14 Women Serving The Slay At the NAACP Image Awards
Held for the first time on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, the 49th NAACP Image Awards Awards is an annual display of multicultural distinction and opulence.
Not only is the award show dedicated to celebrating the year's best achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, the Image Awards also honors those who also dedicate their time and gifts to social justice and their initiatives.
Hosted by NAACP Image Awards winner and black-Ish star Anthony Anderson, no other award show boats this much black excellence. With presenters ranging from Sterling K. Brown, Mary J. Blige, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Issa Rae, and Chadwick Boseman, watching the Image Awards feels like an aspirational moment for all of us tuned into TVOne.
Let's get to the FASHION! Blues, burgundies, sheers, and sparkles were all winning tonight. From custom pieces to couture gowns, the attendees brought us all the glam. These women are designer's and stylist's dreams, and when they hit the carpet, heads turn and we bow! Can you say Black girl magic? Check out our faves below.
Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi's Vera Wang 2018 black gown with sheer details was tiered to perfection. We especially love the interesting neckline and cute sleeve, which proves that she is a young fashionista to watch.
Marsai Martin
Styled by Apuje Kalu, black-ish star Marsai Martin was the belle of the ball as she sizzled in an emerald green look in a gown by Pantora Mini.
Letoya Luckett
Letoya Luckett wowed in a royalty-ready purple gown accented with that coveted newlywed glow. She and her husband Tommicus Walker made their first red carpet appearance together, and it was nothing short of magical.
June Ambrose
June Ambrose looked like the stylish winged angel that she is while stuntin' on the carpet. The renowned stylist and mom stunned in a Michael Costello capped couture ensemble.
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Tamera Mowry-Housley set off her Michael Costello custom black one-shoulder, sheer-detailed gown with gorgeous blue gem earrings that glittered.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington's black Michael Kors gown was classic and structured. One of the many amazing women behind the #TimesUp moment, the Scandal star kept the theme going from the Golden Globes.
Lil Mama
Lil Mama slayed the sheer detail trend in a gown only for the daring and fashion-foward. Accompanied by her billowing natural curls, her look was a show-stopper of the night.
Yvonne Orji
Insecure's Yvonne Orji wore a pale pink piece with embellishments that gave me royalty vibes.
Claudia Jordan
Claudia Jordan flaunted her curves in a rose-gold jumpsuit that told y'all she might be 44, but she is still body goals. Flawless.
Halle Berry
In a sheer detailed Reem Acra Fall 2016 gown, Halle Berry also reminds us that age is nothing but a number. She also empowered us by saying that "tonight is affirmation that we shall never be silent again."
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay donned a Greta Constantine custom burgundy pantsuit that perfectly complemented the red on the Image Awards red carpet. She radiates confidence and intelligence and is the epitome of a Queen, Sugar.
Andra Day
Singer Andra Day embodied her eccentric eclectic style and was an absolute vision in a Giorgio Armani FW17 dress. She accessorized with red satin sandals by Louboutin, a Giuseppe clutch, and hair pins on deck.
Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash showed up to show out! The Claws star was yet another show-stopper of the night as a vision of opulence in a Mac Duggal that gave us thigh and leg for days.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Adorned in a Narcisco Rodriguez Pre-Fall 2018 number, Tracee Ellis Ross glittered in a sequined rose gold tea length and a fishtail braid for the gawds. The black-ish actress ended the night with the award for Oustanding Actress in a Comedy Series, donning a fur coat that reminded us all of why she reigns supreme.
These women have me over here planning my next black tie event just so I can slay like they did! Who were your favorites tonight?
All images via Getty Images
Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
It Girl In Motion: Paige Shari Addison Shows Us Why She's The Hostess With The Mostess
Paige Shari Addison is the epitome of an ItGirl, which is why she is one of 100 ladies on xoNecole's inaugural ItGirl 100 list in partnership with Hyundai. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Paige started her journey as a host in high school by hosting parties. Since then, she has made a career in hosting, from parties to big-name events, and she launched Strictly RNB, a platform for new artists and R&B lovers. Paige reflects on her creative path in the limited video series "ItGirl in Motion."
“My first curated event at Criminal Records was incredible. It was all for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “I needed a platform for us as a collective to be able to give ourselves the platform instead of asking for it, instead of looking for it. I was like, I want to make sure I let people get this experience that I would give as a performer but enjoy the experience with them. It was a dream come true.”
The Atlanta native also has her own line of acai bowls called Soulfull Bowls. She started it during the pandemic after events and parties shut down. But it was her love for eating acai bowls and the reactions others had to them that made her want to make it her next business move. Being open to creating new ventures in the midst of uncertainty is a bold move and one of the reasons why Paige has the “it” factor.
“Being an ItGirl means you’re just authentic. There’s an air to us. We have confidence that exudes from the way we speak, the way we put our lip gloss on, the way we walk, the way we talk. I show up as myself everytime I walk into a room. I’m hospitable, I make sure everybody’s good,” she says.
Get to know more about the hostess with the mostess in the video above.
See our ItGirl 100 list in full here. Click through the gallery below for some BTS moments of Paige and our partnership with Hyundai.
Director: Mikkoh @mikkoh
Production company: @polly___studio
Producer/AD: Samuel Cho @choboi90
Producer/Tech: Paul Nguyen @paul__winn
DP: Cristian Bernal @cristianbernal
Editor: @30inthemorning
2nd Cam: Paul Nguyen
1st AC: AJ Paug @ajpaug Gaffer: Dennis Albert @dennisalbert_
Audio Mixer: Victor Chavez @vic_the__
PA: Rick Carreno @ispeakrick
PA: Tiffany Do @tivani.doee
BTS Photo: Prime @theartofprime
Car Detail: @sud_studs @slugglobal
Creative Director @hellobosco
Team Lead @kevgumbo3000
Project Manager @zakk_jullot
Creative Producer @iamkingsheyla
Designers @miacolemxn @noelspiva
@xoNecole
Director, Integrated Marketing @_vang
Campaign Manager @kingchachiii
Talent Lead @kaylawalker
Feature image by Prime/ @theartof prime