She's overexposed, overrated, over produced, over saturated, over advertised, over analyzed, over bearing, over exploited, over...

2elijah said:

Lammastide said:

I agree entirely. No need to make her faux black when she already is black.

I think it would have been nice if they just left her complexion alone;this way she could have just shown the many shades of women of color that exists among Black American and African women. That's what the magazine could have taken the opportunity to do. They should have gathered all the known African and Black American models, with their various complexions, and dressed them up like they did Beyonce. Also the fact that it was in honor of musician/activist, Fela Kuti, and the many wives he had. They could have picked a great selection of Black American/African women to model for that photo shoot.

[Edited 2/22/11 7:44am]

I agree with this. But seeing that they only used Beyonce for this leads me to think this is really supposed to be all about "the fabulousness & fierceness of Beyonce!" Look at her incredible beauty! She can pull off all kinds of looks! She is a fashion icon! I think this whole thing was concocted by her and/or her team to generate more publicity for her.

[Edited 2/22/11 9:55am]

Might as well have gone all the way with the black paint on her body....just a blackened face looks super weird.

[Edited 2/22/11 10:04am]

NaughtyKitty said:

2elijah said:

I think it would have been nice if they just left her complexion alone;this way she could have just shown the many shades of women of color that exists among Black American and African women. That's what the magazine could have taken the opportunity to do. They should have gathered all the known African and Black American models, with their various complexions, and dressed them up like they did Beyonce. Also the fact that it was in honor of musician/activist, Fela Kuti, and the many wives he had. They could have picked a great selection of Black American/African women to model for that photo shoot.

[Edited 2/22/11 7:44am]

I agree with this. But seeing that they only used Beyonce for this leads me to think this is really supposed to be all about "the fabulousness & fierceness of Beyonce!" Look at her incredible beauty! She can pull off all kinds of looks! She is a fashion icon! I think this whole thing was concocted by her and/or her team to generate more publicity for her.

[Edited 2/22/11 9:55am]

Agree with 2elijah as well. Those would have made fantastic images.

But yes you are right Naughtykitty.

lavender1983 said:

Might as well have gone all the way with the black paint on her body....just a blackened face looks super weird.

[Edited 2/22/11 10:04am]

I agree! I see no problem with darkening one's skin to portray someone with darker skin, but who exactly is she portraying? If she's not portraying a specific African woman, it IS weird to have her face darkened since we all know African women come in many shades (as do white people...I'm the palest in my family!). I can't watch the video now because I am at work...

lavender1983 said:

Might as well have gone all the way with the black paint on her body....just a blackened face looks super weird.

[Edited 2/22/11 10:04am]

Probably did that because she knew it would bring attention and curiosity. Trust and believe, there's no way Beyo will wear that dark paint on her entire body, unless she was given a role in a movie to play. Don't be surprised, now that she sees she can get away with painting herself darker, that she won't be cast to do biopics of famous African-American woman, darker than her complexion. I know there is a movie version that will be made about Fela Kuti, where actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is supposed to play Fela Kuti. I am now wondering if Beyonce is doing this to prepare for the role of one of the main wives in the movie, especially the one that moved Fela to fight for his country. Just a guess, but I really wouldn't be surprised. You guys know she probably still feel Jennifer Hudson robbed her of that Oscar, and she will not stop until Sasha gets her that Oscar to add to her shelf.

Anyway, I still think it would have been nice if they got a few Black actresses/models even, to do this photo shoot, to represent Fela's wives. I could see Nia Long, Taraji Henson, Meghan Good, Naomi Campbell, Gabrielle Union, Angela Bassett, Kerri Washington, Kimberly Elise, Regina King, Tamala Jones, Jada Pinkett-Smith, just to name of few.

[Edited 2/22/11 12:43pm]

Well, in the first instance, I guess the blacking up is partly a ploy to raise eyebrows and get us talking and unintentionally generating free publicity!

Beyond that, though, I take it as one of the ways they create a certain 'ironic distance' towards the obvious exoticism of the shoot, with its seemingly antiquated 'African Queen' theme. It makes sense in that context, I suppose, but it's still a pretty tired and clichéd idea, which has been pastiched and played with artistically so many times, and in so many more imaginative and challenging ways. It comes off as pretty bland, to me - just enough to generate a couple of headlines and message board discussions, but not enough to cause too much fuss.

