Teena Marie

Before Christina Aguilera and Amy Winehouse there was the one and still the only Teena Marie.  Born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, Cali and raised in Oakwood in Westside Los Angeles. Lady T started singing at the age of 2 raised on Motown music. She believed her voice was a "gift of God" and lived a life sharing it with the world. As an 80s baby I would crank up Lover Girl fantasizing that I was driving in my pink Barbie Corvette (Dont judge) speeding to pick up Don J. and Philip M. Thomas (Miami Vice for the young bloods) in a hot neon pink spandex dress to hop out with my vice boys at the mansion that was in the Mary Jane girls video 'In My House'. Yes darlings, I had a vivid exciting imagination as a child of that era. Besides singing, this pretty protege of Rick James is credited with being a song writer and producer. She was the first white lady to bring the house down at the Apollo showing the world that a voice that powerful takes soul which can be embodied by any hue.  This four time Grammy nominated Diva played the guitar, Keyboard and Congas. Her sweet voice had a sexy rift that she would take up high and low flirting softly with our ears. Ooo LA LA LA... Her rendition of 'Wishing on a star which has been attempted by Beyonce, Brenda K. Starr, The Cover Girls and many others is still my favorite. She sung it with soul and a steady swag. Lady T passed away a day after Christmas ascending with her beautiful voice and soul to become apart of Gods choir and yall know she's going to be Square Biz getting them angels to dance.

LADY  T 1980

WILD & PEACEFUL 1979

IRONS IN THE FIRE 1980

IT MUST BE MAGIC 1981

STARCHILD 1984

ROBBERY 1983

EMERALD CITY 1986

NAKED TO THE WORLD 1988

IVORY 1990

PASSION PLAY 1994

SAPPHIRE 2006

LA DONA 2004

CONGO SQUARE 2009

Teena Marie a honorary Urbanhaute will be dearly missed leaving behind her sweet imprints of music and a beautiful daughter . We honor and love you. REST IN PEACE.

Mary Christine Brockert, Teena Marie, Lady T
March 5, 1956 - December 26, 2010

*Fire & Desire*

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

How many times have we heard the statement " Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder"? Who are the beholders of this era? Are they confined to one aspect of what beauty can be or are they free to behold as they feel. As we embark on a new epoch of growing exponentially in a way never known in human history beauty will be defined differently. Whether we want it to or not. We will be challenged to see beauty in everything and everyone as we hold on to our slipping humanity due to our advancements in technology.

The face of rule as well as success will change from the homogeneous position that it has been in for centuries. We are in essence and in honesty reaching for the rainbow celebrating all hues and flavors. We are finding beauty in our courage to be fearless of the unknown and misconceptions of what is different from who we may be individually or as a defined racial, cultural group.

            
            






















UrbanHaute challenges women and gentlemen to STOP imitating art and let art imitate their lives creating beauty as if in dream with a space on Gods canvas. Take it beyond the limits, trendsetting, leading. Contrary to popular belief FASHION IS NOT CONFORMITY.  Beauty is freedom to BE.

*UNIQUE*

Who, What, Where?? Artist, Spirit and Realm Of Beauty

Lately in every moment of my life I have been searching for spirituality and the Monday night before last was no different.  I am searching for meaning and inspiration. I took up an opportunity that I nearly missed due to spirit breaking activities to catch up with an old friend who was visiting New York City from Washington DC. We have not seen each other for many years and I remembered the times we did spend together in the past was always wonderful and full of exploration in expansive ways.  My friend casually explained that we will meet up at a gallery for a friend's opening reception to conjure up old times and live the new. I was more interested in catching up then paying attention to who, what or where we were going.  I rushed home and threw on gallery safe attire with my new boots that I had to tear literally through an ingo boxer for. Imagination my friends. Imagination.

