Black Fashion Icons: Aaliyah, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey And More
We have collectively put together a list of our 70 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 all around the globe has been a thing that has interested me all of my life. We have the young, the bold, the beautiful, the striking, and the just plain sexy, so without further adieu here are the women who have rocked our fashion lives in one way or another over the last 100 years.
1. Tina Turner (Simply The Best)
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 gams that only get better and stronger with age, Tina Turner’s sexy on-stage costumes have always been daring and fearless. With the help of larger-than-life designer Bob Mackie, for the last 30 years the Grammy Award winner has created a sultry signature look consisting of thigh-high slits, sequined dresses with plunging necklines, chains and feathers. Judging from her last world tour in 2008, this confident diva has no plans on scaling back on the sexy ensembles and 5 inch stilettos. At 75 years of age, Tina Turner continues to be a force to reckon with and a style inspiration for a legion of female performers today.
2. Diana Ross (The Diva)
Now, at the mere mention of her name some may applaud and speak in awe of this unique lady; then there are those who curse. Those that do the latter talk about her supposed part in the downfall of fellow Supreme Florence Ballard, they will speak about how she deviously rose, backstabbing her way to the top of the entertainment world, leaving her peers behind and of her sordid affair with Motown Svengali, Berry Gordy. Then there are the many that laud this lady as the legendary music icon she is, without a doubt today. This Superstar, who started out from humble beginnings in the Brewster Projects of 1960s Detroit; the American dream personified. Armed with fierce determination and steel resilience to name just a few of things that this former fashion student exemplifies, Diane Ernestine Ross was indeed the cream that just simply rose to top… and stayed there. However, whatever the varying opinions of this lady may be, there is one fact that most, if not all can agree on; Diana’s style was second to none from the time she exploded onto the public arena till today. Miss Boss has always worked it in her style in with whichever project her illustrious career happened upon. Before Miss Ross, women in show business, especially Black women on screen did not have the audacity to up the glam factor in the way that she did. With all due respect to the female entertainers who paved the way for Miss Ross, images of black women on the screen were mostly either of the typical ‘Mammy’ types or of the over sexualised ones.
Diana with her figure hugging svelte glittering gowns, bouffant hair dos and big doll- like eyes fluttering with long striking lashes was indeed a force to be reckoned with. Her Supreme years at Motown not only proved to all that may have initially had doubts about a black woman being as alluring, stunning and enchanting as any of her white counterparts back in the day were but also solidified her stance as one style icon who was here to stay whether the naysayers liked it or not! Any vintage lover with a thing for 1970s chic must see Diana Ross in Mahogany. Despite its improbable plot and questionable casting (Anthony Perkins as a womanizing fashion photog?) Diana Ross’ costumes are to die for. The 1970s were the height of polished American sportswear that is germane to fashion once again — think Marc Jacobs Fall ‘07. Miss Ross does her thing in sultry, slinky jersey gowns, trousers, pussy cat blouses, and fabulous accessories. There is a particularly memorable scene where “Mahogany” aka Diana — who is a fashion model / designer — makes a fabulous runway entrance in a brilliant orange jersey gown that made me wonder who designed these fabulous looks? (Sadly, I couldn’t find a photo of it.)
3. Grace Jones (The Fearless One)
“I’m not perfect, but I’m perfect for you,” she sang—and there was no denying Grace Jones (real last name: Mendoza). 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. But it was her collaboration with Jean Paul Goude, which is chronicled in the artist-photographer’s new book, So Far, So Goude, out this month from Assouline, that made her a legend. Goude choreographed Jones’ infamous Halloween night 1978 show at Roseland, which involved raw meat, a Bengal tiger, and the singer dressed like a big cat. She sunk her claws into Hollywood, too, co-starring with Wilt Chamberlain and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Destroyer and playing 007’s nemesis in the Bond flick A View to a Kill. Lately, she’s been taken up by young London, sitting front-row with Kate Moss at an Alexander McQueen show and accompanying Stella McCartney to a Fashion Rocks party, demure as ever in a body-hugging leotard and tuxedo jacket. “I wasn’t born this way,” Jones once said. “One creates oneself.” And how.
4. Josephine Baker (The Swinger)
Few Americans better exemplified the Art Deco aesthetic than Josephine Baker: long, sleek, sculptural and unmistakably Modern. Now a centenary exhibit tells the story of how an African-American street urchin, under-appreciated in her native country in her lifetime, became an international star and helped define a style. Baker (1906-75), born in St. Louis, grew up poor, black, limber and ambitious. She was still a teen when she joined a dance troupe and left for Paris, where the French were mad for anything associated with Africa, and the Art Deco movement was about to explode in the world arena. Sexually liberated and reveling in her own body, Baker caused an immediate sensation by dancing naked except for a banana skirt. One famous 1929 shot by glamour photographer George Hoyningen-Huene depicts Baker, naked but for a long cloth and strands of beads draped in front of her, as a living Art Deco sculpture. “She helped popularize Art Deco, and she epitomized the style — her look was extremely sleek and almost machine-like, her hair like a cap,” says Olivia Lahs-Gonzales, director of the Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis.
Baker was just as fabulous with her clothes on: Courted by designers and even architects, she turned herself into one of the world’s first style celebrities, in keeping with the Art Deco celebration of the new and rejection of tradition. The Art Deco style favored an industrialized, streamlined look characterized by elegance, strong geometries, polished surfaces and use of black and white. Starting after World War I, it dominated decorative art, fashion, jewelry, textiles, furniture design, interior decoration and architecture, and it continues to have influence today.
5. Janet Jackson (The Control Freak)
…no explanation is even needed!
6. Beyonce (The Dreamgirl)
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. Another thing she made famous in mainstream pop culture is the lacefront wig, she never leaves home without one. Of course hers cost almost $100,000 a piece which is why they look so good and last so long but everyone cant afford that.
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.
7. Pam Grier (The HBIC)
When my mother was a little, girl, She said she would sit and stare at Pam Grier in awe—her dad had a fascination with her much to her mom’s chagrin, and she was everywhere in the house. On the cover of Ebony, on Betamax covers of movies like Foxy Brown and Coffey, and every once and awhile, she would see her on television. She was a woman who was fierce, beautiful, and powerful—three things every little girl wanted to be. And not only was Pam a fabulous sister who could rock a ‘fro and a long hair style with ease, but she was also a style icon who wore fashion like she was born to rock the runway. She was an nontraditional beauty who didn’t confirm to rules of the status quo, and for that, I bow down to her greatness.
8. The Supremes (Trendsetters For Life)
I remember my grandmother listening to the Supremes and reading old issues of Ebony magazine as she said, “Now this is how you are supposed to dress.“ In the 60s, when girl groups were at their height, my grandmother was in her late 20′s and she admired the way that they were put together with a sense of class—one she borrowed from throughout her own life. Girl groups from the 60s were not only important to music, but they were important to fashion.