Dunno what Fela Kuti would've made of it. He'd almost certainly have had more naked breasts in there, though - which might've given us something worth looking at, I suppose.

[Edited 2/22/11 14:17pm]

NaughtyKitty said:

Beyonce Blackface L’Officiel Magazine Pictures

Feb 22nd, 2011

by Amy Grindhouse.

Beyonce is Black, okay? At the very least, broadly, racially speaking. That said and agreed upon, even if you decide it’s more fun licking the fluff off the long lost Twizzler in your pocket (mmm, pocket fluff) than picking apart her exact ethnic/racial background, you’re still left with the slightly perplexing picture above. A picture that seems to suggest we need reminding of what Beyonce looks like in the botched ‘before’ pictures where L’Oreal gets a little too wild in MS Paint with its image contrast. Beyonce, looking beautiful I might add, poses and looks appropriately regal and elegant in a photo shoot in which she wearsblackface make-up for the L’Officiel Paris 90th anniversary March 2011 cover. She looks normal on what scans like a Harper’s Bazaar cover from 2007, but inside she’s dressed-up and made-up in homage to Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.

http://amygrindhouse.com/...kface.html

I don't get the just the face bit. If they really wanted to make a statement and cause a commotion, they should have done her up from head to toe. I know some some folks that would have had a stroke...having to see Beyonce as Black...literally.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

NaughtyKitty said:

Beyonce Blackface L’Officiel Magazine Pictures

Feb 22nd, 2011

by Amy Grindhouse.

Beyonce is Black, okay? At the very least, broadly, racially speaking. That said and agreed upon, even if you decide it’s more fun licking the fluff off the long lost Twizzler in your pocket (mmm, pocket fluff) than picking apart her exact ethnic/racial background, you’re still left with the slightly perplexing picture above. A picture that seems to suggest we need reminding of what Beyonce looks like in the botched ‘before’ pictures where L’Oreal gets a little too wild in MS Paint with its image contrast. Beyonce, looking beautiful I might add, poses and looks appropriately regal and elegant in a photo shoot in which she wearsblackface make-up for the L’Officiel Paris 90th anniversary March 2011 cover. She looks normal on what scans like a Harper’s Bazaar cover from 2007, but inside she’s dressed-up and made-up in homage to Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.

http://amygrindhouse.com/...kface.html

I don't get the just the face bit. If they really wanted to make a statement and cause a commotion, they should have done her up from head to toe. I know some some folks that would have had a stroke...having to see Beyonce as Black...literally.

Good point Hatrina. Also, she could have worn an outfit that covered the rest of her body and fooled us that the rest was painted. Maybe she caught a sudden case of "Imitation of Life" syndrome, and had them stop the makeup at the neck, because you know Beyo is not trying to mess up that L'Oreal contract.

[Edited 2/22/11 13:00pm]

2elijah said:

Ottensen said:

and the scores of others that go nameless to the general public, yet to the fashion industry are true stars, women with clearly defined essence, sense of style, who inspire creation. For me I'll take that rather than some blank canvas who goes with what is of the moment simply because they want another popular choice award to hang on their wall. Again, I think Knowles is an absolutely lovely girl, a great singer, but looking at her does not make me want to live, breathe, and eat fashion or originality. She makes me want to try a lace front, learn a good line dance, and practice hitting a D5 on my vocal scale, but not much else. I'm much rather interested in her sister's strong willed attitude toward dressing, or her mother's forays into Walmart sportswear and ladies dresses.

In that pic of Beyonce, she's starting to look like Dolly Parton with that big blond, hairdo.

Gorgeous pics! I love Iman, such a strong, confident woman and a philanthropist. I saw her on the BET Honors yesterday, and she is still gorgeous as ever.

[Edited 2/22/11 9:05am]

When I first saw them wear those outfits on tv years ago, I honestly thought "Good Lord, why do these children look like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to a Leon Isaac Kennedy fight" ?

Ottensen said:

2elijah said:

In that pic of Beyonce, she's starting to look like Dolly Parton with that big blond, hairdo.

