Singer Jody Watley's Thoughts on being included in Italian Vogue July 2008
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Artist:
As a youngster, I was fortunate to have positive and beautiful images of black women to look up to in the entertinment industry such as Cicely Tyson, Iman, Bern Nadette Stanis (she played Thelma on Good Times), model Karen Alexander and of course Jody Watley. (My Mom though is #1 in my heart of my vision of beauty for she is my MOMMIE!)
Everyone looks up to someone when growing up regardless of your culture and this is why it is important to have not only black models but models of different ethnicities throughout the fashion industry. I would love to see more women of the rich cultural ancestries represented in ads in fashion magazines but instead of me complaining I took control of how I feel about these images and I do not read these magazines or subscribe to them.
How do I find out about fashion? From what I see in the stores that is what I know about what is *in season* that year but I do not rely on magazines or the media to dictate what I should be wearing. I keep my style classic.
Jody Watley's music from Shalamar and her going solo in the 1980s filled my days with optimism and happiness. In addition to feeling her visual regalness and beauty, her spirit captivated me into loving myself as a black child. I could say to others that Jody Watley is one of my she-ro's because she has the full package to me of grace, elegance and refinement.
Reading Jody Watley's recent blog post of being included in the recent issue of Italian Vogue spoke to me in a variety of ways but it is best for you to read it and see how she feels about being included in this historic issue (I understand her completely considering my age for I am 34):
Jody Watley - On Being included in the Historic Issue of Italian Vogue
If you are not familiar with Jody by name her videos may ring a bell:
Jody Watley - Real Love
One of my all time favorite songs is "A Night to Remember"
Shalamar - A Night to Remember
More information from other perspectives why the July 2008 Italian Vogue is historic:
Italian Vogue Shows Black Models Only
Italian Issue of Vogue Salutes Black Models
Slide Show from the Italian Issue of Vogue
Please add her as a friend on myspace if you are on the website:
Ms. Watley, please join MOG!!
Comments (6)
I saw a bunch of images from the black issue of Vogue Italia.... Toccarra Jones looks freakin awesome
I am largely unfamiliar with Ms Watley's music, I'm not much of a dancer. I have been banned from attempting to dance in three states and two of the Virgin Islands. But hey.... good post.
@MrFrost - ooh I need to get the magazine. I need to order it. Toccarra Jones has unbelievable body that can make any female jealous if they are not well endowed! 8)
@deadmandeadman -YOU HAVE been banned? No way. That is not fair. I would not ban you even though I am classically trained in ballet! This is why I am very open minded to different styles of dance.
Ms. Watley was HOT in the 1970s and 1980s but I was unfamiliar that she had released some albums in the 1990s which I am ordering today. I was so consumed with college and graduate school that I never knew what was going on in my music world at times! I will make some more posts about her music on MOG! 8)
Thanks for turning me onto the song "A Night to Remember." It's great.
@spike! - wow, this is your first time hearing the song! Classic jam from back in the day! I heard it a lot on the local radio stations in Washington, DC. You may be interested in the group Shalamar for other cool grooves. Shalamar | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews
Their music is ingrained into my soul because that was what I heard so much on shows like Solid Gold, Soul Train and where ever I could SHAKE my bootay!
The lady in that link is NOT Jody Watley in fact the song does not sound the same without Jody Watley. I need to do my research and work on a post on the group. But, Jody's voice is distinct in the Shalamar group.
I'll check those out. Thank you.