When people think of this era Diana Ross and the Supremes come to mind, but there were so many great acts from this period that paved the way for all of the Destiny’s Child, and En Vogues of the world and each had their own unique style that mimicked their music. Like with most things, the devil is in the details and these groups were all about the subtle details that gave them that extra special feature. The style element came in the dresses–sometimes basic with loud jewelry, other times loud dresses with no jewelry. This period called for cocktail dresses with a-lines and compacted frames even on the curvier girl. Hair was always in place–there was no such thing as a messy ponytail. The 60s were important enough to fashion that trends can still be seen on the runways today and though the 70s are the new hot decade to borrow from for this season, the 60s have always been where it’s at. My favorite trend from the girl groups of the 60s is their elegance. I was really captivated by how regal, beautiful, and sophisticated the girl groups were. They were sensual, but they weren’t trying to sell sex and I admired that.
9. Patti Labelle (The Lady Marmalade)
Patti LaBelle was edgy before it became acceptable for Black female artists to not only push music’s boundaries, but also defy the rigid dress code of Black singers. As the lead singer of LaBelle, her genre defying sound was a hodgepodge of glam rock, soul, funk, pop and gospel and so was the diva’s fashion-forward style. Patti LaBelle ushered in a 70s glam rock look and it was the complete opposite of the well-manicured and cookie cutter singers of that moment. She performed in glorious feather headpieces, metallic catsuits, theatrical costumes, outrageous hair and belted out taboo subjects in her fiery, high-octave voice. Later in her long-running career, Patti LaBelle would continue to experiment with height-defying hairstyles and opulent ensembles.
While the original rock chick may have put away the peacock feathered tutu decades ago, she’s never stop surprising us with her unconventional choices. For nearly five decades Patti LaBelle has boldy revamped her look — from bouffants to towering ‘dos, feathers to sequins, thigh high boots to six inch stilettos — making her one fearless stage siren. “I never thought about how anyone would react to my crazy outfits,” LaBellesays. “I wanted to try new things, so I could care less what people had to say.”
10. Chaka Khan (Every Woman)
Men wanted her, women wanted to be her and both were hypnotized by her earth-shattering voice. All through her evolution from funk queen to pop and R&B diva, Chaka Khan has never stopped experimenting with fashion. Born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953 in Chicago, Khan rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of funk band Rufus, with hits like “Tell Me Something Good” and “You’ve Got the Love.” It wouldn’t be long before she embarked on a solo career, bringing us timeless hits like “I Feel For You,” “Through the Fire,” and “Ain’t Nobody,” and becoming a beauty and fashion icon, with her signature big hair and eccentric outfits. At 58, Khan is still rocking her luscious locks and confident “Every Woman” attitude.
11. Lil Kim (The Queen Bee)
Her recipe for fashion will leave you with a damn stomach ache. Between all of the nip slips, jewels, punani-peekaboos, various colored wigs, either she is considered a fashion goddess in your eyes, or a complete mess. She’s everything that your mother doesn’t want you to be. And that makes her everything that you want to be. She was a fashion expert before stardom as a female rapper. As an employee at Bloomingdales -fresh out of high school- she was prancing around in Chanel with the best weaves, best lenses, best boot game. She was proper! There was nothing that Lil’ Kim adored more as a little girl than playing dress up and being extra - being the center of attention. Someone like Lil’ Kim is not 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. She sold us sex! She gave us colors! She took trashy to the mainstream.
Whether she’s considered a sex doll to you, a ghetto mermaid or the first Barbie of rap, she was nonetheless a money-making brand. She’s friends with literally every relevant, adored fashion designer who has lived. This blue-eyed Barbarella was Dave LaChapelle’s personal muse, for a reason. She has never looked the same during her fame for more than 2 years, she’s constantly changing and taking risks and she goes all out. If her hair is blonde, her brows are too. If it’s aqua, so are her brows and possibly her eyelashes too. She’s bravely rocked every type of texture, from ostrich feathers to Zebra.
12. Mariah Carey (The Butterfly)
With 12 albums, 5 Grammys and 175 million albums sold, no one would blame Mariah Carey if she chose to kick off her signature stilettos and just take it easy with her family. Not a chance! What instantly became iconic about her look is the natural curls she wore on her very first album cover. She took it up a notch with VERY short and tight dresses that she became known for around the globe.
13. Whitney Houston (The Fighter)
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.
14. Rihanna (The Good Girl Gone Bad)
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. This is exactly what should define a true superstar and a style icon and this is exactly what Rihanna has managed to become.
15. Halle Berry (The Beautiful One)
She’s been a regular on People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful In the World at least eight times. Playboy has named her among the 10 Sexiest Women of the Century. She would have a fabulous career as a supermodel, let alone acting. One of Halle’s greatest strengths is her style. She can dress elegantly (those dresses and gowns at the various award functions and celebrity events), or in jeans, and look great. Let’s face it, she’d look great in a potato sack!. And she’s an accomplished actress! Is there no end to this woman? Halle is currently the highest paid African-American actress in Hollywood. She’s also been a model spokesperson for Revlon for a few years and was recently signed as the new face of Versace. Accounts vary on her height (some sources say 5’6’, some say 5’ 7’). I believe she’s 5’7’, weighs around 112 lbs., and is a Leo, and like most Leo women, she’s also blessed with great hair. Short, straight, curly, whatever color, long, etc., she can wear it all.
16. TLC (The Sex Educators)
Crazy (Left Eye R.I.P.), Sexy (Chilli), Cool (T-Boz) better known as TLC, exploded onto the music scene in 1992,with their spray painted brightly colored, condom clothing. They stood for safe sex, feminism, and of course they were take no mess kind of girls straight out of the ATL. The one thing that fans loved about them, is that they stayed true to themselves, even though they grew from girls into women and were sexy at times, they remained true to themselves. Despite the loss of of everyone’s favorite rapper, Lefteye, they remain one of the most beloved girl groups of all time.
17. Oprah (The Media Queen)
Oprah’s timeless, classic fashions makes her a celebrity style icon amongst women. She wears styles that are for real women, and clothing that would compliment most figures. The fashion pieces Oprah wears can be mixed and matched to make several different outfits. Oprah’s fashion choices are versatile, and many styles could go from day to evening with a change of accessories. Oprah wore a classic black ruffle shirt with a pencil skirt on her show celebrating Dr. Phil’s 1,000th episode.
The pieces Oprah wore in this show are great worn together, or they can be mixed-and matched to make several different, classic outfits. The shirt can be worn with black jeans or slacks, and the skirt has endless wardrobe possibilities. The high heel shoes Oprah wore are sexy, and the perfect complement to this outfit. Christian Louboutin is one of Oprah’s favorite shoe designers. A basic earring and watch with a black band is all that is needed for this timeless look on Oprah, a true celebrity style icon.
