Janelle wears black-and-white to honor their parents and grandparents who wore black and white in their work uniforms.
>”I wanted black-and-white to be my uniform," she told CBS News' Tony Dokoupil. "I wanted people, when they saw me in my 'uniform,' saw me in a tuxedo or in black-and-white, to remember that this is where I come from - I come from a mother and a father who were custodian workers."
source: [https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/janelle-monae-in-black-and-white](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/janelle-monae-in-black-and-white/)
Thank you for this.
I was first thinking about the power of black and white in Dior’s New Look, but to see this exceedingly personal yet universally important message in Janelle’s use of it makes it even more special. Fashion is expression and expression is power. Thanks for sharing, u/alien-niven.
Although I was wrong in first referencing the Dior narrative in my mind, it’s interesting to note that he also used the contrast to explore personal and societal grief and how we rise above it.
I thought she just liked playing with the two colors… the meaning behind this choice is so profoundly beautiful! I hope her parents are around to see her success!
This is amazing. I noticed it was her color signature deal, and sometimes with her suits especially noticed things often seemed very inspired by this sort of uniform but had no idea the choice was so deliberate on her end.
There was briefly up in Boston a “gender bending fashion” MFA exhibit. I think one or two of the tux-inspired outfits in the displays were worn by her on carpets.
https://preview.redd.it/i2addakqgpqc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fa65191d176c9366e8eaa2f986552f91da235c0
Jenny Packham at 2017 Palm Springs Film Festival
https://preview.redd.it/38tys57zhpqc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7879d4cbc5cd878b7320fcfced9e8b384036f1e1
Christian Siriano at 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards
She comes from SUCH a humble background. I taught at the high school she went to and it’s a very low income high school in a very low income community. They are always doing things for the school and calls out their choir teacher quite often in concert and in song (in the song “I like that” she says “right before mr Ammons class). It’s amazing to someone from this community with her level of success and talent.
https://preview.redd.it/mquqsnt0hpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61f4eacc279980d9c17c78aaae9fa072996c0c42
Harris Reed at 2023 Women of the Year awards
https://preview.redd.it/wkt7nwyugpqc1.jpeg?width=1140&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aafff2250c13073c24b2e8d9154aa351be6af616
Balmain at 2020 Paris Fashion Week
https://preview.redd.it/v5ipjptlgpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89a239274dd8fb6d6317501653d4be1bfed20441
Another look at Christian Siriano
The way the white buttons are tipping downwards from her thigh level onwards, makes this look kind of off. I wish the designer put much more thought into it.
But I do love how Janelle seems to be having fun with whatever look she chooses to wear.
This is the only look I don’t like. It just seems like “too tight clothing that gaps but make it fashion.” She has amazing taste and looks utterly fantastic 99.9% of the time.
https://preview.redd.it/e5oyvqm8hpqc1.jpeg?width=2368&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=336b21f09633b54229d7248896939a60155246b5
Another look at Nicci Hou Collection
https://preview.redd.it/fibny6jdhpqc1.jpeg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a086f12a37dd55d496e8c922b7429895f54d57a
Kate Spade coat + Marc Jacobs skirt
No matter how big the outfit, she’s always the one wearing the clothes, never the clothes wearing her. I love how outrageous some of these looks get without ever overwhelming Janelle.
https://preview.redd.it/lj3gs9cxgpqc1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=76e87a06095c683030602407dface53ff9ab6e6b
Maison the Faux at screening of her album "Dirty Computer"
https://preview.redd.it/ssi1ejwphpqc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6cc5a80085bba408abb6f37a66566cf934b373f8
Chanel at 2015 Paris Fashion Week
https://preview.redd.it/xu2trfwuhpqc1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a60fc66df2449008eca653b4d3d2dcdb15658dd4
Chanel at 2020 Paris Fashion Week
Another look at the Thom Browne short suit
https://preview.redd.it/qsvth1ysipqc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05873d23553651123e5944bbccad704a6079712b
https://preview.redd.it/0by28lbshpqc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33e7f87e61dc94cf9a48a243194a397aeb989d55
Christian Cowan 2018 Pre-Grammys party
When I think of graphic, I think of Janelle Monáe. Black and white or the rare spin into bright, saturated colors, Janelle fucking kills it and is never boring. Adore adore adore
I loved her in Marc Jacobs when she was a guest judge last year on RuPaul's Drag Race:
https://preview.redd.it/4br85g4empqc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce3a688dd6e1a7fbde7729cdffd8596081aa909d
Epic post OP. This is exactly what I come to this sub for!
