Style Spotlight: Michelle Obama

There is no denying that this post is long overdue. Vanity Fair has already named Michelle one of their favorites on their "International Best-dressed List" and Vogue featured her as one of their "It Girls" in April. She's an obvious choice not just for her sense of style but the ease with which she wears her clothes. You never get the feeling she's trying to please anyone but herself. Some have questioned whether or not Michelle has a stylist but her people deny it...

“To the best of my knowledge, she does not use a stylist,” said Mrs. Obama’s spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, although she is known to have relationship's with a few designers and Chicago boutiques [Source].

Obvious comparisons have been made to Jackie Kennedy and even Barbara Bush (must be the pearls) but I'm just excited to see another type of black woman on my television screen and on magazine stands. My only frustration when composing this post was trying to find full-length photos of Michelle's outfits (as a personal plea to campaign photographers, we want to see the shoes!). I guess I'll have to wait until they make it into the White House. Then we'll be spoiled for choice with images of a classy, fashionable woman. After a few weeks of online digging I found some great examples of Michelle's style choices. You can view them below in the slideshow. I can't wait to see what she wears when their victory is announced!

Style Spotlight: Jurnee Smollett

At the tender age of twenty one, Jurnee Smollet is already one to watch on the red carpet. Along with Halle Berry and Tracee Ellis Ross, Jurnee makes me want to raid her wardrobe every time I see her. And who is her hairstylist? Hook a sista up! Whether she’s wearing a cocktail dress, jeans or a long evening gown, Jurnee always looks flawless. Now comes the big question… Does she have a stylist or is it all her own doing? I’m going to guess that she has a little help on the side. Since her star is on the rise it makes sense to have someone in the know who can call in some favors and get the best designer outfits. Either way I think 2008 will most definitely be Jurnee’s year.

Style Spotlight: Teyana Taylor

Alas, my Sweet Sixteenth was far from fabulous. If my memory serves me right my parents paid the entry fee for all my friends and I at the local roller rink. Afterwards we skated merrily home. Teyana Taylor on the other hand threw a birthday party to end all birthday parties. The recently signed musician to Pharrell’s label Star Trak, made her grand entrance dressed as a life sized, black Barbie doll. The bubblegum pink Heatherette dress she wore summarized her style so perfectly – skater street but all the way sweet. She’s a strange hybrid between Aaliyah, Lupe Fiasco, and Debbie Harry. I chose to spotlight her before her album drops next year. 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. Visit her MySpace page to learn more and listen to some tracks. Also check out this cover of Trace magazine that Teyana recently appeared on.

Style Spotlight: Serena Williams

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Not to insinuate that Serena is a dog, but it seemed at one stage that nobody could tell her nothing about her style choices. Now the tennis star/budding fashion diva looks flawless event after event – it was hard for me to even decide which red carpet photo should be the main pic to this post. Whether she’s styling herself (doubtful) or hired a LA style consultant (about time), we’re all thoroughly impressed at the perfect dress and make-up choices being made for Serena’s body type. She’s muscular but definitely has those much admired feminine curves. And her hair is just fab! Venus, Golden Brooks, and Lil Kim take note, Serena has stepped up the makeover game. The rest of us should raise our glasses to Ms. Williams… “Sista,” *sniffles* “We’re so proud!”

Style Spotlight: Bonnie Morrison

I’m sure I’m not the first to have noticed Bonnie Morrison on the pages of “The Daily Front Row” or on the New York Social Diary web site rubbing shoulders with fashion’s elite. Fashion Week Daily calls her “one of the most socially connected fashion publicists in New York” and with good reason. Bonnie is currently the publicity director at the renowned fashion PR firm KCD, so that means she has a hotline to all the city's up-and-coming designers. With that in mind it’s no wonder she always manages to look chic and polished. Click here to see Bonnie’s warm-weather style tips for the summer, then read the brief Q&A below that she did for PaperMag.com’s "Beautiful People" issue.

Occupation: Fashion publicist
Why do you like to go out in NYC? "You're always seeing old friends as well as meeting new people -- it's a place where your world is as big as you want it to be."
How would you describe your fashion look? "There is a pretty eclectic group of women I think of as major style icons: sixties and seventies Tina Turner, Bianca Jagger, Kim Gordon and, if you can believe it, Donatella Versace. But my fashion fairy godmother might actually be Bea Arthur."
What's the best thing about being one of the most popular girls in NYC? "When I first moved here ten years ago, I would wonder if I would ever make a single friend. Now, everywhere I go, I see people I know and love. Live here long enough and eventually, you feel like a star."

