Joy Bryant

Joy Bryant attends the Earth Day event on the Mall on April 19, 2009 in Washington, DC.

During a recent appearance at the "Earth Day" festival, Joy Bryant went au natural and channeled her inner bohemian. Joy isn't afraid to experiment with her style and I love the way she attends high profile events make-up free. Don't be a slave to Hollywood, Ms. Bryant! For tips on how to steal her look scroll below...

Steal Joy's Style

Dress: Paisley Tunic Dress, $44.50, www.alloy.com

Boots: Minnetonka Moccasin, $80, www.piperlime.com

Belt: Jewel & Stud Trim Belt, $15.80, www.forever21.com

Necklace: Faux Pearl Cluster Necklace, $8.80, www.forever21.com

Jacket: Twill 3Q Jacket, $22.80, www.forever21.com

Though the bohemian-gypsy look isn't my thing, Joy has inspired me to try it out. While I may not be able to incorporate Ugg boots into my summer wardrobe (especially here in D.C.), the paisley dresses and hipster belts are doable. If you really want to take this look to a new level wear at least three different lengthed necklaces for a "I just don't care" vibe.

Best of the Rest...

Left to right: Oasis Paisley Print Dress, $78.15, www.asos.com; Pansy Print Corset Dress, $100, www.topshop.com; Ashley Floral Woven Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com

These floral paisley dresses are perfect for summer and can be dressed up and down. Wear with heels, gladiator sandals or slouchy boots for three completly different looks. My favorite is the Corset Dress from Topshop. So chic!

Couture with Heart

Serena Williams' design for Stuart Weitzman.

Joy Bryant, Jada Pinkett and Janet Jackson also designed a pair for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Who knew Hollywood had such untapped fashion talent? Stuart Weitzman annually asks some of the hottest celebrities to design shoes for the Stuart Weitzman Annual Celebrity Shoe Auction. It’s an online auction, so anyone can bid! September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Stuart Weitzman is doing its part to attract publicity in order to raise money to support ovarian cancer research. The celebrity designers include Serena Williams, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Joy Bryant, Eva Longoria Parker, Janet Jackson, and Jessica Alba. The shoes also come with an autographed glossy photo of the star. Head to Stuart Weitzman's special site to start bidding - prices start at a mere $200!

Pucci. Prints. Perfect.

Joy Bryant arriving at the Costume Institute's Party of The Year in May 2008.

Michelle Ogundehin at the VIP Dinner and Cocktails hosted by Nadja Swarovski celebrating The Crystal on December 5, 2007.

Keyshia Cole attends the If Looks Could Kill party hosted by Toyota and ESSENCE on June 11 2008 at Eyebeam in New York.

Jill Scott's Real Thing Cocktail Reception at the Roof Top Garden on June 14, 2007, New York City.

The pioneer of kaleidoscope prints, Emilio Pucci, started a trend in the late 60s that just won't go away. Whether you love or loathe the bright in-your-face psychedelic shapes that have become synonymous with the designer, you certainly cannot miss them (or the woman who dares to wear them). Nowadays many designers and stores have copied the famous prints and used them in their own designs. This however hasn't stopped anyone from being able to identify a genuine Pucci. See the ladies above for proof that pucci + prints = perfection!

Style on the Go…

Joy Bryant,Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles attend the 40/40 Club Hosts Jay-Zs Exclusive After Party at The 40/40 Club in New York on May 6, 2008.

Paula Patton at the 2nd annual Allure magazine "Most Alluring Bodies" exhibit on May 7, 2008 at Skylight Studios in New York.

Rashida Jones at Stella McCartney’s screening of Peter Sellers’ “The Party” on May 6, 2008.

Ashanti onstage during the MTV Networks Upfront at the Nokia Theater on May 8, 2008 in New York City.