Gorgeous pics! I love Iman, such a strong, confident woman and a philanthropist. I saw her on the BET Honors yesterday, and she is still gorgeous as ever.

[Edited 2/22/11 9:05am]

When I first saw them wear those outfits on tv years ago, I honestly thought "Good Lord, why do these children look like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to a Leon Isaac Kennedy fight" ?

Her image these days reminds me of a Barbie doll wannabe in those L'Oreal commercials for some reason. Almost like she's doing commercials to promote "Platinum Barbie" with the very, blond weaves she wears.

[Edited 2/22/11 13:58pm]

2elijah said:

lavender1983 said:

Might as well have gone all the way with the black paint on her body....just a blackened face looks super weird.

[Edited 2/22/11 10:04am]

Probably did that because she knew it would bring attention and curiosity. Trust and believe, there's no way Beyo will wear that dark paint on her entire body, unless she was given a role in a movie to play. Don't be surprised, now that she sees she can get away with painting herself darker, that she won't be cast to do biopics of famous African-American woman, darker than her complexion. I know there is a movie version that will be made about Fela Kuti, where actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is supposed to play Fela Kuti. I am now wondering if Beyonce is doing this to prepare for the role of one of the main wives in the movie, especially the one that moved Fela to fight for his country. Just a guess, but I really wouldn't be surprised. You guys know she probably still feel Jennifer Hudson robbed her of that Oscar, and she will not stop until Sasha gets her that Oscar to add to her shelf.

Anyway, I still think it would have been nice if they got a few Black actresses/models even, to do this photo shoot, to represent Fela's wives. I could see Nia Long, Taraji Henson, Meghan Good, Naomi Campbell, Gabrielle Union, Angela Bassett, Kerri Washington, Kimberly Elise, Regina King, Tamala Jones, Jada Pinkett-Smith, just to name of few.

[Edited 2/22/11 12:43pm]

She needs to settle that big booty right on down if she thinks that and maybe try some hardcore acting classes before she starts dreaming of Mr. Oscar

Ottensen said:

2elijah said:

In that pic of Beyonce, she's starting to look like Dolly Parton with that big blond, hairdo.

Gorgeous pics! I love Iman, such a strong, confident woman and a philanthropist. I saw her on the BET Honors yesterday, and she is still gorgeous as ever.

[Edited 2/22/11 9:05am]

When I first saw them wear those outfits on tv years ago, I honestly thought "Good Lord, why do these children look like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to a Leon Isaac Kennedy fight" ?

I honestly thought they looked like they were on their way to an ol' school costume Players Ball.

Ottensen said:

Harlepolis said:

From L'Official

What do I think?

I think that Beyonce is a very pretty girl, but I also think that I am so fatigued of seeing beyonce trying to push herself onto us as a fashion phenomenon, because she is not. While she is arguably a pop culture darling she is not a fashion icon. There is a marked difference, the first of which is having a discernable, self-possessed sense of style that sets, rather than follows trends. No matter how may dresses she swirls around in, no many how many magazine covers, no matter how many pounds of make-up you slap on that face, Beyonce, of bow legs and pigeon toes is not nor ever will be a fashion industry legend. What she is attempting to achieve is simply best left to those who have done it best, the very uttering of their names signifying inspiration and revolution in the world of fashion. I'm sorry, but when I think of the great architects of style, Mme. Vionnet, Balenciaga, Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Lauren, this is not the visage I see:

I would rather remember and pay homage to these women, the iconclasts who are the very fabric of fashion :

The Originator, Naomi Sims

Beverly Johnson

Pat Cleveland

Mounia, inspiration to Givenchy and St, Laurent, THE couture fashion muse of France

Grace Jones

Lana Ogilvie

Roshumba

Beverly Peele

Cynthia Bailey

Claudia Mason

Naomi

Liya Kebede

Waris Dirie

Atong

and The MOTHERLOAD, IMAN:

and the scores of others that go nameless to the general public, yet to the fashion industry are true stars, women with clearly defined essence, sense of style, who inspire creation. For me I'll take that rather than some blank canvas who goes with what is of the moment simply because they want another popular choice award to hang on their wall. Again, I think Knowles is an absolutely lovely girl, a great singer, but looking at her does not make me want to live, breathe, and eat fashion or originality. She makes me want to try a lace front, learn a good line dance, and practice hitting a D5 on my vocal scale, but not much else. I'm much rather interested in her sister's strong willed attitude toward dressing, or her mother's forays into Walmart sportswear and ladies dresses.

