Last night (or tonight, if you’re reading this in real time) it went down for the American Music Awards. As I pointed out with the Emmys, I’m pretty tired of award shows mostly because I can’t continue to embrace and accept shows that build their hype up around Black culture and then don’t give us our roses. Although I sat this one out and didn’t tune in, I still stayed up to date with what was happening through social media. At this point, I would rather applaud and support and champion things that are actually working to make life better, not stagnated.
But for the AMAs, there were a few standout style looks, especially Tracee Ellis Ross, who was asked to host the award show for the second year in a row. For the night, Tracee made not only a style statement, but a political one as well:
I’ve featured black designers in all of my @AMAs press looks, and will do the same for all my show looks tonight! Stay tuned for look-by-look details!#AMAs
— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) October 9, 2018
Now, I’m aware that the majority of publications that will mention Tracee Ellis Ross tomorrow will mention her outfits — how nice she looked, how funny she was, whatever. Very few will employ black writers to discuss the significance of the host wearing all black designers, or even why that is culturally relevant to today’s time. It is a political act, that in the face of adversity the black designer, the black thought, that blackity blackness will still exist. Whew, chile.
Other looks of the night I enjoyed were Cardi B, whose beautiful floral ensemble reminded me just how fabulous it is to be Afro latina:
My sisters in my head, Chloe and Halle graced the stage with these green oversized frocks that perfectly complimented their skin tone:
TER stunted in not only Dapper Dan x Gucci, but also came out with the Nike kicks:
This gold metallic gown is my favorite look of the night, aptly complimented with a fuschia pink lipstick and pulled back hair. What I love about TER is she gives a FULL outfit change, honey:
Last, but certainly not least, was this fit that spoke up about the state of America right now and how each one of us needs to get out and get registered to vote. Fashion has always been a political act and one that can ring the alarms of society when executed properly. The sad reality is we live in a day and time now where so much is being lost, stolen, and deceived under the guise of promise from a…well, I don’t even have the bandwidth of words to describe the man who sits in office.
Regardless of your favorite looks for the night, please be sure to get active and go out and get registered to vote. Every. Vote. Matters.
