Thought Of The Day.

Jody Watley Individual Style Spotlight | Azzedine Alaia and The Business of Fashion

In Azzedine Alaia. Vintage | 1983. London, England

Azzedine Alaia is another designer I started wearing back in the early 80's while living in London. Other early supporters were his muse supermodel Naomi Campbell and the inimitable Grace Jones. His body clinging dresses were must haves as well as the terrific sculptured jackets (One of my favorite vintage pieces is a butter soft Alaia leather coat worn in my "I'm The One You Need" video in 92) and suits with precision detail. Over the years he produced less work and his flagship stores closed. After the tragic death of his sister in the 90's Alaia seemed to disappear from the industry.

I find parallels in his philosophies with regard to not wanting 'crank out' merchandise at frenetic paces, choosing to focus instead on quality at one's own self designed pace and to make a choice with regard to what area of an industry you feel most passionate. In many ways, the music industry is the same. Artists have a choice on which path they choose as to which part of the game to work and what path (s) to take; there is no one size fits all. He presents collections only when he feels he has something to show to small gatherings and private clientele, and has always worked on his own time frame. This approach may not bring in the mega bucks but there's something to be said for this type of individual style and approach in such a competitive and lucrative Industry; where handbags and signature perfumes are where the real money appears to be.

Read the Article from Business of Fashion: HERE

Nature's Beauty. Bountiful Summer Fruits and Vegetables

When you look at your plate how vibrant are the colors? Greens, Red, Blues, Orange, Yellow and so on represent natural antioxidants and vitamins beneficial to your health on a daily basis. I think it's a lifestyle choice to consider year 'round; making sure your plate looks a bit like a crayon box with a range of hue options.

During the summer one of my favorite's is roasted corn with a dash of sea salt, fresh lime juice and a sprinkling of butter (though it's not really needed).

Eat fresh!

Thought Of The Day.

Gifts You Give Yourself.

Are you burdened by your consequences, or is your life blessed by the consequences you create? That depends entirely on the choices you make.

It may seem at times that the consequences are there to punish you. Actually, they’re there as a manifestation of your thoughts, your actions and your attitude.

You cannot change the consequences that surely flow from specific actions. However, you can indeed change the actions you choose to take, and by doing so you can decide which consequences you create.

Consequences are gifts you give to yourself, created by the choices you make. If you don’t like the consequences you’ve been getting, that’s a clear and valuable message you’re sending yourself.

Positive, authentic, meaningful thoughts and actions bring desirable consequences. As reliably as day follows night, the way you live creates the life you experience.

Take control of your consequences by putting positive intention into your choices. Make use of the power you have, and you can go wherever you choose. - Ralph Marston

Music Notes. Honeyroot

I heard this song while in Japan last year getting sunrise morning coffee at a Starbucks and asked what they were playing (I went to iTunes as soon as I returned to my hotel room) I play it often because it has good vibes to me - music can touch you wherever you are in the world, if you're open to it.

For The Shoe Lover In You. Chloe

I prefer heels, but I adore these Chloe flats. Tres Chic!

Thought Of The Day.

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life." - Elizabeth Gilbert

Classic Retro| Jody Watley. Jean Paul Gaultier

In London. Candid 1984 in Jean Paul Gaultier Cone Bra. 

Cover Art (Japanese Edition) 1988 In Gaultier.

I discovered the designs of a few favorites such as Jean Paul Gaultier while living in London in 1983, post Shalamar. One of my first pieces was his velvet cone bra. I bought the smaller orange version and also the larger more extreme cone shape in Burgundy, though I never wore it - it didn't suit my personality. Madonna would later make the more extreme shape famous in the 90's.

I wore this  unique creation on my UK 12" Promo single video "Where The Boys Are" written with former Buggles member Bruce Wooley and produced by Gary Langan, Anne Dudley and JJ Jeczalik who went on to be  "Art of Noise.

On the rare UK promo "Girls Night Out", I'm wearing wearing an early version of his corset dress.







When I moved back to America in 1986 and signed to MCA I pulled it out of my UK style stash for the cover art and video for "Don't You Want Me", knowing fans in America would not have seen me in it due to the UK release being so obscure. My UK label didn't know how to market me and shelved the project, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The great thing was being able to experiment with a new look and Identity for my solo career. I knew I didn't want to fit in the stereotypical box of black artists. I'm still happy with this song and video - peacock feather shaped hair and all. The hat is by Stephen Jones whose work with Gaultier also caught my eye.





The Gaultier Museum Retrospective reminded me of my own love and support of his designs through the years.

You can see me in Gaultier in my video for "Still a Thrill" filmed in Paris, France at The Opera House rocking a Black fishnet top dress with leather bra underneath (also Gaultier) and wool bubble bottom dancing in rotunda with Tyrone Procter..as well as the end scene in red Gaultier dress when the video goes from black and white to color.





I will have to share a post of the journey of my quest of Gaultier couture for my video "Friends" in 1989, it was quite an adventure.



