My Afrolista of the Week is my beautiful daughter Ebonè. Ebonè is a "Stylista" and of course an Afrolista like just like me. She loves to travel the world, shop and spend time with her handsome son. Ebonè changes up her look quite often as you can see by the various photos.
She has been au naturel on and off for the past eight years and loves it. I keep telling her she needs to do some tutorials of natural hairstyles because she is always coming up with these beauty natural hairstyles, from two-strand flat twist up dos, huge Afro puffs or twist-outs, her styles always look fabulous!
The pictures of Minnie Riperton bring back so many memories of such a talented and beautiful lady. She wore her hair so freely as you say because during that time was the height of the "Black Is Beautiful Era" and "The Black Pride Era" and the majority of us wore our natural hair without shame or embarrassment. Every black woman who had a small Afro copied her style when should put those Baby Breath flowers in her hair to make that halo, including me. Not only was she a beautiful singer, but she had the voice of an Angel.
I guess after the 70's with the enforcement of desegregation laws and black people entering mainstream society at a higher rate, the idea of fitting in took hold where most felt the need to change their appearance in order to be more acceptable without realizing this changed their whole outlook on their own identity. We've had to fight with the Euro-Standard of beauty ever since they stepped foot on the African Continent and still much hasn't changed in regards to our identity because we keep letting everyone else decide it for us but us. Until we do then most people will forever have a problem exposing their ROOTS.
The black man had no problem with it because there wasn't much he had to do other than trim his hair which became a problem for them if their Afro was huge because to some people it was a threatening. It was the black woman who suffered the more damaging aspects of it because of the advertisements and ideology which came after telling us we didn't measure up or weren't considered as beautiful or pretty enough if we didn't look a certain way and many women bought into this mind-set who then passed it on to their children, and so on and so on ending up with the results we have today.
We've still got a long way to go in to reclaim our own standards of beauty and the reality is strictly up to us to dismantle every stereotype known to man that tells any human being on the earth that they don't measure up or are in some way inferior. Warning! This is not a trend, it's a way of life!
With vibrant colors, enhanced beauty and pure soul, what's not to love about the beautifully designed pieces from the upscale accessory brand Aya Morrison. All of the products are designed by designer/stylist Helena Aidoo-Morrison with carefully hand-picked African print fabrics. Each product is made in limited quantity to preserve uniqueness! Her bold bags carry you from day to night with style. It was love at first sight for me when I say this beautiful clutch carried by Tanzanian born fashion model, Millen Magese during an event.
As a reader of Mimi Magazine, I knew I saw her bags online somewhere in the past and remembered seeing them on their site. These are the real deal and not that "tribal mess" that many Western fashion designers are trying to sell to people that cost an arm and a leg. I've got to purchase at least two of these beautiful clutch bags for the Summer. Helena's bags are certainly an example of true style. If you're looking for something truly different from the usual- then this is the accessory for you. You may also purchase from her Etsy page.
(Photos: Aya Morrison)
The supermodel-muse-icon-legend-entrepreneur-CEO-philanthropist-activist-actress-wife-mother-Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid-one-name, IMAN. Somali by birth...kissed by the sun. Iman is an African woman who has worked tirelessly as a part of the solution in dispelling the negative myths of Africa. The CFDA will honor the Somali-born beauty as its Fashion Icon this year during it's annual awards ceremony. This year the CFDA Fashion Awards, will take place on June 7 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.
Her elegant, sculptural beauty—the elegantly long neck which was made to be adorned with beautifully made necklaces, the regal features, those cheekbones revealed to the world the beauty of the African woman when she hit the international scene in the late seventies and eighties. At a time when the magazine pages were dominated by WASP, all-American girls, she was an sight to behold and a mere clothes hanger she was not.
Even though she received her share of criticism from some people, she still continued to persevere and succeed in spite of it all. Before Naomi's strut was patented Iman's, Mounia's and whole lot of the other Super Models from her era were just as fabulous and wonderful to look at on the runways of the world. These women exuded elegance and grace, something that is hardly seen today!
You can check off all of her accomplishments and still come up short, but here goes: founding and steering one of the most successfulcosmetics companies targeted to women of color; campaigning and fundraising for African causes; a multi-decade film; author of beauty books; fashion designer; internationally recognized beauty icon.(Photo: Patrick McMullan and my own personal archives(thousand of magazines)
Looking Splendid in Oscar de la Renta
A Few Photos of Iman When She Set The Runways Of Paris On Fire!