18. Erykah Badu (The Soul Sista)
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 and an intriguing ability to influence her man’s legwear (remember those crocheted pants Common wore?), Erykah always keeps us guessing. Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright, but changed Erica to Erykah, because “kah” is an Arabic syllable which translates to “can do no wrong.” Badu is a name of Ghanaian origin, which the artist adopted to replace what she believes is her slave surname.
Early on in her now 19-year career in music, Badu was known for her sky-high African head wraps and was crowned the “Queen of Neo-Soul.” By 2008, Badu rejected this title and the genre in its entirety stating, “Neo-soul is dead. I never knew what that was anyway.” Badu also shocked fans and followers of the natural-hair-movement, with which she was long associated, when they found out that her Afro was actually a wig. Despite changing her iconic head wrap image and divorcing herself from the neo-soul genre, Badu continues to throw her support behind black culture.
19. Aaliyah (The Baby Doll)
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! You know you all begged your mamas to let you wear the side-swooped bangs. And when you finally got ‘em, you could only see out of one eye for the whole day, but you looked cute! Aaliyah was rarely caught in public without a firey red or deep mahoganey lip. She truly mastered the deep colored lip look… We miss you baby girl! :(
20. Naomi Campbell (The SUPERmodel)
British born, internationally renowned 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. Despite this potential set-back, Naomi has achieved iconic status around the world and is one of the most recognizable and in-demand models of her generation. She has fronted campaigns for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurent, worked with the best photographers in the world, including Mario Testino and Patrick DeMarchelier, as well as appearing in over 100 magazine covers, whilst enjoying a runway career that very few models can match up to.
It’s fair to say Naomi Campbell has lived (and continues to live) a colourful, somewhat extravagant and glamorous lifestyle – but for all her highs, there are some controversial lows. As she enters her fourth decade in life with a career that spans over three, we take a deeper look at the woman who pushed the fashion door, demanded her presence, conquered the scene, rocked the tabloids, and earned her stripes to become one of fashions biggest (and most controversial) icons. One afternoon 15 year old Naomi was window shopping in Covent Garden when Beth Boldt, a former Ford model and head of the Synchro model agency, spotted the teen beauty and was immediately drawn to her tall and slender frame. From that moment, a star was born.
21. Sade (The Smooth Operator)
Another lady who wears red lipstick beautifully is the stunning, soulful singer Sade Adu. I’ve always been a fan of her music but until recently I had no idea that she got her degree in fashion design and even had a small men’s fashion company for a while. It’s obvious to me now that her experience with fashion had a big influence on her style. She often wore menswear pieces, making them look just as elegant as her dresses. With her angelic voice, she became one of the most successful British musicians as well as one of the lucky few singers to make the cover of Time.
Her international hits include Smooth Operator, Sweetest Taboo, Is It A Crime, and No Ordinary Love. If she still sounds unfamiliar, you’ve probably heard her music playing in an elevator somewhere or at the dentist’s office… but don’t be too quick to dismiss it. It’s still some of the most beautiful music I’ve heard.
22. Brandy (The Best Friend)
see: Moesha.
23. Kelis (The Boss)
You Know, It’s a hard pill to swallow, when people tell you, you strange and that you aint hot. But in the blink of an eye, THEY GOT ON WHAT YOU GOT, that means I’M A BOSS.
24. Iman (The Goddess Of Fashion)
The very first image I saw of Iman was shot by renowned photographer, Peter Beard. He is noted to have discovered the model of Somalian heritage in 1975 at the University of Nairobi. Iman became the first African model to grace the cover of Vogue in 1979 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 fifties 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.
25. Donna Summer (The Disco Diva)
Donna Summer was a chameleon. In her ever changing wardrobe, Donna experimented with layering, contrasting prints, feminine goddess like dresses and edgy accessories, such as cowboy boots and chunky costume jewelry. She brought the “poodle” hairstyle to the mainstream. In a world where the term “diva” is as overused as a MAC machine in an Atlantic City casino, DONNA SUMMER stands as a reminder of what true divadom is. She’s got talent, class, style and a stack of gold and platinum records that’s the envy of Fort Knox - yet at heart she still remains an “Ordinary Girl.”
26. En Vogue (Madonna Could Never)
Class. Grace. Glamour. Beauty. All these things made En Vogue the most popular female group of the late 80’s and early 90’s. They exuded sex appeal without being trashy and that was attractive to a lot of eyes. Skin tight dresses, bodysuits, and tuxedos drove their fans crazy. They always matched, always sang in key, and always looked good doing it. They struck poses and brought Vogueing to the mainstream eye before Madonna even knew what it was but of course this is America so….
27. Toni Braxton (The Cracked Butterfly)
Do we always have to see her panties? Mmm, probably until she’s in her 80s. What’s the word “sexy” without Toni Braxton? They go hand and hand. Her fashion choices are always scantily clad and proud but have faced a lot of negative attention by critics - called fashion disasters because they are considered “too sexy”. I’ve even read and heard people call her a “walking wardrobe malfunction”. But we cherish her for embracing, owning, loving her body and not having a problem with being a sexy ass woman. With a strong phenomenal voice like hers, the way that she’s dressed has always thrown people off and intimidated them. A powerhouse voice attached to a Playmate isn’t common. People have stated that they believe it’s a shame that someone of her caliber of talent would be so desperate to dress the way she does. But as Toni responded, “One year people are accusing me of being a lesbian [because I’m too covered]; the next year, I’m a whore who dated the entire NBA [because I show skin].” She’s a fan of lace dresses and lace tops to show off her nipples. Yes, Toni is too erotic. If you read any magazine interview done on Toni in the 90s, you’d read about how the writer felt seduced by just looking at her.
She was one of the leading forces of the 90s, besides Janet Jackson, she was the other sex symbol. She was one of the people who pushed the envelope early on in her career - in that Mariah and Whitney league, but experimented with extreme fashion risks and that may be something that distracted her music. This woman’s distinctive style: sexy dresses. Her dress cuts, lengths and fabrics were always eye-catching. She wore gorgeous gowns with the stomach area cut out to show off her six pack abs. She loved showing off her figure. This is her idea of seduction: “The art of seduction is coming to the door wearing pretty underwear. I’m holding crystal flutes of Cristal with a ripe strawberry in each glass. My nails are done, my hair is done, and I’m just in a sexual-kitten mode. Sometimes a little fantasy is important.”
She has sold over 40 million records worldwide, won six Grammys, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards. She’s not shy of number one hits either. Toni Braxton was destined to be a star. How many of you were discovered and given a record deal at a gas station while singing to yourself? Right. It’s even harder to believe she was a a small-town choir singing geek in high school and even waited to lose her virginity at twenty years old. With every album, Toni Braxton does a different look. Regarding her fashion choices, this is what she had to say, “I wear provocative clothes because they make me feel sexy. If an artist like Madonna is wearing something with her booty hanging out, she’s considered a genius. But if a black person does it, we’re considered skank whores or sluts. Black girls have to learn not to be afraid of fashion.” We may typically see a nip slip here, a booty cheek there, but it’s never too much. We can never have too much Toni.
