Style Flashback: Lena Horne

What is there left to say about Lena Horne that hasn't already been said. Singer. Actress. Activist. Dancer. She's done it all. On May 9th, 2010 the world was saddened by the news that a legend had fallen. We can take comfort in the fact that she lead a full life, dying at the age of 92. I'll try here to summarize all her achievements in less than 500 words. In the Fall of 1933, Horne joined the mike chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer. This was her introduction to the world of entertainment. Soon after, Hollywood called. Horne had small parts in numerous movies, and more substantial parts in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. However, due to her left-leaning political views, Horne found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood. During World War II, when entertaining the troops for the USO, she refused to perform "for segregated audiences or for groups in which German POWs were seated in front of African American servicemen." Returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, Horne took part in the March on Washington in August 1963, and continued to work as a performer, both in nightclubs and on television, while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway and earned her numerous awards and accolades. She continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, disappearing from the public eye in 2000. I'll miss Lena Horne for her integrity - something many artists today lack. Fame and fortune shouldn't be the end goal for modern entertainers. Courage and faith hold equal merit, and as Horne has demonstrated, it's what real legends are made of.

Style Flashback: Phylicia Rashād

Every one's favorite TV mom has probably one of the most accomp- lished yet under- appreciated careers in Hollywood. She more than deserves a "Style Flashback" spotlight. Phylicia Rashād, aka Claire Huxtable, was born in Houston, Texas in 1948. She graduated from Howard University, where she later went back to teach drama. Rashād first became notable on the stage with a string of Broadway credits, including Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (she was Sheryl Lee Ralph's understudy until she left the show in 1982 after Rashad was passed over as Ralph's full-time replacement). Of course, Rashād is best known for her role as attorney Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She played the no-nonsense mother of five for eight years then later returned to TV comedy in 1996 with CBS's Cosby. Her role in The Cosby Show earned her two Emmy Award nominations. In 2003, she was honored as Woman of the Year by the Harvard Black Men's Forum. In 2005, Rashād received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.) degree from Brown University. Most recently, Rashād became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, for her role in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun. I saw this play on opening night and the scene where she discovers that Walter Lee has lost all the father's money brought me to tears. Nowadays you can catch Rashād plugging Jenny Craig diets during commercial breaks, but I personally love watching re-runs of her keeping the Huxtables in check. No one could keep 'em in line like Mrs. Huxtable!

Style Flashback: Denise Nicholas

I first saw Denise Nicholas when I was just six-years-old in the movie A Piece of the Action alongside Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. I thought she was so beautiful and wanted to dress like her and be just as sassy! About a month ago I caught the same movie on BET J and was blown away all over again by her elegance. Nicholas began her television acting career in 1968 but most of you will remember her as Liz McIntyre on the TV show Room 222 (for which she received two Golden Globe nominations) or as Harriet DeLong in In the Heat of the Night. Nicholas wrote six episodes of the dramatic show, In the Heat of the Night and thus began her second career as a writer. When that show was cancelled, she enrolled in the graduate Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California proving beauty and brains can coexist. Her first novel, Freshwater Road, was published in 2005 to critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best books of 2005 by The Washington Post, The Detroit Free Press, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Newsday and The Chicago Tribune. Nicholas is also recognised as a social activist who was involved in the American Civil Rights Movement. These days Nicholas continues to write and resides in Southern California.

Style Flashback: Grace Jones

Grace Jones is the undisputed queen of androgyny but that doesn’t mean she ain’t sexy! Over the last twenty years she’s graced our magazine pages and blared over our radios, but more than anything who could forget her strong presence on the big screen? Born Grace Mendoza in Spanish Town, Jamaica, she moved to New York in 1965 with her family where she became a successful model and studied theatre at Syracuse University. Despite her education, Grace didn’t begin her career in acting until the 80s. First she secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance club hits and garnered a large gay following. Towards the end of the 70s Grace embraced a dramatic visual makeover, created in partnership with stylist Jean-Paul Goude, with whom she had a son though never married. They created her staple androgynous look with square-cut hair and angular, padded clothes. A star was born and Hollywood soon came calling. Grace co-starred with NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Destroyer in 1984, played the infamous 007 nemesis in the James Bond movie A View to a Kill (1985) and who could forget Strangè of Boomerang (1992)?! These days you can find Ms. Jones hanging out in London with cool kids Kate Moss and Stella McCartney or sitting front row at an Alexander McQueen show. Icons don’t rest you see.

