A Revolutionary Love: Rog and Bee Walker For ESSENCE February 2017

"Talk about a Revolutionary Love!"

I’m just now getting around to reading the February 2017 issue of Essence magazine online and this editorial featuring some of my favorite creatives, Rog and Bee Walker made me stop in my tracks. 

I went to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations in May of last year and I had an epiphany whereas I have no desire to read any mainstream magazines anymore. I didn't want to buy any of the paper ones and I couldn't even muster up the strength to look at the ones I subscribe to online.

With all of our beauty and style being positively presented online ( these two are a part of that revolution) on various platforms, I don’t even need to read or see anything they’re saying or talking about. The aesthetics alone are enough for me.

Photographer Credit: DeAndre da Costa

Fashion Director: Julee Wilson

 

Le Look Du Jour: Actress Lupita Nyong’o For ESSENCE Magazine January 2016

I can honestly say that my daughter and I were having this conversation this weekend about whether or not Lupita would get an ESSENCE cover. I can now eat my words.

Greg Lotus captured this beauty for the January issue!

I subscribe to the magazine through Next Issue/Texture, but I just might buy this issue since I stopped receiving the paper issue.

Photos Credit: Greg Lotus

ESSENCE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2013: Actresses Viola Davis and Danai Gurira Wow!

I feel like I've been down this path before writing about some of my favorite magazine issues, either way, it's something that I love to do. I've got to celebrate our beauty whenever I find it.

Actress Viola Davis looks beautiful on the cover of the October issue of Essence Magazine and the inside of the issue is chock full of several goodies for the eyes, complete with outstanding editorials that beg to be read.

Lets get back to Viola...all I can think of is, wow!!! She nailed this cover which was photographed by Nino Muñoz. The jewel colors look so elegant and radiant against her richly hued skin.

It pays to subscribe to your favorite magazines and my digital issue arrived in time. 

I almost died and went to beauty heaven when I clicked on the editorial featuring another beauty that I admire, actress, Danai Gurira.

They're right when the titled this: "Nobdy Can Danai" 

"Only fools attempt to deny our true beauty."

Danai rocked what appears to be sumptuous leathers with just the right amount of styling by, Jason Rembert, without the overkill as in  previous editorials that I've seen. Her beauty was captured by Gomillion and Leupold.

"It's all about self-love and the right to walk in this world the way we were created."

~ Actress Danai Gurira

Photos/Viola Davis: Nino Muñoz

Styling: Robert Behar

Photos/Danai Gurira: Gomillion and Leupold

Styling: Jason Rembert

I know that I didn't photograph these photos, but if you're going to take them, at least credit the source where you got them from.

Cover Girl: Singer Kelly Rowland Essence Magazine-September 2013

Essence magazine covers have been on repeat with the same cover subjects year after year and it's refreshing to see Kelly Rowland grace the cover all by herself. I don't know which one I'll receive first: the one in the mail or the digital issue, either way, I can't wait to read it and see the rest of the editorial. It's Kelly's time to shine, so she better look deep within to bring it to the surface.

"Kelly Is On Top Of The World Right Now"

Photos by Lorenzo Agius
Styling By: Lysa Cooper

A Glamtastic Flashback: Iman, Gail and Peggy for Revlon's Polished Ambers Collection 1978

Revlon's Polished Ambers Advertisement, circa 1978, featuring Iman, Peggy Dillard-Toone and Gail Kendrick.


While looking through a stack of Essence magazines from the 1970's, I came across these beautiful Revlon ads featuring some of my favorite models from that era. Every one is familiar with the iconic Iman and some may know of Peggy Dillard-Toone, but I'm sure there aren't that many who are familiar with Jamaican born beauty Gail Kendrick, unless of course you too are from this era and admired these women. I did a little editing to give them an artsy edge, enjoy!

















The iconic Iman.

Photos: From My Own Archives

What's Haute Now: Gaye McDonald and Jaunel McKenzie for ESSENCE Magazine-JULY 2011

OK, we've seen the fashion editorial and cover for the July issue of ESSENCE Magazine featuring Beyoncé, now check out the "WHITE ON" fashion editorial featuring Jaunel McKenzie and Gaye McDonald of Pulse Models as they sizzle in the purest of hues---white. Lovely!

Photos by: Antoine Verglas|Styling by: Elliana Placas|
Digitally Reproduced/Scanned by me.
Check it out!

WHO WHAT WHERE: PURE LEGENDS

WHO: PURE LEGENDS/STYLE ICONS
WHAT: WEARING ALL THAT MAKES THEM FABULOUS!
WHERE: STEPHEN BURROWS 2011 FALL/WINTER RTW

Journalist and newly appointed E-I-C of ESSENCE Magazine,
Constance White at the Stephen Burrows Fall/Winter 2011 runway show.


Legendary Super Model, Scholar and Author, Barbara Summers


ESSENCE Magazine Fashion Director Celeste Harwell


The Glamtastic Legendary Super Model Pat Cleveland


Glamtastic legendary Super Model and Editor at Large, VOGUE Black, Bethann Hardison.

Photos: Darryl Calmese Jr.










Photo: Darryl Calmese Jr.

Woman of Style: Suzanne Boyd

Suzanne Boyd

Only one form of communication can convey a mix of emotions at a single glance...the language of style. Full voluminous hair along with the unexpected sends a message of confidence and Suzanne Boyd is the epitome of style. Personally, with the editor of Essence leaving maybe they need to consider her for the job, because it could use a serious overhaul.

Occupation: Editor-in-chief of Zoomer Magazine, former editor in chief of Flare and Suede magazines.

Home Base: Toronto, Canada

Fashion Philosophy: Bold, striking, statement-making, comfortable and feminine. Best dressed.