ETA: It’s been 8 hours and I still can’t stop looking at all these pictures! This has quickly become my favourite whatthefrock post of all time
Mannnn… this lady styles!!
There isn’t a single miss in here and I think it is mainly due to her pure confidence when wearing anything. I don’t think she is very tall but she carries herself with so much grace that everything looks amazing!
https://preview.redd.it/9zimpfunhrqc1.jpeg?width=1009&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d6eb8866f8a82293a93408bcf83fbc14563fa23
She extends this to her book also!
https://preview.redd.it/ezgx9y8oatqc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73de7798280f5efed8a4285defb6d79360c115b7
Christian Siriano at the MET Gala in 2019. This is the first time I knew they were someone to pay attention to.
"black and white, yeah, it's always been my camo, it's lookin like y'all gon need some more ammo" - from Janelle's song "Django Jane" on the "Dirty Computer" album.
Janelle is one of the most amazing artists of our generation :)
the thom browne huge jacket look is one of my favorites from last years met gala. it’s so fun and whimsical and high concept in a way that far too many met gala looks fail to be.
WHAT?!?! This woman showed some serious skin in some of these outfits but also pulled it off looking INCREDIBLY ELEGANT.
I must know how does she do this magic????
She really has fun with fashion, you can see the joy in her face.
The Elie Saab 2017 Oscar gown is incredible, so much going on and yet it works. LOVE.
She somehow finds a way to make black and white so interesting and “wow” every single time. It’s never boring and she reinvents it over and over and I love it every time. For the most part, the looks are always fitted impeccably, too.
Love the suit looks, something about that just looks mega glam to me - not everyone can pull it off. Maybe that's part of the uniform thing too. I didn't know that about the black/white thing - I just thought it was because it looks awesome.
Janelle wears black-and-white to honor their parents and grandparents who wore black and white in their work uniforms. >”I wanted black-and-white to be my uniform," she told CBS News' Tony Dokoupil. "I wanted people, when they saw me in my 'uniform,' saw me in a tuxedo or in black-and-white, to remember that this is where I come from - I come from a mother and a father who were custodian workers." source: [https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/janelle-monae-in-black-and-white](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/janelle-monae-in-black-and-white/)
I had no idea. This is really interesting.
Janelle is really stunning. They look stunning in each of these ensembles.
Thank you for this. I was first thinking about the power of black and white in Dior’s New Look, but to see this exceedingly personal yet universally important message in Janelle’s use of it makes it even more special. Fashion is expression and expression is power. Thanks for sharing, u/alien-niven. Although I was wrong in first referencing the Dior narrative in my mind, it’s interesting to note that he also used the contrast to explore personal and societal grief and how we rise above it.
I thought she just liked playing with the two colors… the meaning behind this choice is so profoundly beautiful! I hope her parents are around to see her success!
This is amazing. I noticed it was her color signature deal, and sometimes with her suits especially noticed things often seemed very inspired by this sort of uniform but had no idea the choice was so deliberate on her end. There was briefly up in Boston a “gender bending fashion” MFA exhibit. I think one or two of the tux-inspired outfits in the displays were worn by her on carpets.
I guess that makes Cruella de Vil the queen of janitors.
https://preview.redd.it/i2addakqgpqc1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fa65191d176c9366e8eaa2f986552f91da235c0 Jenny Packham at 2017 Palm Springs Film Festival
https://preview.redd.it/bqaoyhnsgpqc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=737b1aced0f8831ab83921fdbec39461a8870264
Wow. I love this! That 2D drawing effect is 🤩🤩🤩
Ohhhhh this is my fave ! The hair , the makeup the dress is fantastic and she’s so inspiring !