Joy Bryant looked nothing short of stunning at Jay Z’s recent bash at his 40/40 club. Though the dress is a little Fredericks of Hollywood, she somewhere makes it work! After 13 years of wearing makeup, I still can’t get my eyes to look that neat and defined. Liquid eyeliner just burns my eyes! I'm also still looking for a natural lipstick color - suggestions welcome :)

Paula Patton is wearing my favorite color and she’s doing it justice. I think the shoes are a little boring but I guess you can’t go wrong with a classic black Christian Louboutin pump. Both Paula and Joy are sporting heavy bangs which is such a cute look with layered hair. No, I don't know where to get this dress but I know Target has a cute, affordable purple dress for $23.

Rashida Jones is ready for summer! She flaunted her shoulders and legs in a sexy, one strap chiffon dress a recent Stella McCartney evemt. Rashida’s style is never offensive, but I wish she would take more of a risk with her hair and/or makeup. How about a chin length bob? She’d also better keep an eye on that clutch…

Ashanti is slowly making her “come back”. Though I doubt the music scene has missed her, her style evolution has been great to watch. This black and white dress is a classic. Twenty years from now, body shape permitting, you could still pull out this dress and wear it like it was a recent purchase. Now if only we could get Ashanti to try another lip gloss color. That frosty pink is so 1982!

Credit: TheYbf.com for photos of Ashanti.

Bright Lights, Sequin City

Joy Bryant at Glamour Magazine's "Fashion Gives Back" event to benefit Malaria No More at a Private Residence in NYC, September 4, 2007.

Paula Patton at Samsung Gleam Private Dinner and After Party hosted by Pharrell at TAO Las Vegas September 8, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Keri Hilson onstage at the 2007 Video Music Awards at the Palms Casino Resort on August 9, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kimora Lee Simmons arrives at 4th Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on September 6, 2007 in New York City.

Sequins are nothing new but they’ve made a resurgence on the Spring 2008 runway shows, including Marc Jacobs, Tracy Reese and Badgley Mischika and now celebrities are wearing them too. Whether it’s tiny sequins like on Kimora Lee Simmons or Paula Patton’s dress or huge ones like singer Keri Hilson, sequins add zing to any outfit. Keep the look from looking Vegas-like by sticking to black, if you must add color take a leaf out of Joy Bryant’s book. The silk flowers are divine.

Style on the Go…

Joy Bryant arriving at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium last Sunday in Los Angeles.

Marsha Abrosius performs at the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation Q Prize Awards at the Core Club last week in New York City.

Jamelia holds out a bottle of the new rougeberry scent from bodyshop at the Bodyshop store on Oxford Street last week in London.

Anika Noni Rose on the red carpet of the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Joy Bryant and Anika Noni Rose killed it at the 13th Annual Screen Awards earlier this week. Joy Bryant’s dress is pure perfection. I believe it’s by Valentino and the jewelry is from Bulgari. Anika Noni Rose is wearing Fiandaca with a Mary Norton clutch. The poor girl has been overshadowed by her co-stars but watch out for her this year, she already has a prestigious Tony Award under her belt plus two movies and a TV series called “Starter Wife” all are due to be released later this year.

British songstress Jamelia launched MTV and Rougeberry’s new fragrance as part of a campaign to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. The fragrance is part of Bodyshop's, ‘spray to change attitudes’ campaign aimed at empowering women to look after their sexual health. She looks great as per usual; don’t forget she has two children. Jamelia is engaged to footballer boyfriend Darren Byfield. They have a 13-month-old daughter together called Teja.

Finally Marsha Abrosius of Floetry performed solo at Quincy Jones’ Listen Up Foundation Q Prize Awards. According to YBF he was honored with the ‘Mentor of the Year’ award by the Harvard School of Public Health. Marsha is looking too cute in that dress… off to listen to some “Floetic.”

Who Needs Two Sleeves?

