BIRTHDAY STYLE: MARY J BLIGE

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J Blige is celebrating her 37th birthday today.

I thought it'll be fun to reflect on Mary J Blige's ever-changing style as best seen in her vibrant music videos.

Mary set trends when she first stepped out in the scene. Remember the backwards baseball cap and the oversize jersey?

Mary's fashion was in your face and very much raw but in a good way.

Her hair may have been dye from red to orange and back but she maintained honey blonde locks throughout her career.

credit: USA Today, wireimage, youtube.com

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TRENDS IN 2007

Keri Russell, Mary J Blige and Victoria Beckham are just some of the fashion-forward ladies who couldn't resist a basic black and white stripe turtleneck in 2007.

Another trend in 2007 was a classic red strapless gown as worn by Miley Cyrus, Shakira, and Katie Holmes.

Rashida Jones, Tyra Banks, and Ashanti are very much into the bow trend.

Charlize Theron, Paula Patton, and Sienna Miller bought back the flapper look in 2007.

Tyra Banks, Keira Knightley and Amerie placed bangs in the forefront of hairstyles in 2007.

Photos: wireimage.com, justjared.com


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WHO WORE CANARY YELLOW GUCCI MINI BETTER?

Singer Mary J. Blige first wore this flapper-inspired yellow number from Gucci Spring 2004 collection at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. MJB offset her yellow fur jacket with a pair of green dominatrix-like Gucci heels with a bamboo heel.

Former MTV VJ Julie "Downtown" Brown at the Versace Presents 'Chocolate and Champagne' event. Downtown Julie also wore a yellow jacket over her canary yellow Gucci mini but unlike Mary Julie rock her jacket in plaid.

Style Verdict: Mary J's fur jacket takes away from her Gucci mini so does Downtown Julie's plaid jacket.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Photos: MaryJFan, wireimage

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MCQ HOOPLA

Jessica Alba, Mary J Blige, Jennifer Connelly, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, and Naomi Campbell are head deep into what I would like to describe as Alexander McQueen Hoopla or "McQ Hoopla" for short.

Where the stars rock McQ Hoopla at: Jessica Alba at the Mexico City premiere of "Fantastic Four". Mary J Blige at 2007 Movies Rock event in Hollywood. Jennifer Connelly at the Hollywood Film Festival's 11th Annual Hollywood Awards. Naomi at GQ Men of the Year Awards. Cameron Diaz at the Toyko Shrek the Third premiere. Nicole Kidman at the 2007 CMA Awards.

Check out Alexander McQueen Fall 2007 Collection:

Browse McQ's net-a-porter shopping boutique for more.

pic credit: celebutopia

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WHO ROCK DOLCE AND GABBANA HALTER BEST?

Mary J Blige performed 'As Time Goes By' with R&B crooner John Legend in this white Roberto Cavalli gown.

Kylie Minogue struck a pose in the same Swaroski-cummerbund Cavalli Fall 2007 dress at her 20th anniversary celebration of her first hit single, "Locomotion" in London.

Style Verdict: Kylie and Mary J's hair styles certainly upstages their couture look but they both look divine, fierce, and elegant.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Photos: Daily Mail, Big Pictures, John-Legend.net, GettyImages

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WHO WORE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN BEST?

Jessica Alba and Mary J Blige channeled their inner Grecian goddess in a green strapless Alexander McQueen gown but who wore the look best? Vote for who got it on the bottom of this post.


Mary J Blige struck a pose at the 2007 Movies Rock event in Hollywood. Blige paired her Christmas green Alexander McQueen gown with gorgerous gold Lorraine Schwartz earrings, necklace, and bracelets.


With her hair tightly pulled back, Jessica Alba attended the Mexico City premiere of her blockbuster film, "Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer". Alba rock her Alexander McQueen number with a gold clutch and matching heels.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Style Verdict: Both ladies look divine coming and going in this green sweetheart strapless Alexander McQueen gown.



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PRINTED SEQUIN DRESS HOOPLA

Rosario Dawson, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum ushered in a new catwalk trend which I like to classify as printed sequin dress hoopla.

[from left to right: Rosario Dawson in French Connection at TAO Las Vegas, MJB in Emanuel Ungaro at the 2007 American Music Awards, Rihanna in Catherine Malandrino outside of TRL studios, and Heidi Klum in Emanuel Ungaro at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Show.]

Achieve this sequin printed look:

[from left to right: Mint 'jodi arnold' sequin floral dress, net-a-porter.com; Alice + Olivia sequin check shift dress, shopbop.com; Tracy Reese gold shift dress, shoptwigs.com]

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MJB ADORES KORS

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J Blige simply can't get enough of Michael Kors dresses.

At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards the Grammy Award winning songtress wore this body-hugging brown column with YSL tribute platforms and Lorraine Schwartz jewlery. For Us Weekly Hot Hollywood bash, MJB flaunted her toned shoulders in this white baby doll dress and cute pair of patent Givenchy heels.