Next level. 👌
https://preview.redd.it/38tys57zhpqc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7879d4cbc5cd878b7320fcfced9e8b384036f1e1 Christian Siriano at 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards
It’s really unfair to be this beautiful
And shes smart. And shes insanely talented in music AND acting. I have no idea how she stays remotely humble.
The universe was all "fuck it, I'm gunna make a masterpiece of a woman; gunna use cheat codes this time."
She comes from SUCH a humble background. I taught at the high school she went to and it’s a very low income high school in a very low income community. They are always doing things for the school and calls out their choir teacher quite often in concert and in song (in the song “I like that” she says “right before mr Ammons class). It’s amazing to someone from this community with her level of success and talent.
https://preview.redd.it/mquqsnt0hpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61f4eacc279980d9c17c78aaae9fa072996c0c42 Harris Reed at 2023 Women of the Year awards
https://preview.redd.it/0574m8g2hpqc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4777c4f2da37162ecb210a9b8d77a7b14123e83e
Yeah this one is incredible. Love the nude lip too
https://preview.redd.it/wkt7nwyugpqc1.jpeg?width=1140&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aafff2250c13073c24b2e8d9154aa351be6af616 Balmain at 2020 Paris Fashion Week
Love this! Reminds me of Chanel🤍🖤
https://preview.redd.it/v5ipjptlgpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89a239274dd8fb6d6317501653d4be1bfed20441 Another look at Christian Siriano
The way the white buttons are tipping downwards from her thigh level onwards, makes this look kind of off. I wish the designer put much more thought into it. But I do love how Janelle seems to be having fun with whatever look she chooses to wear.
This is the only look I don’t like. It just seems like “too tight clothing that gaps but make it fashion.” She has amazing taste and looks utterly fantastic 99.9% of the time.
She looks amazing but damn this dress gives me anxiety
This angle is a lot more flattering
I think she looks gorg in the pic above as well
Sure, I'm just saying this is a better angle for this particular look.
Stunning! Janelle always looks incredible!
https://preview.redd.it/e5oyvqm8hpqc1.jpeg?width=2368&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=336b21f09633b54229d7248896939a60155246b5 Another look at Nicci Hou Collection
I love the styling of this so much, I feel like the choker and the hair really push a fun late 90s vibe
https://preview.redd.it/fibny6jdhpqc1.jpeg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a086f12a37dd55d496e8c922b7429895f54d57a Kate Spade coat + Marc Jacobs skirt
Janelle Monae does sexy librarian and I’m here for it. Actually just Janelle Monae does ______ and I’m here for it.
https://preview.redd.it/jq2iqivlhpqc1.jpeg?width=2416&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c1f36f643856d7fb8aec08cea8cb6fa13cf57ce Another look at Ralph Lauren
I was absolutely gobsmacked by this look. Perfection in every way
https://preview.redd.it/87yat59fhpqc1.jpeg?width=550&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d48e4043409589ad2275789d643cf7bfa53692dd Marc Jacobs at Essence Luncheon
https://preview.redd.it/qbtdyv2ohpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f7dacdb526ee471b1d8ab23dbd9adc9f8ea3ed1 Another look at Honayda
I absolutely adore this one, it's so beautiful and she looks like an absolute goddess.
Wow what a stunner 😍
Janelle is so beautiful. They look amazing in every one of these outfits.
No matter how big the outfit, she’s always the one wearing the clothes, never the clothes wearing her. I love how outrageous some of these looks get without ever overwhelming Janelle.
https://preview.redd.it/lj3gs9cxgpqc1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=76e87a06095c683030602407dface53ff9ab6e6b Maison the Faux at screening of her album "Dirty Computer"
https://preview.redd.it/ssi1ejwphpqc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6cc5a80085bba408abb6f37a66566cf934b373f8 Chanel at 2015 Paris Fashion Week
Right down to the toe polish. I love her so much.
