So the Bad Boy reunion concert is going down this Friday and Saturday at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn (need ideas for what to wear? Click here). In celebration of the record label’s reunion, we thought we’d take a look back at some of its artists most iconic fashion moments.
Helmed by impresario Sean Puffy Combs, Bad Boy artists took notes from their leader, espousing a flashy, in your face, and swaggerific aesthetic. Behind many of the label’s red carpet and video looks were visionaries June Ambrose and Misa Hylton, who imagined chic choices that married over the top glamour with urban grit.
The ‘feel’ of the Bad Boy Empire was conveyed via scintillating music videos. Misa and June reminisced on their oevres d’art, and offered what they believed were the label’s 5 most stylish videos.
Read on and see if you agree!
1. Juicy
Misa Hylton mused, “Juicy is where it all started. The music was a new sound and Big had a delivery that was different and refreshing. The music video and the vibe of it was a reflection of the movement. It was the beginning. You didn’t see all of the fashion and the swagger, but you felt the lifestyle and the energy. Juicy marked the beginning of the movement.”
2. One More Chance.
Misa says, “[One More Chance embodies] the energy, the swagger, and the lifestyle of [Bad Boy Records]. Total, Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, and Faith [all made cameos on the video]. You got to see Faith and Biggie in a relationship and how they interacted musically.”
” Total [offered] a hip hop edgy B girl swag, topped off by Arnette sunglasses. Mary had the high ponytail and the bang and the hoop earrings. [It showed what fashion] was like from our perspective, [and showed] what it was to be hip hop and ghetto fabulous.”
3.Crush on You
The colors, hairstyles, and monochromatic wonderland of Lil Kim and Junior Mafia’s Crush on You video has had a lasting effect on pop culture, inspiring modern day Halloween costumes and on stage ensembles.
The changing colors were inspired by the Emerald City Sequence in The Wiz. Misa admitted, “It’s so common now to get colored hair. At that time that was really a big deal. I had to fight for that look. Lance Rivera, the director, backed me up and believed in my idea.” And video history was made.
4. Mo Money Mo Problems
Who can forget Mase and Puffy in mirrored hallways rocking shiny suits? The upbeat song was a celebration of life after the untimely passing Biggie Smalls. Puff Daddy tapped June Ambrose to find the perfect wardrobe pieces.
Ambrose said “We just lost a major hip hop icon and what the album did was celebrate the essence of his true spirit. It was a celebration.”
“It was a huge milestone for the hip hop industry. Here you are with gangster music. A life was taken from gangster lyrics and content, but we reintroduced the conversation. We brought fire, with inspirations from the Caribbean and Africa. I love shiny, so we used plastic covered nylon with obvious silhouettes like jean jackets. We took something very traditional and fit for the genre and made it very 2020. It was ahead of its time.”
5. I’ll be Missing You
The tribute video featured 112 in all white, saying goodbye to one of Hip Hop’s fallen soldiers. Faith sang the hook, dressed as a black widow, while Puff Daddy danced in the Rainbow walkway in Chicago O’Hare’s International Airport.
June Ambrose explained the ethos, saying, “We took that Motown artist development theory and created things that didn’t exist in the market place. [We took] high fashion and mashed it up with urban culture. You couldn’t get into fashion houses, so when fashion houses finally opened doors, [we stormed through!]. I put Puffy in a Chinchilla fur when he hosted Fashion Rocks with Anna Wintour. We represented ghetto glam. The ghetto was more about the attitude and taking something that was so aspirational and over the top and thugging it out, like wearing a Giorgio Armani suit hanging off your a*s. We had swag. And we did it our way.”
Misa Hylton added, “Everything we did had so much soul. There was this frequency and energy that encompassed everyone. Listen to the music. The image complements the music, which complemented the lifestyle. It was a really special time. We got to create from our heart authentically. Whenever you do that it’s going be successful.” Indeed.
In terms of what to expect for the Bad Boy Reunion concert, Deonte Nash, who is styling the show alongside Derek Roche and Marni Senofonte said, “ It’s truly going to be a moment. The fashion, the music, the staging, the artists, the family. You see the love. It’s like everyone had never separated. Whatever Puffy does, he takes it to levels unseen. This is his baby, these are his artists.”
