The Black Panther Party was a force to be reckoned with during an era in American history where African-Americans fought to prevent their own subjugation.

During the 1960s and 1970s the Black Panther Party functioned as an organized front, ready and willing to militantly combat violence against black people. Their contributions to the development of a more liberated environment for African-Americans within a racist American society is immeasurable. Their importance to the process of building the societal structure that we now know is undeniable. As we celebrate another Black History Month, Hello Beautiful honors the influence that the Black Panther party has had in the Civil Rights historical canon.

How To Recreate Coretta Scott King’s Classic Look

As we remember their historical importance, and look back upon the Panther experience, we especially honor the strong, bold, powerful image of the Panther woman. The women of the organization were in many ways the coal that kept the engine running. They served an imperative purpose, and helped to propel the Panther message, but they always did so with style. The Panther women’s distinctive style holds its own place in our memories.

In honor of the characteristic urban military look that the Blck Panthers are not famous for, we’re giving you a look back at some vintage panther photos.

If you are interested in recreating the Panther look, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at some of our Panther inspired looks with a modern twist. Check out the originators of “All Black Everything” in our gallery, and dont forget to equip your self with a good pair of these:

2010’s Woman To Watch: Janelle Monae

Piza Necklace $205 at nastygal.com

Box Chain Disc Necklace $71.62 at asos.com

Body Necklace $55 at balicatina

Plastic Spike Collar Necklace $26.86 at asos.com

Seed Bead Fringe Necklace $8.80 at forever21.com

7 Wool Pieces For Winter For Under $100

1. The little black dress.
This should be a simple black dress that can work for many different occasions. For the office, wear with a scarf, for a night out, add a piece of statement jewelry.

2. Black blazer.
The key is finding one that is flattering for your body. If your waist is one of your best features, go for a more fitted look. A black blazer with jeans and a button-down is a very chic and timeless look.

New website allows you to rent clothes like DVD’s

3. Speaking of white button-down shirts…
Invest in a new one every season. This one item can make you look crisp and clean. You can never go wrong when you pair it with jeans, dress pants or a skirt.

4. Well-cut trousers.
If you are only buying one pair of winter-weight trousers, pick one in black or navy. You can wear them paired with so many different options. Make sure you match the length of the pants with the height of your shoes.

5) A big black bag.
Often called a “schlep” bag because it holds everything, whether you’re chasing toddlers or contracts, your bag should fit your needs. The right shoes and bag can make an ordinary outfit look like so much more. Click here for more.

The 4 Best Pants For Plus-Size Women

How To Twist Your Hair Into A Quick, But Chic Bun

Here are some ideas on how to incorporate your fashion sense into your home decor:

1) If you like earthy colors you should incorporate items that bring a sense of peace and balance for your home.

2) Consider yourself a free-spirited, lively personality who’s inspired by both the past and present.

3) Are you a modern maven? Showcase your cosmopolitan taste

4 Quick Ways To Organize Your Bedroom

FANTASY FRIDAY: Luxury Closets

Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady (Atria Books; $26.99) comes at a time when women – black, white and everything in between – are looking to define their personal style, which many of us struggle with. Mikki is considered a lifestyle & beauty expert (among other well-earned titles) so she is more than qualified to give us her take on how to become the chicest lady in the room while having a style that’s all your own.

What was your goal in writing this book?
Simply put, I want every woman to be the “Commander in Chic” of her life. I want to see us all own our lives and master style with distinction. I used Mrs. Obama as a muse to empower women everywhere to do so – from mastering great style from within to establishing a wardrobe of bankable pieces and a signature look. It is my goal to see women utilize the book like a personal style diary – one where they’ll find the kind of guidance that takes the guess work out of what works on a multiplicity of subjects, among them:
- Where and when to shop and what to buy.
- Must-have accessories with timeless appeal.
- Great makeup finds and savvy application how-to’s.
- Targeted hair care, performance-driven tools and styling aids.
- Prime hand and nail care.
- Physical wellness and core fitness practices at every age.
- Mental and spiritual empowerment.

