Behind the Muses: W Magazine

An interesting article in W Magazine on the relationship between music and fashion.

Kanye West & Rodarte

Featuring Esperanza Spalding & Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, Janelle Monae & Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, Kanye West & Rodarte and Donatella Versace and M.I.A, the article looks at how the designer found inspiration in the musician and his/her music.

Janelle Monae & Karl Lagerfeld

Esperanza Spalding & Francisco Costa

M.I.A. & Donatella Versace

See the full spread and read the rest of the article here. 

Natural Hair Warrior - Natalie Barrett

We love the natural look here so we're really looking forward to the new venture of London actress Natalie Barrett who's setting up her own natural hair club. Natalie has had parts in BBC shows Dr Who and Psychoville and she's also a hair model. We can see why.

London actress Natalie Barrett by Jason Grant

Natalie is not the only one showing off her natural locks. American singer Solange Knowles is very much a poster girl for the movement.

Doesn't Solange look great?

The afro of the  Grammy-winning jazz musician Esperanza Spalding is a sight to behold.

Esperanza rocks the big afro

Fancy the look? Well, Natalie Barrett is ready to open the door. We found out her plans recently.

Afro Boudoir: Tell me about your natural hair club.


Natalie: The natural hair club will basically just be highlighting people with natural hair, talking about what they use, what they like, what they didn’t. I’ll be talking about my journey and  my favourite products.


AB: Why did you decide to set up the natural hair club?


Natalie: Many women want natural hair so this is something to help them discuss how they are going to do it or to show them various hairstyles. I’ve been natural for a couple of years now, so I would like to document what I’ve gone through to get to where I am now. I’m looking forward to hearing other people’s stories on there.

Natalie Barrett by Jason Grant

AB: What’s your signature natural hairstyle?

Natalie: I twist my hair into small sections at night using shea butter and then just let it out in the morning, so my hair looks curly. Halfway through the day, it just shrinks a bit.

AB: What response do you get from people about your loosened twists?

Natalie: I'm sometimes asked if it’s a weave, while others compliment me.

AB: You mentioned that you use shea butter in your hair. Tell us about that?

Natalie: It started when I went to The Gambia. I visited the market and they cut me a piece of the raw natural shea butter than can be used on your skin or hair.  My hair felt a lot more moisturised and healthier. It’s the best thing for my hair.

Natalie Barrett by Jason Grant

AB: What do you add to your shea butter mix?

Natalie: I use shea butter, mint and jojoba oil.

AB: If someone was really conflicted between going natural or carrying on using relaxers, what advice would you give them?

Natalie: They say that when you are pregnant you are not supposed to perm your hair. To me, that says the perm is doing something to your child. So it’s going into your body and affecting something. They also say it takes seven years for the perm to grow out of your hair, so don’t perm your hair. Don’t do it. If you have to weave it or put in extensions, do that, but don’t perm your hair.

AB: You are also an actress, how did you get started in the profession?

Natalie: I studied Media Production at university. That involved a lot of directing and script-writing. I enjoyed that but then I thought I really want to act. I’ve always loved acting since I was a child. Drama school was really expensive, so after university, I auditioned for a theatre production and to my surprise, I got the part and that’s where it all started for me.

AB: What’s been your meatiest role so far?

Natalie: On the scary comedy BBC2 show Psychoville. I was a nurse and I had to be funny. I normally play straight roles, so it was a challenge for me.

AB: It must be quite challenging moving from one genre to another. Do you have a preference?

Natalie: Being serious or dramatic is easy when acting, but being comedic is harder. That’s why I like those sort of roles and I’d like to do more.

AB: Is there any person, living or dead that you’d like to play in a movie biopic of their life?

Natalie: Either Oprah Winfrey or Angela Bassett.

Natalie Barrett's hair club is now live on www.nataliebarrett.com

Fashion at the 2011 Grammy Awards

The Grammys were held in Los Angeles last night and once again, the fashion did not disappoint.

Sticking with the music for a bit, some of the winners were:

Best Contemporary R&B Album – ‘Raymond V Raymond’, Usher
Best Rap Album – ‘Recovery’, Eminem,
Best R&B Album - 'Wake Up!', John Legend and the Roots
Best Rap Song - 'Empire State of Mind,' Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Best R&B Song - 'Shine,' John Legend and the Roots
Best Dance Song - 'Only Girl (In The World)', Rihanna
Best New Artist - Esperanza Spalding

Needless to say, Lady Gaga stole the show by arriving in a giant egg!

Lady Gaga arriving at the Grammys

Moving on, Rihanna must have friends in high places as she arrived in a John Paul Gaultier gown that was only on the catwalks of Paris last month! Nice. We also much prefer her new sleek hairstyle over the Sideshow Bob creation she had been sporting.

Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 11 Couture Show

For her on stage performance with Eminem, she wore a Christian Dior dress from his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.

Jennifer Lopez certainly made an entrance in an itsy bitsy Emilio Pucci minidress and Christian Louboutin studded heels.

The ever slimmer Jennifer Hudson in a Versace gown.

Nicki Minaj in a leopard print Givenchy Couture full catsuit and ‘how did it stay up all night?’ hairpiece.

Kim Kardashion (with gravity defying boobs) in a Kaufman Franco gown and nude Christian Louboutin courts.

Naya Rivera (from Glee) in a short at the front, long at the back gown.

Ciara in a long but actually not-much-material Emilio Pucci 2011 Spring Collection dress.

Glee’s Jenna Ushkowitz in a classic nude strapless dress with black overlay.

Janelle Monae in her signature angdrogynous style with Dolce & Gabbana black satin trousers, sequin blazer and white shirt.

Amber Riley in an unusual embellished strapless gown, with odd gold shoulder detailing.

Monica in an overpowering formal black gown.

Esperanza Spalding rocking a natural 'fro.













And last but not least, cheer up Faith!