Style Spotlight: Constance White

Constance White is a 15 year veteran of the fashion industry. She was recently a correspondent and fashion news anchor for Metro Tv's Full Frontal Fashion. White was founding fashion director and a contributing writer for Talk magazine. Prior to joining Talk, she was a style reporter for The New York Times. Previously, she was Executive fashion editor of Elle magazine. She is the author of the stylishly informative book, "StyleNoir''. She has also written for Essence, The International Herald Tribune and British Vogue. White has also appeared as a fashion correspondent on Lifetime Television and has been a guest style expert on several television programs including, "Oprah'', "Colin Cowie's Everyday Elegance'', "Today in New York'', WABC-TV's "Inside Fashion Week" and E!'s Video Fashion. [Source] Her current position is at eBay where she acts as the Style Director. I’m a little lost as to why eBay needs a Style Editor but never-the-less they couldn’t have picked a better and more qualified person for the job. Check out her blog called “Fashion is My Life,” here.

Style Spotlight: Keisha Whitaker

An obvious style icon in the making, Keisha Whitaker has proved over-and-over again that she has the elegance and impeccable fashion-sense to become a red carpet favorite. I’m not the only one who agrees, Keisha is currently the face of Maven Cosmetics making her a member of the elite group of black models with cosmetic deals. If you look at photos of Keisha from the 90s, you’ll agree that she’s come a long way (though truth be told the 90s weren’t too kind to any of us!) I’m still mad about this dress - it looks like the vine is trying to attack her, however Keisha Whitaker is still someone I look forward to seeing at every event. The best is yet to come...

Photo: Keisha Whitaker at the 32nd Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in January.

Style Spotlight: Suzanne Boyd

Fashionistas don’t come more refined than this. Anyone who moves within fashion circles will know that the name Suzanne Boyd is synonymous with style and grace. Boyd, who grew up in Dominica and studied in Jamaica, moved to New York in 2004 to head-up the now defunct ‘Suede’ magazine. The magazine closing down shouldn’t make you question her talents. Boyd came to the publication with eight years experience under-her-belt working as the editor of Canada’s leading fashion magazine, Flare. It’s a shame Suede folded, I still have all four issues! I love the vision Boyd brought to magazine. The fashion pages were fresh and innovative and it was gratifying to read make-up tips I could actually use. There’s no word on what Boyd’s next project will be but I’m sure it’ll be effortlessly chic, much like herself. Read this 2004 New York Times article on her which was written soon after she’d taken up the position at Suede.

Photo: Suzanne Boyd attending the Vera Wang Spring 2005 fashion show during the Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 at Bryant Park September 10, 2004 in New York.

Style Spotlight: June Sarpong

For those who don’t know June Sarpong is a British television presenter who I absolutely adore! I remember waking up to her and Vernon Kay on Sunday morning’s “T4” – Is that show even still on? Anyway, I’ve watched her style evolve and perfect itself since the beginning of her career and it seems to have peaked. I for one am so thankful that she did away with her excessive use of lip gloss (you Brits know what I'm talking about!) But I don’t just love her for her sense of style, June is one of the most charismatic TV personalities out there and I especially like that she’s a fellow African (Ghanaian to be precise). While researching I also found out that she spent a whole year in hospital when she was 14 after a serious car accident and she recently accepted the role as a Prince’s Trust Ambassador (Prince Charles founded the organization). She visited Ghana last year as part of the "Make Poverty History" campaign and she said of the experience, “I don't think I'll ever be the same again. Every evening I have been in tears. It makes me appreciate my life in London so much. People who think they have got it hard should come and see this.” Real talk.

Note: That is not her man!!

Style Spotlight: Genevieve Jones

I’d never heard of Genevieve Jones until I read about her on the blog Fashion Nette-Work. For those of you familiar with her please humor me one moment… Apparently, Miss Jones is a New York socialite and that’s pretty much all I can tell you! The details of her life are closely guarded. She has been heard on occasion to cite ‘Interior Designer’ as her occupation, but it’s unclear if she works for herself or for a company. Other details I found out about her were that she has no degree, isn’t an heir to millions of dollars and doesn’t date any one famous. In any case Genevieve is a muse to many top designers and it’s easy to see why, her poise and class are undeniable. I found photos of her on www.style.com and you can learn more about her at Socialite Rank here and here – The story of how she climbed up the social ladder is remarkable!

Style Spotlight: Tomiko Fraser

Model Tomiko Fraser has style oozing out of her pores; if you don't know about her then please get to know! She is currently the face of cosmetics company Maybelline and was the first African-American model signed to the company. She also works extensively with Lupus Erythematosus organizations trying to raise awareness of the disease (her sister has Lupus). It would be easy to think that all models are naturally stylish, but in my opinion most of them lack innate style (bar Kate Moss and Helena Christensen!) Tomiko also seems to know what works perfectly for her body, as shown here where she's pictured arriving at the opening celebration of Gregory Colbert's Exhibition "Ashes and Snow" earlier this year. Tomiko has appeared on runway shows for Chloe, Chanel, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Emmanuel Ungaro and is trying her hand at acting... She's a girl with many talents!