Style Flashback: Veronica Webb

Veronica Webb wasn’t your average supermodel. This Detroit native (by way of Nigeria, South America and Asia!) is an accomplished writer, journalist and budding actress. Not many supermodels are blessed with brains as well as beauty. It was during her time at college in New York City that she was discovered on the street by a makeup artist in the early 1980's. As a runway model, she was in demand and photographed wearing fashions from the collections of Chanel, Azzedine Alaia, Isaac Mizrahi, Karl Lagerfeld, Todd Oldham and Victoria’s Secret. She has also appeared on the covers of Vogue, Essence and Elle magazines. Webb is probably best known for being the first black model to score an exclusive contract for the major cosmetics company Revlon, but she spent time serving as editor-at-large of Interview magazine, and was a monthly columnist for Paper Magazine, New York City's style guide to downtown cool, for five years. Veronica also wrote a weekly column on American culture in Panorama, Italy’s popular weekly news magazine, and has contributed as a writer for Details, Elle, The Sunday Times (UK) and The New York Times Syndicate. Webb has also had roles in prominant movies such as Jungle Fever and Malcolm X. In fact, she pursued acting because modelling simple wasn't satisfying enough. You can still pick up a copy of Veronica’s 1998 released book “Veronica Webb Sight: Adventures in the Big City” – a collection of essays reflecting on her life. Though she still writes extensively, Webb is fast becoming a household name since appearing as a co-host on the hit Bravo show “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.” Between filming the show and writing for pleasure, Webb dedicates her time to numerous charities including, LIFEBeat, Product Red and the RPM Nautical Foundation. Webb currently lives in Florida Keys with her husband George Robb and their two daughters. Of her modelling career Web says, "I will never lose my fascination and passion for the creativity and the talented people involved in making beautiful clothes and astounding photographic images which bring the fashion world to life in the lives and imaginations of the people everywhere in the world. Every generation defines itself against its predecessor." And with that said we eagerly wait to see what the next generation of black models will do to leave their mark.

Style Flashback: Dorothy Dandridge

Dorethy Dandridge has many “firsts” under her belt. She was the first African American actress to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category; the first African American to perform at the Las Vegas Fronteir and Waldolf-Astoria; and she was the first African American to appear on the front cover of Life magazine. Her career started in Ohio where she performed with two of her sisters in the group “The Dandridge Sisters.” She eventually went solo when her family moved to LA. Dandridge landed bit roles in movies where she got the chance to showcase her acting and singing skills although all of her early roles were stereotypical. Her singing ability however, brought her popularity in nightclubs around the country. In fact, her singing provided a fallback career when acting roles dried up. In 1957, she starred in “Island in the Sun” which was controversial for its portrayal of an interracial romance, this lead to one of her many acting “dry spells.” She did however receive a Golden Globe nomination for her role alongside Sidney Poitier in “Porgy and Bess.” Despite her many accolades Dandridge suffered many hardships including being sexually abused by her mother’s lesbian partner, declaring bankruptcy, enduring physical abuse from her husband, and facing ongoing racism in Hollywood. Dandridge was found dead in her West Hollywood apartment on September 8, 1965 at the age of 43. Rumor has it she died of an accidentle overdose due to depression.

Style Flashback: Lola Falana

A dancer and actress by trade, Lola Falana began her career by moving to New York armed with only $23. She danced in nightclubs until she was discovered by Sammy Davis, Jr. who anointed her his protégé and gave her the lead dancing role in the Broadway smash “Golden Boy” (October 20, 1964 - March 5, 1966). Falana then tried her hand at singing. She had a moderately successful career but she finally broke away from Sammy Davis Jr. in an attempt to create a name for herself, separate from her mentor. That's when her career really took off; she acted in several highly successful Italian movies, peformed on variety shows such as Bill Cosby’s “The New Bill Cosby Show” and she finally acquired her own act in Vegas. By the late 1970s, she was considered the Queen of Las Vegas. She played to sold-out crowds at The Sands, The Riviera, and the MGM Grand hotels. The Aladdin even offered her $100,000 a week to perform. At the time, Falana was the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas. She was also the first black woman to model for a line of cosmetics that wasn't targeted solely to blacks. Falana’s last Vegas performance was in 1987 due to a relapse of Multiple Sclerosis. I’m not sure where she resides now but she has since fought the disease with hopes of one day returning to the stage. All hail the First Lady of Vegas.

Style Flashback: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday’s stage outfits are as legendary as her unique voice and the infamous white gardenias that sat in her hair. Though her life was nothing short of tumultuous, you’d be forgiven for not knowing it. Ms. Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan) was always so poised and glamorous on stage, preferring to wear long, glittering gowns, diamond earrings and pearl necklaces to all her performances. This photo was taken in 1947 and although it’s not a full length picture, you still get a sense of how incredibly elegant ‘Lady Day’ was. Notice her elbow-length gloves and the huge bow on the front of her dress. Isn’t it funny how fashion is so cyclical? Billie Holiday died prematurely at the age of 44 from heart and liver disease, however her music and influence in fashion lives on. I’m so inspired by this photo that I’m finally going to rent out “Lady Sings the Blues,” the movie version of Holiday’s autobiography starring Diana Ross (she earned an Oscar nomination for her performance as Billie). Has anyone seen it?

Note: Also see previous ‘Style Flashbacks’ for Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Pam Grier, Aaliyah, Donyale Luna, Beverly Johnson and The Supremes.

