Written by FYFBG and Zion.
Here`s a list of some of my favorite black fashion icons, beautiful women of colour who have had a say on the mainstream fashion scene for decades and their influence in pop culture and on young girls and boys all around the globe.
Tina Turner
Throughout Tina Turner’s phenomenal, long-running career, the legendary diva has left an indelible mark on music and pop culture history. Not only did the “Queen of Rock & Roll’s” commanding growl and thrilling stage performance capture the entire world’s attention, so did her striking looks and fashion-forward style. From her iconic spiky, lioness head of hair to her penchant for sporting micro-minis, which put the spotlight on those world-famous gems that only get better and stronger with age, Tina Turner’s sexy on-stage costumes have always been daring and fearless.
Grace Jones
“I’m not perfect, but I’m perfect for you,” she sang—and there was no denying Grace Jones. Her forceful presence and intimidating, angular beauty (you could lacerate yourself on those cheekbones) propelled her out of Jamaica and into the New York underground at breakneck speed. She performed at Studio 54 and became known as Queen of the Gay Discos, and not just because of catchy and surprisingly durable hits like “I Need a Man.” Her unique persona—overtly sexual yet deliberately androgynous—inspired both Andy Warhol, who painted her portrait, and Keith Haring, who painted her body for a 1985 performance at Paradise Garage.
Janet Jackson
…no explanation is even needed!
Beyonce
She has it all, class, grace, beauty, talent, drive, money, power, personality, and vision. Some might even say Beyonce is perfection or at least the closest one will ever get to it. But she thinks different, she says her flaws are what makes her who she is. Beyonce started off wearing things Hollywood designers would shun her for, but over time she became the swan no one expected her or wanted her to be. Becoming best friends with some of the most popular designers on planet Earth, Beyonce got a chance to wear the best of the best every time she stepped out of her house. Let’s start with the shoes, Christian Louboutin said Beyonce is one of the women who made his shoes famous. Anytime she steps out of the house she is ALWAYS wearing heels that girls go crazy for. Every color, every shape, every style, every size heel, and every other got damn thing you can think of she has in her possession.
She has been praised as the most influential female singer on fashion by some of the most famous publications around the world. Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, W, I.D, Vanity Fair and etc… all have put her in a place most artists and models can only pray they get one day.
Lil Kim
Her recipe for fashion will leave you speechless, as she has made so many bold and fearless looks that have became blueprints for the current generation to express themselves through. Between all of the fur coats, jewels, heels and various coloured wigs, she is considered a fashion goddess. And I love that she was never created or manufactured by a record company, lets get this straight. She was Lil’ Kim before she was Lil’ Kim. Whatever you’ve seen her wear was not a costume. This was her wardrobe.
Mariah Carey
What instantly became iconic about her look is the natural curls she wore on her very first album cover. And she took it up a notch with VERY short and tight dresses that she became known for around the globe, always showcasing those curves and legs for days.
Whitney Houston
From singer to fashion Icon. Whitney Houston has always been on the forefront of couture.She is so stately , elegant and so well groomed. A combination of her striking looks and soaring voice won her contracts as a model-for the covers of Seventeen and Glamour-and that was what which captivated Davis at Arista , with whom she signed in 1985, age 18 then. She had everything that took her to be a supermodel. She looked good in everything she wore right from cut jeans to famous designers wear.
Rihanna
A true style icon, Rihanna can be a great source of inspiration when it comes to fashion. It is absolutely amazing how a celebrity can set a trend for hairstyles, fashion as well as make-up without even trying. Celebrities have always been a source of inspiration as they are unique in their own way, and seem to be exactly what certain people have dreamed of. Rihanna has been a great source of inspiration especially in the past few years. Rihanna has developed a great sense of style, it’s just like she developed into a beautiful graceful butterfly over time. She was known as the cute good girl and suddenly she has transformed herself into a good girl gone bad, with a different , sexy and unique style that captured everyone’s attention and made people want more and more of her.
