June Ambrose & Johnetta Boone Macy’s Event Recap

I had a great time at Macy’s “Soul Era” Black History Month event. I had been stressing over the details since I found out about the event. What time I would arrive, what would I wear, what would the experience be like, etc. I attended the DC event so it was just a short walk over from my job.

My biggest worry was what would I wear. I mean June is a celebrity stylist and Johnetta is a famous costume designer.  They know style, and they know fashion and I wanted to represent both of those things.  A day before the event I became fixated on a bow tie. I wanted a hot pink one but lucked up on a navy blue one. I paired it with a navy stripe blazer that I recently purchased. SCORE!!!!

Style Ambassador/TV Correspondent, Tai Beauchamp was the host for the evening. She moderated the panel discussion with June Ambrose and Johnetta Boone. Their personalities meshed very well. They were informative, inspiring and funny as he!!.  The discussion was about fashion in The Soul Era, focused on the ’60s and ’70s style.

Q: What is black style?

A: {June} Black Style is an expression, of energy, you can’t really put it in a box. A lot of things make up black style.

A: {Johnetta} You think skin tone, hair texture, and body types.  Then you mix it all up with a garment and that’s how you get style.

Q: During the ’60s/’70s style we had style icons in the music industry and on TV. Pam Grier was a sexy, foxy, hot momma. Whereas Diana Ross was at the opposite end of the spectrum but they were both celebrated. What do you think about that era?

A: {June} The energy was carefree, sexy, provocative, classy, clean yet sensuous.  Women showed curves and body and it was okay.  Movements were fashion icons like the Black Panthers for example. Your apparel told stories of your experiences.

June on Style

It wasn’t fashion to see a black woman in a turban. People were rude and nasty until they saw it on the runway. Then it became accepted and a part of the style.

Some days you leave home looking like a comma because your outfit is to be continued at the store. You should always leave home as a period or an exclamation. Maybe an accessory is what adds that punctuation to your outfit.

Men’s style is very much in the ’60s right now. The bow tie and dress pant are replacing the saggy pant.

Q: First Lady Michelle Obama has done a great job at representing black designers in the industry. How do we continue to support them?

A: Right now we have fewer black designers than we had back in the ’70s.  We can probably count the number of black designers on one hand. Designing is the easier part, getting distribution of their products are the real issue.

Prior to this event, I didn’t know Johnetta Boone, but I’m here to say I am a new fan. Her personality is everything, her hair is fab and she is a local. Yes, she is from the DMV. These ladies are simply electric in every sense of the word. Their energy was magnetic, their personalities were refreshing and their knowledge was endless. Fab and fly!

My niece attended the event with me, she is expecting a little girl next month. Once the ladies realized she had a big ol’ belly under that blazer this happened. Ha! This baby has been blessed by the fashion Gods.

My Blogger Boo and fellow BLM Girl Jonna {Naturally-Glam} was there. I also saw Whitney {WhitneyNicJames} and Erin {Bag Ladies Radio}, it’s always great to see these gals out and about.

The reception food was provided by Eatonville Restaurant, they are located on U Street, NW, in DC. I’ve not been but I hear the food is good. The chicken I had and this strawberry cake were yummy. This non-alcoholic Sangria-style iced tea was yummy too; I will be making this.

This event was a night to remember for sure. After trotting around in those over-the-knee boots about 4 inches high my feet were done you hear me? They certainly served their purpose but as I was leaving I was resisting the “hurt feet, foot drag” that women do when they a. can’t walk in heels or b. their feet hurt. My niece and I could serve no more, so I purchased our flats out of Macy’s so we would walk back to my truck. hahaha If I was going to buy flats well then they had to be cute. These leopard cuties are made by Coach.

Did you attend a Macy’s Black History event in a city near you? If so tell me about it.  Chat with me in the comment section below or here, here or here.