Style Spotlight: Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo is best known for her Oscar nominated performance in the best supporting actress category for her role in 'Hotel Rwanda' (2004). She lost to Renée Zellweger, but things have been looking up for the actress ever since. Here she is arriving at the U.K. premiere of her latest film ''Stormbreaker'' in London last month. She looks effortlessly beautiful and elegant and I absolutely adore her hair! She takes a lot of risks on the red carpet, some don't always work, but this look is a real success! Sophie has no less than FIVE movies currently in the post-producition stage so be prepared to see a lot of her between now and 2007! By the way, her last name is of Nigerian origin and I believe her mother is Jewish ;)

Style Spotlight: Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique makes me laugh so hard, especially when she's running around chasing Professor Ogilvy! Here she is at the 2006 Essence Music Festival looking like FIYAH! I searched high and low for information on her fashion line then found out her company, 'Big Beautiful and Loving It' (BBLI), closed down in 2002. :( Don't worry Mo'nique has plenty going on in her life, her show Fat Chance is currently airing on the Oxygen channel and has been a big success. She also has her hands full with her twin baby boys, Jonathan and David, by husband Sidney Hicks. She apparently new Sidney for 20 years before they hooked up! Visit www.oxygen.com/monique to learn more about her show or check out her personal web site @ www.1monique.com

Style Spotlight: Kelis

Kelis made not one, not two, but three outfit changes during her appearance at the The Summer of Soul party presented by VH1 Soul, last night in NYC. The event also had a “Kelis Was Here” VIP Concert where Kelis performed tracks from her upcoming album. Celebrity appearances at the party included Nas (duh!), Floetry, Patti Labelle, MTV's Making the Band group Danity Kane and Mario. Kelis is killing it in this outfit, she knows how to mix street style with high-fashion... she needs to share the secrets of her fabulousness!!

Style Spotlight: Sarah Jessica Parker

How can this woman not be anyone's style icon? I love, love, love this dress... this is the definition of Prim ‘n’ Proper (see previous post!). I wish Sex and the City could have lasted forever, but all good things must come to and end :( At least we can continue to see Sarah's stylish outfits on the red carpet, like here when she attended a press conference to promote the DVD release of the final season of "Sex and the City" in Tokyo, Japan. I've promised myself when I start earning some real money, i'll buy myself the ultimate cocktail dress... until then dresses from Forever 21 will have to suffice!

Style Spotlight: Joy Bryant

I loved Joy Bryant's performance in Antwone Fisher, in fact I loved the whole movie, but then Joy wasn't really seen much until her recent role in 50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Tryin.' I did a quick Google search and found out that she's actually had parts in Spider-Man 2 and The Skeleton Key, I must have blinked because I missed them! Her next two projects are the movies Bobby (based on U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy) and The Ballad of Walter Holmes (an R&B singer from the streets finds his path in life through his music), both are coming out later this year. Here she is arriving at GQ magazine's 2005 "Men Of The Year" celebration in Beverly Hills looking ultra glamourous - she must have been a model at some point because that body just screams 'Vogue!'

Style Spotlight: Halle Berry

Halle Berry has always dressed well, but ironically I decided to spotlight this outfit which she didn't pick herself! This picture was taken on the set of her upcoming movie 'Perfect Stranger' which also stars Bruce Willis. Her characeter 'Ro', goes undercover to crack the case of her friend's murder, and consequently gets caught up in the world of obsessive love online... hmmm, i'll wait and see how that turns out! In any case, the coat she's wearing is FIERCE and her shoes have to be non-other than Christian Louboutin's with those red soles! 'Perfect Stranger' comes out in 2007, but you can catch Halle in 'X-Men 3' out now!

Style Spotlight: Kelly Rowland

We all know Kelly Rowland is known for being Beyonce's right hand gal, but I think over the last two years her subconscious has said 'enough is enough' and she's been stepping it up style-wise and getting noticed for it. Good for her! I think she's a beautiful girl and I just hope she can step up her music game too and shine in her own light... Here she is at the 'T-Mobile NBA All-Star 2006 Party' wearing an ultra cute ensemble! On another note, these skinny jeans really perplex me, I think you have to be the size of a stick to pull them off... I think i'll pass, I have this little habit called 'eating'!

Style Spotlight: Zoe Saldana

I love this dress!!! And look at Zoe working it, you can just see she knows she looks good! This photo was taken at the "People En Espanol's 50 Most Beautiful People" gala in May of this year; Zoe was named one of their top 50 most beautiful people! She's originally from the Dominican Republic but from the age of 10 grew up in New York. It's seems the islands are producing some big talent of late... can't wait to see her next project. By the way, I tried in vain to find out who designed this dress but I failed :(

Style Spotlight: Jennifer Aniston

Some people say Jennifer's style is boring and safe, especially since she almost always wears black, but I think she has a very classic look, plus she knows what works for her and sticks with it.

Here she is leaving her midtown hotel in New York looking very chic! This jeans, shirt and blazer combo is one i'm definitely going to copy.

On another note, I wonder if she's over Brad yet? I guess so since she's with that Vince.... how is it that these celebs manage to find and marry so many men in the time that i've been looking for just one?!