With every day being uncertain during this COVID-19 crisis, our minds are beginning to fantasize about once again enjoying the daily aspects of what was once normal life. From restaurants to shopping malls, we can only reminisce on the good times we had outdoors. For the last two months, we've been cooking our own meals and FaceTime-ing our loved ones which was fun for a while but getting back to in-person interactions sounds like heaven on earth. While we've been stuck inside daydreaming of what life will soon be, we've also had the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and how we'd like to conquer the world moving forward.
We asked seven of our favorite stylish ladies what they plan to wear on their first day out of lockdown and what they've learned about themselves during their downtime. Finally getting dressed with somewhere to go, get into these looks for major post-quarantine inspiration.
Aniya Morinia, @aniyahmorinia
Photo courtesy of Aniya Morinia
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I spent quarantine in the off-campus apartment in my college town, Gainesville, FL. My lease is up in August so I've been living here until I move back to my hometown, Kissimmee, FL with my family.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is brunch! I love the ambiance of a restaurant that serves brunch and can't wait to wear an outfit to match the vibes. At this point, I have cooked everything that I know how to cook a million times and I'm getting tired of eating my own meals every single day. I'm looking forward to someone setting a delicious meal in front of me at a restaurant.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I discovered that I am much more creative than I give myself credit for. I've been working with what I have at home to create content for Instagram and it's been so fun! I've also been trying to personalize and curate my living space now that I am spending more time here. Instagram and magazines have been my main source of inspiration during this time and I can't wait to keep creating and see the transformations I make.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I am looking forward to starting a new lifestyle post-quarantine. Staying inside has opened my eyes to how unexpected life can be and I want to start saying "yes" to more life experiences! My college experience ended prematurely so I am looking forward to reuniting with my friends and potentially traveling with them.
Kandace Banks, @_kandace
Photo courtesy of Kandace Banks
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I quarantined back home in Indiana because New York's population is just too dense for me. There's tons of space here and it's very peaceful.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is a meet up with friends. I know we're going to plan something; a brunch, dinner, drinks, going to someone's party, literally anything. I just want to show some skin and wear an actual dress. Something I haven't had a reason to wear in months.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
Being back home, I've had some time to read my old journals from college. It made me realize I'm on the path I've wanted to be on all along, I've just lost some of the hunger. So I definitely plan on being more focused when things open back up. If my younger self could give myself any advice now, it would be to have no fear.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I really look forward to moving freely once things open back up. My soul is craving travel, being in water, eating exotic food in the sun, drinking something delicious, listening to a live band. I really can't wait to travel whenever I want. I've been listening to music in foreign languages to give me that vibe until then.
Chinyere Adogu, @the_real_chi
Photo courtesy of Chinyere Adogu
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I spent most of my time during quarantine at home. I took walks around the neighborhood ever so often for fresh air and went to the grocery store weekly. I did spend a significant amount of time on Amazon as well.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is for brunch on a rooftop. I need a massive amount of food in front of me with the sun shining down on me. Brunching has always been a happy place for me, it involves two of my favorite things, which are dressing up and eating food. I definitely miss it!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I've discovered that I have to plan out daily activities, big or small, that will bring me some sort of joy. This is a great way for me to maintain a positive and happy energy around myself during this downtime.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Honestly, traveling! I've canceled so many planned trips within these last few months. I'm someone who loves to constantly move around, so I cannot wait to be able to freely do that again.
Avry Joiner, @thenxcvintage
Photo courtesy of Avry
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
My quarantine time was spent at my home in Charlotte, NC. I spent so much time here, I did a little redecorating to brighten it up. I'm really pleased with how it all came out.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
Oh, man! I'll probably just get cute to go to the thrift store because I miss it so much and I have an online vintage shop that needs new vintage pieces. My Saturday routine was brunch then thrift, and I miss it so much!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I'm not sure I discovered anything new about myself but I will say I've enjoyed this downtime SO much! I am constantly on the go. It felt good to spend all day watching Netflix or playing dress up for hours and not rushing from one place to another. My life is always hectic and I'm always on the go. This period of downtime was just what I needed for my creative juices to flow.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I think I've mentioned this already but THRIFTING! Also, seeing my entire family. We've missed birthdays and holidays so we have so much to make up for.