While Mimi accessorized with a diamond necklace, Selita opted for an on-trend black velvet choker.
The brand’s signature bandage gown boasts silver-tone grommet trim and a plunging lace-up V-neckline at front.
Selita’s got the win for me in the style showdown.
Sak pase, everyone? Today we’ve got another Bombshell from Dallas! Let’s welcome Adrianne hailing from Dallas, Texas:
“I have a classy style with a hint of edge.”
“I like to mix the two styles to create a look that fits my personality an body type.”
“When I dress down my style is athletic with a little bit of sexiness.”
“I like to show a little stomach to make my look more feminine.”
Cool Adrianne! I like how you tackled that fringe trend, and your all white look is perfect for a summer day! If ya’ll want to see more, head over to her IG: @mahogany_glamour . So what do you think of her style?
Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
So, we at Fashion Bomb Daily have been dying to do a beauty-related post that highlights some of our go-to face/body/makeup essentials. Like most of you, we know the meaning of something called a ‘budget’ and we also recognize (and respect) the meaning of watching our spending. And, just as we are die-hard fashion enthusiasts – beauty is also pretty high on our list of priorities.
Now, grab a cup of tea, a notepad and a pen because we’re about to reveal some of the best beauty products on the market under $100!
To all my bombshells/bombers who suffer from oily and acne-ridden skin, this one’s for you! I purchased this little gem from Sephora about two weeks ago and my skin’s never looked clearer! And, it works wonders for pore shrinkage 🙂
Prior to starting this post, I reached out to some of the other Fashion Bomb Daily writers to get a glimpse into some of their beauty faves! And, my girl Jamé quickly recommended Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. She wrote, “It’s perfect for people like me who are on the go 12+ hours a day and won’t have much time to retouch makeup. It keeps your makeup put and won’t melt away when you sweat! It’s off white tint also doesn’t leave an ashy residue, even on our brown skin.” Get yours here!
The next pick comes to us courtesy of our Editor-in-Chic Claire Sulmers! She was absolutely ecstatic about the ‘refereshing‘ nature of this organic body wash. Infused with stimulating peppermint oil – this cleanser cools skin, clears sinuses and sharpens your mind. Pretty neat, huh?
I know some of you may wonder about the product that keeps Claire’s legs glowing! Well, look no further, her second recommendation is the answer to it all, lol. When I asked her to divulge a little more info about the legendary Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula she simply responded, “It keeps my legs poppin!” This heaven-send can be used for almost anything – from dry, cracked skin to intense moisture treatments, you get a HUGE bang for your buck! Cop it now!
My sweetie Vuitton even chimed in on his favorite facial go-to! (And, I think this one is the Old Faithful of the bunch.) His thoughts on this natural home treatment are beyond dope- he expressed, “[This product] makes my skin clean, fights pimples and tightens pores. Pleasant scent and very inexpensive.” I gotta admit, this was my FAVE product in college! It literally took my skin from resembling a full-on planet to being (almost) flaw-free. Trust me, it’s worth checking out!
Calling all my oily skin sistas! Need a cleanser that also serves as an anti-aging aid? Whelp, look no further because Ole Henriksen’s African Tea Foaming Cleanser is the key. African red tea nourishes and protects against premature signs of aging. Shea butter enhances cell regeneration while black currant oil, rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids moisturize and soothe inflammation. Cop it now!
I’m not a makeup connoisseur but some of my fellow FBD writers know wayyy more than I do, lol. When Marsha disclosed her beauty essentials, she proclaimed, “L.A. Girl HD PRO Concealer! It’s hella cheap but it gets the job done when it comes to hiding the dark circles!” Purchase here!
What list would be complete without sunscreen?! Our What To Wear/resident stylist Danielle quickly suggested this waterproof lotion that provides extensive protection against the sun’s harmful rays. This summer must-have also contains nourishing antioxidants and an exotic tropical scent!
