Alek Wek graces the cover of Elle South Africa’s 14th Anniversary Issue....

Whilst many of us are celebrating this ‘happy’ cover –others are asking, ‘do black covers sell?’ What I want to know, -really want to know is –‘do white woman buy ‘black covers?’. I feel that many publishers will be surprised to find -many of our white sisters are more than happy to buy glossies with black models/celebrities on. And thus -the debate ensues. -Are there fewer black covers because they don’t sell/the public don’t buy them or are there other issues involved?

I was asked this question by a third year fashion student [doing her dissertation] last week and I decided to get deep. I believe that whilst black women [and men] are seen as: less aspirational, with less disposable income, less fashionable, lacking class, ghetto, uglier etc –there will always be less ‘black covers’. And then she made an excellent point about our first lady Michelle Obama –and her many ‘covers’ –and she concluded, -most ‘black covers’ feature black role models -and [maybe] if we in England had more ‘black female role models’ then there will be more ‘black covers’ etc. –And I agree to a point, because whilst we are blessed in the UK with numerous black female role models [we have politicians, actors, entrepreneurs, models etc], -glossies like British Vogue, -will never put a role model like Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South [who is young and beautiful] on their cover because she is not seen as fashionable.

Fashion is first most –aspirational! It celebrates the uber stylish woman etc –and the ‘real’ truth is, –most mainstream fashion magazines don’t know [a lot of] stylish black women. Of cause there are other [political] issues but I’m optimistic and believe that things will change; –just look at American Vogue, –there’s always [at least] one fabulous black sister -in each issue. What do you think ladies, –do ‘black covers’ sell

Fashion et al Hearts Alek Wek

One of the most inspirational models of ‘our’ time, Alek Wek’s epic rise in the touchy world of fashion helped to break down barriers –and made the beauty industry sit-up and take note. As for her style, [personally] I’ve never seen a photo of Ms Wek off duty –and not been blown away by her beauty [that winning smile], that incredible body, the elegant way she carries herself -and her refusal bow down to [certain] pressures like: bleaching her skin, or adding hair extensions or ‘doing’ her nose etc [because it kind of hard to think of black models who haven’t had their noses 'done'].

Alek’s [innate] style is timeless, chic and classic. Off duty -she's laidback in t-shirt/classic white shirt and jeans combo -but the red carpet is where you find Alek without equal –at her very best, –in elegantly sexy va va voom statement dresses! I’m also a big fan of her headscarves [I rock them too].....x

Words of Wisdom: Alek Wek.......

"I have no problem with whatever the next big look is. Just don't try and tell me that only one look is beautiful." Alek Wek

*Isn't Alek beautiful?

BLACK FASHIONISTAS DO THE DUCHESS

“A woman can't be too rich or too thin” Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
“All my friends know that I'd rather shop than eat” Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor



























YSL A/W 2009





What do Zadie Smith, Cecile de Massey, Desiree Rogers, Susan Fales-Hill, Rachel Roy, Bonnie Morrison, Alek Wek and Genevieve Jones -have in common? Wallis Simpson.
I am often asked about style; -who has it and who doesn’t –and my answer is always the same, -there are people [around the world], who wake up and ‘just are'. Rich or poor, black, white or yellow, small or big: -their sense of style is innate. It’s about their knowledge and sense of ‘Self', -about celebrating their ‘individual thing’ –without fear. Possessing a style that is very much their own –they have nothing to prove, –and lacks nothing [not even the lack of finances can diminish their style].

I truly believe that Style is about celebrating yourself.....-or as Coco Chanel said –"it’s about refusal" and saying no -to the mediocre. Style has soo many components -and this is why I love writing about it.

When I think of style; -there are a few names that always 'spring-to-mind', -a few who have stood the test of time, -and even though I too love the usual suspects [Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn etc], -personally, I love Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor -she is my Numero Uno. Others include: Bjork [she laid an egg on the Red Carpet, who can top that?], Billie Holiday in that black dress –with white gardenias in her hair, Mona Williams [who later became Mona von Bismarck] in that gold lame dress, Elsa Schiaparelli in that exquisite LBD, with five strands of pearls and a white turban, Ebony Bones [so out there, so outside the box], the exquisite Liya Kabede, the late fabulous -Carolyn Bassette Kennedy, Adrienne Fidelin, Tahita Bulmer [New Young Pony Club], the late Alice Coltrane [ Composer] in a caftan [with a badass afro] -and off cause the uber hot Genevieve Jones –and many, many more.

Wallis Simpson –of the, "You can’t be too rich or too thin” fame -always fascinates me. Her waspish appearance was way before it’s time. The dark hair, the pale ‘flawless’ skin and off cause the red lipstick –neat beyond measure. There was nothing desperate or wanting about Wallis’ style. The neat silhouette, the turbans, the bold jewellery, the little waist and the LBD’s -the Duchess is as relevant now –as she was then. Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor is the next big thing.......xx

Fashion: Alek Wek in I-D Magazine

Alek looks hot. I just Love the styling.....(Credit: I-D Magazine -March 2009 Issue)