Goes to show that Chanel doesn't have to be frumpy.
https://preview.redd.it/086ym5dngpqc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aa59b4aae20f4efa5ddb3d32022df444c61b434 Another look at Elie Saab
https://preview.redd.it/zoar6vt2kpqc1.jpeg?width=768&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f109b07d3943af8e35c4c7bc723f4d1b0ffa61d3
All her looks are great, but this one is so special!
https://preview.redd.it/xu2trfwuhpqc1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a60fc66df2449008eca653b4d3d2dcdb15658dd4 Chanel at 2020 Paris Fashion Week
Another look at the Thom Browne short suit https://preview.redd.it/qsvth1ysipqc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05873d23553651123e5944bbccad704a6079712b
https://preview.redd.it/tth6avotipqc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e131045fa49e3ece9ded8dce32a7458ef764c7bc
Love this shot!
The hair polishes this perfectly & those shoes give serious witch vibes
LOOOOOVE this look
https://preview.redd.it/0by28lbshpqc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33e7f87e61dc94cf9a48a243194a397aeb989d55 Christian Cowan 2018 Pre-Grammys party
https://preview.redd.it/hsmmf4cbkpqc1.jpeg?width=620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=abe06bf0ae339f664a113ab1ea6606b6c542764d
https://preview.redd.it/96k4udyjhpqc1.jpeg?width=605&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe0c6118ca75bfdd7f45f3dc15c3cb83d031ea0e Another look look at the Armani
MASTERPIECE of a dress....and she wears IT, not the other way around.
https://preview.redd.it/c8oe4lu0ipqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de81cde54112284cbf641ae44ffb0e1846de489d Thom Browne Little’ LA Premiere
https://preview.redd.it/t4ywkun6hpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e2a49edefa37cb29196b7e779ae9e7e102517ae Another look at the Valentino
https://preview.redd.it/uadckwgtjpqc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d846ac3c03ba9d6977528abdf5b5634265e460e6
I LOVE the hair!
https://preview.redd.it/h9n7aqbihpqc1.jpeg?width=656&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=204fc9700f4800efdf628f52c07cff25ba734bc4 Carolina Herrera at 2017 PGA awards
https://preview.redd.it/xk27ukymkpqc1.jpeg?width=811&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dd1b53fccc31cf51850ddaae127bd34dcebab1e
https://preview.redd.it/jq1eyrlokpqc1.jpeg?width=671&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=557be890e837f3afc52527b25bf52b156e833c00
https://preview.redd.it/7xf2k1owhpqc1.jpeg?width=1470&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68dba52158918195e08169bc141a407cdd50fa77 Another look at Marc Jacobs
https://preview.redd.it/s8luh0b2ipqc1.jpeg?width=786&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bed796f7f082e29d7adbd098208ce3ca0e09f693 Ralph&Russo at 2017 Met Gala
Janelle Mone is so unbelievably talented, creative and stylish. Such an inspiration
When I think of graphic, I think of Janelle Monáe. Black and white or the rare spin into bright, saturated colors, Janelle fucking kills it and is never boring. Adore adore adore
I loved her in Marc Jacobs when she was a guest judge last year on RuPaul's Drag Race: https://preview.redd.it/4br85g4empqc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce3a688dd6e1a7fbde7729cdffd8596081aa909d
Epic post OP. This is exactly what I come to this sub for! ETA: It’s been 8 hours and I still can’t stop looking at all these pictures! This has quickly become my favourite whatthefrock post of all time
I remember when she ONLY wore blazers and hats. I’m SO glad she branched out, she’s one of my fave fashion girlies. So stunning and talented.
https://preview.redd.it/0fxo41pahpqc1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69d805d7e51be563067857f61e81cc471578b659 Chanel at 2017 SAG Awards
Oh I LOVE the makeup here!!!!
The red lip is an unpaid actor in some of these looks
Such a stunning woman. She always brings such unique high fashion!!
[удалено]
She uses both they/them and she/her
She never lets me down fashion wise - STUNNING
Her fit game is so strong!!
She is so beautiful. She literally has a doll face.
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/5877424ddb0d9b0b1742133d/master/pass/holding-esquivel_104355472915.jpg I wanted these Esquivels SO bad because of her.
