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Banner - RnB Sensations
Female Style in RnB 1940-2005

Destiny's Child (bottom right: AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett)
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Destiny's Child 00s

They are the contemporary version of The Supremes - from the strong lead of Beyoncé as the Diana Ross of today, down to their emphasis on the glamorous and themed outfits (matching but individual too).
Much of their styling was by Beyoncé's mum, Tina Knowles, who hadn't trained as a designer but made clothes since she was young. She began designing Destiny's clothes out of necessity, she says.
In her book Destiny's Style (yes there is a book about it), Mrs Knowles refers to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? album as an influence, "The fashion that inspires me when creating the Destiny's Child look is the free and independent spirit of that era."
Sometimes experimental, sometimes straight-ahead dazzling - they have favoured the full-on show style of some hip hop artists like Lil Kim.
Fabrics such as leather, suede, silk, satin decorated with sequins, feathers, diamoante studs - it's not cheap, but it has had a big influence on young trends.
Beyoncé has appeared in high profile hair colour adverts promoting a honey-blonde straightened look which is popular amongst some RnB artists.

Today, a female artist is weighed up not only for her ability to sell CDs but as a commodity - can she be sold as perfume, jewellery, fashion labels?
The most successful can - J Lo and Beyoncé cross over in their appeal to the mainstream which is key.
Their ghetto fabulous style is central to this - they are the as the 'stars' of our time, the Marilyn Monroes - beautiful divas representing an escape from real life. Girls want to be them...guys just want them...
The new wave of American RnB stars like Amerie and Ashanti are following a similar route to the sexy wealthy glamour that has become part of the currency of black music videos.

Who do you think is the most stylish person in RnB? Do you like glamour or something more natural?
Let us know

 

 
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