glove. That was true showing of  solidarity to the memory of their brother, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.  Rest In Peace, Michael.