Whitney Houston – My role model and style icon

“I believe that children are our future – teach them well and let them lead their way.”

That is exactly what Whitney Houston did for me growing up in the 80s and 90s – she showed me a bright future and taught me so well, a young black girl trying to find herself in a world that confused her and oftentimes isolated her. 

My first most impactful visual of Whitney was her ‘Greatest love of all’ and 'Saving all my love' videos.

Her model looks and effortless style with hair forward framing her face and wrapped with a cool black band. Her netted shift dress and leather biker jacket – she looked so chic she communicated that look in the same way as if she were wearing an evening dress for a black tie event. All the the looks were simple and stunning.

Her style has set trends. Her beauty has set trends. Her videos has set trends. Actually trend is the wrong word as its defines a short period. Correction: she set the standards for us to follow. Timeless standards. She made me feel that it was ok to have big frizzy hair and her model height filled me with glee when as an adolescent the awkwardness of my height was at its height - She made me walk tall.

My friend Marco just texted me to turnover from the negative news channels with their putdowns and innuendos to Magic (radio) TV channel – It’s a Whitney day.. 'How will I know' is playing. “I tried to phone but I’m too shy – can’t speak…” Memories.

The ‘I have nothing’ video from the Bodyguard movie soundtrack made me scour East Street and Church street markets for similar headdress and jewellery.  In those days finding decent make up choices for black skin was rare but I hunted down those lip colours she wore in her videos relentlessly often to no avail. But they are here now - women of colour have endless choices now.

I wanted her hair, her style, beauty, her acting ability. I never ever yearned for her voice, as I knew that she was a ‘supreme songbird’ and was one of a kind.

Today I feel like I’ve lost a big sister and a friend. No, I never knew nor met her but I know she stopped me from going down certain bad roads in my London bred teenage years - as she was such a positive role model for me growing up. The irony, she who later succumbed to those negative roads. She steered me away from them because I saw the future in her bright eyes, in her soul and voice – a bright future for me that said regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin or what you look like - who you are - YOU ARE SOMEBODY SPECIAL.

'It’s alright but its ok' video – (in Dolce and Gabbana)

And I will always love you Whitney. Today I can’t stop crying but will always be inspired and motivated by what you've done and shared with us all.

Thank you and Rest In Peace.

Whitney Houston 1963-2012

Another exclusive! Luxury London on Swide by Dolce & Gabbana

New for 2012

Hi,

I have spent the last 9 months writing style and beauty features for Dolce and Gabbana's Swide online luxury magazine..I am now happy to announce that I have been given my very own column  -  Luxury London - An uber cool column focussing on events, hotels, spas and people. London lifestyle in a nutshell. As a born and bred Londoner I couldn't be happier to represent my city.

This is an exciting progressive development in my career. I hope you all can share it with me. Please read, like, feedback, suggest relevant ideas for the column. I'd be eternally grateful. My aim is to be writing this not only in 2012 but for a very long time.

Without further ado here is the launch edition of Luxury London by Karma-Style...

Launch edition of Luxury London - read all about it here

Thanx Camillea

Exclusive sneak peak! Dolce & Gabbana SS12 Menswear campaign

For Spring Summer 2012, Dolce & Gabbana are firmly going back to their roots. Following on from the SS12 womenswear collections, the menswear campaign plays homage to family, tradition and true love. Shot by Mariano Vivanco with an Italian cinematic and comedic vibe in Portofino - Italy.

In these times of austerity and uncertainty, Domenico and Stefano intuitively capture real life scenarios - and what we the public want - no more fantasy, we want the real deal, and they are given us just that so beautifully and eloquently. 

Real actors were also used, so those of you familiar with Italian TV and cinema I'm sure some of your faves are here. Chiara Francini is breathtakingly beautiful.

Sicilian/Southern Italian spirituality through the art of fashion and cinema. 

Art imitating Life. A brilliant campaign - I love it.

Dolce & Gabbana party hosted by Net-a-Porter/Mr Porter - The party of the year

I am not worthy ;)

My party preparation was a full-on military operation, and carried out by New CID cosmetics’ experts; Hair: Isha Samms, Make-up: Michael Phillips. For my part: I prepped my skin with Darphin’s Micellar water, an all-in-one cleanser during the day and the Purifying balm at night a week before the ‘Big event’ to create a spot free, even-toned radiant complexion, Isha tamed my curly ‘fro to sleek, sophisticated perfection using Aveda’s Smooth Infusion products. Mikey took over my face to work his magic. Magic being the operative word, as I have no power to change my features and my hair has a mind of its own! I left New CID’s Burlington studios looking and feeling like Cinderella – and went home to get my glad rags on for the ball….

My anticipation and nerves in the cab dissipated as I walked the length and breadth of Westfield shopping centre trying get to the friggin Village offices! When I arrived I heard a ‘Ipad g-list’ girl say “I love that dress!” Someone thought I looked alright, which made me feel better. I walked up and into the vast Net-a-Porter space filled with ‘beautiful’ people. The majority had made a real effort to dress up for Mr Dolce and Mr Gabbana. UK was representing and London was going in hard! I felt proud and ignored a disrespectful female in flip-flops to my left.

David Gandy - Superstar Supermodel

The Martini Gold cocktails and Italian canapes were served on rotation. For the first time ever, I chose to drink water.  It was all so perfect with the exception of one thing: the air conditioning in the main area wasn’t working. At times it felt like a sauna. My perfect hair turned to candy floss within the hour. As I gradually sweated out I thought “Why don’t you just get a weave, Camille?!” There was a cool photo-room with vintage Vespas and a Sicilian backdrop where everyone including Harold Tilman and Queen Latifah got involved in the fun.  Celebs were everywhere, including Naomi Campbell who is such a lovely person contrary to popular (media) belief. The people who you’d think would be lovely are horrible and vice versa. There was one celeb there that disappointed. They shall remain nameless...

Queen Latifah - The Diva

My highlight; meeting and hanging with the D&G digital and marketing team, and being introduced to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana who are so down to earth. From the moment they arrived, mingled freely with us all - no hiding in a VIP room somewhere. I wish more famous people were like that. Domenico is quieter so I didn’t say much to him but gave him the thumbs up. I saw him clocking my Italian Gucci slingbacks – I had a feeling he approved. Stefano noticed my glass of water and asked me why I wasn’t drinking. He was so chilled. I shyly told him I didn’t want to and he said “Ah! It’s a party you must drink!” I didn’t - was on my best behaviour. In fact, I waited right until the end to have a cocktail for the road and to help absorb what was a truly spectacular evening. 

D&G baby!!! Giuliano Federico, Dennis Valle and moi

I won’t forget this experience in a hurry. Meeting Mr. Dolce and Mr. Gabbana gave me another ‘Oprah’ moment. Their humble accessibility communicated that everybody is somebody, famous or not, rich or not. And what I know for sure is that we are all celebrities, and in my case I just haven’t got Naomi’s banging body, but am still grateful for what I’ve got. Are you?

Until next time,

CamilleA