Raven Smith, @ravey_baby
Photo courtesy of Raven
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I've been in New Orleans staying at my mom's.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
Brunch! Bottomless mimosas and hookah with the girls!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
That I'm the only person holding myself back. Having this extra time to focus on things that I put off was me only being in my own head. Go for it!
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Celebrating my 30th birthday, the proper way!
Lauren Nicole Campbell, @laurennicolefk
Photo courtesy of Lauren Nicole Campbell
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I'm spending my time at home with my mother. It's just the two of us.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
I've found getting dressed puts me in the mindset to get on with whatever I've got planned for the day. So, I'm either getting dressed to go into my office or to work from the dining table.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I loved the hustle and bustle of London life more than I thought. Albeit, I'm sure when everything resumes, I'll miss the quietness of being home, there's a thrill that comes with rush hour, running from one meeting on one side of London to the next meeting on the other side of it. Who knew I could miss that as much as I am?! But most of all, I've learnt I'm rather content with my own company.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Laughing with friends, going to bottomless brunches, being able to hug my family and fly back home to Barbados, whenever I want. I will never take those things for granted again.
Tyla-Lauren Gilmore, @tylauren
Photo courtesy of Tyla-Lauren
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
My new apartment in NJ!
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
A potluck get-together to see all my best friends at my new place!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I'm super self-motivating; it was so hard to stay positive and productive but I managed to do a lot more than I thought during quarantine.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Enjoying the weather, going to the gym, seeing my friends and family whenever I want and going out to eat!
Featured image courtesy of Lauren Nicole Campbell
Some women have their whole wedding planned out, from the bridal gown and venue to the bridal party and playlist. However, KJ was not one of those people. “I didn’t foresee a wedding in my future,” she reveals. “I was just gonna be the boss chick, rich auntie. I didn’t force love in my life until recently. I never had an idea of what a dream wedding would look like, it was easier for me to elope.”
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
And to many people’s surprise, that was their original plan – until Skyh brought up a valid concern. He was raised by his grandmother and thought she should be at the wedding, and naturally, that led to KJ wanting her grandmother to be there as well – then her mom – and later her sister – and, you’ve gotta invite the besties too, right? From there, the guest list continued to blossom. Much like the updo and pop of color bold red lip, she wore on her special day, which was initially on her Pinterest board as a soft glam look with her hair hanging on her shoulders, KJ is okay with changing her plan if it brings her and her loved ones happiness.
So let’s get into the wedding, which took place in Malibu, CA. The first thing you should know about the celebrity couple is that they’re non-traditional. They know, and they don’t care. So, in true unconventional fashion, they shared the morning of the wedding together.
“I woke up with Skyh, we walked our dog, had black coffee, and said good morning to the people who stayed at the venue with us,” she says.
Now, it was time for hair and makeup. While she was getting glammed up, she had Black-owned McBride Sisters wine and champagne (which ties into The Black Experience theme) on deck with her mom and friends, had her besties help rework her vows, retried on every outfit (sis is very Type-A), took photos, and ended the early-celebration with prayer and meditation. It seems very non-Bridezilla, I said.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company,” she explains. “The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
Things moved quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to line up to walk down the aisle.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company. The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
KJ Smith and her bridal party
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
Since everything started with their grandmothers, the couple wanted to ensure they honored them and planned to keep an element of their wedding traditional. Although we’ve all seen the reception videos and photos online, you may have noticed visuals from the wedding itself are harder to find.