What advice would you give a woman who struggles to define her personal style?
Know that it’s about coining a look that works for you based on who you are and how you live your life. Remember style is a form of self-expression and so it really comes down to what you want to communicate. To understand your personal style code, ask yourself, what predominant style sensibility am I comfortable with? How would you define it? Classic? Elegant? Boho? Edgy? Once you establish your style-persona, shop accordingly and above all, remain true to yourself.

How do you define your own personal style?
I define my style as “classic with a twist.” I’m clear about what works for me and what doesn’t. My look is based on a modern, chic and effortless sensibility that keeps pace with my busy, always-on-the-go lifestyle. 90% of my wardrobe consists of great dresses, which make getting dressed an effortless affair. The balance is composed of smart separates that allow me to work them to new perfection just by a change of accessories.

Click here to get even more amazing advice from Mikki Taylor and learn what your fashion & beauty do’s & don’ts should be!

Hue Knew It? I did. Become a HueKnewIt.com FaceBook Fan & Follow me on Twitter: @hueknewit for product giveaways – just had two giveaways on my fan page last week so don’t miss out on your chance to win!

Find more Style & Decor on our TUMBLR blog! Follow Us!

More in Fashion:

5 Fun Alternatives To Your Average Winter Coat For Under $100

Get The Look: Solange Goes For The Gol…Orange

FALL TREND: Ponchos & Capes

More from Ashley Sean Thomas: Which Mom-To-Be Rocked Her Baby Bump Best On The Red Carpet? [VIDEO]

Tracee Ellis Ross On Her Style & Love For Fashion: “It Started In The Womb” [VIDEO]

LL Cool J’s Daughter To Launch Her Own Fashion Line? [VIDEO]

Verizon wireless hosted the event at a retail location in Harlem.  Kimora shared her  journey to become a successful player in business and provided guests with advice on using technology to enhance your own business. She also shared how future mogulss can follow in her “fabulous” footsteps.

Check out the photos below!

The byproducts of the collaboration are beautiful! Shorts, skirts and bangles in eye-popping prints and bold colors – all for a good cause!

Fifteen-percent of the proceeds will be donated to Indego Africa, so snatch these items up while you still have a chance.

4 New Ways To Wear Stripes

10 Summer Shorts To Brighten Your Wardrobe For Under $50

The Vietnamese designers are personal friends of Coco (Ice-T’s wife and new reality show star), who wore their esteemed creation during their first fashion show. The purple, plunging back dress showcased the top of Coco’s buxom bottom and sent the fashion world into a frenzy! The lovely ladies dished on where they got their start, fashion do’s and don’ts and working with such a curvaceous woman like Coco!
If you want to see more of the Sachika designs, click here.

Take a look:

Coco: “Nicki Minaj Told Me Her Butt Is Fake!” [VIDEO]

GALLERY: Ice-T And Coco Go Shopping In Paris

In other words they’ve got the fashion basics down, but when it comes to “edgy” trendsetting style, I honestly have yet to see much here. On top of this, there is a serious lust for all things Western in terms of musical influence on fashion (think more hip-hop, then Lady Gaga) which causes a bit of a “blank” when seeking out traditional African fashion.

Here are a few stylish Kenyans that were kind enough to let me snap a few razzle-dazzle photos of them!

Let’s Keep This Fashionship Going….

Naj:)

Be sure to TWEET with me!

Find out more about Najwa Moses on Styleaholics.com

Ha!

The nuptials of Sheila and Tele Waki were celebrated off of a beautiful lake on the outskirts of a Nairobi coffee bean farm. The guests were decked out in Africa’s finest while the bride choose an unusual color theme of red and black — she actually wore a red wedding gown!!
*Her bridesmaids wore red and black polka dot dresses.

Take that, Kate Middleton!

The ceremony differed from an American wedding in the following ways:
-both the bride and the groom addressed their families publicly sharing words of love and praise
- the priest was very vocal offering up marriage advice on the spot (he was actually quite good)
-the bride was ushered to her reception with a warm dancing, singing welcome by all of the women at the wedding.

