Quote Of The Day.

"Always give without remembering, and always receive without forgetting." -Brian Tracy

Life Notes.

Nail Art.

From a vast array of colors, press on foils and art, there seems to be an endless and growing range of choices for your mani-pedi. I discovered this nail art from London on Tumblr, if you live or are visiting the UK you're in luck!

Check out: The Illustrated Nail


You can also shop nail foils via Nail Couture LA, discovered from my friend and Beauty Consultant Shawanna Davis: Here

Life Notes.

Art and Fashion. Nicholas Kirkwood and Keith Haring

Must see the incredible full collection: HERE

Classic Style.

Designer Patrick Kelly, Iman, Grace Jones, Naomi Campbell in the 80's.

I love the energy and joy in this photo.


Via: vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com <- One of my favorite blogs, full of classic images and history.

Thought Of The Day.

People will always have opinions about what you choose to do in life. It's OK to listen and be open but no matter what other's may think; everyone must choose what feels right, it's an individual choice. There is no one size fits all, and it's impossible to please everyone -  who wants to anyway? Understand there will always be those quick to criticize change or anything they don't understand. Some get into a comfort zone and stay there - if that feels right for you, cool - but don't expect other's to do and be the same. In music it seems the majority of fans would prefer an artist to find a way to do the same thing over and over in a different way. This idea has always been difficult for me..it's just not who I am and it can be frustrating because you constantly encounter those who want you to be what you were - back then (whenever that 'then' is for them). I've never been afraid to be myself or risk alienation from those who's comfort zone I didn't feed enough through my various artistic incarnations to date.

As a parent, we have to also give our children the tools of guidance confidence and encouragement to create and walk their own paths, as we would ourselves.


As long as you are walking in a positive direction - we all must live authentically and in our own time, place and destination, giving our wings the opportunity to flourish and grow into better people, artists, employees, family members, spouses, etc.  Look how far you've come - not where you've yet to go - you're on your way.

Celebrate yourself today and keep on steppin'!

Quote from David Viscott:

"This is my journey. This is my life. I create the road as I walk."




Photo Via: favim

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