That hair! That voice! That mustache! Whether he was fighting for the people and Mahogany’s love, romancing Billie Holiday, ruling Cloud City as Lando Calrissian, or reminding us that Colt 45 works every time, William December Williams, Jr. has done it with impeccable cool. He even made some of you want to buy Jovan Musk. Watch his number one fan here.
Images courtesy of Google
This turban is to die for! So chic! June Ambrose, stylist extraordinaire to the celebs (and soon to be reality starlet), has worn them as part of her signature look for some time and is now launching a line to spread the fabulousness.
I haven’t worn a turban since my Erykah Badu phase in college, but I’ll definitely rock one this fall. These are just the thing to boost a bad hair day, or to stand out in a crowd of oh-so-average berets and cloches when the temperature decides to take a permanent dip. Make sure you have your MAC-game tight before rocking this fierce look and beware: if you look like you’ve tied your hair up for bed or to clean house, you’re committing a fashion crime.
Image courtesy of Google
Birmingham wife (to L.J. Coates) and mother (to Nadia, age 7 and Zion, age 5) Jessica Coates works as a Human Resources Coordinator at Startley General Contractors and promotes personal fitness as a Zumba instructor, all while looking fabulous.
On her personal style and beauty essentials: I like conservative, feminine clothes that last. I’m not into trends. And I can’t live without Dove soap and my mascara.
Her worst fashion moment: I don’t know what possessed me to wear a ponytail on the top of my head fanned out [during junior high]. I would roll my ponytail every night, and the next morning take the [pink sponge rollers] out. I might have a side bang or a swooped bang and I was on! It was dreadful.
Do’s and Dont’s? If you’re [not feeling confident], DO have an arched brow, clean, manicured nails and a nice gloss. There’s something about being polished that can help how you feel about your outfit.
DON’T settle for any trend or outfit that you aren’t comfortable with. I don’t care who comes out with what, the Kardashians or Beyonce. If Jessica’s not comfortable, Jessica’s not wearing it.
On her advocacy work: I became a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for Jefferson County in 2004. We’re the eyes and ears of family court; we interview everyone in any type of child abuse or neglect case and attend hearings. It’s strictly voluntary; we’re only concerned with the best interests of the child. It’s been an eye-opening experience. We definitely need more people giving kids a voice.
[As the mother of] a special needs child I dove head-first into researching all I could [about her son’s condition]. We are lacking a lot of resources here. I [work] with Children’s Rehab Services [and] I sit on the board of Mission Hugs, which raises money to send special needs kids to the two facilities [which provide care to special needs children] until they can start school.
Zion’s disease [Infantile Neuroaxanal Dystrophy] is so rare – there are only 12 known cases – that I have to stay on top of the research. A lot of parents don’t have the tools and the resources, don’t get second opinions and don’t fight for things just because they are told ‘No’ the first time.
What motivates her? If I am not well, I will not be able to work, be able be a good mom or wife. It’s important that I look good, feel good and am good overall.
I’m motivated to keep on doing what I have to do because there are innocent little people in my life that I’m responsible for. On my worst day, my son – who cannot talk or walk- will laugh and it [reminds me] that I have so much to live for. That he still has a smile on his face motivates me to take it one day at a time.
What IS Zumba? Zumba is a Latin-inspired aerobics program which started in Miami about ten years ago. It works the full body and is a core cardio program.
On how she got involved: My [YMCA] boot camp teacher asked “Have you ever thought about teaching anything at the gym?” She really opened my mind to think about doing it. Out of all the programs I went to, I was happiest at Zumba. It captured my attention because it was new and different. I love doing do it; I’m passionate about it. Once I started teaching at the Y downtown, I knew it was something I should have been doing all along.
The most surprising thing she’s learned: No matter the age, the gender, the sex, the race, everybody is consumed with their outer body. From men, to little elderly ladies to college girls with perfect bodies…we all share that.
SCDD recently caught one of Jessica’s high energy Zumba classes at the downtown YWCA, where the focus was about having fun and breaking a sweat at one’s own pace. The participants had so much fun, they forgot they were actually exercising! Jessica is currently teaching Zumba every Thursday at 6 PM at the Veranda Building/Park Place Apartments. Want to ditch the work out and join the party? For more information, click here.
Images courtesy of Jessica Coates
This scene from The Wiz is hands down one of the most stylish scenes in movie history EVER.
Don’t miss Quincy Jones’ cameo! Video courtesy of YouTube
Gorge. That is all.
As seen on Fashion for Breakfast; article appears in the September issue of V Magazine
The asymmetrical hair! The kente cloth kufis! Enough gold to feed a third world country! But fabulous, nonetheless. Salt-N-Pepa blazed a trail on the airwaves with their brash lyrics and in fashion with their door knocker earrings, leggings, leather and overall B-Girl chic. Hot, Cool & Vicious, indeed.
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…knows when, where, and how to wear a pocket square without looking pretentious. Bonus points if he can produce a starched, white handkerchief from his coat pocket at the right moment. Extra credit if it’s Irish linen and monogrammed. Swoon.
Excuse us while we have a Kanye moment...
Image courtesy of forbes.com
Same Chic Different Day caught up with music blogger A Kid Named Curt for his take on the Jay-Z and Kanye collabo Watch the Throne and Weezy’s The Carter IV. His recommendation?
AKNC: “Watch The Throne > Carter IV. We never heard something like WTT b4; it’s a mixture of American Gangster & My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy… Carter IV is a continuation of what we hear from Wayne & his “commercial” music. Once he dropped [the] No Ceilings mixtape… he didn’t get better… he’s been steady since.”
SCDD: What do you make of the beef about the Beyonce reference? As to who has more money?
AKNC: I don’t… Birdman started it all last year with the “who has more money” competition and Jay-Z just responded accordingly…I’m over rap beefs. That type of competition I don’t care for especially when they are three-time collaborators…it’s not like they never worked on music together. The Wayne response was clever yet totally disrespectful cause he also is a two-time collaborator… sounds to me someone is bitter…Watch The Throne.
Well, there you have it. For more hot beats and insightful music commentary, check out more from A Kid Named Curt at his Selective Hearing blog.
Image courtesy of Napoleon Clausell
In cased you missed it, Leola Anifowoshe has founded Pi Nappa Kappa, a sorority for women with natural hair. The group is tied to Anifowoshe’s Natural Healthy Hair Society and not any college or university. Membership simply requires that one sign a pledge which supports diversity and promotes a “culture of respect.” The controversial group, which Anifowoshe claims is all about “sisterhood,” has outraged some African-American members of traditional Greek organizations. Our take is that PNK’s nomenclature is simply a marketing gimmick designed to grab attention among the many individuals looking to capitalize on the natural hair phenomenon. While we agree with their mission, we’ll pass on pledging.
Same Chic Different Day 