Let’s Keep This Fashionship Going…up next? An interview with an oh-so-swaggerlicious Kenyan fashion designer!

naj:)

We can’t go right to the socks, right? Here are a few ways to slowly keep yourself up to date with the weather while still rocking your favorites from this summer:

Flats: This summer was all about the flip flops or going barefoot.  Open toed heels were the in thing and you could see people’s pedicures everywhere.  Autumn doesn’t mean that your feet need to be completely covered already! I have always been a big fan of flats: they cover your toes for those nights that are starting to get a little breezy.  They keep your toes dry when the rain starts coming back and puddles are around.  Rather than go straight to the socks, sneakers, and boots everyday, warm your feet up slowly by wearing around flats like a champ.

Scarves: Once the goosebumps start appearing, people reach for the baggy sweat shirts way too soon.  Warm yourself up with style and look into scarves.  I have started seeing the light scarves come out already and they have beautiful prints.  They are easy to wear and do the job of getting you ready for the colder weather.

Blazers: I have always been a promoter of blazers.  They are cute and do the job of keeping you warm.  Rather than go right for the bulky clothing to throw over your t-shirt in the next few months, get a few fitted blazers.  They go with anything and add style and sophistication to your outfit!

Tights: Don’t pack up those cute dresses that you bought this summer already! You can still rock them as the weather gets colder, just throw on something to keep your legs warm.  Tights have always been in, and they can help your body react to the temperature changes.  You can still keep it stylish by getting some fun panty hoes and incorporating them into your outfit.

So what do you say? The slight weather changes doesn’t mean that you need to give up all the style that you gained this summer! Do you have any other ideas on ways to stay stylish in the cooler weather?

RELATED LINKS:

Summer Guide: Bike Your Way Through The Heat

Summer Guide: Spend Your Summer At The Spa

If you desire to know more check out my bio on my site STYLEAHOLICS.COM

I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya after a 16 hour flight from JFK with an 8 hour stopover in London and though I was extremely exhausted, I was also thrilled that I had finally arrived in the Motherland! As a visual/vocal person, my six senses were keen to drink in my entire experience from the very jazzy Virgin Airlines complete with passenger friendly luxe- toiletries (I mean seriously, I can’t remember the last time I was served anything more than a microscopic bag of malnourished peanuts on a flight) and decadent desserts to my very first peek at the continent of Africa to the warm welcome from my host Caroline Malinda of Silverbird Travel who greeted me in total Hollywood fashion with my very own name card and then quickly whisked me away for a much needed brunch.

Ow!

Please step into my world via photos which start with me at exactly 12 hours before my flight in a sweaty panic trying to fit a Styleaholics wardrobe (I’ve got over 100 pairs of shoes) into one bag for an international journey…oy vey!

Let’s Keep This Fashionship Going…up next? I head to Mombasa South — the ‘Hamptons’ of Nairobi– for a Toga themed birthday weekend of sun, rhythm and African luxury.

naj:)

The Aztec look is the perfect Spring style, wearing a piece instantly gives you an uber-cool, street savvy, exotic style, (without making it look like you’ve tried too hard), and instantly evokes dreams of far off vacation destinations and long lost civilizations.

If you love the look, but aren’t willing to part with hundreds of dollars on seasonal styles, then today is your lucky day. We have collected 15 of the hottest Aztec inspired clothes, shoes and accessories so you can rock the Gaultier look, without busting out your credit card.

The Fashion Fix: Jimmy Choo Wedges Vs. Rachel Roy Wedges

10 Sexy One-Piece Swimsuits For Your Body Type For Under $50

5 Must-Have Flared Jeans For Spring

Orange hues look amazing with dark skin and a bright pop of color is sure to make heads turn in your direction. For those who don’t want to steal all the spotlight though, rocking a dress or pants in a softer shade of peach or blush with a neutral top or neutral accessories looks just as hot, as does experimenting with just a hint of color with a bright clutch or shoe. Basically, there is no excuse to shy away from wearing orange this season, as this is a color which anyone and everyone can wear!

Coral, apricot, peach, persimmon, tangerine, burnt orange, pumpkin, carrot. If you can think of the shade, then it’s hot this season!

Check out our gallery below for orange hued wardrobe essentials….

