Style Spotlight: Solange

Solange has evolved into her own. Now I will admit that I've been hard on her style choices in the past but Ms. Knowles has developed a truly unique style. She had me convinced after she debuted her shaved head... how many of us could have done the same thing whilst being in the public eye? As her hair has grown some, her style choices are become even more pronounced. From the bright colors, layered textures and unique accessories, Solange is a style icon in the making. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so. WWD's style magazine put Solange, Selita Ebanks and Cassie on their latest cover and Carol's Daughter named them their newest spokes persons. And I know I'm not the only one who loved her album "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams." I still listen to Sandcastle Disco.

Style Spotlight: Michelle Obama

There is no denying that this post is long overdue. Vanity Fair has already named Michelle one of their favorites on their "International Best-dressed List" and Vogue featured her as one of their "It Girls" in April. She's an obvious choice not just for her sense of style but the ease with which she wears her clothes. You never get the feeling she's trying to please anyone but herself. Some have questioned whether or not Michelle has a stylist but her people deny it...

“To the best of my knowledge, she does not use a stylist,” said Mrs. Obama’s spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, although she is known to have relationship's with a few designers and Chicago boutiques [Source].

Obvious comparisons have been made to Jackie Kennedy and even Barbara Bush (must be the pearls) but I'm just excited to see another type of black woman on my television screen and on magazine stands. My only frustration when composing this post was trying to find full-length photos of Michelle's outfits (as a personal plea to campaign photographers, we want to see the shoes!). I guess I'll have to wait until they make it into the White House. Then we'll be spoiled for choice with images of a classy, fashionable woman. After a few weeks of online digging I found some great examples of Michelle's style choices. You can view them below in the slideshow. I can't wait to see what she wears when their victory is announced!

Style Spotlight: Jurnee Smollett

At the tender age of twenty one, Jurnee Smollet is already one to watch on the red carpet. Along with Halle Berry and Tracee Ellis Ross, Jurnee makes me want to raid her wardrobe every time I see her. And who is her hairstylist? Hook a sista up! Whether she’s wearing a cocktail dress, jeans or a long evening gown, Jurnee always looks flawless. Now comes the big question… Does she have a stylist or is it all her own doing? I’m going to guess that she has a little help on the side. Since her star is on the rise it makes sense to have someone in the know who can call in some favors and get the best designer outfits. Either way I think 2008 will most definitely be Jurnee’s year.

Style Spotlight: Teyana Taylor

Alas, my Sweet Sixteenth was far from fabulous. If my memory serves me right my parents paid the entry fee for all my friends and I at the local roller rink. Afterwards we skated merrily home. Teyana Taylor on the other hand threw a birthday party to end all birthday parties. The recently signed musician to Pharrell’s label Star Trak, made her grand entrance dressed as a life sized, black Barbie doll. The bubblegum pink Heatherette dress she wore summarized her style so perfectly – skater street but all the way sweet. She’s a strange hybrid between Aaliyah, Lupe Fiasco, and Debbie Harry. I chose to spotlight her before her album drops next year. I love how unique she is, especially in this increasingly homogenous music industry. I haven’t heard any of her music so I shall reserve judgment on that but based on her image I am 100% intrigued. Visit her MySpace page to learn more and listen to some tracks. Also check out this cover of Trace magazine that Teyana recently appeared on.

Style Spotlight: Serena Williams

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Not to insinuate that Serena is a dog, but it seemed at one stage that nobody could tell her nothing about her style choices. Now the tennis star/budding fashion diva looks flawless event after event – it was hard for me to even decide which red carpet photo should be the main pic to this post. Whether she’s styling herself (doubtful) or hired a LA style consultant (about time), we’re all thoroughly impressed at the perfect dress and make-up choices being made for Serena’s body type. She’s muscular but definitely has those much admired feminine curves. And her hair is just fab! Venus, Golden Brooks, and Lil Kim take note, Serena has stepped up the makeover game. The rest of us should raise our glasses to Ms. Williams… “Sista,” *sniffles* “We’re so proud!”

Style Spotlight: Bonnie Morrison

I’m sure I’m not the first to have noticed Bonnie Morrison on the pages of “The Daily Front Row” or on the New York Social Diary web site rubbing shoulders with fashion’s elite. Fashion Week Daily calls her “one of the most socially connected fashion publicists in New York” and with good reason. Bonnie is currently the publicity director at the renowned fashion PR firm KCD, so that means she has a hotline to all the city's up-and-coming designers. With that in mind it’s no wonder she always manages to look chic and polished. Click here to see Bonnie’s warm-weather style tips for the summer, then read the brief Q&A below that she did for PaperMag.com’s "Beautiful People" issue.



Occupation: Fashion publicist
Why do you like to go out in NYC? "You're always seeing old friends as well as meeting new people -- it's a place where your world is as big as you want it to be."
How would you describe your fashion look? "There is a pretty eclectic group of women I think of as major style icons: sixties and seventies Tina Turner, Bianca Jagger, Kim Gordon and, if you can believe it, Donatella Versace. But my fashion fairy godmother might actually be Bea Arthur."
What's the best thing about being one of the most popular girls in NYC? "When I first moved here ten years ago, I would wonder if I would ever make a single friend. Now, everywhere I go, I see people I know and love. Live here long enough and eventually, you feel like a star."

Style Spotlight: Constance White

Constance White is a 15 year veteran of the fashion industry. She was recently a correspondent and fashion news anchor for Metro Tv's Full Frontal Fashion. White was founding fashion director and a contributing writer for Talk magazine. Prior to joining Talk, she was a style reporter for The New York Times. Previously, she was Executive fashion editor of Elle magazine. She is the author of the stylishly informative book, "StyleNoir''. She has also written for Essence, The International Herald Tribune and British Vogue. White has also appeared as a fashion correspondent on Lifetime Television and has been a guest style expert on several television programs including, "Oprah'', "Colin Cowie's Everyday Elegance'', "Today in New York'', WABC-TV's "Inside Fashion Week" and E!'s Video Fashion. [Source] Her current position is at eBay where she acts as the Style Director. I’m a little lost as to why eBay needs a Style Editor but never-the-less they couldn’t have picked a better and more qualified person for the job. Check out her blog called “Fashion is My Life,” here.

Style Spotlight: Keisha Whitaker

An obvious style icon in the making, Keisha Whitaker has proved over-and-over again that she has the elegance and impeccable fashion-sense to become a red carpet favorite. I’m not the only one who agrees, Keisha is currently the face of Maven Cosmetics making her a member of the elite group of black models with cosmetic deals. If you look at photos of Keisha from the 90s, you’ll agree that she’s come a long way (though truth be told the 90s weren’t too kind to any of us!) I’m still mad about this dress - it looks like the vine is trying to attack her, however Keisha Whitaker is still someone I look forward to seeing at every event. The best is yet to come...

Photo: Keisha Whitaker at the 32nd Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in January.