Lux In Lanvin.

J'adore, I could totally rock this!

On My Holiday Wish List. Coco Rocha for Senhoa Sophorn

Dear Santa,

I'd like this chain necklace from Coco Rocha for Senhoa Sophorn seen at one of my favorite style sites The Zoe report. Please and Thank You!

Photo: (Via) The Zoe Report: Here

Jody Watley Fashion Theorum

'Larger Than Life' (name of my second solo album) - means for me to live life to it's fullest and beyond what you think your potential is, what you or others may think is possible - or can be. You never know unless you try and DO!

I'm a free style girl, always have been always will be. Individuality and fearlessness from the inside out is something I've always tried to convey as well. Knowing what works best for yourself and owning that - is style to me.
Be the best you - everyone else is already taken!

Video Montage, Courtesy of Ray Easmon
London, England

For The Shoe Lover In You.

Charlotte Olympia Ostrich Wedge.

Jody Watley. Japan Concert Tour Highlights 2011

A montage of highlights and favorite moments from the Jody Watley summer concert tour in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan at Billboard Live. I love playing this venue so much.


The summers concerts incorporated a lot of 'waacking'; a style of dance that I started doing as a teenager. I previewed 3 new songs from my work in progress "Chameleon" project. It made sense to spotlight the dance because the new music is partially influenced by disco, funk and electro. There's a scene in the video where the stage is full of people waacking, one of which is Cleveland Moses Jr. who has lived in Osaka for decades, we used to be in a dance group called "The Outrageous Waack Dancers". We were profiled in Ebony Magazine in an issue called "The New Generation" back in 1978. Read the article: Here

'Waacking' has a growing international following of young people who have discovered and embraced the freestyle dance. While I was in Japan, my drummer Donnell Spencer Jr. who'd just returned from China presented me with video footage of some teenagers there who upon learning he worked with me filmed a special message for me and then proceeded to 'waack' to my classic video "Still A Thrill".

Individual Style. Arise Fashion Show Spring 2012

I love the varying degrees of individual style captured in this slide show by photographer Gregory Chris. Attendees made their own unique statements at Arise Magazine's Spring 2012 Fashion show featuring 7 Young designers from Africa at the conclusion New York's Fashion Week. 

Read the full article and learn more about the featured designers: Here

Beauty. Individual Nail Style

Photo's:
Top - (via) Jody Watley, Mac Cosmetics Artist, Shibuya, Japan
Bottom - (via) Yass 'FrostyJam' Imperial House of Waacking, Tokyo, Japan

Individual Style. Miki House Japan

Photographed in Osaka. Miki House Japan

Seeing this shoe display made me reminisce of when my son and daughter were little. Japan has the best children's clothes; so stylish and fun. I must say the clothes are always age appropriate as well.

I know I spent a small fortune there when my children were little, to see the joy was always worth it.

Classic Style. Ashford & Simpson

Beyond writing so many classic songs for themselves and so many others from Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, and more - Ashford & Simpson always gave you fashion and complimented each other well in music, love, life and style. I discovered designer Norma Kamali from Ashford & Simpson back in the late 70s when I was in the group Shalamar, as well as Charles Jourdan shoes. Onstage, Nick had so much charisma right along with Valerie. They were truly a dynamic duo and remained stylish through the years.

I had the pleasure of being a guest on their radio show several years ago and we shared great conversation. 

Nick encouraged me to go back to singing in my 'money tone', we all had a laugh about it. Both appreciated my exploration and broadening of my music and choosing to sing more in the warmer register of my range - but I totally understood and appreciated the reminder from him.

RIP Nick Ashford. My thoughts and prayers are with Valerie Simpson, their daughters, family and friends during this difficult time.

Photos (via) bsimagearchive.com

Denim Style and Textile Innovation. "The Commuter" by Levi's

The technology involved with Levi's new 'Commuter' style is terrific, they look great and this is a cool ad. However, the male model really caught my eye!

Art and Fashion. Nicholas Kirkwood and Keith Haring

Must see the incredible full collection: HERE

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.

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

Classic Retro| Jody Watley Vintage 1989.

Photographer Victoria Pearson and I came across the Jeep "Hot Chocolate" while on location in downtown Los Angeles shooting photo's for my tour book. I didn't want the tour book to be a standard artist's tour book. The idea was for the book to be more like a fashion magazine. We seized the moment and set up the shot in minutes.

I'm wearing Jean Paul Gaultier (including the bangles), and bronze stiletto mules from Frederick's of Hollywood. I became a fan of Gaultier and began wearing his designs in 1984 while I lived in London. As with all of my imaging, there was never a stylist - just me wanting to reflect my own style and sense of self.

I've always loved knowing what I want to do, though remaining open for spontaneous moments like this.

ARISE Magazine Fashion Week. Chichia London.

Loving the collection and the music. I can see mixing and matching many of these separates.

Individual Style.

One of the things I love about the kids in Japan is that they really don't dress to trend, they dress in a way that is more about personal expression and what makes them happy or comfortable. No one bats an eyelash no matter how extreme or colorful an outfit might be. I love the individuality.



Photos: Jody Watley

Spring and Summer Must Have. The Maxi Dress

The maxi dress is always a staple in my wardrobe. You really can't go wrong regardless of whether it's a solid color or print. Adding bold jewelry and a great pair of sandals adds extra flair for your individual style statement and  effortless chic.

Individual Style.

Be bold. Develop your own style and have fun with it!

Style Radar. Bold Jewelry. Dana Lorenz / Fenton Fallon

Fenton: View The Collection

Micro Spike Ring

Click Here to View The Fallon Collection

Micro Spike Earrings. 

'Fenton Fallon' from jewelry designer Dana Lorenz. Yes, please!