Simply Chic! Oh La La!

My first music Tee!

As anyone who knows me knows, I am a huge music lover. On my most recent trip to California I went to Venice Beach for the first time. While I was there I decided to look for a music tee. I wanted either Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin or Bob Marley. After a daunting search that appeared would be fruitless, the guy selling the tee's went into the back of his truck, opened a huge plastic bag, and pulled out the most perfect t-shirt I have ever had, and the bonus is that it had a great image of Hendrix on it. It is navy, cropped little sleeves, close fitted and long. I have to say I feel hot in it. So here is one of my California finds. I love when you find that perfect item you were looking for.

Where's Lisa?

I loved Lisa Bonet growing up and I still do now. She was my favorite on the Cosby Show. As a child, she represented what a cool teenager was. I aspired to be like her, to emulate her daring fashion sense, gorgeous free-spirited vibe. She was pretty, outspoken, artsy and unique without trying too hard. I recently realized that my 10 year love affair (in my mind of course), with Lenny Kravitz, was directly related to my love for Lisa (if she choose him he must be hot!).

Lisa Bonet (a Scorpio) was born in San Francisco. Her mother is Jewish and father black. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mom allowed her to begin acting. In the 80's Lisa landed the coveted role of Denise Huxtable on the legendary Cosby Show, and went on to become one of the most popular young actresses of the 80's.

During her hey day on the Cosby show, Lisa met a young handsome struggling musician by the name of Romeo Blue (Lenny Kravitz). The two instantly fell in love, attracted by their mutual backgrounds (Jewish and Black, Bohemian/rock/Afrocentric aesthetics, they even had the same initial L). Their romance caused a media frenzy, bringing Lenny into the spotlight (even though his parents were both Famous in the 70's early 80's) and presenting Bonet in the new light of wild child.   The two went on to have a baby girl named Zoe, followed by musical collaborations on Lenny's first album and then a divorce after five years, plagued by media scrutiny and rumors surrounding Lenny's fidelity.

One of her most controversial moves was her role in Angel heart (1987) a highly erotic and dark film which included very racy nude (and sex) scenes that left many shocked, consequently shattering (purposely on her part) her sweet innocent image. Of course this new image went against everything the Cosby show represented and her days as Denise were numbered.

Lisa eventually left the Cosby show to star in A Different World, a sitcom that followed Denise into her college life. But Lisa's wild ways quickly ended her role on that show also. The show continued without her, and became a hit.  During the 90's Lisa drew further and further away from the Hollywood scene, preferring to explore life and art void of the fickleness of L.A.  Refusing to take part in Cosby show reunions and keeping a low profile (as ex-husbands Lenny Kravitz's fame rose). She changed her name to Lilakoi Moon, married a yoga instructor and had a second daughter. She did continue to act in the 90's but in few high profile roles, except for her role as Will Smith's girlfriend in, Enemy Of The State.

Lisa's style has always been eclectic you can see it on the Cosby show. She went from adorable brace-face teen, to a easy boyish style, complete with a short hair cut, old-man caps, and over-sized vests. Then she morphed into curly haired wild child chic (during her Lenny phase) evolving into locks (dread locks), and a more serious (conscious) image on the show. As of now I don't know exactly what her current image manifestation looks like. But the last I've seen of her she had locks, and exuded a healthy yoga inspired existence.

Currently I've been mulling over a film where Lisa would play a big role. One day when I'm a huge writer I will write her into as many projects as I can. I don't know where she is right now but Lisa B. still rules!

Kate Moss...

I don't know when it started but I have recently developed a fascination with Kate Moss.  Particularly her personal style, and her tremendous influence on fashion and fashionista's alike. Everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to Karl Lagerfeld, site Moss as one of their fashion icons and muses, respectively.

We all know the story; Kate was discovered at 14 in an airport, by Sarah Doukas (of Storm Model agency), returning from a family vacation.  She went on to do unremarkable shoots for teen magazines until she was discovered yet again,  and became the Face of Calvin Klein.  Though she was shorter then the average model, she fit perfectly with (the also less then tall) Mark Wahlberg, who was the star of many of the ads. Kate went on to beguile the fashion world.

Moss is credited or should I say blamed with waving in the heroine chic look, making the UGG boot a staple in many closets, and making the love for vintage every fashionista's mantra. She is a muse for W magazine, appearing 15 times. Google Kate and you will read article after article, literally worshiping at the shrine that is Ms. Moss.  Ironically many articles talk about her not being the most beautiful girl, though she is blessed with stunning features, most notably those cheek bones and waif body (even after having a baby), but rather that she is a chameleon, transforming herself from little girl, to bad ass sexpot, from ice princess to bohemian rock star chic. She is also more then a pretty face, very complicated and even more fascinating.

One of the things that intrigue me besides her beauty, is that she seems to be brave enough to live life on her own terms. She does not seem like one of these models or actresses or rock stars preening for attention at all times. She's private, wild, serious and real.  She owns her sexuality and is not afraid of expressing different sides of herself (you can see this in her incredible pictures), compared to those like Lindsay Lohan who make a big effort at looking complicated and mysterious, when it is obvious they are neither.

It appears that long after most supermodels fade into the sunset Kate will remain. She has evolved from supermodel to fashion Icon, with her latest scandals catapulting her from famous model (little known actress) to an it girl all over again.

Bianca Jagger, Fashion icon & Human Rights Advocate

Bianca Jagger woman of beauty and substance.