28. Aretha Franklin (The Queen Of Soul)
Three Things:
Inauguration Hat.
Fur Coats.
Cleavage.
29. Salt N Pepa (The Bad Girls Who Invented Swag)
Heavy shoulder pads, acid wash jeans, chunky gold jewelry, hot pants, race car jackets, ripped jeans, door knockers, bamboos, retro Reebox high tops, midriff tops, cut off denim shorts, scrunch socks, stripes, leather jackets are all trademark elements of Salt N Pepa’s style. Not to mention, the half shaved-half long hair (which has now been brought back to life by Cassie). They were street, fly, and all about individuality. These ladies were ground-breaking, girl power, positive artists at a time in the urban music industry when every female artist dressed masculine. Spinderella was an added fixture to the group who kept everything balanced by coordinating ensembles with both Salt and Pepa. The group’s influence has been so strong that V magazine and Vogue has paid homage to their distinct style with editorials. They were one of the very first female rap acts to embrace femininity and being a woman. They’ve influenced every 90s female rapper. They are much like the mothers of female rap. Women such as Rihanna, Cassie and other popular artists of today have borrowed hairstyles from these women as well. Door knockers were made relevant by Roxanne Shante and Salt N Pepa in the 1980s. They made LL Cool J want an around the way girl.
30. Dorothy Dandridge (The Movie Star)
Dorothy Dandridge was a woman before her time. Though her life was cut tragically short, her legacy and impact has been felt by millions of women who have adopted her grace, style, and swag. Icons like Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston all have attributed their style and their glamour to Ms. Dandridge. An angel on the screen and stage, Dorothy rocked the red carpet and the movie screen like no one else and since she left us, no one has been able to encapsulate her raw beauty and effortless luxurious fashion.
31. Tyra Banks (The Original FIERCE!)
Talk about a supermodel turned supermogul: Tyra Banks went straight from posing for the pages of the Victoria’s Secret catalog to producing and hosting two hit TV shows: America’s Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show. And then there’s her down-time: Banks also runs T-Zone, a self-esteem camp for teenagers, which she started back in her modeling days. At camp she goes by the nickname BBQ (after her love of barbeque ribs) and talks freely about the wigs and weaves that make her a small-screen glamazon. “No woman should feel insecure when she looks at a model in a magazine,” she has said. “Nobody has any idea how much work goes into this.” Sounds like Tyra is a super mentor, too. 1990: Banks modeled couture on the Paris runways, but her daily wardrobe was strictly down-home. “I had on my big overalls, hiking boots, a plaid shirt and no makeup,” Banks has said. “I wasn’t sleek. I was a bum.”
32. Lisa Bonet (The 90’s Beauty)
Long before Nicole Richie had ever heard of Good Charlotte or The Olsen Twins became fashion icons, Lisa Bonet was the ultimate bohemian goddess/rock star muse. In the late ’80s, Bonet went from playing wholesome Denise Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World,” to becoming an uber-sexy hippie chick. She wore nose rings, rocked trendsetting gypsy/flower child ensembles, married hot rocker Lenny Kravitz—and, in a move that shocked conservative America, she appeared naked on the cover of Rolling Stone. After her marriage ended in ‘93, Bonet changed her name to Lilakoi Moon and stepped outside of the limelight, devoting her time to her daughter, gorgeous starlet Zoe Kravitz. She recently had two more children with her partner, Jason Momoa, and appeared on the pilot episode of “Life on Mars.” Lisa Bonet, you were totally before your time, girl. We love you!
33. Queen Latifah (The Closet Freak)
Who wants to see just one type of model when you open up a magazine, flip on the television, or do some online shopping? After all, this is not a cookie-cutter world. We are all different, and that should be embraced in our society, not shunned. Queen Latifah isn’t necessarily plus-sized as much as she is real- sized, in my opinion. She has curves and isn’t afraid to accentuate them. She has style and knows how to showcase it. She refuses to hide in horribly ill-fitted clothing. She is singing and dancing. She is in front of the cameras. She inspires and empowers. And, she is a real-sized woman!
34. Alek Wek (The Showstopper)
Alek Wek is one of fashion’s most known faces and one of the world’s most loved supermodels. Her vibrant personality, beautiful spirit and girlish good looks have captivated the world for years and are all echoed in the sophisticated looks she chooses on both the red carpet and off. We first fell in love with the Sudanese beauty in Tina Turner’s “Goldeneye” video in a leopard two-piece look and over-the-knee boots, showing us that she was just as beautiful and fierce as any Bond girl, as well as being talented enough to stand beside one of the world’s style icons. Alek has all the trappings of a supermodel with flawless skin, a beautiful smile, a slender figure and mile-long legs, making it virtually impossible for her to look anything less than perfect.
Her style isn’t about just re-creating runway looks or borrowing from the designers who love her, but capturing a classic elegance and sophistication that makes her just as fabulous in a pink oxford shirt and jeans or a white v-neck gown with silver embellishments. She is a constant role model for us all demonstrating that style is more than just what meets the eye.
35. Alicia Keys (Every School Boys Joy)
Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed Alicia Keys evolve from raw vocal powerhouse in funky streetwear and braids into music-industry icon, actress, fashion-risk taker, philanthropist and, most recently, proud mom to son Egypt, who was born in 2010 and is expecting her second child this year. Alicia Keys hasn’t been afraid to take some beauty risks over the course of her decade-long career as a recording artist. From Afro puffs to jeweled Indian headpieces to classically elegant updos, this New Yorker knows how to work a red carpet and keep people talking.
36. Solange (The Walking Editorial)
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 have become even more pronounced. From the bright colors, layered textures and unique accessories, Solange is a style icon many need to mimic. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so. WWD’s style magazine put Solange on their cover. Her choices are always eloquent and very specific. Her entire demeanor has impressed me lately and I love the hairstyles she chooses.
37. Nina Simone (The Middle Finger)
There really isn’t much that needs to be said about Ms. Simone. Which songstress hasn’t she inspired? The Adeles, Amy Winehouses, Beyonces and Lauryn Hills of our generation were all influenced by Nina. Her style is 60% sexuality and confidence, 25% insanity, 15% drugs and alcohol – a model I base my adult life around every day minus the drugs, except slightly more insanity.
38. Eartha Kitt (Catwoman)
Born in the South of the US on a cotton plantation and raised in Harlem, the self professed sex kitten was one of the most distinctive entertainers in the history of cabaret, stage and film. Born on January 17 1927 , Eartha Kitt was raised by a woman called Anna Mae, who she believed was her mother. The singer later said her father was the son of a plantation owner and had been conceived by rape. She was named Eartha after a year’s good crop. She lived in poverty until her mother met a new husband who rejected Kitt because she was a mixed race child. Described by Orson Welles as the most exciting women in the world when she played Helen of Troy in Dr Faustus, Kitt’s most famous part came as the exotic feline, Catwoman in the Batman television series from 1967-8. Originally, Kitt began her career as a member of the Katherine Dunham Company and made her film debut with them in Casbahin 1948.