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FALL 2007 IT BAG-VALENTINO

Valentino braided shoulder bag has become the "IT" bag for fashionistas on the catwalk.

Angelina Jolie, Mary J Blige, and Tameka Foster have been photographed with this $1,695 handbag in red, white and pink.

[images via FG2BH, OH, UF]

For a stroll around Central Park, Angelina Jolie with a pair of black Lanvin ballet flats and daughter Zahara rock matching white Valentino braided tote. Mary J Blige paired her pink Valentino braided shoulder bag with a nude YSL platforms at a recent "Entourage" premiere. Tameka Foster wore her red Valentino bag at DJ.Irie 2007 Celebrity Golf Tournament Weekend for Jamie Foxx's VIP Dinner Party.

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YSL TRIBUTE PUMPS- IT SHOE 2007

Yves Saint Laurent tribute pumps became a staple red carpet accessory. Just who hasn't been photographed with a pair on? Well let's not get into that. Let's focus on who wore it so far in 2007.

Beyonce rocked them to a "B'day" photoshoot. Christina wore them to an "Back to Basics" after party in New York City. Victoria was photograped in a pair at an award ceremony and J.Lo was spotted in them at "TRL."

Eve paired her white Rachel Roy frock with black YSL tribute pumps at an VH1/Self event in the Big Apple. Gwen Stefani rock her own creation a L.A.M.B asymmetrical black and white dress with the shoe craze of the year. Jessica Simpson dressed up with jeans while out and about in Hollywood. Blu Cantrall channelled her inner French chic style with a gold metallic beanie at Sidekick 3 bash.

Mary J Blige paired her pink Valentino braided shoulder bag with a nude YSL platforms at a recent "Entourage" premiere. Ciara opted for the black and white plaid verison at the 2007 Kids Choice Awards. Golden Brooks went for '70s look at Too Faced Cosmetics and Sephora’s “Love Lisa; Armed and Glamorous” Event.

Jessica Alba rock the Mary-Jane styled pair to the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. American Idol star Paula Abdul in brown Prada jersey dress had on a pair of chic YSL pumps. R&B songstress from the U.K Jamelia dazzled in red YSL platforms at the Sony Radio Academy Awards. Victoria Beckham also wore this red pump for dinner with her husband.

[images via FC & urban-hoopla]

Style Verdict: These ladies have inspired a new trend - 2007 YSL tribute pump obsession!
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MJB & POSH AT SPRING 2008 FASHION WEEK

Mary J Blige and Victoria Beckham had critics in a frenzy when they showed up at Spring 2008 Fashion Week. The problem critics had with the fashionistas was their choice of outfits.

Outfitted by Dolce & Gabbana, Mary J. Blige rock a leopard-print blouse over a fitted black dress skirt...while she attended the runway shows of Baby Phat and the store opening of Just Cavalli.

The Grammy-winning singer and actress' excuse for wearing Dolce & Gabbana? "The stuff Cavalli sent over to me didn't fit! I'm too big to be a model." [source]

Victoria Beckham also pinched a nerve with fashion critics when she attended the Spring 2008 show of Marc Jacobs in a body hugging purple & silver Herve Leger number.

Personally, these two divas can get away with rocking their fab designer clothes. When critics start talking about their oufits, rest assure MJB and Posh did something right!

[images via CL and OH]
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PUCCI GLAM: NICOLE RICHIE VS MJB

Nicole Richie last September at 2nd Annual "The Pink Party" A Star-Studded Elyse Walker Benefit Supporting Cedars-Sinai Women's Cancer Research Institute wore the same multi-color Pucci mini as Mary J Blige. The R&B diva (MJB) wore this mini out to the post 2007 BET Awards celebration in Hollywood. [source via source]

Nicole Richie vs MJB: who got IT?

more at twiigs.com...

Nicole Richie paired her mini dress with Christian Louboutin slingbacks while MJB kept it simple in brown Fendi sandals.
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WHITE TRENCH DIVAS: MJB VS J.LO

Back in January and May 2006 the same fitted white trench coat was spotted on two native New York* divas-MJB and J.Lo.
Via Fashion Faceoff:
"In New York City back in May 2006, Jennifer Lopez (right) stayed warm in a white trench with a fur stole – the same look Mary J. Blige wore at her January birthday party.

who got IT?

more at twiigs.com...

*NYC, stand up!
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Obsessed Hoopla

Obsessed Hoopla is a spin-off of Urban-Hoopla's noteworthy fashion comparisons, "Look on Lock Edition." This time around, Obsessed Hoopla caters to the many fashion forward women and men in the media. Keep it lock here for more info!

As seen on FASHION FACE-OFF:

MARY J. VS. KYLIE

The R&B singer hit a BET afterparty in her Pucci dress this week, while the Aussie pop star made a stylish path on the streets of Manhattan last month in her printed frock.

WHO GOT IT?

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