I Salute You For Giving The World Your Beauty, Intelligence, Style and Grace Over The Years.
As the author of this blog...Afrolistas and The City, we as women love to go out, love to shop, lead interesting and diverse lives and I'm sure we also like to love our significant others along the way especially if we're involved in a relationship. The argument about successful black women not finding and keeping successful black men to share their lives with is growing thin on me. This time journalist Farai Chideya chimed in with her take on the conversation on Essence's website. I wrote this response on Essence and then decided to bring the conversation here.
To me love is where you find it and in all honesty it's all about how the two of you feel about yourselves and about each other. I see too many women who make more money than their mates and are simply defined by it. What happens when he leaves you? You're left with your success and nothing else looking desperately for the next man. Validation doesn't come from external forces, it comes you! No one can validate you, but you!
Women don't have to settle for the man who wants to mooch off of them, the abuser, the alcoholic, the man-child, the drug addict, the criminal, the drug dealer, the dreamer (this one is okay just as long as he puts at least one of those dreams into action) the psycho, the narcissist, the non-committed or someone else's man. Loving these types of men requires hard work and some serious therapy sessions after you've come undone.
So what's a 'Sistah Girl' to do? Stop living? Wait on the Prince to show up in his Range Rover (my next car) and whisk you off to Suburbia or the good life? If you can do these things for yourselves why wait on someone else to fulfill your desires? If you can't do these thing yourselves, then you're setting yourself up for failure in life by waiting on an individual to do it for you. It doesn't matter how you look or how you wear your hair if the man is interested in you he'll let you know.
I don't feel it's a problem because I've never defined my life by whether if I was in a relationship or not. I'm a divorcee and in all honesty I'm not looking because I've decided that I just can't tolerate the games anymore. I'm going to enjoy my life and do the things that I want to do just as long as I'm living. I don't need to wait on a man to start living and thinking he'll make everything all right for me.
Okay, now that you've got the education, the degree and maybe the financial success that comes with them(if you're not saddled with debt)but have yet to have a successful relationship? Does that mean you're going to stop living until you do? Does that make you feel that you're not valued? First and foremost before you can have any successful relationship you've got to have an honest one with yourselves.
Have any of you ever thought that the "potential" Mr. Big just may be out of your league? Just because many of you haven't found the educated and highly successful "Brotha" doesn't mean your less attractive, smart or talented enough to snare him, it just means that they're not there and neither are they interested in seeking a relationship with you. Face it ladies, many of these men are just as picky as many of you are when it comes to relationships.
Think about it: What does 'Mr. Big Man' mean to you? Even if you have the success that tells you that you qualify for the top tier man, have any of you ever thought that you're living beyond your comfort level, financially and otherwise to meet these type of men? If so, then we'll continue to have this conversation.
Thinking that the Most eligible bachelor on every other woman's long list will determine your "net worth" is relationship sabotage to the tenth degree. Instead seek out "A Man" who shares your goals, strengths and common interest. I'll bet there are many men who many of you have passed by have been wondering when you would finally notice them. Here's a little wisdom given to me by a few women much older than me: There's someone for everyone.
For once will all of you stop believing in this tragic fairy tale about love? This is not a good look! And you just might find the one. Stop buying in to the fear and scarcity tactics promoted by the American media and don't be ruled by that fear because we're not the only ones having a hard time finding men who are interested in long term relationships. The show was entertaining as in an hours time they failed to come to the whys, the solutions and the benefits of marriage! As far as our communities go, we've really got serious work that needs to addressed. Okay! I'm done. Now on to better things in life.
"As I get older, I’m more comfortable in my own skin."
~Shingai Shoniwa
Who: Shingai Shoniwa.
What: The bassist and lead singer of the Noisettes — frequently cited as one of the best live acts in Britain — plays the punk-soul chanteuse with ease. (albeit with complicated onstage hair)?
Where: In The New York Times' T-Magazine article about modern beauties who believe that messy is more.
Here's a message to the writer who said her hair is complicated. There's nothing complicated about our hair or hers for that matter. Maybe you're the one who's complicated or better yet confused because you don't understand the relationship we have with our hair. Didn't you listen when she said she loves the skin she's in and accepts it? That includes the whole package.
"Susan Akkad, Senior Vice President at Estée Lauder Companies"
Susan Akkad is the Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Diversity for the Estée Lauder Companies. In her position she works in partnership with the 25+ brands of the ELC in marketing, product development, consumer insights and communications to identify and expand business opportunities to increase relevancy to Black and Brown markets globally.