A talented singer with a raspy voice enriched with sultry tones, her hits included songs such as I Want to Be Evil, Just an Old-Fashioned Girl, C’est si bon and Santa Baby which was released in 1953. She possessed a strong, independent personality which matched her growling vibrato voice that lingered around the theatre long after she had finished singing. Her fierce personality erupted at the height of her fame at a White House luncheon party given by Lady Bird Johnson, the president’s wife, in 1968. Kitt was asked by Lady Bird Johnson about the Vietnam War and erupted into a doomed speech. Kitt replied: “You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. No wonder the kid’s rebel and take pot”. She was promptly blacklisted and effectively forced to work abroad, particularly Europe.
39. Amber Rose (The Bald & The Beautiful)
She knows controversy too well. Is she a groupie? Is she black? Is she white? Is she bisexual? Is she a damn lesbian? What does she do? Why is she fucking famous? Is she another Kim Kardashian? Why is she always on every blog? Why does she have all these women shaving their heads bald? Like what type of entity is this chick? Standing 5 foot 8, with a signature blonde buzzcut, Amber has become a hybrid of Grace Jones-Brigitte Nielsen.
She’s bold, a ideal mix of statesque and curvaceous, and she wears shit that most people can’t get away with, even if they are “prettier” by standards. She’s modeled for Louis Vuitton and has been in Vogue and other high profile fashion magazines. She’s beyond trendy because she’s the one who has set many trends. She’s put together notorious fashion choices for red carpet events. She has no stylist and completely dresses herself. From avatar shades, to animal print spandex, fur hats, and zebra purses. She’s not afraid to wear a high fashion jumpsuit with Air Jordans or an elegant one-shouldered Grecian-style dress or go sophisticated in an all white form-fitting dress with gold frame shades. She loves nearly every type of fabric and exotic texture, designer labels, and lots of accessories. According to Amber, “I want to change the face of modeling. I want young girls growing up to know that they can actually eat something, and be beautiful and be a model…I am pretty confident in my beauty, and I don’t see a need to hide behind hair..Besides, I can get ready to go out a lot faster now that I don’t have to spend a half-hour doing my hair. I’m very real and very blunt. I’ve been through a lot, so I have pretty tough skin. But at the same time, I’m feminine in every way. I love clothes and makeup and getting dolled up just like any other female.” It’s not shocking she was once in the ballroom scene, because this hot mami is OVAH at all times.
40. Robin Givens (The Seductress)
see: Boomerang
41. Jada Pinkett Smith (The Superwoman)
The only thing diminutive about Jada Pinkett-Smith is her height: 5 foot 1. The Baltimore native has grown in her career, from her beginnings as a goofy co-ed on A Different World to her current role as a tough-as-nails nurse on TNT’s Hawthorne. Over the years her look has evolved as well, from a blond crop to cornrows to long, lush styles. “Jada experimented with fun, funky looks in the past,” stylist Carla Gentry Osorio says. “But she also knows how to project classic glamour.” Makeup artist Paul Starr agrees, saying, “Her serene eyes and approachable body language speak to everyone. She can carry off a Grace Kelly kind of elegance with complete nonchalance.” And as always, she’s walking tall: “Jada knows herself well. She’s firm in what she believes, and gives off that confidence,” Osorio says.
42. Zoe Saldana (The Girl Next Door)
She seems to almost always look perfect, with a closet full of frocks and coordinating heels, but she doesn’t hesitate to take style risks with bright colors, asymmetrical garments and cutouts. I’m always checking out what she’s wearing because they’re always trendy but she keeps it very original by adding her own touch to every outfit! If you look at every outfit she wears her hair and make-up sets the mood of everything she’s wearing. The outfits are always layered or belted and the colors coordinate perfectly without looking too matchy-matchy! Her accessories and shoes always make a statement to compliment the finishing touch. Zoe Saldana’s fashion ranges from sexy, feminine, classy, edgy, high fashion and more. She’s a total fashion chameleon! I LOVE it ! She’s been quoted as saying that fashion is an “art form” and said that she once created a fashion brand with her sisters.
43. Foxy Brown (The Label Whore)
Prada this, Dior that! Dolce & Gabbana over there, Gucci over here! Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags in all colors. Sergio Rossi boots lined up. Furs by the dozens. Fish-net dresses and lace tops which cost thousands of dollars hang accordingly on the rack. This is what Foxy Brown’s closet looks like. She’s known for her bad ass designer getups. She knows exactly what she likes and doesn’t. Whether she wears a sweat suit with timberland boots, or a saucy band-aid top with Gucci sandals, she wears it only how Foxy Brown could.
She’s managed to brand her image as this extravagant, extreme, dark character with thin penciled eyebrows, brown and black lipsticks, Chinese tattoos, long-flowing Rapunzel jet-black hair and nails almost longer than her actual fingers. She brought vampire black lipstick, lop-sided pony tails and metallic bras to the forefront of fashion, even being called an Icon by John Galiano himself and “molding fashion icon” of the “21st Century”. Her Calvin Klein billboards reportedly caused actual car crashes and she was one of the first hip hop artists to crossover to high fashion, befriending Donatella Versace and Kate Moss as close pals. As Calvin Klein stated “Foxy has her own sense of style and all the other ingredients…She’s bright, talented, sexy, and most important, she’s not afraid to take risks creatively.”
44. The Simmons Sisters (Wonder Girls)
Vanessa Simmons says that her style can be described as classic chic with an edgy twist, while Angela’s style is hard to define as she has mixed styles. Angela is always changing up her look and can go from rocker chic to Barbie girl. She’s pretty unpredictable! Because of her ever-changing style, it’s hard for Angela to pick her style icon. That’s why she’s always checking different people out. But it’s Vanessa Simmons who identifies with Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and The City” for her eclectic and fearless choices. Vanessa might love Karl Lagerfeld’s designs for Chanel, but it’s Angela Simmons that loves the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume and also Chanel Chance.
Vanessa’s taste in perfume is slightly more contemporary as she loves Flowerbomb from Viktor and Rolf. Angela is the one who LOVES Louis Vuitton’s Speedy bag. She says it goes with almost anything. Vanessa is still kookoobananas for her dark blue suede Fendi. Who could miss Angela’s huge but pretty rings? One in her collection was designed by ring designer to the stars, Melody Ehsani. If you’ve been watching Daddy’s Girls you’ve seen how Ms. Angela Simmons can’t keep her hands off her Blackberry. She might not be a huge ring fan, but Vanessa wears her Pastry nameplate necklace proudly everyday. It’s her favorite accessory! As sophisticated as she might look, Angela still loves to smell like a baby, so she still wears Johnson and Johnson’s products. Vanessa wears her Pastry Sweetie terry hoodie and pants on a regular basis because she loves how comfy they feel.
