In Tadashi Shoj at the 2015 CFDA Awards Red Carpet
Janelle Monae is the queen of black and white and today’s post features some of her best looks and likely it will only take a few shots for you to see why she is my latest Style Icon! You’ve got to love someone who’s job description includes six words, all of which she actually is; singer, song writer, rapper, producer, actor, and model.
Over the years she has worn many different designers but favors Japanese fashion designer Tadashi Shoji. You can see some of his gorgeous pieces below and I love all of the different up-dos and ways Janelle styles her hair. While she was a popular recording artist first (she has eight Grammy Award nominations) I was first introduced to her in the 2016 film Hidden Figures where she played NASA engineer Mary Jackson and she was terrific in it. As I mentioned, she favors black and white designs, and here are some of my top picks over the past decade:
Wearing Jenny Packham at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala
At the 48th NAACP Image Awards in a beaded Ashi Studio Couture gown
In Chanel at the Chanel Cruise 2015 Collection in Dubai
At the 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards wearing a Nicci Hou harlequin-print ball gown
At the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards in a Salvatore Ferragamo
In Barbara Bui at the 10th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Event
At the 89th Annual Academy Awards in an Ellie Saab Couture Beaded Gown
And then every once in a while she bucks the black and white trend and turns to red – whether that is just a pop or head to toe look. She has done this on the red carpet, at after parties, and for red carpets – here are a few of my favorites!
In a red pantsuit at GQ and Giorgio Armani Grammys After Party
In an ensemble by Tadashi Shoji at the 2014 Met Gala
At the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party wearing a red Christian Siriano pantsuit
Overall, she looks great in black and white. And red. And I am sure anything else she chooses to wear. In my book she has had a few misses (like the 2019 MEt GAla) but overall, so chic, and I can not wait to see what she wears on the next red carpet post-COVID
What do you think of her style?
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Hilary says
She has such gorgeous skin and she radiates her beauty from every pore.
This dress At the 89th Annual Academy Awards in an Ellie Saab Couture Beaded Gown is so whimsical and fun. I would have felt like a princess in this dress. By far my favorite look on her.
Terrie says
I like her style and feel like she really knows who she is as a person and what she wants to portray to the world. I would kill for a few of those outfits. So glamorous some of them are.
Sabrina says
Her stylist is spot on.
She makes her look fierce and confident in those powerful outfits.
pauline says
She does have such a powerful look and attitude. She is a great role model An inspiration to so many young actresses. She is really true to herself.