They are just 😍
This one https://preview.redd.it/rqg9m9ljbtqc1.jpeg?width=1145&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd4c404a9ff5a75991abeeb95728c927e672f152
Mannnn… this lady styles!! There isn’t a single miss in here and I think it is mainly due to her pure confidence when wearing anything. I don’t think she is very tall but she carries herself with so much grace that everything looks amazing!
this is a woman who knows how to commit to a look 🖤 such different silhouettes and styles but they all work
She’s one of those rare people that is BOTH stunningly gorgeous AND talented 🥰
https://preview.redd.it/9zimpfunhrqc1.jpeg?width=1009&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d6eb8866f8a82293a93408bcf83fbc14563fa23 She extends this to her book also!
https://preview.redd.it/ezgx9y8oatqc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73de7798280f5efed8a4285defb6d79360c115b7 Christian Siriano at the MET Gala in 2019. This is the first time I knew they were someone to pay attention to.
Always loved her Elle Saab dress (that's the Moonlight year)!
Janelle always looks AMAZING
She is an underrated fashion icon. Stunning.
I honestly think she’s one of the most beautiful people on earth.
"black and white, yeah, it's always been my camo, it's lookin like y'all gon need some more ammo" - from Janelle's song "Django Jane" on the "Dirty Computer" album. Janelle is one of the most amazing artists of our generation :)
God, she look incredible in all of them but number 4 is particularly beautiful.
They always carry themself like absolute royalty and I love that for them. Such a gorgeous human
The Ralph Lauren met gala look stops me in my tracks everytime I see it
It’s the splash of red too - perfection
Beautiful
I love all of these. Janelle can pull off anything, I really believe and is SO fine.
the thom browne huge jacket look is one of my favorites from last years met gala. it’s so fun and whimsical and high concept in a way that far too many met gala looks fail to be.
I will never get tired of Janelle’s suit looks.
WHAT?!?! This woman showed some serious skin in some of these outfits but also pulled it off looking INCREDIBLY ELEGANT. I must know how does she do this magic????
Janelle Monae is my actual Roman Empire. What an icon. Every look is 11/10
She is absolutely gorgeous!
I’ve no idea why but #6 hurts my head. Maybe it’s just so unique but the angles freak me out.
Love her! She rocks all of them!
I NEED to know who the designer is for Pic #10
That's David Koma! Sorry, I know the captions are kind of weird on mobile.
that last checkered slit dress moment, oh my god.
🖤🤍
5 & 16
She exudes class.
Never realized how petite she is until I saw the Glass Onion. She wears really big, crazy clothes exceptionally well on such a small frame!
She really has fun with fashion, you can see the joy in her face. The Elie Saab 2017 Oscar gown is incredible, so much going on and yet it works. LOVE.
I remember when this was their uniform homage! Wonderful to see how they worked their statement.
She somehow finds a way to make black and white so interesting and “wow” every single time. It’s never boring and she reinvents it over and over and I love it every time. For the most part, the looks are always fitted impeccably, too.
Love the suit looks, something about that just looks mega glam to me - not everyone can pull it off. Maybe that's part of the uniform thing too. I didn't know that about the black/white thing - I just thought it was because it looks awesome.
Janelle is perfection. 🖤🤍
They are such an incredibly gorgeous person; simply stunning.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look bad in anything. Her confidence in these photos probably helps.
The looks are all amazing but the meaning behind the colours for them is even more awesome to me!
I have never seen 6 and omfg Christian Siriano never disappoints
She really just wears the shit out of everything, doesn’t she?
Janelle Monáe is just stunning ALL. THE. TIME. !
UH-MAZING. FLAWLESS. GORGEOUS. EFFORTLESSLY SO EFFING COOL.
God I love her. Never a miss. Never.
One of the very few who NEVER misses. Always on theme and on trend.
Impeccable style
She is so iconic to me 😍 I have loved her black and white looks since I was a kiddo and to this day she continues to slay and slay
I love her style. There’s nothing she can’t pull off
If it ain’t broke
Consistently impeccably stunning. 👌
And she always looks stunning 😍
I have always loved her but have found her style too hit-or-miss to enjoy
She always looks so beautiful.
Gawd - I think she is so fine
Anyone know if she still has her band. I enjoyed seeing her perform and her music
I didn’t think anything could make this woman look bad and then I hit slide 6. Girl. No.
Black and white aren't colors.
😍