Erykah Badu
Not many women have the ability to inspire us, enlighten us and make us move our feet the way Erykah Badu does. And her style is groovy, too. Frequently shocking and enchanting audiences with extreme hairstyles, colorful ensembles, Erykah always keeps us guessing.
Aaliyah
Aaliyah was one of the first divas to master the art of “Tomboy” glamour. One of the only artists I know that could pull off looking absolutely stunning in baggy jeans and a cropped top. As far as beauty is concerned, she was the ultimate advocate for the side-swooped bangs. Aaliyah was rarely caught in public without a fiery red lipstick, she truly mastered the deep coloured lip look.
Naomi Campbell
Legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell is still very much in demand in today’s youth obsessed fashion industry, the age defying beauty leaves most of her peers in the dust and outshines the majority of today’s fresh faced young models, despite being 20 years their senior. The fiery diva has broken all the rules and conquered a world that doesn’t particularly embrace many ethnic models with open arms.
Kelis
It’s a hard pill to swallow, when people tell you, you strange and that you ain`t hot. But in the blink of an eye, THEY GOT ON WHAT YOU GOT, that means I’M A BOSS.
Iman
In 1979, Iman became the first African model to grace the cover of Vogue and also the first African model to sign a major cosmetics contract. She is an icon for those historic achievements but also for her impeccable style. Iman is graceful and her style choices are always elegant and chic. Now in her 60`s she still looks every inch the supermodel. There are many style icons today but not many with Iman’s integrity; she is an active member of the Action against hunger organization and champions varying other charitable causes.
Mary J. Blige
As a woman who grew up next to one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York City, Mary’s fashion choices have grown and changed as she has matured and evolved in front of our collective eyes. No celebration of the Queen of Hip Hop Soul would be complete without noting the many style transformations that have occurred throughout her career. It’s not often that we can gauge someone’s growth in life based on what they’re wearing, but Mary J. Blige is someone who literally wears her emotions on her sleeves.
Janelle Monae
When Janelle was asked about her style she had this to say: "I love Katharine Hepburn. She’s definitely one of my inspirations. I also love designer Thom Browne. His little cropped tuxedos, I love those. I actually wore one in GQ a couple of years back. I just love the cut. And I love Alfred Hitchcock, I loved how he dressed and his attitude. It’s more about the person, not everyone can get away with wearing tuxedos. It’s a lifestyle for me. I like people I can look to like Karl Lagerfeld. He wears the same thing all the time."
Eve
She’s a fan of black leathers, sequence, golds, body glitter, bronzers and shimmery things. She took hip hop to chic and glamour to a whole new level. Eve was one of the first girly girls of Hip Hop, even with the spicy blonde short afro she started out with. Her short hair went from bleach-blonde, to playful purple, to electrifying white, to punk red, back to rich, gorgeous blonde but longer this round. She went from edgy and rocking red spikes, cornrows or twists, to sophisticated edge and showing off bountiful shirley temple curls. Her breast-stalking paw print tattoos have also become quite a trademark.
Missy Elliott
She introduced us to “What the fuck”. This woman was different from every other hip hop/urban artist out. Yes she was a singer, yes she was a rapper. But her execution was foreign compared to anything else we ever saw. Missy Elliott defines what it means to push the envelope with both her music and sartorial choices, putting her in a very prominent place in pop culture and fashion history. She has always stayed true to herself and always celebrating her individuality.
When she started she wore tons of baggy clothes, mostly overalls, in bright orange or pink. And she also reintroducing finger waves back into mainstream consciousness. And while she didn`t create the look, she is the first person that comes to mind when the hairstyle is mentioned.
Elliott later took things to next level with her sophomore album, she was experimenting with short haircuts and heavy bangs. And always rocked a bold lipstick that in darker shades that complimented her, so beautifully. Her fashion sense kept on evolving and changing with the times but still had that Missy edge to them and also showcased different layers of who she is.