45. Kimora Lee Simmons (The Rule Maker)
It’s always awesome to hear a story of a girl who evolved from awkward teen to full-fledged style icon. Kimora Lee Simmons’ tale is one for the ages. When she was younger, she often got teased at school for her height (she was 5’10” by age 10, yikes!) and for her mixed ethnicity. But her mom wouldn’t let that discourage Kimora. She enrolled her in modeling classes a year later. She was quickly discovered by Marie-Christine Kollock, who was a rep for Paris Agency Glamour, when she attended a model search in St. Louis and promptly sent off to Paris to begin her career as a budding model. But not long after she landed in France, Karl Lagerfeld came calling. Yes, The Karl Lagerfeld. Legendary Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. Kimora penned a contract with the brand and was soon walking in runway shows, including a famed appearance closing the Chanel haute couture show posing as a child bride when she was just thirteen.
After a marriage to mogul Russell Simmons, Kimora started to create a brand for herself as an extension of her husband’s Phat Farm label. Baby Phat was a hit, earning Kimora major cred in the industry beyond that of a model; she was now a bona-fide design sensation as well. When her one-time partner Russell Simmons stepped down as CEO of Phat Fashions in 2004, Kimora took the reins and became President and Creative Director of all of Phat Fashions. With Kimora ascending the ranks in the industry, it’s no wonder a show was in the works. In 2007, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane debuted on the Style Network, showcasing the inner-workings of her world.
46. Mary J. Blige (The Heroine)
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.
Each of her albums came with shifts in her look as clear as the thank you’s in her liner notes. Some of these shifts were for the better, some not so much… No, I will not be mentioning the gold tooth or the near omnipresence of huge earrings. Fresh on to the music scene with Puff Daddy at the helm, What’s the 411? Mary fell somewhere between a B-Girl and ghetto glamour girl. I have fond memories of her circa 1992 looking like she could hold her own with the guys while keeping her doobie wrap tight. The trademarks of this period were big, shiny jackets, oversized jerseys and the “Jodeci boots” that you know you had when you were in school on one end; super tight pants, lots of flashes of thigh via equally tight shorts, and midriff baring tops on the other.
The release of My Life ushered in a level of solemnity to Mary’s look. The decidedly darker tone her style took on was largely reflective of her less than ideal personal life, but she managed to keep her edge (read: ghetto glamour girl steez) while putting on for the cameras. Very dark makeup, simple silhouettes, huge sunglasses and lots of black and white defined Mary’s fashion moments in this period. A few years later, the Share My World/Mary version of Mary appeared. Softer makeup, a more toned down take on blonde, and even some experimentation with brown (*clutches the pearls*) marked her transition from the ‘hood to Hollywood. With her albums departing from the heavily hip hop influenced sounds she was known for, her style became more playful, whimsical, and feminine.
And then there was No More Drama… When this album was released, MJB had “relapsed” a bit; old demons were plaguing her and as a response, she reverted to what she had done in the past both musically and stylistically. This album saw more of a hip hop influence and the world saw a more naked Mary. The amount of T&A on display, experimental hairstyles and excess during this time made it a less than stellar period in her fashion history. Love & Life saw the highly anticipated return of a softer Mary. The wardrobe became a more luxe version of what she was wearing in the late ’90s. She was still playful and experimental (with the occasional side-eye worthy moment) but overall, way more tasteful than in the period that preceeded it.
The Breakthrough was a landmark album for Mary both in terms of her life and her sense of style. Aside from the most significant change (hand-clap for Kendu, y’all!), she reached proverbial fashion maturity and became the regal, glamorous woman we see today. But, in true MJB fashion, she knows how to “stay down,” not alienating her fan base or her past. If she has on a gown, she’ll often pair it with knee grazing boots. She doesn’t try to hide her tattoos. Sometimes I’ll even see a throwback reference to her early ’90s swag, but this time around it’s done with a higher level of sophistication and polish. We’ve all been able to witness the tough girl from NY battle trials and tribulations only to blossom into a megastar with style befitting someone bearing the title of Queen.
47. Cassie (The Sex Kitten)
Let’s face it, if there was one girl we all wanted to look like it would be Cassie. She is just the right size, she has some curves but not too many. She has a stunning face, beautiful soft lips, great skin, and her hair is FANTASTIC. Cassie is a HUGEEEEEE fan of the Herve Leger bandage dress, I mean every time she goes out chances are she has one on. She is kind of one of the girls who made the dress such a popular item. See people don’t seem to realize that you don’t have to be the best selling artist or oscar winning actress to set a trend in Hollywood. When you have a face like Cassies people pay attention when you walk into a room.
48. Chanel Iman (The Golden Girl)
Just like her namesake, baby-faced model Chanel Iman has a natural knack for style both on and off the runway. (She’s modeled for Marc Jacobs, Gap, Anna Sui, and more recently Victoria’s Secret.) While this girl is always on trend, her style is great because she can be both street-stylish and ultra-sophisticated depending on the day (variety at it’s best!). She has also helped redefine what it means to be a black model in the industry. She has walked for ALL the top designers except well (Prada) and made history by becoming just the third black model to sign a long term contract as a Victorias Secret Angel (the others being Tyra Banks and Selita Ebanks. In Spring 2009, Chanel was the first Black model in 8 years to walk for Gucci – a lapse that had existed since the take over of Gucci by designer Frida Giannini. At a Philip Lim show in 2007, Chanel caught the attention of Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine. That same year, the legendary Wintour selected Chanel as one of 10 girls to be featured on the May 2007 cover of Vogue, naming her as one of the “world’s next top models.” She was the youngest (at age 16) to ever grace the cover of Vogue and though there had been several black Vogue models before, Chanel was only the third to have ever graced the cover.
49. Nicki Minaj (The Barbie Doll)
She’s the girl on top of the world. She’s reigning. She’s taken branding as a hip hop artist to an imaginable height, that none of her predecessors were able to do - to the point of people calling her a gimmick. But she’s here, people! She’s marketable. She’s sexy. She has star power, undeniably. Everyone wants to be her, from young girls and even young boys, to adults of both sexes, to grandmothers, of all races. When she first started she was a different Nicki Minaj. She came into the scene as an around the way girl, highly desirable, but very street. She was formerly known for her wavy, crimp black hair and casual style. She’s always been fixed on wearing bangs. We’ve watched her grow into herself right before our eyes. She wasn’t quite a Harajuku gal when she was screaming out “Harajuku Barbie!” But then, she got it! She became a Harajuku Barbie, completely. She hugged all sorts of creative ideas with her hair and clothing choices. You’ve seen her with Frankenstein hair, poodle hair, Egyptian hairstyles and some shit that we still don’t have a name for. She loves wearing psychedelic, bright colored catsuits to show off her curves or spandex pants, sometimes by itself or with shorts worn over. Whether you like her or not, one thing is certain NICKI MINAJ is who you ain’t fucking with.
