Born May 19, 1948, Spanish Town, Jamaica - the one and only Grace Jones.
(carltonjordan.com)
She is definitely in a class all by herself. She is all androgynous angles but yet there's something about her that's raw and sexy. I can see why many fashion designers as well as cosmetic companies have drawn influences from her, as well as today's popstars.
With late, great artist, Keith Haring:
(maidenshop.blogspot.com)
In her modeling days she shared an apartment with Jerry Hall:
I can only imagine what those parties must have been like!
I remember seeing the video to her single "Slave to the Rhythm" as a little girl and being slightly freaked out by her image but I was fascinated at the same time.
I know that recently Lady Gaga has been compared to her but I wouldn't even go there. Grace Jones cannot be compared to anyone else in the world than Grace Jones, herself.
The iconic Jean Paul Goude photo for her Island Life LP:
In films, she has played Bond Villainess, View to a Kill (1986), Barbarian warrior, Conan the Destroyer (1984) and role she was born to play - eccentric supermodel, Boomerang (1992)
My favorite Grace song:
A softer side of Grace that is absolutely mesmerizing:
The video that started my obsession:
I also have fond memories of this commercial:
I find her visually stunning to watch and at 61 years old she's still going!
Traditional Summers here in SF is a bit of a joke. The morning can start anywhere from 60-65 degrees...afternoon can climb to 68-70 degrees and when I'm ready to leave the office to catch that last hours of the Summer sun the weather is back to 60 degreees! Yes, it is annoying but us locals have mastered the art of layering.
If I want the feeling of eternal sunshine in my heart I turn to this lady:
(I would wear those peep toe clog heels now!)
Ms. Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks
She grew up in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and yes, the San Francisco Bay Area. As much as I do appreciate the group Fleetwood Mac, I have to tell you honestly my favorite tracks are the ones that Stevie sings lead on. She takes you on a journey and her voice can just haunt you. I am also a fan of her solo work.
Yes, I am still trying to pretend that Lindsay Lohan never remade, "Edge of Seventeen" and I'm trying to forget the duet she sang with Taylor Swift on last year's Grammys - "Rhiannon"
I really love this 70's Southern California Bohemian look. It's like she was hanging out at the beach in bare feet during the day and then slips on a pair of sexy cognac leather platform sandals and goes to a party or dinner. She is even featured as a style reference in The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style (2008)
Here are just a few accessories I'm craving to help me nourish my inner-Stevie.
(Frye - Fran Wood T-strap $228/USD)
(Hive and Honey Brass Bracelet stack - $32)
(Kenneth Cole New York - $45)
I think my love of Turquoise came from playing with my mother's jewelry. I lost one of her rings from the early 70's and yes, she's still pissed at me.
My sisters and I all have our favorite Fleetwood Mac songs that feature Stevie singing lead:
For my sister Tatiana:
Rhiannon
For my sister Kim:
Gypsy
As for myself - I will always have these two songs on continous rotation:
Dreams
And
Edge of Seventeen
I now have an urge to twirl around in a white silk cape. I'm sure it'll go well here in the office!
We live in a world of Real Housewives, Beyonce, Gaga, Nicki Minaj and the Jersey Shore girls. Yes, I admit I have indulged and checked out each one for pure entertainment.
But will these ladies truly last?
I would like to share my daily inspiration and beauty motivator that stands the test of time then, now and forever:
Born:
Helen Folasade Adu
1959 Nigeria - raised in London
Simply known as Sade
I have been a fan since 1984 - the first time I heard Smooth Operator. I didn't know what that song was about at the time but I was truly mesmerized by her smooth, slightly raspy voice, jazzy sound and her beautiful red lips.
She wasn't Madonna or Cyndi Lauper - she was sleek, exotic, fashionable and seductive. I wanted to be her. Plus she had dark hair and features - something attainable for a 9 yr. old girl at the time that was used to seeing blond haired singers and actresses most of the time.
I would like to share my top 5 favorite Sade videos. This is also how I learned about the director Sophie Mullens. Ms. Mullens directed most of Sade's videos and I find them stylish - like I'm watching a fashion editorial come to life.
This was a very hard choice because I love them all. In fact, 15 yrs ago I owned a collection of her videos on VHS - yes, I am OLD. I would play this video while I cleaned the house, was in a bad mood or I just wanted to watch some of my favorite videos, this would do the trick.
Watching these videos/hearing these songs also cures my "CASE OF THE MONDAYS!"
Again, this was just a difficult choice because I love pretty much every video she's ever done - I just wanted to feature a progression of her looks. She is classic in every sense of the word.
When Am I Going to Make a Living:
Sweetest Taboo:
Nothing Can Come Between Us:
King of Sorrow:
(this song is so depressing and beautiful at the same time)
Babyfather:
(only Sade can make Jello making look so appealing)
Two other mentionable shout-outs:
The song that made me a fan - Smooth Operator, Live '93
and the song that always makes me think of my boo:
I'm always on the verge of tears when I hear this song.
That's what I love about Sade - she's so personal. When she sings you feel like she's singing just to you - she feels exactly what you feel and vice versa. That is also how she performs. I have been lucky enough to see her perform live twice in 1993 and 2001 - she doesn't perform very much. Shoot, she's only recorded 6 albums in her 27 yr. career. When she performs it is such an intimate experience - it could be at an ampitheater but she makes it feel like a small jazz club in an alley in the most metropolitan city.
I will always love and admire her, despite her DUI wrap sheets. She'll always be in my heart, feel my pain and describe exactly the way I feel about my husband when I just don't know what to say.
She's also one of the Sexiest women in the world! She's the top of my "girl-crush" list followed by Christy Turlington and then Penelope Cruz.
Yes there was a time I rocked a slick back ponytail (to show off my big forehead), gold hoops and bold red lips. It is one of my favorite looks - personally.
(Personally one of the best backing bands - they helped create her sound)
Seriously, I would love to look like this now at 36. Well hopefully, I'll be half way there when I'm 51.
I am planning to see her live in Oakland, CA this August w/John Legend. It should be an awesome show - I probably should stop obsessing over new lipsticks for a few months so I can get the Baller seats in the front!
