9/09 Vogue: Beverly Johnson Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane

In the new issue of Vogue, former top model Beverly Johnson recounts her experience as American Vogue's first black covergirl.

i-D September 2009 : Arlenis, Chanel, Jourdan, Sessilee by Emma Summerton

s: TFS

I love this cover and wonder if this was the shoot Chanel Iman twittered about awhile back. They look like Robert Palmer girls sans instruments.

What struck me about the image at first was that their skin wasn't bleached out with lighting effects. I think the bright makeup and background color are all the contrast that was needed.

What say you?

Where Did All My Free Time Go?

As of last Friday, I have a new employer and it turns out that he hates when I'm on the computer instead of paying attention to him. We're both healthy and happy and doing well at home :)

There probably won't be much activity on the blog until we are settled into a new routine. In the meantime, I invite you to read the blogs linked on the right hand side of this page. Thanks for reading!

Brigitte

Harper's Bazaar - 9/09 - Naomi Photographed by Jean-Paul Goude

Fresh off the heels of the commentary surrounding the Jean-Paul Goude homage (featuring Amber Rose) in Complex magazine comes this editorial by the photographer himself in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar. Goude makes no bones about his very narrow view of black women and "jungle fever" so I guess a spread featuring Naomi dressed in skins, jump roping with monkeys and running with a cheetah isn't exactly a surprise but it sure is disappointing.

source

RIP Naomi Sims (March 30, 1949 - August 1, 2009)

Naomi Sims, arguably the first black "supermodel" and businesswoman passed away from cancer on Saturday at her home in New Jersey. If ever there was a self-made woman, Naomi was it. She overcame a difficult childhood which included the divorce of her parents, an absentee father, and several stints in foster care to become on of the most recognizable black women in the 1960s and 70s. Undeterred by agencies and designers that refused to hire the beauty, she forced down doors in the fashion industry. She sent photos of herself to dozens and dozens of ad agencies and created demand for herself. After she gave up modeling, she had a successful career producing a line of wigs, writing books, and even launching her own skincare line (which was incidentally, the first that I ever purchased from Nordstroms right before I left home for college.) She is survived by her son.

NYT Obit

Fern Mitchell Biography on Ms. Sims

Vintage W Magazine Spread: Spring Break

Before it became just another "celebrity in pretty clothes" monthly, W Magazine used to feature some amazing editorial work. This one was shot by Bruce Weber and features the once in demand Gerren Taylor and a model I haven't seen a lot of lately, Jaunel McKenzie. Enjoy! Thank you Rubydon for unearthing these photos :) This has got to be one of my all-time favorites!

Editorial: Spring Break

Magazine: W Magazine April 2004
Models: Jaunel McKenzie, Jessica White, Gerren Taylor, Payton Champage, Natassia Schmeidt, Victoria Brito

Models With Natural Hair: Fayruz Abdiaman

I just love her haircut. I think this particular shape is so versatile. Fayruz is signed with Sutherland Models in Toronto.

Jourdan Dunn - Mom to Be

Vogue.com broke the news on their site with an article filled with suggestions on what the 19 year old supermodel in the making should wear in the coming months. Dunn is reportedly due to have a son in December which means that we probably won't see much of her during Fashion Week this fall.

Reaction to Dunn's pregnancy seemed overly judgmental on message boards this morning with some people expressing "disappointment" that the teenager (who is also a legal adult with a steady income) is pregnant.

For the record, lots of models start families very young. I hope that after the birth of her son Jourdan's career will continue to flourish, like supermodel Natalia Vodianova, who also gave birth to a child at age 19 with much less finger wagging.

Solange Does The Big Chop

I don't generally pay much attention to Beyonce's little sister but I have to admit I was a little surprised to see this photo of her sporting a TWA (teeny weenie afro) this morning. The girl may not have the chops, looks, or appeal of her older sibling but she's definitely proved that she's gutsy for stepping out of the shadow of Bey's lace-front and letting the sun shine down on those follicles.

Sigh.

Anytime I see a picture of a woman with super short natural hair like this I miss the days when I sported the style. I can still remember how good it felt the first time I took a shower with my new 'do and felt that warm water pouring over my scalp.

Now if only Solange could record some music to match the fierceness of her new look...

Jada Pinkett Smith on the Cover of SHAPE

A bit much on the Photoshop don't you think? Jada has a nice figure already, I don't know why the editors felt the need to do this. The water looks computerized, her skin doesn't even look real and the head looks like it came from another photograph.

s:Brown Sista blog