When it comes to making a statement, Taraji P. Henson is no stranger to turning heads with her bold and unapologetic fashion choices. Known for her electrifying presence on the red carpet and her transformative roles on screen, Henson has always embraced the spirit of individuality. Whether she’s rocking a sleek, edgy ensemble or an elegant gown, Henson’s sense of style has evolved over the years into a powerful form of self-expression. The actress has made it clear that her fashion is not dictated by trends or societal expectations but rather by her own comfort, mood, and personal flair.
Taraji P. Henson, a Fashion Trailblazer
Recently, Henson opened up to 21Ninety about how her fearless approach to fashion. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s also an extension of who she is.
“I just want women to be bold enough to be themselves. Like, I don’t follow fashion trends,” she said. “I have stylists, but they’re more interested in how I style myself when they’re not around.”
For Henson, fashion is about feeling empowered, and her choices reflect her commitment to living authentically. Whether she’s on the red carpet or in her everyday life, Henson’s looks embody a rebellious spirit that defies convention.
She was quick to emphasize the importance of comfort in her style.
“I don’t care how fly it is—if I don’t feel comfortable in it, I can’t wear it,” she explained. “It affects my mood and how I interact with people. If I can’t breathe in the dress or my feet hurt, how do you expect me to be graceful on the red carpet?”
This authenticity is the core of Henson’s approach to fashion. Her joy comes from playing in different styles.
“I was a rock star. I do what I feel in fashion and I like to play, I find joy in playing,” she shared. “These outfits you put on, you become these characters. Not that I change who I am, but it gives me a different walk, a different swag, a different feel.”
Henson’s unapologetic style has evolved in tandem with her career, and she isn’t afraid to make bold decisions. One day she might switch up her hair and another she might embrace a daring new look.
“I remember when I first did the big chop and buzzed my hair underneath. My publicist at the time didn’t like it, but I didn’t care,” she recalled. “That haircut is still being circulated today! What if I had listened to her and not done it?”
Moments like these illustrate Henson’s commitment to staying true to herself, even when it goes against the grain.
“You have to be yourself. If you feel like purple hair today, do it. Nobody’s stopping you,” she said.
Mental Health Advocacy Through Fashion
Henson’s influence extends far beyond fashion. She’s also using her platform to address critical issues facing Black women, particularly around mental health. As someone deeply committed to destigmatizing mental health conversations, Henson has partnered with Kate Spade to launch a capsule collection with proceeds going to her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. The organizaiton focuses on providing mental health resources, especially for Black women and girls.
Henson spoke passionately about this partnership, noting how it aligns with her personal mission to uplift Black women.
“If you save the women in the community, the community is saved,” she stated. “Black women often take care of everyone else, but not themselves, and we’re losing women because of that.”
Through initiatives like the Kate Spade collaboration, Henson has been able to bring mental health resources, including wellness pods, to HBCU campuses, offering safe spaces for Black women to access the care they need.
Henson’s drive to destigmatize mental health issues within the Black community is a direct response to the alarming statistics surrounding mental health.
“We don’t even talk about it in our communities. There’s so much stigma,” she says. “With the help of Kate Spade, we’ve been able to create spaces where Black women can feel safe and supported without fear of judgment.”
Her foundation’s work with Kate Spade helps bridge the gap of the critical need for more accessible mental health services, especially in underserved communities.
With a legacy rooted in authenticity and self-expression, Taraji P. Henson continues to inspire Black women everywhere to embrace their own unique style, both in fashion and in life. Through her ongoing efforts to support mental health in the Black community, she’s proving that true beauty lies not only in what you wear, but in how you care for yourself and others.