Decidely NOT ‘The Help’: Oscar-Nominated Actress Viola Davis’ Dazzling Glam Shots!

Viola Davis is an incredibly gifted and beautiful Black woman who deserves to be celebrated for her talent and the grace with which she has carried herself through the challenging but necessary discussions that are taking place about her Oscar-nominated role in ‘The Help’. There are so many things I love about these pictures that I do not know where to begin! Her style’s untouchable (I need that dress in the bottom-right shot!) and her natural locks open up her face and youthful appearance. These pictures shine white-hot light on the many, exquisite dimensions of Viola Davis – the actress and the woman. Let’s hope mainstream Hollywood allows us to see that not only can she play in ‘The Help’, per se, but more importantly, she can also be The Answer for a wide range of complex characters in stories clamoring to be told on film.  Until then, click here to see more stunning shots from this photo shoot.

The Oscars in Pictures: Classic Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Poitier, Nat King Cole and more at Hollywood’s Big Night!!

Incredible moments in the history of the Oscars courtesy of Black Vintage Glamour on Facebook:

Oscar winner Sidney Poitier and Nat “King” Cole at the 1963 Academy Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, April 8, 1963 (courtesy Vintage Black Glamour)

Dorothy Dandridge presenting an Oscar at New York’s Century Theater on March 30, 1955. She was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Carmen Jones but lost to Grace Kelly who won for Country Girl. Photo via Ebony.

Billy Dee Williams arrives at the Academy Awards on March 28, 1973. He appeared as Louis McKay in “Lady Sings the Blues,” which was nominated for five Oscars that year. (courtesy of Black Vintage Glamour)

Diahann Carroll, her mother Mabel Johnson (far right) and her then-husband, Robert DeLeon, a former Managing Editor at Jet magazine, arrive at the Academy Awards on April 8, 1975. Ms. Carroll was a Best Actress nominee that year for her role in “Claudine.” (courtesy of Vintage Black Glamour)

Late Nights… Early Mornings… with Rose Royce’s Ultimate, Break-It-Down Love Classic, “I Want to Get Next to You”

Vintage Fashion Mavens Take Note: ‘Vintage Black Glamour’ is a MUST ‘Like’ on Facebook!

A few months ago, I started seeing phenomenal pictures on Facebook, showcasing iconic images of Black fashion over the years. Hosted by Nichelle Gainer, the Founder and Editor of Anovelista Media, the Facebook page, ”Vintage Black Glamour“, presents some of the most stunning, little-seen shots of Black glam that I have ever seen (which is saying a lot given my slavish worship of exceptional style). Here’s just one of the many images you’ll find, but you definitely want to click here to head over to Ms. Gainer’s page on Facebook to love –  not just ‘like’ – the fabulous views for yourself. Not into Facebook? Here’s the link to the tumblr site as well. Enjoy!

Bringing Heart to New York Fashion Week: New York City Youths Get a Unique Eye on Fashion!

All the hard WERK has come to a close for New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for 2012, but for one special group of youngsters from New York City, Fashion Week has provided a unique opportunity for them to explore new possibilities in careers in the glamorous world of high fashion. As a civic “give-back” for the week’s activities, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week producer IMG Fashion and the Lincoln Center partnered with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to host 265 public high school students for the third annual “Life in Fashion Forum”. Upcoming fashionista’s and fashionisto’s, 75 of whom were from NYCHA public housing communities, took part in this exceptional chance to learn about careers in fashion from top designers and industry leaders.

Fashion luminaries such as Betsey Johnson, fashion designer; Malcolm Carfrae, Executive Vice President of Global Communications at Calvin Klein; Leandra Medine, founder and editor of the blog, “The Man Repeller”; and Derek Warburton, stylist, all participated in this year’s panel events to share some of the in’s and out’s of what it really means to ‘werk’ in the industry behind the scenes (click here to read more). You can also click here to see more, great pictures from the 2012 event on NYCHA’s stream on Flickr.

Hats and heels off to the fashion industry for partnering with NYC to sponsor this inspiring event. Given the financial base and clout of the fashion industry, let’s hope this community ‘give-back’ blossoms into tangible internships and paying jobs for struggling NYC kids, many of whom[ in spirit] have given given denizens of popular designers considerable inspiration for styles and designs that drive what’s seen on those fabulous catwalks.

Thanks for the note, Megan – hope the project goes well!

Saturday Night Music for the Soul: Shout with me on Maurette Brown Clark’s “I Hear the Sound of Victory!”

Love Notes on Valentine’s Day: When “I Love You” Means I Will Always Love You.

If you are currently in love, Valentine’s Day is one of love and rockets. But what if you’re not with a special someone today? You can still celebrate love!

Awhile back, I received one of the most heart-felt letters from one of my exes that I’ve ever seen. He and I remain good friends but the letter was unexpected. In it, he shared why he felt the way he felt for me when we were a couple and why I will always hold a special place in his heart. The details of the letter aren’t important; the love is what matters.

Over time, love changes. Sometimes it matures and intensifies between people, and sometimes we move in different directions. But, true love is something that comes from the rarest of places deep within our soul. It’s not something that can be faked, nor can anyone put a patent on it. If you are ever fortunate enough to experience the real thing, you will always have a nice Valentine’s Day regardless of your relationship status.

Many people toss around the word “love” like salt from a salt-shaker. But the real thing is not that frivolous. Anyone who doesn’t still love someone they ever claimed to have loved probably never really loved the person anyway. At the same time, you can always love someone without being ‘in love’ with them. There’s a difference! Personally, I will always love the few gems who I have ever cared deeply for, or even been in love with. But the truest form of that love means sincerely caring for their ultimate well-being and happiness. Heck, sometimes, you even cheer them on when they find someone else with whom they can share mutual joy if you two weren’t meant to be.

Have you ever felt that type of love?

If you tell someone you love them today, Valentine’s Day, make sure you mean it – forever!

Six-word love stories: “You bring me joy. Thank you.” Happy Valentine’s Day!!

If The Stars Were Mine: My Favorite Love Songs for Valentine’s Day 2012

Well, it’s that time of year again… I’m a big fan of six-word love stories, but today, I can cut it down to three (well, two and a half): Love’s alright - and THAT’S a very, VERY GOOD thing!

Without further adieu, here’s my list of essentials that melt my heart – check ‘em out; they may light a fire or two for you too. Happy Valentine’s Day!

12. “Got to be there” – Jackson 5 courtesy of Chaka Khan (of course, I’ve got to lead with Motown)
11. “Your smile” – Rene and Angela
10. “You” – Jessie Powell
9. “If only you knew” – Patti La Belle
8. “Light my fire” – Jose Feliciano (vi the Doors)
7. “I want you” – Marvin Gaye
6. “My latest, my greatest inspiration” – Teddy Pendergrass
5. “Feel the fire” -Peabo Bryson
4. “Forever, for always, for love” – Luther Vandross
3. “Rock me tonight” – Freddie Jackson
2. “You bring me joy” – Anita Baker
1. “Loving you more” – Etta James

Joy, love and kisses!

Click here to check my smokin’ fav’s from 2011.

Counting down to Valentine’s Day with a very special, “Sunday Kind of Love”