Style Flashback: The Supremes

What is left to say about The Supremes? With five consecutive number-one hit singles, they secured their place as the most successful black group in the 1960s, challenging even The Beatles when it came to mass commercial appeal. As well as being extraordinary performers, The Supremes were also fashion trendsetters. Check out the ultra cool shift dresses and high pants they’re rocking in this pic and don’t forget about their on-stage gowns which were always showstoppers! As well as their fashion sense, their hair and makeup were always on point too. They were among the first to prove that black women and glamour can be synonymous. I can’t wait to watch “Dreamgirls” and see how The Supremes inspired the costumes and hair in the movie.

Pictured: Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson

Style Flashback: Beverly Johnson

Donyale Luna may have been the first African-American model on the cover of Vogue, but Beverly Jonhson holds that honor for Elle Magazine. Originally from Buffalo New York, Beverly has graced no less than 500 covers over her 30 year career, making her one of the most successful African-American models. She even acted in a few movies, which I didn’t know. Film roles include, The Baron (’77), Ashanti (’79), and more recently The Meteor Man (’93), How to Be a Player (’97). She also guest starred in various television shows the most recent being “Girlfriends.” These days Beverly is busy running her two successful online businesses selling hair products and wigs. She currently lives with her daughter Anansa in New York. It’s a shame because I can’t find out more about her on the web. I’d like to know more about the progression of her career and the hurdles she faced being a model in the 70’s, but there is literally nothing out there. You can however browse through old photo shoots in the gallery section of www.beverlyjohnson.com. She was and still is stunning.

Style Flashback: Donyale Luna

Donyale Luna, birth name Peggy Anne Freeman, is credited as being one of the first African-American supermodels and the first to appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine (March 1966). The cover is infamous for how the photographer made her hide her features with her hand as to not 'offend' Vogue's regular, white readers. Luna was originally from Detroit, Michigan, but moved to New York City in the late 1950s to pursue modeling. During her career the 6’2” model also appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar (January 1965) and acted in a few movies, most notably "Salome", in which she played the main character by the same name. Luna is said to be responsible for her own demise in the fashion world. Towards the end of her career she crawled her way on and off the runways, didn’t show up for bookings and declared to anyone who would listen that she was from Mars?! I spotlighted her because before she went crazy, she was incredibly elegant, stylish and full of life! She was the girl seen at all the cool parties in the 60's. Donyale Luna passed away in May, 1979 in Rome, Italy... R.I.P.

Style Flashback: Aaliyah

To commemorate the 5th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death I thought it appropriate to look back at her style and her contribution to the music industry. Aaliyah self-anointed herself as the queen of ‘street but sweet’ – a term that fully encompassed her style and attitude. Since her death there has been a great void in the industry… I wish some of today’s young stars would take a leaf out of her book and fully appreciate the power of mystique and restraint. She would always disappear for a few years then come back stronger and more creative than ever… And her dancing and videos were so amazing! An open invite has been issued via her website for her fans to meet by Aaliyah's Weeping Willow Tree in Central Park, New York at 7pm tonight for a Candlelight Vigil honoring her memory. Visit www.aaliyah.com for more details and may she always Rest In Peace…

Note: See previous Flashback: Pam Grier

Style Flashback: Pam Grier

If you watch Project Runway religously as I do, then you'll already know why i'm focusing on this Foxy lady! This week the contestants on the show were challenged to come up with an outfit influenced by a designated Style Icon. As it would turn out, black up-and-coming designer, Michael Knight, got Pam Grier and subsequently won the challenge! Now as for Pam herself, she made history by becoming the first African American woman to headline a movie. Her role in the successful flick 'Coffy' involved her playing a nurse who seeks revenge on a gang of drug dealers, (this photo is taken from that movie). I'm sure you all know her other big movies 'Foxy Brown' and 'Jackie Brown.' I love this woman because she was one of the first to break the stereotype that black women can not be sexy actresses. While some of her movies were overtly sexual, you can't blame her for naturally oozing sex appeal! I'm not sure if the HBO show 'The L-Word' is still on, but if so, you can catch Grier on that... She's still too fly!

Note: See previous Flashback: Tina Turner!

Style Flashback: Tina Turner

We most definitely have to give props to one of the best female performers EVER! This pic says it all... Tina Turner knows how to command a stage and get attention. I used to especially love watching her stage costumes swishing around as she perfomed 'Proud Mary'! Ms. Turner will be sixty-seven in November of this year and she still looks AMAZING... and dare I forget to mention those legs!.. DO IT TINA!!



Credit: This photograph was taken by famed photographer Richard Avedon in June 1971 for The New Yorker magazine.

Style Flashback: Diana Ross

I've been seeing some, shall we say 'interesting' candid pics of Diana Ross lately and I thought we should all take a minute and remember how fabulous she was back in the day. I know we're used to seeing her with that big hair and those glamourous clothes, but I really like this pic of her, probably because it is different. If you can bare it click on the link below to see how she looks now; these pics were taken the other day while she was doing her grocery shopping. I'll let her off though because afterall she's heading for 65 and ain't none of us gonna be looking too fresh at that age! :(
Diana Now: http://crunktastical.blogspot.com/2006/07/candids-of-diana-ross-shopping.html