Thanks to my love Giselle, I’m now saving up to invest in a bottle of Tarte’s Maracuja Oil! In it’s description (via ULTA), this oil is ‘rich in essential fatty acids known to recharge and replenish skin, maracuja oil helps deliver an overall rejuvenated and even-toned complexion while giving the appearance of brighter skin thanks to a high dose of vitamin C. This powerful anti-aging elixir provides instant hydration – quenching dry skin with no greasy or filmy feel’. Talk about feeling luxurious!
To round things out, we have another pick from Jamé! She raves, “I love a great red lip but whenever I just can’t make up my mind, this burnt orange shade is perfect for my skin, pairs great with brown lip liner, matches EVERYTHING and is only $1.99 at the drugstore!” Get this beauty steal now!
As a naturalista, my hair is a pretty big deal! There’s a good amount of effort and time that goes into maintaining my coily tresses – so why not use dynamic products?! Organix’s Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner works wonders! With a mix of egg white proteins and coconut oils, these are sure to leave your hair hydrated and full of life! Try them out now!
See anything worth trying? Let us know what you think below!
Puff Daddy and the Bad Boy Family will be hitting the stage at Barclays Center on Friday, May 20th to bring back that 90s East Coast flavor. If you’re a Bad Boy fan and got your tickets, here are a few style inspirations to get you ready to get your Diddy bop on in style.
Dress up a pair of dark blue skinny jeans with an embellished nude mesh top and a strappy wing sandal.
Add a splash of color with an ombre clutch, a bold cuff bracelet, and Dior reflected shades.
Opt for an all-black look with a black midi-length dress, leather cutout sandals, and a small monogram crossbody bag.
Add the finishing touch with a strappy silver sandal, a tan leather clutch, wide-brim hat, and aviator shades.
Slay in an oversized sweatshirt paired with knee-high caged lace-up booties for a stylish concert look.
Throw in a few details with a wide-brim hat, matching leather clutch, and a pair of Prada shades.
Work a pair of distressed denim shorts with a cotton tank top and a double-breasted blazer.
Uplift the look with a pair of fishnet spiked-toe booties, a tasseled monogram clutch, brown leather cuff bracelet, and gold hoop earrings.
And that’s it. What do you think of today’s concert inspired looks? Be sure to follow me on Instagram @StyleIsMyObsession for more stylish wardrobe and outfit suggestions. Based in LA and need personal styling? E-mail me at Danielle@FashionBombDaily.com
Chanel Iman was the belle of the ball at the L’Oreal Paris Blue Obsession Party in a Ralph & Russo Spring 2016 Couture Strapless Navy and Pink Floral Embroidered Gown:
Chanel eschewed the runway’s opera gloves and added drop earrings to the look.
Hey Guys, it’s Lami here! As one would have it, I am back from a week’s trip in Cuba, where I spent time learning about the country’s history, visiting idyllic beaches, and eating my body weight in grilled chicken and rice. I never expected I would travel to Cuba so soon, but I am overjoyed that I did! Here is a rundown of my tips for traveling to Havana, Cuba!
1. How To Get There
As major airlines have yet to establish flights to Cuba, I had to arrange travel via Cuba Travel Services, an agency that coordinates daily chartered flights to Havana and other cities on the island. The chartered flight option means you have little flexibility in terms of the timing of your flight, but the travel agency can be incredibly helpful in securing travel visas and other necessary documentation for safe and smooth travel. The 45-minute chartered flight from Miami International Airport ended up being an American Airlines plane, which assuaged the ‘small plane’ fears I had conjured in my mind. For those traveling from the United States, make sure to bring Euros to exchange into Pesos in order to avoid a surcharge.
2. Where To Stay
There are many established hotels around the city, including the Hotel Nacional, Hotel Presidente, and Habana Libre. However, as I was traveling with a group of other graduate students, we opted for a series of AirBnBs – some were more like hostels where others were true AirBnB apartments. With highly friendly hosts, I would recommend AirBnB over staying at a hotel because the hosts offered tremendously helpful advice and could share perspectives on their country. Shout out to Marta for her amazing property and sage expertise.You can find the link to her AirBnB here.The hotels were crucial when it came to accessing essentially nonexistent WiFi. You will have to pay a few Pesos to gain an Internet Access card and each hotel offers their own rate for 60 minutes of access, but it was the only way to alert family and friends of a safe arrival. In addition, the hotels double as offices for the national Cuban Tour Associations, where we signed up for paid tours of other parts of Cuba.