Spring Outfits That Transition From Cold Mornings To Warm Afternoons [PHOTOS]

5 Sexy Maxi Skirts For Spring For Under $50

Spring Must-Haves: Platform Pumps

We, at the HB offices, often found ourselves lugging around our heavy coats instead of wearing them when midday hit and then rushing to put them back on come evening, so we asked our resident celebrity stylist Becca Alexis to help us.

Here are her tips on creating transitional outfits that look and feel good at any temperature!

For the Utilitarian:
“Pair a long-sleeve pima cotton shirt with a long-sleeve chunky knitted cardigan, then top it off with a suede vest! I like to get vintage men’s suede jackets from the 70′s and take the sleeves out! Belt it to keep feminine and modern.”

For the Sophisticate:
“Layer a silk blouse over a long-sleeve fitted shirt, then pair it with a bright convertible sweater and a light cotton scarf.”

Final Tip:
“Wear heavy winter coats if the highest temperature of the day is below 40 degrees. Anything above that keep the bubble coat in the closet! Instead, wear wool or cashmere coats.”

And check out our “5 Minutes To Fab” webisodes with Becca Alexis!

10 Lightweight Scarves For Spring For Under $50

7 Must-Have Trench Coats For Spring

But what about fashion?

If you’re like me, “eco friendly clothing,” (as stereotypical as it is) used to remind you of hippies, with dreadlocks and muslin ponchos. Not exactly what I would call high fashion. But not anymore. These days more and more designers are embracing the eco-friendly trend, and are committed to making beautiful clothes with a conscience. And, the best part? They are all at very affordable prices, which make it nearly impossible to ignore the attraction of adding sustainable fashion to your wardrobe!

Browse our gallery for some of our best eco-friendly fashion fixes….

Sustainable Silk Scarves From GreenSewn

How To Recycle Anything

Model Liya Kebede Talks Lemlem, Her Sustainable Clothing Line

5 Fab Essential Earth Day Accessories

Everybody loves prom! But all the organization before hand can sometimes bring down the mood. We all know that shopping for the perfect prom dress (whether or not it is our own prom), is stressful (some would call it, an ordeal). But this year, it doesn’t have to be. We have scoured the stores to come up with a selection of the best dresses around to suit every girls style, every girls dress size and every girls color preferences.

Check out our gallery below…

How To Create A Smoky, Sultry Eye

Top Models Show Off H&M’s Sweet & Sexy Spring Dresses – All For Under $35 [PHOTOS]

8 Tips To Wearing The Latest Celebrity Trend: Velvet [PHOTOS]

We’re not talking jester’s hats and ginger wigs though, just St Patrick’s Day appropriate outfits you can wear to work, or out to a party. Check out our gallery, for inspired items under $50.

Environmentally Friendly Nail Polish By SpaRitual

Environmentally Friendly Hand Soap By EO

As with the dress, everyone wants the standout shoe, one that no one else has, one that looks expensive and classy (but preferably isn’t), and most importantly, one that doesn’t hamper your dancing abilities. Well have no fear, here at Hello Beautiful, we have you covered. From sky high stilettos to sparkling ballet flats, from pumps to strappy sandals, we have found styles to suit every girl on Prom night, and all for under $100. Check out our gallery below….

But until the weather heats up that much, sleeved dresses are the perfect transitional item from Winter to Summer. They look just as good with tights as they do with bare legs and provide a bit more warmth than the strappy dresses that get broken out in the height of summer.

Check out our gallery of sleeved dresses for every occasion….

And here’s a tip: when wearing two (or more) tones, make sure they are within the same complementary color family.

See some more here: H&M “Waste” Collection: Clothes Created From Leftover Fabric [PHOTOS]

Jourdan Dunn Shows How To Pull Off Peasant Skirts & Tops In Vogue [PHOTOS]

OPI’s Latest Nail Polish Collection Comes In “Caribbean” Colors

What? Wasn’t this the man who made a whole album sending up those who go to college?