Beyonce to me seems to channel the real live Black Creole Barbie look.

Her style and look is the same as JLo, Ashanti, Mariah Carey etc. Long flowing hair (natural or lace front) form fitting clothes, lots of cleavage, Maybelline makeup.

Nothing original. Very becoming for the average woman. In line with the hollywood, but nothing that stands out in hollywood.

2elijah said:

Ottensen said:

When I first saw them wear those outfits on tv years ago, I honestly thought "Good Lord, why do these children look like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to a Leon Isaac Kennedy fight" ?

Her image these days reminds me of a Barbie doll wannabe in those L'Oreal commercials for some reason. Almost like she's doing commercials to promote "Platinum Barbie" with the very, blond weaves she wears.

[Edited 2/22/11 13:58pm]

Just finally getting to this post. I thought the same thing.

prodigalfan said:

Ottensen said:

What do I think?

I think that Beyonce is a very pretty girl, but I also think that I am so fatigued of seeing beyonce trying to push herself onto us as a fashion phenomenon, because she is not. While she is arguably a pop culture darling she is not a fashion icon. There is a marked difference, the first of which is having a discernable, self-possessed sense of style that sets, rather than follows trends. No matter how may dresses she swirls around in, no many how many magazine covers, no matter how many pounds of make-up you slap on that face, Beyonce, of bow legs and pigeon toes is not nor ever will be a fashion industry legend. What she is attempting to achieve is simply best left to those who have done it best, the very uttering of their names signifying inspiration and revolution in the world of fashion. I'm sorry, but when I think of the great architects of style, Mme. Vionnet, Balenciaga, Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Lauren, this is not the visage I see:

I would rather remember and pay homage to these women, the iconclasts who are the very fabric of fashion :

The Originator, Naomi Sims

Beverly Johnson

Pat Cleveland

Mounia, inspiration to Givenchy and St, Laurent, THE couture fashion muse of France

Grace Jones

Lana Ogilvie

Roshumba

Beverly Peele

Cynthia Bailey

Claudia Mason

Naomi

Liya Kebede

Waris Dirie

Atong

and The MOTHERLOAD, IMAN:

and the scores of others that go nameless to the general public, yet to the fashion industry are true stars, women with clearly defined essence, sense of style, who inspire creation. For me I'll take that rather than some blank canvas who goes with what is of the moment simply because they want another popular choice award to hang on their wall. Again, I think Knowles is an absolutely lovely girl, a great singer, but looking at her does not make me want to live, breathe, and eat fashion or originality. She makes me want to try a lace front, learn a good line dance, and practice hitting a D5 on my vocal scale, but not much else. I'm much rather interested in her sister's strong willed attitude toward dressing, or her mother's forays into Walmart sportswear and ladies dresses.

Beyonce to me seems to channel the real live Black Creole Barbie look.

Her style and look is the same as JLo, Ashanti, Mariah Carey etc. Long flowing hair (natural or lace front) form fitting clothes, lots of cleavage, Maybelline makeup.

Nothing original. Very becoming for the average woman. In line with the hollywood, but nothing that stands out in hollywood.

Totally agree as well. But to be fair all of those iconic and uber fabulous black women with the exception of the Queen..Grace Jones are super- models. They are supposed to be fashionable.

And Beyonce will not be in this category I dont think because it's not just about wearing the latest designers and being in what's "in" at the moment but having a certain look that years down line when we look up your history, that look it's totally identifiable with only you.

Black entertainers that have had iconic looks all their own over the years and set but not followed trends to me are but not limited to.

Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Diahann Carrol, Queen Latifah (You know...in her afro-centric days) and Lisa Bonet.

prodigalfan said:

2elijah said:

Her image these days reminds me of a Barbie doll wannabe in those L'Oreal commercials for some reason. Almost like she's doing commercials to promote "Platinum Barbie" with the very, blond weaves she wears.

