Patti Labelle introduces line of wigs

Behind the Scenes

By Antracia Merrill-Moorings

Hair For You: Patti Labelle introduced a new line of wigs this month from the Especially Yours collection of hair accessories for black women. Fans of LaBelle's already famous hairstyles can now enjoy the same looks without having to go to the hair salon. "I've always wanted my own line of fabulous wigs and hair pieces. As fate would have it, Especially Yours came knocking. They've noticed and loved my different hairstyles over the years and were eager to develop a line of wigs and hairpieces inspired by Patti La- Belle," she said. The line will launch with 10 styles: Ageless Beauty, Black Majesty, Dynamite Diva, Enchanted Evening, Flame, and Sunday's Best in synthetic hair; and Lady LaBelle, Lovely Lady, Patti Fab, and Sassy LaBelle in 100 percent human hair. Each will be available in a selection of stunning brunettes, reds and highlights, as well as in LaBelle's custom blended colors. In February, the full line will roll out in Especially Yours catalogs featuring LaBelle on the cover and supported by online sales. Prices will range from $49 for synthetic hair and $99 for premium human hairstyles. There are at least five more wig styles planned for 2008, plus many great hairpieces such as bun styles. According to LaBelle, a line of shampoos, conditioners, and sheens to care for and style the wigs is on the way along with "some fun accessories such as jewelry-all my favorite earrings- and some magnificent eye lashes!" LaBelle describes the line as "very classic-in the sense that all the styles represent and reflect me, classically. Also, because each style is timeless and classic in its own right. I would also say that there is a style for every black woman- from short to long, synthetic and human hair, plus exclusive custom colors sure to turn heads!" To view the selection, visit www.especiallyyours.com.

Daytime Heartthrob: Mario Van Peebles is joining the cast of the ABC soap opera "All My Children" later this month. It's his second foray into daytime drama. One of his early acting jobs was a stint on "One Life to Live" during the early 1980s. On "All My Children," he'll play Samuel Woods, a prosecutor who's making a run for the Senate. He catches the eye of Susan Lucci's character, Erica Kane, when he appears on her talk show, which leads to, in the breathless words of the ABC press release, "a lot more than a spike in ratings: Samuel will soon become a nightmare, though one that could turn into a romance!" His first appearance is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Briefly Tyler Perry will be joining the cast of J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot. The Hollywood Reporter says that Perry will "head the Starfleet Academy" in the franchise origin tale, but it's unclear what specific character he'll be playing.? Queen Latifah is looking for everyday women of color-ages 18 through 48-to appear in a Cover- Girl Queen Collection advertisement for the June issue of Ebony magazine. Ladies wishing to be considered can go to www.Everywomanisaqueen. com now through Jan. 31 and submit a photo along with a brief statement about why they feel that they, too, are a "Queen."? Congratulations to comedian David Alan Grier and his wife, Christine Y. Kim on the birth of their baby girl early Friday evening in Los Angeles' Cedars- Sinai Hospital. The 52-year-old former "In Living Color" comedian and his wife, the associate curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, were married last July.

Finally, Pharrell Williams has teamed up with Louis Vuitton to launch a new collection of fine jewelry called Blason. Williams and designer Camille Miceli joined forces to create the Blason line, which features yellow and white gold, as well as diamonds. The jewelry pieces will be introduced at a private event in Paris on Jan. 21 with a worldwide launch in Louis Vuitton stores this spring.

This is part of the January 23, 2008 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.