50. Teyana Taylor (The Funky Chick)
Teyana loves accessories so it’s no surprise that she will rock a pair of Dior shades with a plain white tee, cutoff jeans, and a multicolored jacket and make it look hot. She’s a strange hybrid between Aaliyah, Lupe Fiasco, and Debbie Harry. 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. Her hair is simply fucking SICK, I love it so so much. That afro has become such a statement to me. And she always finds a way to make it look different with a streak here and there at times. She takes risks most girls would be crucified for by me. Especially since I`m such a straight forward, simple chic outfit type of guy.
51. Janelle Monae (The Outsider)
Ever since she hit the scene as a member of OutKast’s posse in 2006, singer Janelle Monae has stood out not only for her unique voice and James Brown-like dancing skills, but her afro-pompadour hairstyle and masculine tuxedo-focused style. Janelle’s signature style in music, androgyny via retro, is pitch perfect. It makes you want to dance—oh, to dance like they do—and the excellent storytelling makes you immediately invested. She could as easily be speaking of overcoming bullies at school or societal oppression, and the multitude of meanings makes her music all the more relate-able. She executes that magic pop trifecta—she makes you move, think and feel all at once.
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."
52. Phylicia Rashād (The Godmother)
Confident, intelligent, beautiful, classy, talented woman is what she is. Phylicia Rashād is an icon to women around the world. Note that I just say “women,” not African American women or black women…The Cosby Show reached into households of every creed, and inspired people all around the world to laugh and love. It’s been almost twenty years since the show’s been off the air (how’s that for making ya feel old?). She looks at the way a garment makes her feel. When I say the way it makes her feel, I mean…the way the fabrics make her feel. The way the cut of a garment makes her feel. She wears a lot of clothing that looks comfortable and always has. She likes garments that are extremely feminine. She likes to create a look. She likes to create an outfit. She likes to take something from here, over there and back yonder and put it together.
53. Willow Smith (The Young Icon)
I knew Willow was a force when I saw her wearing leopard-print harem pants, a cheetah print cropped jacket paired with combat boots, thick gold chains and with a double-sided shaven hair. She breaks every fashion rule, pairing two and three statement pieces. But it works! We dare to look like her. She’s confident, owning each look from head to toe. She takes the words “Back To School Style” to a whole new level and makes other young girls look like K-Mart shoppers. Another thing I love about her is that she dresses her age, some people may feel like she dresses too grown but I have NEVER seen her dress inappropriate at all. She is always covered up, but some people just cant handle her swag and think its forced. Too fucking bad for them because Willow is here to stay.
54. Ciara (The Princess Of Crunk)
Before everyone dressed like Rihanna they dressed like Ciara #fact! In 2004 Ciara was the young female singer who a lot of girls looked up to and wanted to be. They danced like her, sang like her, but most of all dressed like her. See, Ciara was fresh for most people and had her own sort of street style. She wore shirts that always showed off her abs and jeans so tight you would swear they were painted on. Her signature Atlanta hat is another thing that became really popular back in the day, along with the mixture of sassy and tomboyish clothing. She has changed her style a lot over the years but one thing is certain, she ALWAYS looks good because her body is ridiculous!
55. Lena Horne (The Graceful One)
Horne was the first black performer to be signed to a long term contract by a major Hollywood studio. Her sensual voice, alluring stage presence, and spectacular sense of style and stunning beauty were pure Old Hollywood perfection. In 1944, Lena Horne was the first African-American to land on the cover of a movie magazine. Her undeniable charm and good looks won her a ton of attention. One-shoulder dresses were a signature of Lena Horne’s on-stage ensembles for many years. “They didn’t make me into a maid, but they didn’t make me into anything else either,” she wrote in “Lena,” her 1965 autobiography. “I became a butterfly pinned to a column singing away in Movieland.” In the 1940’s, Lena Horne shun roles that called for her to play maids, opting instead for non-speaking cameos that focused on her beautiful voice. Lena Horne was a full-fledged Renaissance woman whose award-winning talents on stage and in film, coupled with her Civil Rights work, made her an icon.
56. Beverly Johnson (The Groundbreaker)
Dark and lovely, this 61-year-old former fashion model has seen all that fashion has to offer. She became the first black model to cover the ever so sought after Vogue Magazine. In the ’70s, she was the first Black model to appear on the cover of the French fashion magazine, Elle. She set circulation records for Glamour when she appeared on that beauty mag’s cover, and enjoyed a considerable tenure as the hottest model—Black or White—in America. Athletic, poised and striking, she is considered the breakthrough name who put black models firmly on the commercial fashion map. And she did it all while looking fucking fabulous!
57. Michelle Obama (The First Lady)
From her signature nipped-waist dresses and embellished cardigans to those shoulder-baring gowns andbold graphic prints, Obama has been a force of style to reckon with since joining her husband on the campaign trail in 2008.
Effortlessly, she is able to mix American designers such as Thakoon, Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Kors with affordable wears from Talbots, J.Crew and Banana Republic. And we were pleasantly surprised when the first lady made her first foray into vintage wearing a black lace design in a ’50s silhouette by late American designer Norman Norell during the holiday season.
By flaunting these brands’ fashions, Obama generates a cool $2.7 billion in sales — and that’s not the only impact in fashion she’s made. For example, her choices create trends and ever since she added a fresh, flowered pin to her sheath frock, she’s spawned an army of chic copycats.
58. Eve (The Ruff Ryder)
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. She’s not a big fan on designer clothing, just whatever catches her eye. She’s a girly girl and was one of the first girly girls of Hip Hop, even with the spicy blonde short afro she started out with. Though in the beginning of her career, her short haircut was so daring at that time that she had to almost all the time clarify that she was not a lesbian. Initially she came into the game, not so stylish.
She was very much so a gem in the rough, a muse. She had this haircut and hair color that would have people talking and talking. She was like the Dennis Rodman of female rappers. 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 teensy twists, to sophisticated edge and showing off bountiful shirley temple curls. Her breast-stalking paw print tattoos have also become quite a trademark. She became so marketable in high fashion until it was scary. She became more than just a female rapper. She’s adapted to almost every type of look. We’ve seen it all from this woman. Until later years she was completely natural, wearing all of her real hair. Now she changes it up and we thank her for her Eve-volution.
59. Raven Symone (The Darling)
Everyones favorite girl to watch on television. Raven Symone has been in our lives for over 20 years. Over that time we’ve seen her rock braids, straight hair, curly afros, short cuts, and everything else you can think of. When she starred as Raven Baxter on her hit television show (and one of my favorite Disney Channel shows ever!) she took it as a stage to show off just how creative she was with fashion. The girl wore EVERYTHING from bleach blonde afros, to red ribbons in her hair. Floral prints, lace, leather, and cotton weren’t even the beginning of the materials Raven came up with throughout the course of her show. Today she dresses sexier and more simple now that she is a grown woman. She lost a lot of weight recently but she still loves her some hair and rocks that weave like no one but Beyonce can lol.
