โ โ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ ๐๐๐ โ Early to Mid 2000s !
JTโs โ City Cinderella โ Promotional Poster Graphics by Me
The use of music and album promotional posters began as early as the early 20th century, becoming more prevalent with the rise of jazz and big band music in the 1920s and 1930s. These posters were used to advertise live performances and new album releases.
They were often found in music stores to promote upcoming releases, used as part of media press kits, displayed in record company offices, and given away as promotional items to fans and customers.
They could also be featured in magazines, on billboards, or as part of the decor in various entertainment venues. The goal was to create visibility and excitement for the album ( or single ) , leading up to its release date, but have fallen out of fashion due to the shift from physical to digital to media.
Nowadays when artists have a new project to release they go through pre-save medias or social media posts but.. I decided to take a crack at designing something for my greatest muse, and one of my favorite artists JT, for her upcoming debut mixtape โ City Cinderella โ set to be released soon.
One of the tracks on the highly anticipated project is called โ OKAY โ, and according to the femcee herself it has influences of mid to late 2000s Southern Rap inspired by Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane in their mid to 2000s prime [ 2007-2009 ] and so I felt it was only right for me to create something inspired by that era for her mixtape promo. Iโm excited about the project. How did I do in executing my visionโฆ Yโall like it ?
โโโโโโโโโโโโ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐:
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COPYRIGHT & REPOSTING NOTICE: All written content and picture edits in this Tumblr post are original creations by me, from my own mind. Reposting or unauthorized use without permission is strictly prohibited. Please respect my work. I also have stated numerous times I do not own the original images used in my edits for this post. I claim no ownership over those. ยฉ MIA GOLDS / CULT HER.
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๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐!
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ ! โ
โ โ โ โ โ โ AALIYAHโS UNFORGETTABLE FASHION SENSE โ โ โ โ โ โ EXPLORED, โโโ AN ARTICLE WRITTEN & PHOTO โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ EDITS MADE BY MIA GOLDS
If you ask anyone in the world to define the legacy of Aaliyah, youโll receive a myriad of responses. Some will praise the rising IT Girl whose precious life tragically ended too soon, while others will reflect on the profound impact sheโs made on their existence in one way or another.
Many others will recount her evolution from a young R&B sensation to a mature artist exploring pop music and other sounds on the brink of her prime. But regardless of the response you get, one thing reigns true as the definition of her essence: her iconic fashion sense.
From the moment she burst onto the music scene in 1994 with her first album โ Age Ainโt Nothing but A Number โ as a fresh-faced teenager, Aaliyah captivated audiences not only with her angelic and smooth vocals but also with her distinctive sense of style.
In her early years, she came out the gate pushing the envelope of what it means to be a budding artist and a free-spirited young black girl. Many of her looks effortlessly blended streetwear stylings with subtle couture pieces, rocking oversized sports jerseys and baggy pants paired with sleek, feminine touches like crop tops and crop jackets to create uniquely balanced silhouettes and cuts.
A fashion format she carried throughout the entirety of her career, through time she changed the way she presented it but the elements of it remained. As she soared into her stardom and maturity as an artist, so too did her fashion sense.
Later she embraced more feminine and refined aesthetics, favoring sexy silhouettes, tailored gowns, and minimalistic elegance. Her iconic tomboy โ sweet but street โ chic look became synonymous with effortless coolness, and inspired countless fashion trends.
Establishing her as the true style icon she was, ahead of her time and still remains today. Regardless, it was her ability to seamlessly transition between various fashion personas that truly set her apart from any of her peers.
Whether she was rocking a glamorous gown on the red carpet or effortlessly slaying in a baggy tracksuit on stage, Aaliyah exuded confidence and authenticity in every ensemble.
That very same confidence and coolness continues to resound in the world around us today. From celebrities and influencers, to everyday fashion enthusiasts who pride themselves in their physical expression.
The beauty of creating art is that it is bigโ and permanent enough to live beyond us. Within her short time on earth, she continued to push boundaries and explore new musical territories, and her fashion choices unwound alongside her, reflecting her growth as an artist and into a woman.
