New York streetwear label aNYthing smartly tags DJ and party promoter Venus X, aka Jazmin Venus Soto, for the face of its Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook.  A rising star and uniquely stunning in the way that only a NYC-hood-born-chick-gone worldwide can be, she took on her first fashion-related DJ gig during NY Fashion Week Autumn 2011 for Gerlan jeans and is best known for her GHE20G0TH1K ongoing warehouse party.

Here’s what she had to say in a recent Rolling Stone interview on fashion:

RS: What do you enjoy most (or least) about fashion?
Venus: I don’t really like it! It’s too expensive, and the best stuff is underfunded. I see a lot of corny mass production; the exclusive next level pieces exist only in sample. Fashion is wack right now for the most part. It’s mad branding and no love!

Smart woman that Venus!

See more images from the aNYthing lookbook on the next page:

More on the next page.

JungleGurl takes us to Coopertown Florida to showcase their signature swimwear for Spring/Summer 2012. Made of vintage fabrics, where the underlying  message is to love your body as it is,  for a look that is unique and effortlessly glamorous. Probably the most comfortable bikinis you could ever wear. #Truestory. See more on the  next page, and get yourself one or two here.

Fiercely artistic with a bohemian edge and an affinity for a beauty that is universal, Mara Hoffman’s collections and presentation always make us pause in admiration. When bigger labels seem to stumble with their representations of global style, especially when it pertains to women of color, Mara Hoffman hits the right notes year after. In  2012 we want to believe that in showcasing beauty and style the color and ethnicity of models should be as broad as there are countries and cultures. The world we live in is widely diverse and in these parts we love our fashion to do everything it can to reflect that. See the complete look book on the flip and check out Mara Hoffman’s new and improved website here.

With new creative directors Humberto Leon and Carole Lim, Kenzo’s Pre-Autumn 2012 hits all the right notes. Looks are streamlined, functional  with key branded pieces and elements of Kenzo’s print aesthetic. A collection we can see doing very well at retail.  See the lookbook on the flip via Oyster.

As the epitome of sporty with no frills, Wood Wood remains consitent to their standard of effortlessly cool apparel for men and women. Enjoy a look at its women’s Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook. Via Anywho.

Accessory designer Melody Ehsani’s Spring 2012 lookbook…the emphasis remains on vibrant statement pieces that have become the label’s signature, with this year’s color palette frequently inspired by various shades of turquoise. Not sure when this collection hits retail but when it does you’ll be able to purchase it in Ehsani’s store.

See the rest of the looks on the next page.

Looks from Surface to Air’s Spring 2012 collection. Via Shdsm.

More on the next page.

Named a top eight emerging designer for Swahali Fashion Week 2010, have a look see at what designer Pooja Jeshang has cooked up for her Saffron label for Spring 2012. And make note of the model’s left-arm Mehndi art–the trend is coming, people. Via Fashionjunkii.

More of the lookbook on the next page.

The Mob crew is at it again, bringing new looks for Holiday 2011. Standouts are the “Deflower Me” leggings (as modeled above by Sarah McSweeney) and boyfriend sweatpants, plus for sheer fun points (not to mention a great X-mas gift), the “Die Young Stay Pretty” sox. All available for purchase here.