A Moment In Afro Her-story: Author Ramona (Sapphire) Lofton

Author Sapphire

The author, Sapphire was born Ramona Lofton in Fort Ord, California to a military family. She attended City College of New York and obtained her master's degree at Brooklyn College. Sapphire held various jobs before starting her writing career, working as a performance artist, a social worker, and a teacher of reading and writing.

Sapphire, as all of us know her as-is the author of the critically acclaimed novel, Push which was later rewritten as a screenplay for the movie- Precious by screen writer, Geoffrey Fletcher. Sapphire self-published the collection of poems Meditations on the Rainbow in 1987 and in 1994 book of poems, titled American Dreams.


Push was a book that "pushed" buttons most people don't want to see or would rather ignore as if they don't exist. The reality is they do exist in the lives of countless men, women and children who lives have been touched by mans inhumanity to another. The movie, Precious caused a rift with those who want to hold on to lies and be imprisoned by them instead of confronting the truth head on.

Tonight actress MoNique won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of one of the character's from the book, Mary. Screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher, also won an Oscar for Screenwriting.

I apologize deeply for being lazy and not writing my post on this prolific author who definitely deserves the honor.  Congratulations Sapphire!

Solange Knowles Is Set To Become One of the New Faces of Rimmel London

In most of the ads we've often seen model Kate Moss who has been the face of the brand ever since it's inception here in the states. Times are about to change! According to WWD, Solange Knowles is set to become one of the new faces of Rimmel London's global ambassadors as it begins it's new ad campaigns to reach a global market. Solange, along with  model Alejandra Ramos Munoz and actress Zooey Deschanel has officially been signed on as a the faces of UK-based beauty company, Rimmel London.

I admire Solange's enviable style and normally there aren't that many celebrities that I admire for their personal style but, Solange is a fashion renegade and she self-defines who she is and that's most important. Congratulations are in order to Solange and the other ladies!

(Photo:SubjectsOwn)

Spotted: My Favorite Afrolista "It Girl" Shala Monroque

Shala Monroque leaving Bryant Park

I love how one of favorite "Afrolistas" changes up her look and never repeats the same look twice. Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds chronicled the sharp-dressed ladies of Fashion Week and snapped this photo of Shala Monroque which appeared on Harper's Bazaar's website.


Here's Shala below as she appeared again as one of Vogues Ten Best Dressed for the week.

Here is Shala in a beautiful ensemble at the opening for German artist Andreas Gursky which has held by her better half, Larry Gagosian. Andreas Gursky is a German visual artist best known for his large scale landscape and industrial photographs - showcased his new work Ocean. For this new work Gursky has turned to a new media of using the photos themselves as a raw material to create a sculptural mappe del mondo.  Now that's what I call a true "Style Chameleon."

Photos: Tamu McPherson/Patrick McMullan

Calling All Afrolistas! Let The Entire World Know How You Define Your Own Beauty!

"Moi"

I decided to start Afrolistas and the City as way to highlight and celebrate the beauty of women of African descent who have chosen to reclaim and define their own beauty standards-especially those when it comes to our hair. Our beauty is as diverse and as varied as the lives in which we all live.

The blog is still a work in progress because this is no easy task when you work a full-time job and use what time you have to find the latest- best and most exquisite beauty from around the world. I'm looking for women throughout The African Diaspora who are rocking and loving their natural hair and serving up their own unique style.

It doesn't matter if you're younger sisters or my older sisters- I want the world to see women who are all about self-definition So, I'm asking all natural hair divas all over the world to send me a photo of your hair style and tell  the world what you love most about your natural hairstyle and how do you define your own beauty.

It doesn't matter if your hair is styled into an Afro, fade, twists, curls, locks, braids, long or short- and even bald-I want the world to see it too and for all of you to show just how fierce and ferociously independent we are!