From the streets of Brooklyn to the stages of the world, Aaliyah's fashion journey was as dynamic and diverse as her music, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the industries of fashion and music alike.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: From Tomboy to Tommy Girl
During her debut era in 1994, Aaliyah not only captivated audiences with her smooth, soulful vocals on hits like โ Back & Forth,โ โ At Your Best ( You Are Love ), โOld School, โ & โ Age Ainโt Nothing but A Number โโ the title track of her debut album, to name a fewโฆ but also with her distinctive sense of fashion.
The way she dressed didnโt just resound the casual and laid-back lifestyles of the R&B & Hip-Hop scene of the 1990s, but it also reflected her confident, humorous, yet collected personality.
There wasnโt a single teen girl in America that didnโt want to be like Aaliyah. Black girls everywhere aspired to make oversized jerseys, baggy pants, cropped tops, statement sunglasses, numerous colored bandanas, and baseball caps look as chill as she did. Her uniqueness quickly made her a sensation and role model to look up to.
In addition to her loose-fitted hoodies and starter jackets, a wrist full of silver bangles and standout nail polish colors added feminine contrast to anything youโd see her in, and how could we forget her โ A โ initial necklace? Simple but effectively iconic.
Her early appeal and aesthetics can be attributed to the legendary fashion stylist Derek Lee. From 1994 onward through her career, Derek was instrumental in crafting her trendsetting tomboy aesthetic. It was his hard work and vision that helped to shape her distinctive fashion sense and solidify her status as a style icon.
Under his guidance, she became known for her effortless blend of masculine yet sweetly feminine elegance, taking risks, setting trends, and inspiring fans worldwide. Derek has also styled Lil Kim, Bobby Brown, and Macy Gray, to name a few.
As his muse, Aaliyah landed her first significant collaboration campaign for Tommy Hilfiger in 1996. Tommy Hilfiger is a brand whose name still holds the same weight today as it did in the 90s.
Becoming a Tommy Girl allowed Aaliyah to express her creativity in a new way. Their collaboration blended urban streetwear-inspired styles to cater to the day's youth and offered a sense of high-quality exclusivity. Her laid-back touch perfectly complemented Tommyโs preppy dynamic and made a memorable partnership that we still recognize and associate with the R&B star.
Working with Tommy also introduced Aaliyah to her best friend, Kidada Jones, the fashion stylist and designer, who is also the daughter of music legend Quincy Jones. Their shared interests in music, fashion, and culture are said to have led to a natural connection and friendship over time. The two young women were just alike.
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: Get it? Anyways, Aaliyahโs Evolution from Teen Idol to Full Blown Superstar!
In the Mid to Late 1990s, Aaliyahโs style evolved into something with the makings of a rebirthโa renaissance for her womanhood. The teenage tomboy crooner had grown into a young woman navigating mainstream success, and her fashion began to reflect that portion in her narrative.
Many of those who adored her for her music also adored her fashion sense as it became less practical and increased in intricacy. She traded her baggy pants, oversized leisure wear, and cropped tees for sleek leathers, fitted dresses, and high-fashion-grade ensembles that added more contrast and texture to her wardrobe.
Though she never shied away from wearing color, her palette during this era took on a more toned-down colorway to emphasize her maturity: rusted earth tones, browns, grays, and lots of black.
Her red carpet looks became increasingly refined during this era, showcasing her versatility and ability to transition between different fashion personas seamlessly. As she navigated her way through the entertainment industry, tackling acting roles and additional modeling campaigns, how she presented herself began to attest to her evolution as a person with each project she put out.
Her โOne In A Millionโ era was the dawning of a new point in her career, with the sophomore album marking a transition into a more cultivated sophistication in her artistry and welcoming bolder accessories for her coming-of-age narrative. She showed versatility as she was praised on cover shoots for teen magazines nationwide and reserved her edge by allowing her signature shades, oversized jackets, and necklaces to appear.