[Edited 2/22/11 13:58pm]

Just finally getting to this post. I thought the same thing.

Beyonce is a pretty woman, and yes, Black women are of various, complexions, but the thing is, with that platinum blond, hair weave she sports, she's more or less promoting more of a caucasian image. She now looks like a tanned Caucasian woman in those L'Oreal commercials.

To most of society, she is a Black woman, regardless of her mother's/grandmother's creole mixture. Beyonce is the daughter of two Black American parents. Beyonce is one of many Black women that are light-complected Blacks. She's sporting a platinum blond look and the makeup she appears to wear lately, is more pale, than when she was with Destiny's Child.

I don't feel she reflects Ashanti's or Mariah Carey's look, as both Ashanti and Mariah are two, totally different complected women, with their own beautiful complexions. I think I would respect that photo shoot more if they added otherBlack women of various complexions, that Beyonce painted herself to represent. It would have been nice to see that, but I guess she wanted the spotlight to be on her.

[Edited 2/22/11 16:37pm]

She looks beautiful in the photoshoot, but I don't know if it was necessary of her to do that, or what point she was trying to make. Maybe she was trying to be empowering to African Americans, but she just failed, and defeated the purpose.

2elijah said:

prodigalfan said:

Just finally getting to this post. I thought the same thing.

Beyonce is a pretty woman, and yes, Black women are of various, complexions, but the thing is, with that platinum blond, hair weave she sports, she's more or less promoting more of a caucasian image. She now looks like a tanned Caucasian woman in those L'Oreal commercials.

To most of society, she is a Black woman, regardless of her mother's/grandmother's creole mixture. Beyonce is the daughter of two Black American parents. Beyonce is one of many Black women that are light-complected Blacks. She's sporting a platinum blond look and the makeup she appears to wear lately, is more pale, than when she was with Destiny's Child.

I don't feel she reflects Ashanti's or Mariah Carey's look, as both Ashanti and Mariah are two, totally different complected women, with their own beautiful complexions. I think I would respect that photo shoot more if they added otherBlack women of various complexions, that Beyonce painted herself to represent. It would have been nice to see that, but I guess she wanted the spotlight to be on her.

[Edited 2/22/11 16:37pm]

I think that's the real purpose of this whole photoshoot

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Ottensen said:

When I first saw them wear those outfits on tv years ago, I honestly thought "Good Lord, why do these children look like the Beverly Hillbillies on their way to a Leon Isaac Kennedy fight" ?

I honestly thought they looked like they were on their way to an ol' school costume Players Ball.

EXACTLY!

Ottie, you just posted an eyeful

lavender1983 said:

prodigalfan said:

Beyonce to me seems to channel the real live Black Creole Barbie look.

Her style and look is the same as JLo, Ashanti, Mariah Carey etc. Long flowing hair (natural or lace front) form fitting clothes, lots of cleavage, Maybelline makeup.

Nothing original. Very becoming for the average woman. In line with the hollywood, but nothing that stands out in hollywood.

Totally agree as well. But to be fair all of those iconic and uber fabulous black women with the exception of the Queen..Grace Jones are super- models. They are supposed to be fashionable.

And Beyonce will not be in this category I dont think because it's not just about wearing the latest designers and being in what's "in" at the moment but having a certain look that years down line when we look up your history, that look it's totally identifiable with only you.

Black entertainers that have had iconic looks all their own over the years and set but not followed trends to me are but not limited to.

Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Diahann Carrol, Queen Latifah (You know...in her afro-centric days) and Lisa Bonet.

But Love, Grace Jones was indeed a supermodel in her day, she is from the Paris era of Jerry Hall in the the seventies, in all it's Andy Warhol mused,Helmut Newton photographed, Halston clad glory ...and being a person in the fashion industry for almost 2 decades, having traversed the fashion capitals from New York to London and Milan and back, the women that I posted have a very strong historical place in the world of fashion not because of the false idea that they're supposed to be fashionable, it's because they are fashionable on their own, with an energy and a visual ideal that inspires the masters of the industry to create . That is not true of all models, super or otherwise.

