Janelle Monáe is equally revered and criticized for her style of dress, which mainly consists of white and black tuxedos, suits and menswear-inspired blouses. She imagines the look to be an homage to blue-collar workers everywhere who are required to wear uniforms to work; the black and white menswear look is her “uniform” of sorts.
Vanity Fair took notice of Janelle’s distinct style, including her in its annual international roundup of the best-dressed “originals.”
Here’s a snippet from the article:
Janelle Monáe
OCCUPATION: “Mugician (musician and magician).” RESIDENCE: New Atlantis (Neon Valley Street). FAVORITE ITEM: “My black vintage six-way hat.” FAVORITE FASHION PURCHASE OF 2011: Black cashmere Chanel cape. FAVORITE SHOES: “My George Esquivel black-and-white classic Monáe oxford.” STYLE IDOLS: Cindi Mayweather, Karl Lagerfeld. CAUSE: “Bringing people together through art and music. Fighting against those who divide us—‘The Great Divide’—with my music, which is my weapon.”
While Janelle is certainly original in both her style and sound, critics are debating whether she deserves the best-dressed title. What do you think? Should Janelle Monae have made the list?
See a gallery of her looks below:
while she’s cute and talented,she always dresses the same so I don’t understand why she is part of that list
I mean…she is a black woman, who is young and beautiful, but chooses (on most occasions) to not wear 1) tons of (if any) color, 2) straight hair, 3) dresses, 4) skirts, 5) ornate jewelry, 6) anything revealing her chest/cleavage, 7) anything excessively fitted.
There is such beauty, complexity, defiance and individuality in her simplicity. I love it and most certainly think she’s deserving.
agreed!
beauty and style come in many forms and outfits.
I think that people turn a blind eye to her fashion style and lump it into categories such as “suit” and “black and white.” But if people truly paid attention to the cuts, styles and makes of her clothing and the grace and pizazz with which she dons them, it would be readily apparent why she made the list. Her threads are fierce!
THANK YOU!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself. Pay attention to the details, folks!
Of course she should. She has taken a basic ‘uniform’ and re-invented over and over again while remaining true to her personal mugician brand. she’s a musical and style genius.
She earned it simply by being herself and defining her own style. Shala Monroque also made the list, but I guess since she’s not a “celebrity” per se she doesn’t get a mention.
I cannot get over how beautiful this woman is. Head to toe, flawless. If not my style muse, definitely my swag-inspiration!