Glamazons,
I always love coming to DC for the inauguration because the energy in the air is just electric. Remember when I went four years ago partied with Diddy, saw the President give a powerful, emotional speech at the Lincoln Memorial and nearly fainted when Stevie Wonder performed?
Well this year was just as exciting. I somehow ended up dancing beside Jamie Foxx in the Hennessy VIP (thanks to the amazing people at Hennessy) and he’s just as funny as his “In Living Color” days. And while I didn’t get to talk fashion and bangs with Mrs. Obama like in my dreams, I did get to attend the hip hop inaugural ball, thrown by the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Philanthropik, which took place Sunday night.
The event was special to me because I’m so so proud of how hip hop and the youth vote played a role in the last two presidential elections. When we rally together, we have the power to put people in office that actually care about the issues that impact us — and it’s great to see our culture actually tap into that power.
Everyone I met on the red carpet, from 2 Chainz to Lala to Rosario Dawson, seemed to feel the same way. We were all so excited to toast the inauguration of the 44th President that we headed out to The Harman Center for the Arts dressed to the nines despite the blistering cold weather.
I wore a sequin dress from French Connection and a red lip, of course.
Hip hop dressed up too, and looked like a million bucks on the red carpet.
Angela Simmons got a little edgy (not mad at it) in a Devushka gown. Her sequin floor-length dress has a white collar and cuffs and a keyhole neckline that revealed a lacy bra.
Her dress pushes the envelope but that red lip and top knot gave me life on the red carpet chile.
Perfection!
The host of the night Lala was breathtaking in a vintage Lillie Rubin gown with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. Her glowing skin and smoky eye looked so gorgeous.
She posed with her co-host Terrence J who looked sharp in a black suit with a contrasting grey blazer and black lapel.
John Legend, a vocal supporter of President Obama’s campaign, looked dapper in a Gucci tux.
His girlfriend, my best friend in my head, the hilarious Chrissy Teigen wore a silk one shoulder gown with a sassy slit.
Yes, you’re looking at me searching for her tag. LOL. When I asked her the designer, she told me to look for the tag which I did with no qualms. Blame it on my assistant job at The Magazine. When you are literally putting clothes on naked celebrities for a living, shyness goes out the window. I couldn’t find it but the dress is gorgeous, right?
They’re the cutest couple!
Tyson Beckford stormed onto the red carpet in a cloud of glitter wearing a printed green blazer to match date Shanina Shaik‘s bright green gown. He made sure to show us his matching green socks. Well, werque, I suppose.
The lovely Rosario Dawson wore a glittery Kaufman Franco gown (which I also read the tag for, lol). She received an award for co-founding VOTO Latino which galvanized Hispanic/Latina voters this election season. What a beauty!
OMG OMG OMG the Lox-loving teenager in me died and went to heaven at the sight of Jadakiss, who was nice enough to take a picture with me. It took everything in me not to lose all professional decency and rap “We gon make it,” to him, beat box and all.
Victor Cruz looked so fly with date, his fiancee Elaine. Loved that he salsa danced later at Jamie Foxx’s party. He can move!
Marsha Ambrosius, who is truly the sweetest celebrity there is, showed up in a vintage sequin dress, a black blazer, straight hair and a red lip. So purty!
Swizz Beatz was dapper as ever in a three-piece colorblock suit by Kenzo. Shawwwp!
Lil Mama, who took part in a tribute to Lifetime Award Recipients MC Lyte, wore a suit she designed and Miu Miu pumps. Okay Beyonce hair.
Meek Mill adorably told me he had no idea who designed his sharp black tux. But look at those yellow lace-up shoes though. Atleast he keeps fashion interesting, right?
Elle Varner made an appearance at the ball in an adorable colorblock black and white dress (she knows the trends!) and black peeptoe T-Strap heels. Love!
And finally, my favorite celebrity spotting of the night goes to 2Chainz (I love him…don’t judge). He pulled up to the scene with his ceiling missing (I kid) and cleaned up nice in Versace. He told us it was important to him to get involved in the election because it’s a “great platform for me and other artists to uplift the community.”
I couldn’t agree more!
Check out some pictures from the night:
That’s me and my blogger boo Christina of LoveBrownSugar hanging out on the red carpet.
Dressing up, chatting with some of my favorites on the red carpet and celebrating the Obamas made for an amazing night, Glamazons. Fun times!
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
Image Source: Yours truly, Johnny Nunez/WireImage, LoveBrownSugar.