Lucy Liu attending the premiere of ''Code Name: The Cleaner'' at The Empire 25 last week in NYC.
Beyonce Knowles attending the L'Oreal Legends Gala to benefit The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at the Museum of Natural History, November 8, 2006 in New York City.
India.Arie arriving at the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium last year in LA.
Joy Bryant attending the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in September ’06.

Two sleeves are overrated. Since this winter has been pretty mild, well in D.C. it has, try making-do with just one. Even the simplest dress can stand out with just one sleeve. I think I found Lucy Liu’s dress which if I’m not mistaken is by Rachel Roy. If not, Rachel Roy’s is a great alternative. Also see below for some other great finds. My personal favorites are the Lela Rose dress and the long black dress from Windorstore.com.

Jeans 101: Long ‘n’ Lean

Kimora Lee Simmons at the premiere photography exhibit of portraits by Brett Ratner, held at Altair Lofts, NY in May of this year.
Rihanna Promoting Clinique Laboratories New Perfume "Clinique Happy"last month in Tokyo, Japan.
Joy Bryant arriving at the Christian Dior "D'Trick" Launch Party at Fenix in Los Angeles.
Zoe Saldana at Coach's Legacy Collection Launch Party in NYC.

This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Standing tall at 5’9”, I often find it difficult to locate pants/trousers of any kind, long enough to meet my ankles. As a general rule, no matter how tall you are, pants should reach at least half-way down the heels of the shoes you are wearing. This of course doesn’t apply to pants intended to be short i.e. capris, skinny jeans etc. My friends and I used to refer to short pants as swingers, meaning they swing at your ankles and never quite get to your feet! Avoid joining the swingers club and scroll down for some great jeans…

Tight Fix...

Etro's runway show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007.

Stella McCartney, Joy Bryant and Golden Brooks all jump on the tights bandwagon.

Trend Alert: Opaque black tights under dresses. I think we may be on to something. Milan Fashion Week has seen many-a-designer send their models down the runway wearing thick black tights; it was a staple at Etro’s show, however I personally haven’t donned a pair since high school! A great advantage about this look is that you can continue to wear your favorite short skirts and dresses through the winter months and the tights add a more modest and sophisticated edge to your look. One piece of advice… carry an extra pair with you, a run in your stockings is NEVER a good look. ;)

Style on the Go...

Corinne Bailey Rae arriving at the UK’s 2006 MOBO Awards at The Royal Albert Hall last Wednesday night in London.
LeToya also attended the MOBO Awards in London – She’s looking so sophisticated!!
Vanessa Williams at the premiere of the Fox Searchlight film "The Last King of Scotland" on Thursday, at the Motion Picture Academy in Beverly Hills.
Joy Bryant at Premiere Magazine’s annual Women In Hollywood issue with a gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Wednesday night.

I’m so happy for Corinne Bailey Rae, she’s had a great year and looks fabulous here. The aqua color of her dress really suits her complexion. LeToya Luckett made and appearance at the London based awards which is great because American stars don’t really flock to this particular award show, but support has been growing. Joy Bryant was present to honor the “Women In Hollywood” sponsored by Premiere magazine. This year they honored Cate Blanchett, Annette Bening, Sofia Coppola, Sally Field, and Evan Rachel Wood. And last but not least Vanessa Williams of Soul Food (the TV series) is looking the best I’ve seen her in a long time. LOVE THE HAIR!

Style Spotlight: Joy Bryant

I loved Joy Bryant's performance in Antwone Fisher, in fact I loved the whole movie, but then Joy wasn't really seen much until her recent role in 50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Tryin.' I did a quick Google search and found out that she's actually had parts in Spider-Man 2 and The Skeleton Key, I must have blinked because I missed them! Her next two projects are the movies Bobby (based on U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy) and The Ballad of Walter Holmes (an R&B singer from the streets finds his path in life through his music), both are coming out later this year. Here she is arriving at GQ magazine's 2005 "Men Of The Year" celebration in Beverly Hills looking ultra glamourous - she must have been a model at some point because that body just screams 'Vogue!'