So, please send one of your best shots of yourselves looking fabulous while rocking your natural hair and be sure to add your contact info: first name only and where you reside in the world to Afrolistas today! *Cyber Smooches*

Afrolista Of The Week: Nneka Egbuna

Nneka Egbuna is a Nigerian-German hip hop/soul singer and songwriter based in Hamburg,Germany. She sings in English and her traditional language of Igbo.

Singer Nneka Egbuna

Nneka is an Igbo name taken from the language of the Igbo people who live in the Eastern part of Nigeria and means “Mother is supreme, mother is the best”. The singer was born and grew up in Warri, in the Delta region of Nigeria. Nneka has been since an early age in school and in the church choir. After relocating to Hamburg, Germany, at the age of 18, she pursued a career in singing while obtaining a degree in Anthropology. She divides her time between Nigeria and the German city of Hamburg.

Even though Nneka sings more than she raps, she names hip hop as her primary musical roots and most important source of inspiration, while citing artists such as Fela Kuti and Bob Marley as well as contemporary rappers Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Lauryn Hill (I miss her) as key influences in her own pursuit of musical recognition.

Her lyrics reflect much of her history and life in Nigeria as well as her time spent in Western Europe. Her songs stress the issues of capitalism, poverty and war and are often loaded with moral and biblical messages and references, with some music commentators comparing her to Erykah Badu, Neneh Cherry and Floetry.

A list of her Albums

2005:
Victim of Truth
2008:
No Longer at Ease

2010: Concrete Jungle (1st US Album)

Tolula Adeyemi Is Set To Take On The World

Tolula Adeyemi

Les beautés noires Tolula Adeyemi and Shingai Shoniwa

Tolula Adeyemi  is demonstrating industrial staying power in such a short time.The first time that I ever heard of the Nigerian born model was on British Fashion Stylist Marian Kihogo's Blog. The 26 year old model, dee-jay and actress is the muse to designer Vivienne Westwood, who also credits the late fashion renegade and one of my favorites, Isabella Blow for introducing her to the world of fashion.

If you were to check out any major red-carpet event in the U.K. you'd definitely see her present her unique style on the red carpet. Fantastic. Fearless. While making a grand entrance!

Prada 2010 Fall/Winter Collection Is Pure 50's Optimism

After viewing the Prada 2010 Fall/Winter show I can honestly say that now I see why Shala is so loyal to the brand. I guess we all wish for those days when life was so easy and the world was not racked with problems.

Being that fashion is sometimes all about the illusion- a trip to mometarily fantasy- then this is what Miuccia Prada gave us- optimism of the good old days. I like quirky and I like to be different and this collection was both, with a bit of whimsy thrown in for fun.

I didn't care that much for the dresses which seemed to give the illusion of  cones for breast, but I do like this collection,especially the printed coats.  

I love the way the whole show gave everyone in the audience an up close and personal view of the models as they walked the runway. I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen as they paraded around in the collection.

"She's wearing those cat-eye glasses now check out Prada's"

"Check out Prada's version of the cat-eye glasses"

I used to ask my Grandmother could I have a pair of her "cat-eye glasses because I always loved vintage chic. Prada even introduced her own version of the new and improved cat-eye glasses for the 21st Century. I could just imagine the looks and stares that I'd receive.

"Check them out in red"

'I want a pair in Black"

Some may have called the collection "Grandma Chic," this collection can be worn by women of all ages. Miuccia Prada heavily borrowed from the 50's boys bomber jackets layered with what looked like fur collars and vinyl and then paired the looks with a added touch of feminism.

As they say that fashion oftentimes repeats itself, she is certainly paying homage to a by-gone era keen on what looked liked patent leather or well made vinyl full A-Line skirts which hit below the knees accompanied with bomber jackets for "us girls" to wear. There's nothing wrong with borrowing from your Grandma just add your own twist to it.

Check out the fashion show for yourselves.

"The high heeled loafer has tried to make a comeback several times"