Susan Akkad began her career in cosmetics at Estée Lauder International in the Public Relations department in 1986. She left the company to work with her husband in their start-up design firm in the fashion industry. After spending almost 10 years in fashion -- working in New York and Paris -- they sold their business and Susan returned to cosmetics as the Marketing Director for Fragrances at Lancôme.
In 1999, she rejoined The Estée Lauder Companies as Executive Director, Fragrance Marketing at Clinique. She eventually became Vice President, Global Treatment Marketing, a position she held for six years. Following Clinique, she became Vice President, Global Marketing at Origins. Susan then moved to M.A.C as Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Artist Relations. At M.A.C she oversaw the Communications strategies for the M.A.C brand as well as the M.A.C AIDS Fund.
Susan and her husband, jewelry designer Ahmed Akkad
She is a native Virginian and grew up in Charlottesville. She holds her undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and spent time living and studying in Cairo, Egypt. She is both personally and professionally passionate about global and cultural concepts of beauty. She lives in Manhattan with her designer husband, Ahmed Akkad.
Of course you know I had to choose the photo with the
beautiful Ethiopian model, Nazri Segaro's Afro.
While reading the Houston Chronicle today, I came across the wonderful blog UZURI. For me it was love at first click. I was supposed to be writing a comment about the new Houston based magazine called JONES and couldn't finish quick enough to browse this website. UZURI is a Houston, Texas based international fashion magazine that focuses on western fashion with African and African-American influences. This is a fabulous magazine and I need to get my hands on a copy of it. Be sure to check out their magnificent website as they are now featuring several collections by African designers.
Thanks to Tiffany over at Ebony Intuition for the wonderful photo of the beautiful Lauren Hill. She's an Afrolista of the year for that matter! I miss Lauryn's music and her style and it's great to see her out and about for a worthy cause. Check out the link to Tiffany's site to read the rest of the story. There's nothing drab about Lauryn so don't even try to compare her! She looks great!!!!
Psst! Looking for some real music???? Well, here's an artist that will have you bopping your head and thumping your feet to her rhythmic sounds and her name is Georgia Anne Muldrow. The New York Times was right when they said that she is incredible and that she is something else because she certainly is.
The voice...phenominal...smoothe and finely expressive and she plays the piano too. The hair...The Afro... is huge and this lady is proud of her roots.
So, if you're on a search for real music in the style similar to Lauren Hill (miss her madly) mixed with a little Nina Simone then Georgia Anne is the artist for you. You can find more about Georgia Anne Muldrow here.
I'm sure that everyone has heard about or has seen the beautiful photos of singer Chrisette Michele in all of her exquisiteness by now? If not- it's all over the WEB because for some of us this is a celebration and I just had to have my own say.
Most of us go through life trying to elicit validation for our humanity by having other's say, "You're beautiful and everything about you is beautiful." There's nothing more liberating than declaring for yourself that only you will be responsible for this validation and not others. It's equally refreshing to see more women declaring for themselves that they are beautiful and believing it without worrying about the caustic criticisms from others.
There's nothing like taking a good look in the mirror and loving what you see. For those of you who are still out there looking for a muse, the muse is YOU... so conquer any insecurities that you have a about yourselves and do you! To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing it's best to make you into everybody else...Do you!
(Photos: Derek Blanks)
Singer/Actress Paula Lima on the May cover of Raça magazine.
Paula is now busy preparing for her upcoming role in the São Paulo production of the Broadway hit, CATS, in which she will play the role of the cat, Grizabella. If any one has ever seen the musical who could ever forget the hit song "Memory" in the long running musical and as a singer I'm sure she'll be just as good as all the other actresses who have played the part. Congratulations to her on playing the title role.
As you can see I'm obsessed with the Afro and all that it symbolizes (freedom, individuality and self-acceptance) and when I see a woman wearing one regardless of whether it's a small 'fro' or a huge one I've got to have the photo.
While reading Italy's D-webmagazine lately I came across this advertisement for the Liu-Jo brand which looks like model Oluchi Onweagba and another model wearing these huge Afro wigs. I'm sure it's Oluchi because her husband Luca Orlandi is the head designer for the Luca Luca brand in Italy. If it's not her I stand corrected.