I'm 100% with you on the list you made of black entertainers who set their own trends with an iconic sense of style, though. What makes them special is essentially what they have in common with the fashion girls I listed: they too, are definitive, these women inspire! Beyowulf is not in the same league as those women, period, no matter how many wigs she canges or personas she takes on. While I think Beyonce seems to be the loveliest, hardest working person you could find in popular culture, stylistically speaking she is just a big blah ink blot who makes me think of nothing than more than a person that hawks L'oreal for her weaves and lace fronts, and plays dress up in her mama's mini dresses. For me she is the same level of style influence as 70's Heather Locklear hawking that "Gee, Your hair Smell's Terrific" shampoo.

In spite of all my reservations about her style aspirations, though, I am actually very happy for her financial success. I just need her to not be on the cover of Vogue, particularly as she still insists on wearing flesh toned pantyhose with summer clothes and open toe sandals

I hate to say it, but it looks like critics on this side of the pond aren't pleased, and not because they think she's not a style icon: I sort of had a feeling not everyone would be warm to the artistic direction:

Beyonce Under Fire for Blackface Photos

Beyonce graces the March issue of L'Officiel Paris, but it's a controversial photo of the superstar inside the French fashion magazine that's getting the most attention.

The glossy is celebrating its 90th anniversary, and Beyonce marks the occasion with an homage to Nigerian musician and humanitarian Fela Kuti; Beyonce's husband, Jay-Z, is a producer on the acclaimed Broadway musical "Fela!," based on the icon's life, music and courageous defiance against government corruption. In a statement (via Jezebel), L'Officiel describes the Feli-inspired photo of Beyonce -- sporting blackface, tribal paint and a dress designed by her mom -- as a "return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened."

Not everyone is a fan of the editorial vision and tribute to Kuti; the image simultaneously inspires and provokes. Writes Jezebel's Dodai Stewart: "It's fun to play with fashion and makeup, and fashion has a history of provocation and pushing boundaries. But when you paint your face darker in order to look more 'African,' aren't you reducing an entire continent, full of different nations, tribes, cultures and histories, into one brown color?"

"It's one thing to feel moved by Fela Kuti, and quite another to treat blackness as a fashion accessory, like a pair of glittery heels you put on because it looks cool," Stewart adds.

Charing Ball, a writer at the Atlanta Post, blasts the fashion industry's recentobsession with blackface as an accepted form of racism passed off as art. "Blackface is not fashion forward or edgy and, in my opinion, it is just flat-out offensive," writes Ball, incriminating Beyonce in perpetuating the offense.

Blackface has been particularly trendy among European fashion titles; in October 2009, FrenchVogue featured a white model in blackface a year after the Italian edition of Vogue ran a much-hyped issue with all-black models as a response to the lack of diversity within the industry.

Meanwhile, Beyonce and other black stars have had their skin lightened on the cover of glossy women's mags and in advertisements; see Beyonce's 2008 L'Oreal ad compared with a real photo of the singer. See also: Actress Gabby Sidibe's 2010 Elle magazine cover wherein her dark skin appeared several tones lighter.

"The message we're getting from the fashionistas," Stewart writes, "is that it's bad to actually have dark skin, but totally cool to pretend you have it."

Beyonce will no doubt maintain a diplomatic stance on the photoshoot. But, for once -- for once! -- it would be refreshing to hear her speak her mind and have a stance on something beyond her music.

[Edited 2/23/11 12:52pm]

So is the criticism more of the magazine and the perception that black skin is being treated by them as an accessory/fashion statement or is it the lack of diversity in the fashion industry overall?

As for Bey being the subject of the photo-fashion shoot, that matters not to me. She's global and we will continue to see her until someone hotter and more talented comes along.

^ Hey Ott I was just about to post that but I thought it was too much Bey for this thread.

HotGritz said:

^ Hey Ott I was just about to post that but I thought it was too much Bey for this thread.

I figured, oh well, since we can add more visuals to the topic, why not?

Ottensen said:

HotGritz said:

^ Hey Ott I was just about to post that but I thought it was too much Bey for this thread.

I figured, oh well, since we can add more visuals to the topic, why not?

I'm diggin' that leopard print jacket in the first pic.