I remember the first time I saw a photo of Bianca Jagger, she was sitting with Andy Warhol, smiling at someone off camera. I noticed two things immediately, her stunning cheekbones and the slinky Halston dress she wore (with a dramatic slit right up her thigh). She was and remains one of the most stunningly gorgeous and chic women I have ever seen.

Bianca and Mick Jagger were married in 1971, (she was his first wife. The pair remained married for eight years), their daughter is model Jade Jagger. Bianca J. is one of the most recognized and emulated jet setting fashion icons of the 70’s. Her stunning dark good looks stood out in the crowd of beauties and her fearless fashion sense oozed sexuality and originality.

Born in Nicaragua to an affluent family, her father was a businessman and her mother a housewife; Bianca spent her first ten years of life enjoying the luxuries that wealth and privilege afforded. But life as she knew it drastically changed after her parent’s divorce. Bianca’s mother (never having a profession prior) now found herself raising three children and entering a workforce plagued by bigotry towards divorced women. Bianca credits her mother and the struggles they endured for her political conscience and life long activism (for social change throughout the world).

During her youth she actively took part in protests and won a scholarship to a Paris university, where she went on to earn a political science degree. Citing her mother’s struggles as one of her motivations to become independent and have a voice in the world.

“I was avid to learn, to discover a new world, a new culture and wanted to escape the narrow perceptions of the women of the Nicaragua of the 1960s…My mother was turned into something less than a person by that very repressive Catholic society...I didn't want to face my mother's fate, to be discriminated against because of my gender and status. I promised myself I was never going to be treated as a second-class citizen”.

Bianca continued her activism throughout her marriage to Mick Jagger. After an earth quake devastated Nicaragua, Bianca quickly realized that the much needed U.S. aid arriving to Nicaragua was not going to those that needed it most, rather the government distributed the aid amongst itself and its supporters. Bianca urged the Rolling Stones to do a benefit concert (which they did), the proceeds went directly to the true victims of the earth quake. Her refusal to hand over the money to the government (in fear that they would misuse the funds) made her unable to safely return to Nicaragua for many years.

“I will say that I am closer to a European viewpoint of the world than an American one. I mean, my ethics and ideals are based on European concepts. At the same time my links to Latin America and the developing world are very strong. My umbilical cord was never cut. I feel great identification with the developing world”.

Bianca Jagger enjoyed many iconic moments, on her wedding day she wore a plunging neckline and see-through blouse, on her 30th birthday she made a grand entrance at Studio 54 on a white horse. Halston is famously quoted as saying, "You are only as good as the people you dress", Bianca was one of those people, she was also a friend and muse of Halston's. She also enjoyed a close friendship with icon Andy Warhol until his death.

Bianca Jagger continues campaigning for environmental and women's rights, she's performed the role of Goodwill Ambassador, and has been very vocal against the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Written by Chaka V.

Copyright © 2005-2006 chicreid.com.

The demons of Lady Day: Billy Holiday

Before 90’s rock stars became famous for destroying hotel rooms, drug addictions, and infamous love affairs, there was Billy Holiday.

Billy Holiday is one of the most famous and  intriguing jazz singers in history. Ironically during her life she was rarely seen in magazines and on television due to her ethnicity. She was a stunning talented woman with a troublesome past, infamous reputation and turbulent life.

Billy Holiday, born to a 13-year old mother, learned how tough life could be from the very beginning. Raped at 10, blamed for being too tempting, and punished by being sent to a reform school for girls, Billy quickly understood that she had no one to depend on but herself.

At the age of 14 she ran away for the reform school and began running errands for a local brothel. But destiny called and her legendary talent soon began to unfold. In the late twenties Billy Holiday came on the scene singing in obscure Harlem nightclubs, quickly garnering attention for her beautiful expressive voice and captivating stage presence. Her fame had reached enormous heights by the late 1930’s. 

The original bad girl of jazz, though never formally trained in music, could take a simple song add her own diction, tone, and intensity and transform it into a classic, never sang the same way before or since. Though segregated clubs, and an enormous amount of racism plagued her life, (as with many black artist of that day), Holiday’s reputation and allure grew along with her audiences. The  disturbing and haunting song, “Strange Fruit,” sparked controversy and acclaim and became one of the most memorable songs ever sang by Billy Holiday.

Photo taken by legendary Herman Leonard 

Known for her stunning beauty and a simple white gardenia tucked behind her ear, Holiday eventually nick named “Lady Day” embraced scandal. Unfortunately she was never able to break free from her demons. By time the 50’s came alcohol and drugs had ravaged her voice. Ironically some of her most goose bump raising performances took place during that time as she sang songs now irrevocably stamped with her scandalous and painful life experiences, songs that unfortunately needed to be lived before it could truly be sang.

Billy Holiday died at the age of 44. Today, over 40 years later, (the same mount of years that she lived), anyone who knows music, knows Billy Holiday. Her work has been released, reissued and re-song countless times. Legendary artists to follow, such as Janis Joplin, Diana Ross and others credited Holiday as one of their music idols. Biographies, movies and websites all provide information to the millions of die hard Billy Holiday fans around the world. Once quoted as saying, "I'm always making a comeback but nobody ever tells me where I've been," for countless fans, many born years after her death, Billy Holiday lives.

Bio written by Chaka V. Reid  published in Excalibur Publications