(Photo: Liu-Jo)
Fashion designer Toni Whitaker's name is often on the lips of some of Houston's most fashionable women and we all know that Houston has it's fair share of elegantly dressed women... from couture clad Lynn Wyatt to the impeccably dressed Eileen Lawal and other fashionable bold faced names of Houston's philanthropic and social stratosphere.
The inside of her eponymous Atelier
Toni Whitaker has celebrated 25 years in business designing couture and Ready-to-Wear for women who want simple elegance and one of kind creations. She may not be designing out of New York or Paris, so don't let her location fool you because this woman is a major player in the fashion industry.
Fashion designer Toni Whitaker
A native of Camden, South Carolina, Toni Whitaker received her B. S. degree in apparel design from Syracuse University and earned a second B.S. degree in textile technology at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Before moving to Houston in 1982, Whitaker taught at Arizona State University in Tempe. In Texas, she has taught courses ranging from the history of costume and clothing design to visual merchandising at Texas Southern University, the University of Houston and Prairie View A&M University. Toni, who like most fashion designers has also used her designer talents to create costumes for several Houston area theatrical stage plays.
Lately Toni has been showing her beautiful fashion illustrations in exhibitions throughout the Houston area and hopefully these will also be sold to the public in the near future. I wanted to discover what propels designers to design their collections, so what better way than to ask them... so ask I did. Here she talks about her inspirations and what inspires her. Check out my Q & A session with Toni Whitaker.
D: When did you first fall in love with fashion? Toni: As a child watching my beautiful mom making her own clothes.
D: What do you enjoy most about being a fashion designer? Toni: Being free
D: How do you find inspirations for your designs? Toni: African textiles. I'm an old movie buff because I love the old 'Hollywood Glamour.'
D: What are your wardrobe must haves and which ones should most women have in their closets? Toni:The Toni Whitaker Little Black Dress.
D: Other than yourself, which other fashion designers do you admire and why? Toni: Christian Lacroix for his use of color and costume and Oscar de la Renta for that sassy Latin flare
D: What are some of your favorite shopping destinations? Toni: London and New York for fabrics.
D: I see that you are heavily involved with philanthropy. Which agency's are near and dear to your heart? Toni: Museum of Cultural Arts Houston, The Gregory School, and Project Row Houses.
D: Can you remember your first client and how did it make you feel? Toni: Walking in a room and seeing people wearing your designs. Cloud nine.
D: What are your plans for your brand for the future? Toni: Having my RTW collections in small boutiques.
D: Last but not least, I love your fashion illustrations and are they now available for sale? Toni: Sold my first piece at the MFA benefiting 5A. Had my first private show at Mixed Emotions fine Art, then Museum of Cultural Arts Houston.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to introduce you to my readers and possibly the world.
Another One of Toni's Beautiful Fashion Illustrations
To learn more about this talented and beautiful fashion designer check out Toni's site here. Follow her on Facebook.
(Photos: Courtesy of the designer)
I don't know what Natural Hair Blog I was on, but I remember a reader stating that she wished more prominent celebrities would start wearing their hair natural. Why she felt this way I really don't know, but I don't look to other's to validate my existence and how I should live my life nor be the only deciding factor on what I should do to determine the choices that I may make.
Chrisette Michele won't garner the press as Solange Knowles did because she's not one of the celebrity's that they seem to write about and she's definitely talented and can sing her butt off, but she's without scandal and hasn't received the attention the way the others have. Sure she'll receive her fair share of negative criticism from the negative individuals, and that's cool too because no one really cares what they think.
It's great to see Chrisette Michele join thousands of women who are just tired of struggling with their hair and trying to make it do something that it's not suppose to be. Eventually she'll get comfortable wearing her hair out instead of covering it up the way she has done here...she simply just needs to wear it out and be free. Anyway I'm proud of her... so welcome on home. Thanks to The New Kidz for the link and info. Check out their blog for the latest on celebrity news and lifestyles.
(Photo source: New Kidz.blogspot.com)
bring back so many memories of such a talented and beautiful lady. She wore her hair so freely as you say because during that time was the height of the "Black Is Beautiful Era" and "The Black Pride Era" and the majority of us wore our natural hair without shame or embarrassment. Every black woman who had a small Afro copied her style when should put those Baby Breath flowers in her hair to make that halo, including me. Not only was she a beautiful singer, but she had the voice of an Angel.
here.
, The Syberspace Social
, Psykosoul Plus 
and The Art of You
. To find out more about Sy, click here and here . To purchase music by Sy Smith 
