Black women typically are the root to every trend you see. From bold nails to innovative hairstyles, Black women are the prototype. When trends come back around, it’s worth celebrating the Black women in the media who set them the first time. People may not always acknowledge it, but so much of what society finds trendy and hot these days is a direct reflection of what the 90s and early 2000s baddies were doing, from their makeup looks to their funky fashion.
It’s only right to pay them their respects. Here are 9 of the women you may not realize you’re emulating in your every day looks.
3LW
Before the Cheetah Girls, Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams were 2000s R&B royalty, alongside actress Naturi Naughton. Their red carpet looks were second to none, from denim on denim to jersey dresses with bandana headpieces and oversized hoop earrings. Though they were relatively short lived, their fashion legacy continues to reign supreme.
Raven-Symoné
From her starring role on “That’s So Raven” to her influential spots on “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century” and “Cheetah Girls,” it’s critical to acknowledge what child actress Raven-Symoné did for Black curvy girls. She not only give them permission to be funny and take up space, but also embodied the art of playful fashion and bold stylistic choices. Her marching to the beat of her own drum paved way for every Black girl with a unique spark to do the same.
Cast of “Girlfriends”
It’s as if every archetype of women’s fashion was represented in the “Girlfriends” friend group, from Lynn’s boho-chic style to Joan’s sophisticated femme and Toni’s corporate glam. Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Jill Marie Jones stood out in their own right, yet uplifted each other in the shared space. Their diversity never clashing with one another was proof that you may have a little of all four girlfriends within you, and all of them deserve their time to shine.
Scary Spice
While each of the Spice Girls were iconic in their own way, Mel B, publicly known as Scary Spice, was a Black girl beacon of hope that being your spunkiest self is always worth the drama. The UK-based girl group took over the world of pop, and the weight Mel B carried certainly didn’t go unnoticed. She had an allegiance to animal print and was never shy about styling her curls in the boldest way possible. She stood as a reminder that you should never lose your childlike essence in your fashion expression.
Lisa Bonet
There wasn’t a single soul on the planet who didn’t have a crush on actress Lisa Bonet during her time on “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World.” From embracing her natural curls to rocking waist length dreads and piercings, her style was both rebellious and unique, especially for her era. Her legacy is now being lived out through her equally stylistically iconic daughter, Zoe Kravitz.
Nia Long
Nia Long singlehandedly made the “big chop” the it girl look, serving face and bold eyeshadow any chance she got. Her fashion style could be described as simple and timeless, doing a lot with the bare minimum. A crop top, fitted jeans and a statement mule were her go-tos. It’s a combo that continues to serve as a modern day baddie staple.
Karyn Parsons
From pencil skirts to custom couture, Karyn Parsons brought “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s” Hilary Banks to life in the most glamorous way possible. There wasn’t a single scene where she wasn’t dressed to the nines. It’s a reminder that a true baddie never takes a day off. Even if you’re on a grocery store run, it’s worth it to be intentional about your look.
Aaliyah
Before her tragic passing in 2001, Aaliyah gave the world an incomparable music catalog and endless crop top inspo. She made baggy pants sexy, a sentiment that rings true to this day. Athleticwear, sunglasses of all shapes and colors and exposed underwear were also some Aaliyah signatures. Every time people rock them, it’s a nod to her angelic reign.
Kelis
Kelis’ milkshake brought all the boys to the yard because it was bold and authentically hers. There’s no one in the industry who has ever done it quite like the 2000s songstress. Her punk-rock-rap-R&B fusion bleeding into every facet of her artistry, including fashion. Her hair was her biggest avenue for expression, from dying it bright colors to shaving it off entirely to styling it asymmetrically. To top it all off, her best accessory was not caring what anyone thinks.