Blog, Wo/Man Of The Hour
Ladies & Gents.. This Is Janelle Monae
Mar
This is Janelle Monae, an American R&B and soul musician, composer and record producer signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic records.
We like Janelle Monae.
Janelle Monae has become somewhat synonymous with the tuxedo. Known for dressing in complete tuxedo’s, which tend to have a masculine feel whilst remaining feminine (if that makes sense). In Honey Magazine she was quoted as saying, “I bathe in it, I swim in it, and I could be buried in it. A tux is such a standard uniform, it’s so classy and it’s a lifestyle I enjoy. The tux keeps me balanced. I look at myself as a canvas. I don’t want to cloud myself with too many colors or I’ll go crazy.”
Other sources have mentioned Monae as saying, her in a tuxedo is highly symbolic. In represents her in a ‘working’ state. Her parents were part of the working class who wore uniforms, and likens her suits to a uniform. “It’s really to pay homage to them,” she says. “This is my job; when you see me in this uniform, I’m working. This isn’t a plaything for me. ” (1)
“My grandmother had 16 sisters and brothers and they all had to share one pair of shoes, and so that’s the family that I come from — I don’t ever want to be detached from that. I use it as motivation for my music and to just keep me centered, grounded and to stay on message.” (2)
We find Janelle Monae quite inspiring, not only does she use her public image, but as a source of inspiration and power to all women. “I feel like I have a responsibility to my community and other young girls to help redefine what it looks like to be a woman. I don’t believe in men’s wear or women’s wear, I just like what I like. And I think we should just be respected for being an individual…. I’ve been in Vogue, now, and different publications, which is cool, because I think that it just shows a different perspective of how women can dress.” (1)
“It’s a dedication to uniformity and I’m a minimalist by heart” (2)
See more Janelle Monae here: click
1. http://io9.com/5592174/janelle-monae-turns-rhythm-and-blues-into-science-fiction
2. http://justicebahlee.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/why-janelle-monae-only-wears-suits.html