I have to say that I'm not at all comfortable with "black face" as any sort of entertainment but I have to wonder how much of the backlash is about black face as a fashion statement and how much of it is about Bey in black face. Perhaps it's about how we portray our black icons? I know folk don't want to call her an icon but she's well on her way.

Ottensen said:

lavender1983 said:

Totally agree as well. But to be fair all of those iconic and uber fabulous black women with the exception of the Queen..Grace Jones are super- models. They are supposed to be fashionable.

And Beyonce will not be in this category I dont think because it's not just about wearing the latest designers and being in what's "in" at the moment but having a certain look that years down line when we look up your history, that look it's totally identifiable with only you.

Black entertainers that have had iconic looks all their own over the years and set but not followed trends to me are but not limited to.

Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Diahann Carrol, Queen Latifah (You know...in her afro-centric days) and Lisa Bonet.

But Love, Grace Jones was indeed a supermodel in her day, she is from the Paris era of Jerry Hall in the the seventies, in all it's Andy Warhol mused,Helmut Newton photographed, Halston clad glory ...and being a person in the fashion industry for almost 2 decades, having traversed the fashion capitals from New York to London and Milan and back, the women that I posted have a very strong historical place in the world of fashion not because of the false idea that they're supposed to be fashionable, it's because they are fashionable on their own, with an energy and a visual ideal that inspires the masters of the industry to create . That is not true of all models, super or otherwise.

I'm 100% with you on the list you made of black entertainers who set their own trends with an iconic sense of style, though. What makes them special is essentially what they have in common with the fashion girls I listed: they too, are definitive, these women inspire! Beyowulf is not in the same league as those women, period, no matter how many wigs she canges or personas she takes on. While I think Beyonce seems to be the loveliest, hardest working person you could find in popular culture, stylistically speaking she is just a big blah ink blot who makes me think of nothing than more than a person that hawks L'oreal for her weaves and lace fronts, and plays dress up in her mama's mini dresses. For me she is the same level of style influence as 70's Heather Locklear hawking that "Gee, Your hair Smell's Terrific" shampoo.

In spite of all my reservations about her style aspirations, though, I am actually very happy for her financial success. I just need her to not be on the cover of Vogue, particularly as she still insists on wearing flesh toned pantyhose with summer clothes and open toe sandals

Oh yes honey

Of course ...I know Grace started as a model..slipped my mind there...most associate with her with being a recording artist but yes she and Warhol...match made in fashion heaven. To be a fly on the wall at Studio 54....I wish.

And you are right of course but I expect models to know a thing or two about fashion and to look nice whether of or on the runway....but alas most of them are really just human hangers and have no personal style of their own..the ones you spolighted clearly do.

It's very clear you are well versed in fashion. I love it. I to have worked and still am working in the fashion industry...I read Vogue like its the Holy Bible you feel me.... Beautiful clothes and models make me wanna cry and scream hallelujah

*DEAD* @ fleshtones pantyhose and open toe sandals... Such a beautiful girl with a beautiful body...I just wish she would step away from Mama Knowles and hire a better style team....Shame.

But yea personal style is something you either have or dont have....Miss B does not.

Ottensen said:

I hate to say it, but it looks like critics on this side of the pond aren't pleased, and not because they think she's not a style icon: I sort of had a feeling not everyone would be warm to the artistic direction:

Thats why I asked the question. When I posted it, it was already causing an uproar in the blogosphere, and true to form(just like she & her crew wanted) she kept people talking.

Because I don't believe in one second that she was naive about the history of this thing - despite the bogus apology that she & her camp will issue soon when this shit potentially hits the fan. She already raised a heap of eyebrows because of that infamous L'Oreal ad - and for a similar reason.

Its unfortunate though. This woman proved many times before that "fame" is her main objective, right or wrong, and this thing is just an addition to that long list, yet her fans wonder why people are disgusted with her.

[Edited 2/23/11 18:58pm]

As for the Fela Kuti tribute.

Did any of those people involved in this mess know anything about him and his philosophies? The idiocy of this whole thing is just unbelievable.

And I could see a lot of people in other boards already screaming foul with the usual "ya'll just haters" cop out, like that is gonna ever prevent folks with common sense to call bullshit out when its as clear as day.