3. Where To Eat
Cuba has an interesting array of food options, which typically revolve around some form of chicken and rice (pollo con arroz, anyone?). Most people eat at home or from bodega-esque store fronts. However, we did end up visiting a few fun restaurants over the course of the week.
El Cocinero: A converted factory space, this restaurant boasts stellar heights and even more stellar views. Offering an assortment of fine dining and bite-sized tapas, the rooftop restaurant and bar has multiple sub-spaces, including the perfect spot for mojitos or a romantic dinner. Recommended Eats: Lamb Curry, Pork Ribs.
La Floridita: A haunt of writer Ernest Hemingway and the originator of the daiquiri, La Floridita gives you all the old-school feels of Cuba of years past. Nestled in Old Havana, the bright pink facade is hard to miss and the music from the live band is truly remarkable. Recommended Drinks: Daiquiri, Mojito, Cubata.
4. Where To Shop
To be frank, Cuba is not yet a hotbed of couture despite Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld having hosted their 2017 Resort Collection Preview on Paseo del Prado earlier this month. In Old Havana, tourist traps offer awe-inspiring art, wooden carvings, and knit swimwear. We found some outdoor markets selling vintage cameras, lapel pins, records, and watches – all seemingly from the 1950s and 1960s. We stumbled upon a polished vintage Movadotimepiecein fantastic shape, which made for a super shopping find. Havana Jose Marti International Airport also offers duty free where you can purchase all the Cuban rum and cigars you can carry.
5. What To Do
I’m with Claire on the relaxing vacation-vacation. One day, we took a 2-hour bus ride to the beaches of Varadero, an untouched oasis of white sand and clear waters. Totally worth the ride and a day out in Varadero no doubt erases any stress. For the more adventurous type, a subset of our group traveled 2 hours to Viñales to take in the caves.
For the #museumjunkie, we toured the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana – with predominantly Cuban art – for a unparalleled education in Cuban politics and culture interpreted by hundreds of Cuban artists. For the tourist’s tourist, a Hop On/Hop Off bus for 10 Pesos will take you on a 30-40 minute ride throughout the entirety of Havana, stopping at numerous attractions, including Old Havana, the Capitol Building (designed after the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.) and Plaza de la Revolución. For those seeking a more local experience, take a walk on the boardwalk for beautiful views of the ocean and historic fortresses. Lest I forget, make sure to indulge in the old-school cars that are sprinkled throughout Havana. You can take a more formal city tour or catch one as a taxi and capture Instagram-worthy snapshots.
For nightlife, I recommend Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) Thursdays through Saturdaysfor a mix of music, dancing, and art. For the music-inclined, take in a cabaret or salsa music show at Tropicana or Buena Vista, respectively.
6. Style Notes
Style-wise, I sought to keep it island cool as the temperatures were quite hot. Jumpsuits were my friend on this trip. I paired a light blue linen one from J. Crew with my trusty Nikes on Day 1. On Day 2, I opted for a leather short set (also from J. Crew) with super cat-eye Dior sunglasses and rocked a grey-and-white vertical striped dress (from Urban Outfitters) for Day 3 at the beaches.
Most people – Cubans and tourists alike – kept it casual, but I wanted to give a slight twist whenever possible with festive accessories. With all the walking and sightseeing, heels just never seemed appropriate. That said, I definitely got bit by the Cuba bug and hope to return!
What do you think of my Havana, Cuba Travel Guide? Anything to add?
Liya Kebede showed us all a little leg at the recent Cannes Film Festival premiere, donning a Haider Ackermann Fall 2016 green dress:The dress came down the runway in a red hue, but sported the same thigh-high slit on one side , velvet material and long sleeve as Kebede’s dress.
Thought it’s not a particular hit on IG, I personally think she looks great! What do you think? Hot or Hmm?