Yeezy has made no secret of his desire to pursue his interest in fashion, once declaring that he wanted to intern for Louis Vuitton, and is often seen front row at fashion week shows across the globe. He worked for over a year on his Pastelle range, postponing shows and recording commitments for the label, only for it to never see the light of day, reportedly because of his perfectionist tendencies, and the fact that he was never satisfied with the collection.

However, Kanye’s Louis Vuitton sneakers and his range of Air Yeezy’s are hot, so we can’t deny that the man has style. Let’s hope they agree to admit him, so hopefully we can actually see his collection this time!

Stella McCartney, MIA and the late Alexander McQueen are all college alumni, so if the admissions board to decide to allow Kanye to join their ranks, he will be in very good company. But I can’t help wondering what it may mean for any future Kanye albums?

Tyra Banks Enrolls At Harvard University!

Kanye West Calls Lindsay Lohan’s Clothing Line “9/11 For Celebrities”

Kanye, Keri, Eve, Ashanti & More Hit Up Fashion Week’s Front Rows [PHOTOS]

Vogue Italy say that sequins are back. And who’s going to argue with Vogue? But never fear! No longer do you have to be as extroverted as Lady Gaga, or as fancy as Halle Berry off to a Hollywood premiere to rock the sparkle. This season, it is all about just a touch of glitter, to subtly add sass to any outfit.

Check out our gallery for cool sequined dresses and accessories to brighten up any winter wardrobe….

Fab Or Fug? The Shoulder Bag/Sleeve Hybrids

Weird, But Worth It: Beautiful Bug-Inspired Jewelry Under $50

8 Tips To Wearing The Latest Celebrity Trend: Velvet [PHOTOS]

Make No Excuses

Plus-size women have complained about not finding cute workout clothes in their sizes, but now there’s no excuse not to look great at the gym. Brands like Junonia have a variety of styles and sizes that go up to 6x, making it easier to find a look that’s just right for you.

Invest in a Lightweight Jacket

If the gym isn’t your thing and you’re more interested in pounding the pavement, invest in a warm but stylish workout jacket. Just be sure it’s not bulky like your normal winter jacket as you will work up a sweat and need the ability to move your upper body freely. This stylish belted Run Winter Jacket by Stella McCartney ($216, shopadidas.com), is cute and practical for winter runs.

GET THE REST AT BLACKVOICES.COM

Make 2011 The Fittest Year Of Your Life

Beat The Post-Holiday Bulge

If you’re into fashion as we are, you know that one of the hottest trends for fall is the military look. Skinny cargo pants have been a huge trend this season–with some of our favorite celebs like Ciara, Rihanna,and Khloe Kardashian.

These Arden B banded bottom cargo pants are at a price point that is affordable and features two large side pockets with a 12″ elastic banded leg opening. Front slash pockets and back flapover button pockets with logo buttons and rivets.

Perfect to wear with your peep toe booties.

$59 at ardenb.com

RELATED LINKS:

How To Get Straight Hair If You’re A Black Woman [VIDEO]

Fall Trend: Rich Jewel Tones

$83 at bluefly.com

Check out other items of the day:

Bohemian Floral Quilt

“Forget Me Knot” Ring

West called the troubled actress’s collaboration with the label the “9/11 for celebrities doing fashion”. After that, I thought, ‘Well I can’t do a line now.’”

Kanye West Cancels Appearance On Oprah Show Via Email

Kanye West To Make History With 40-Minute “Runaway” Music Video

Here are some quick and easy ways on how to wear a sweater dress:

1. Wear the dress alone. Unless your dress is really short, you can wear it as a standout piece with either dainty, feminine jewelry or bold, chunky necklaces and bracelets. Add heels or ankle boots to make your legs look longer and be sure to wear a slip under your dress since knit dresses tend to cling to your body.

2.Layer the dress over tights or leggings. Due to the soft, thick fabric of sweater dresses, they look great over thick, woolen tights or opaque leggings. Metallic or shiny leggings can add a funky look to your dress as well. Finish the look with ankle boots that match your leggings for a slimming effect.

GET MORE HERE

6 Cropped Sweaters (& Tips On How To Wear Them) [PHOTOS]

8 Sweater & Shirt Dresses For Under $100