I've fallen for Shala Monroque, the super stylish Editor of Pop Magazine. I saw her on my first ever trip to New York where I spent hours aimlessly stalking the shoes at Bergdorf Goodman. I was trying to work out exactly how much money I had and what percentage of it to be spent on a pair of shoes that I could actually walk hundreds of metres in. I had waited years for this day. The day I could just try serious designer shoes and actually buy a pair. Remembering one pair and one pair only. I couldn't decide so 'cruised' a number of Fifth Avenue stores holding tightly to my bag. My Lonely Planet guide and my mum had warned me about New York's so-called hoodlums so I was on high alert. Back at Bergdorf and fast forward to seeing Shala in person....
I hadn't seen a black woman with such grace in ages. I had studied in London and seen many well-to-do and well-dressed Black Butterflies but this was the first time I saw one that:
1. did not have a weave
2. had minimal make-up
3. had natural elegance
4. looked individualistic and effortlessly chic
5. did not look like new-money
I hoped that she'd notice me rocking larger-than-life frames, vintage riding boots, Topshop tunic and a DVF coat that I had snapped up in an underground DVF sale. I hoped that she would say "Oh my. Can I please try those pumps that stylista is trying on?" and perhaps compliment me on my style. She didn't. She didn't notice me but I noticed her and years later I still remember her entire outfit.
The thing is every month or so she seems to pop up in my life. Yes in my life! Just a moment ago I logged on to style.com and there she was again. Thanks to Scott Schuman, Garance Dore and one other blogger, I can share this Black Butterfly with you.
Lovely pictures ^^
ReplyDeleteblack so beautiful!nice pictures
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