“We planned for it to be traditional, but we’re not like that, so we tried to create those moments. We jumped the broom and had a salt ceremony (where the bride and groom individually pour salt into a glass container, symbolizing their lives becoming one.) But honestly, still, nothing was traditional about it.”
She goes on to explain that her mom caught the holy ghost coming down the aisle, her glam team was on deck, and she became so nervous with excitement that she had an anxiety attack – something she struggled with for years, she explains tearfully. Her friends had to literally cheer her down the aisle because of how overwhelmed she felt until she eventually calmed down.
“Skyh was standing there with his hand on his heart; we have our own little language, and I could feel the support,” she shares.
It was surprising to hear all these emotional moments happened before the party we saw online. That is until she once again got into the backstory.
“As a Black woman actress, for so long, it was popular to be mysterious and secretive, but that’s not who I am or what I like. Plus, we both wanted to create an experience for everyone there. We are the people who always host family and friends,” she says. “Like for me, the first order of business was getting sandals for the women so they can dance all night long. We had oxtail, D'ussé, and a coffee and sativa lounge – which is part of Skyh and I’s lifestyle and routine. We wanted to bring them into our world.”
Skyh Black (L) and KJ Smith (R)
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
She went on to discuss the dance routine she did for her husband at the reception, which has taken over the internet. Apparently, that’s another thing that didn’t go according to plan. According to KJ, she had promised a performance at their joint bachelor/ bachelorette party, but her outfit got stolen from her car. So, Skyh ended up performing for her – complete with a strip tease. Still, she never forgot her promise to dance for him.
So, she hired her friend as a choreographer, learned the routine, made friends and family watch it endless times, and attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance show a few days before for a confidence boost. It ended up being a show to remember. But that wasn’t all the night offered. Lil Mo performed, and the guests received special goody bags featuring their favorite Black-owned products like journals, hair care, and more.
“We made sure everyone was taken care of all night. That kind of stuff makes us happy. I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives,” she says.
But naturally, the internet is going to internet, and while there were countless people praising the event and applauding the newlyweds, some thought it was too over the top. I was curious to know her thoughts on some of the criticism.
“It’s cool. We did what we wanted to do. I’ve decided to share my world with people. Just how I went on social media platforms and found inspiration, I want people to do the same,” she explains. “I don’t think it's fair to my supporters not to give that out. There’s so much I wanna share with brides, specifically Black brides. I love that people are adding it to their Pinterest boards."
"I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives."
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
“I’m happy with it because we did what we wanted to do. They can do what they wanna do. Don’t be cruel, though, because you will get blocked,” she said, laughing.
The more I spoke with her, the more her sense of freedom shined through. People are always going to have their opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s you who has to live your life, and it seems like the couple realizes that and embraces that power. She also stressed the importance of not living for others and the lessons life has taught her.
“I’ve been to countless weddings, and I’ve been in countless weddings. I’m a generally older bride. So when women in my demographic get married, and you and your husband are busy working people like us, you deserve to have the one you want to have,” she shares.
“This is what we wanted to do. Our loved ones love and support us. We did so much to honor them, but we also wanted to start our own tradition, legacy, and creation. I'm not going to be pulled back into ideas of the past when I’m trying to create a future with my partner. “
If you’d like to see more of the couple, you probably won’t have to wait long. Although no content is planned yet, she admits to being an oversharer. “Me being open and transparent about my experiences lets people know it’s okay to have flaws; it makes you human, and for many years, I didn’t believe that was okay. I had pressure to be perfect, and I’d crumble every time,” she explains to xoNecole.
Now, she owns her flaws and uses them as a superpower to connect with her community and feel and express her love.
“Some people give us [Skyh and KJ] a hard time because they say we just seem too perfect. I’m like, why is that a bad thing? I love the people I love. From my man to my mama, to my friends - unabashedly. We move through time and space how we want to move. If we did it another way, we’d let ourselves and our union down.”
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Feature image by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