Her self-titled โ Aaliyah โ album era was the last project released during her time here. This era was the pinnacle of her evolution. This portion of her art saw her embracing sultry vocals and lyrics, all the while coming into the glamor of stardom and confidence with every public appearance. Statement pieces and bold colorways once again found themselves in her look. Avante-garde designs, high fashion designer-brand labels, and intricate detailed pieces and patterns, to name a fewโ demonstrated her fearless approach as a trendsetter and tastemaker.
This era leaves a bittersweet imprint in the minds of many. While we applaud the woman she was becoming, we cry for the sweet spirit we lost so tragically and too soon.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: Her Homage to High Fashion
Her partnership with Tommy Hilfiger in the mid-1990s was a groundbreaking moment, as she became the face of Tommy Jeans, effortlessly blending mainstream fashion with hip-hop culture.
Aaliyah's influence also reached luxury fashion houses like Versace, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen, where she was admired for her daring fashion choices and ability to push boundaries.
She seamlessly incorporated pieces from these brands into her wardrobe during photoshoots, music videos, and other public appearances, showcasing her impeccable taste and fearless approach to style.
Aaliyah's affinity for luxury fashion not only elevated her image but also helped raise the visibility of these brands within the urban music and fashion scenes.
She famously wore a custom-made Tom Ford for Gucci leather jumpsuit in the music video for her song "Try Again," a look that continues to be complimented.
She rocked a stunning black silk organza gown from Alexander McQueenโs Spring/Summer 2000 collection in her final music video for "Rock the Boat." Along with designs by Thierry Mugler, including a metallic silver jumpsuit during her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1998.
Her legacy as a style icon inspires designers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts worldwide, solidifying her status as a timeless muse for high fashion designer brands with an unstoppable influence.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐: 23 Years Laterโฆ
Aaliyah's influence on fashion transcends time, resonating even in present-day trends 23 years after her untimely passing. The entire thesis of this exploration is to emphasize how her style continues to inspire a new generation of fashion enthusiasts, celebrities, and influencers all these years later. I aim to stress how her incredibly unmatched talent and passion for fashion collaboratively created a legacy that still holds her light.
Modern-day stars like Zendaya, known for her boundary-pushing fashion choices and effortless blend of streetwear and high fashion, often cite Aaliyah as a source of early inspiration.
Similarly, Ciara's bold and glamorous style pays homage to Aaliyah's rule-breaking approach to fashion, with her outfits and statement accessories reminiscent of the late icon.
Tinashe, an independent artist and producer, embraces Aaliyah's signature tomboy-chic aesthetic, infusing it with her own modern twist to create a unique and captivating look.
Aleali May, who in my opinion is a fusion of Aaliyah & Kidada Jonesโ essence, is a designer stylist and continues to be a rising star in the fashion world, channels Aaliyah's relaxed and understated elegance in her streetwear-inspired looks and all of her designs, proving that Aaliyah's influence knows no boundaries.
Even global superstar Rihanna, known for her daring and trendsetting style, acknowledges Aaliyah's impact on fashion, paying homage to her in her music and fashion choices. Along with the beautiful and eclectic Teyana Taylor further attesting to the power of a legacy as well.
Beyond celebrities, influencers and public figures across social media platforms continue to celebrate Aaliyahโs fashion that came before her time, reinterpreting it for the digital age and keeping her legacy alive for generations to come.
Aaliyah's style and unapologetic individuality continue to serve as a reminder that true fashion icons are immortalized not only in memory but also in the enduring influence they leave behind. Great art never expires.
โโโโโโโโโโโโ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐:
CULT HER INSTAGRAM
CULT HER TWITTER
PERSONAL TUMBLR PAGE
ADDITIONAL LINK TREE
COPYRIGHT & REPOSTING NOTICE: All written content and picture edits in this Tumblr post are original creations by me, from my own mind. Reposting or unauthorized use without permission is strictly prohibited. Please respect my work. I also have stated numerous times I do not own the original images used in my edits for this post. I claim no ownership over those. ยฉ MIA GOLDS / CULT HER.
โโโโโโโโโโโโ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐!
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