60. Destiny’s Child (The Texas Girls)
In their early years together, the singers often wore matching outfits designed by Beyonces mother, Tina Knowles. They later became such style icons that, in August 2000, Mattel launched a set of limited-edition Destiny’s Child Barbie dolls, each clad in a reproduction of a dress her real-life counterpart wore in concert. The outfits they wore were never really in style or even cute to be honest, but somehow they always managed to wear them and make them look like the hottest things around. As they evolved so did their style, by the time Destiny Fulfilled was released they were certified red carpet divas. Stepping out in luscious looking gowns, with beautiful details and sequins, gorgeous jewelry and the hair to match the look. They may not have always made the best fashion choices but when they did THEY WERE NOT TO BE MESSED WITH!
61. Missy Elliott (The Supa Dupa Freak)
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. Her name is Missy Elliott and she had you believing that sporting finger weaves and wearing black trash bags were Fashion Oks. She wore tons of baggy clothes, mostly overalls in her early career, in bright orange or pink. She later took it to another level with her sophomore album and began putting rhinestones on her eyebrows and experimenting with short haircuts and heavy bangs. The Missy Elliott of today is a way more laid back, but sexier woman. Since her weight loss, she’s worn shorts and fitted caps, still keeping her class and maintaining her personal edge by not going designer crazy. A lot of her shirts are plain T-Shirts. Missy is also recognized for wearing a lot of hats, of all types: fitted, kango, visors, etc. Lets also not forget she popularized track suits with matching hats like no other could dare do. There was also a magnificent period when totally gave us the 80s era and this actually influenced a lot of other artists to follow the same foot steps.
62. Phyllis Hyman (The Old Friend)
she was gorgeous, so was her voice, and of course her music. She always wore the type of hair you would expect to see a diva rocking on stage. It was really cute, really fresh, and really attractive. Her big curls were the first thing you would notice after you were done staring at her gorgeous lips. Big hats were another favorite of hers (imagine Donna Summer and Queen Latifah put in one) and you have the style of Phyllis. On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Hyman committed suicide by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital in her New York City apartment. She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre. Her suicide note read in part:
"I’m tired. I’m tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you."
63. Jourdan Dunn (The New Supermodel)
this young british beauty is already making her mark on fashion. She was the FIRST black model to walk for Prada in over 10 years which in itself was MAJOR. She is the new face of Burberry and she has modeled for some of the top designers on the planet. She had a baby at 19 years old, but oh dear that stopped nothing, she hit the runway with her pregnant belly in a Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show. After she had the baby, she got back in line working for Vogue and etc… she is one of the few black models who has covered American Vogue as one of the fresh faces in the industry and she isnt going anywhere anytime soon.
64. Monique (The Big Personality)
it’s the hair! Now most of you were probably already familiar with eccentric hairstyles depending on where you grew up. But Monique brought the beauty shop hairstyles to the mainstream when she began her role on The Parkers. Little did we know that role would make her so popular in black culture that it would grow into an oscar winning career for her. Monique always tried new things with her hair, and she never seemed to be afraid of taking risks either. A ponytail here, red there, a fan over there, with some orange up there. But the thing is, she never looked ghetto to me, she always looked like a woman who wanted to do something different with her hair. Today, Monique is a mother of two, an academy award winning actress and a favorite amongst young black everywhere who are battling with their body image. She is much more toned down, and conservative with her image as any mother would be.
65. LisaRaye (Diamond In The Ruff)
bonafide! sexified! slutty! classy! trashy! and etc… are just few words to describe the character that made this woman famous. Everyone has seen The Players Club and we all know that LisaRaye not only became a household name but an icon after that film. With curves that could kill and a skin tone most boys lost their minds over she was destined to be famous once the lights went down and she began dancing in nothing but pink lace and stripper heels. Hips, thighs, butt, and a pair of hazel eyes can get you far as she has shown building herself a career off of nothing but her beauty alone. A modern day Pam Grier, Lisa has shown no signs of leaving our lives, she has a new television show and a few new projects lined up.
66. Garcelle Beauvais (The Fancy Girl)
you, me, my mother, my grandmother, your cousin, auntie, uncle, all know her as Fancy from The Jamie Foxx Show. Fancy is like the pioneer of sexy meets classy and everytime I see a woman in a two piece business suit complete with skirt and some gorgeous heels I think of her and only her. The stature, the hair, the skin, the legs, and the face were all Garcelle needed to make men fall to their knees.
67. Rosa Parks (The Original Chic)
Please name me one other person in the history of time who can rock an updo like Ms. Rosa Parks? That’s right you can’t! No matter the occasion, this iconic and revolutionary woman always kept a certain amount of class in her demeanor. She NEVER wore her hair down, EVER!!! Whether it was work or play she always wore an up hairstyle most times with a circular braid at the very top that she became known for. She gave every librarian on the planet a run for their money and im sure most of them are still compared to her today based on what they wear. Her glasses, her sweater and her hair are staples not only in fashion but in black history!
68. Keyshia Cole (The Ghetto Princess)
we all love Keyshia, how could we not? We know her story, we know her music, and we know her crazy ass family. But we didn’t always know her background, all we knew is that the girl with the two tone hair could sing her ass off. Keyshia popularized the blonde/red duo back during her debut and continued to make it the “in thing” when she wore it during her second album era as well. I remember seeing the video for “I Shoulda Cheated” and thinking how flawless she looked on the part when shes in the booth singing. Cleavage has always been another thing Keyshia made sure to show off. No matter the outfit, Keyshia always finds a way to show off her tig ole bitties lol.
69. Gladys Knight (The Cutie Pie)
with a ponytail that flowed like the wind and her three backup singers always standing perfectly by her side Gladys Knight became a classic. In the 60’s she was one of the many acts signed to MoTown Records and that of course means she was majorly successful. Known as the “Empress Of Soul” her smile lit up every room she stepped in. Her style, her grace, and her voice was all she needed to put on a great show and she did just that until she she left MoTown. Once she left, she became an even bigger force in R&B music becoming known for her hairstyles and choice of makeup. If you don’t know her music, you need to know (youtube is your friend) and some of your favorite artists have probably sampled some of her biggest hits.
70. Christina Milian (The Bombshell)
she started off as the girl who made us all stop and look when she played Paris Morgan in “Love Dont Cost A Thing” opposite Nick Cannon in 2003. Her beautiful black curls with her stunning face made her an instant favorite amongst young boys. But it was her coke bottle shape and her swag that made girls wanna be like her, dress like her, and talk like her. Over the years she has managed to keep her face in the spotlight with music (Dip It Low is an urban classic), movies and a highly controversial marriage to writer The Dream. Her sexy blonde hair transformation in the mid 2000’s brought her career back to life and she gained a whole new slew of fans. Whether she is rolling in oil, looking sexy in a blue work out outfit, or wearing a jumpsuit and her natural black curls, Christina Milian is one who will always be noticed!
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