The media and most people credit Madonna for wearing Jean Paul Gaultier, and while she is definitely better at Marketing than I and her PR team perhaps more adept at getting that message across. Traditionally in the music business it's no secret white artists have taken cues from black artist (cue Elvis and my godfather Jackie Wilson and so many others over the years). Madonna definitely took things to another level, and certainly never had the baggage and politics of 'You need to be m more black, more urban, more ghetto, more street.." amongst issues I had to deal with at the time - as a cutting edge woman in music - who happens to be black. We are BOTH trendsetters. To be clear it isn't just about Gaultier, rather about raising the bar for individuality and style. Grace Jones is another unsung artist and someone who inspired me.

I was already rocking his designs and a major supporter of his work before Gaultier was really known to the mainstream fashion world, that's no shade because I respect and like Madonna very much - we even had the same manager at one time early in my career; people in the office said I was the only one she was nice to.

In Jean Paul-Gaultier Tartan Vest, Jewelry and Scarves worked as a head-wrap.

In Gaultier studded sleeved jacket paired with bustier and leggings performing "Don't you Want Me" "LIVE"

Photo's Jody Watley (c) All Rights Reserved.

Art and Fashion.

Quote Of The Day.

"I carry myself the way I do because I am royalty within myself." - Iman

Jean Paul Gaultier Restrospective

"The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to The Catwalk" Retrospective  is currently on display in Montreal's Museum of Fine Art. The collection of 100 pieces will move to Dallas and then on to San Francisco's opulent de Young Museum. Everyone I know who has seen the McQueen Exhibition in New York has raved about it with lines running hours long to get in. No doubt the other side of creativity and vision from Gaultier will also not disappoint. I hope both make it to Los Angeles.

Read More: Here

Jody Watley Individual Style Spotlight. Rahsaan Patterson

I love that Rahsaan chose this piece of art to represent his state of 'Bleuphoria". His vision to go beyond the standard fare of male vocalists featuring a suit, tie and designer glasses is inspired. He chose to have a piece of art commissioned by Arte Da Saudade reflective more of his spirit than choice of fashion. That's what I call individual style!


Rahsaan Patterson's 'Bleuphoria' due to be released on July 19 is not to be missed. in my view this is his best most diverse musical art.  I came to join a stellar cast of guest vocalists including Faith Evans, Lalah Hathaway and more chatting with Rahsaan via Twitter in a purely spontaneous moment - a benefit of realtime social media.

Read Here: Bleuphoria

Thought of the Day.

I snapped this photo while in New York on my way to get coffee.



Photo: Jody Watley

Quote Of The Day.

"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies and eaten alive." - Audre Lorde

Versace for H&M

Versace for H&M sounds fabulous. Just hearing "Of course we'll have leather, studs. Rock and Roll," roll off the tongue of Ms. Donatella Versace is worth watching the short announcement. No doubt the hardcore fashionista's will be in line, overzealous and snapping up every item in sight before the rest of us mortals even get a chance to have a look once it hits stores.  I've never had luck with any of these limited edition designer offerings at H&M. I blogged previously of my last hilarious attempt with Lanvin for H&M.

Quote Of The Day.

"A successful life is lived through understanding and pursuing one's own path, not chasing the dreams of other's." - Chin-Ning Chu

Beauty. Eylure Double Lashes

I made one of my frequent visits to the beauty supply yesterday. I'm a longtime products fiend; moisturizers, creams, exfoliates, hair and bath products, candles, along with everything in between. My favorite fellow aficionado and beauty expert Shawanna Davis in Los Angeles gave me these lashes to try out at the store. I've received so many terrific samples over the years from the store.
Anyone who rocks false eyelashes and goes for the full effect knows you generally have to add a second pair to get the most dramatic finish in accentuating your eyes.

EyLure has a product that eliminates that step. Their lashes come doubled. I love them already.

Nature's Beauty. Tips For Storing Your Fresh Fruit

I'd like to share this informational post about how to properly store fresh fruit. There's no doubt we inevitably have questions whether to leave at room temperature on the kitchen counter, or to refrigerate.

Read more: Here

Thought Of The Day.

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will and not refuse to do something that I can do." - Helen Keller

50 and Fabulous. 3 Quick Energy Boosting Tips.

Learning to deal with hormonal changes is a natural process but a struggle for millions of women. It's all in your attitude when it comes to making lifestyle changes to adjust. I look at it as a form of adult puberty and a new beginning. Rather than complaining embrace it with positive energy.

Here are 3 quick tips to pick up your energy:

1. Stay active
Exercise, jump rope, walk, dance
2. Stretch
There are various stretching exercises big and small to incorporate into your
daily life regardless of if you're sitting at a desk or computer at the office or home. Loosen up your neck, shoulders, legs, ankles, back and so on.
3. Laugh
Try not to take everything so seriously. Doing so weighs you down. Lighten up!