 As I did a quick dance around my room to Kanye's runaway making a toast to all the douche bags and deciding what jewelry I should wear I received a text of the address. The content of what this opening reception entailed still did not interest me enough to inquire who, what or where? I assumed it was another pretentious faux self proclaimed "artist" who would serve as a good back drop to catching up. I did hear earlier during our conversation in the brunch hour that there will be open bar. I AM searching for spirits.  I slipped out into the snow and made my trek downtown to a small bright gallery. My friend was out to greet me and I was happy and elated to be greeted.

We walked in from the snow and cold to be rushed on by the guest list lady. All was seeming warm and cozy except for her welcome which was slightly annoying. Perhaps I was sensitive from my spirit breaking activities I mentioned that nearly cost me this night. As my friend shooed her away we were in for a pretentious night. My friend took the next moment to point out and direct me to the open bar. I still did not inquire about who, what or where.

Then art caught my eye. Genuine art. Love at first sight. Love is what I felt more then I was seeing. I was deeply moved and suddenly honored to be there. I was humbled immediately and instantaneously realized I have found what I have been searching for. I walked closely gazing in admiration and awe of the light of one particular photo that was blown up and showed women connected to one another under a tree that was under an illumination that seemed holy.  I turned to my friend and told him "this is where I am in my life right now", "I am searching".  Now that I was aware of where I still did not know who or what.

As I examined an aged man with a look that comports with wisdom proudly hold his  grandchild to women covered in dark paint in beautiful poetic dancing poses I realized that it did not matter exactly who. The proposition was what.

WHO came to be known as Myron Christian Macauley and WHAT was revealed to be a reflection of his soul. The soul disguised as a dove that flew through each piece communicating without word or sound to the subjects within these images and outward to the observer was profound. No pretension, just a true reflection of ones soul and this eight year search throughout Africa, Asia and South America.  Finding that the search leads to a truth that has always be within to be revealed through the eyes of our observers as we observe exchanging spirituality illuminating what it is to be simply human.  I was deeply moved and touched.

WHO: MYRON CHRISTIAN MACAULEY

WHAT: MODERN MAN IN SEARCH OF SOUL
WHERE: MCM COLLECTIVE'S HOLIDAY POP-UP ART GALLERY
                  362 W.Broadway

Ms. Jackson if you nasty...

All last week we have been graced by UrbanHaute Janet Jackson appearances from Good Morning America to The View to promote her lastest endeavor 'For Colored Girls' directed by Tyler Perry.  Saw it. Phenomenal movie. Through all that class and poise I noticed a glow to JJ, a sexy glow with mystery entangled in that gorgeous smile of hers. JJ looks content and very satisfied. Someone is giving her a beat and calling her Ms. Jackson. Wissam Al Mana her semi new filthy wealthy middle eastern beau. Al Mana will be featured in VMAN magazine’s winter issue which will hits newsstands tomorrow. It is a definite go get with questions on his relationship with Ms. Jackson and the life of a billionaire. Al Mana style consists of high end fashion pieces which he seems to effortlessly put together in a casual sensual style that shows he is a bad boy with impeccable taste. You can get a peek tomorrow via VMAN as he dons a Z Zegna leather bomber jacket and a Bolenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere hoodie…Yummy. And to top it all off with a cherry.. Wissam Al Mana’s reply to the question of the existence of the relationship was “ I don’t date Janet Jackson. She is my girlfriend; there is a difference. She is a very special and talented woman who never ceases to amaze me.”   My knees just buckled. JJ it looks like you are officially behind the velvet rope getting that A-rab honey. Al Mana is definitely a haute fit. <muah> Love. 

Paris fashion week with her young sexy billionaire

JJ is going deep in those boots walking the runway of SoHo

BTW.... Burberry Prorsum Aviator Boots

Invitation to UrbanHaute

As I sit here contemplating on what it means to be Urban Haute certain people come to mind. Andre Leon Talley, Zora Neale Hurston, Yves Saint Laurent, Grace Jones, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Michel Bisquiat, Diana Ross, Patrick Kelly, Naomi Sims, Madonna, Little Richard, Tina Turner, Iman, Nina Simone, Keith Haring, Diahann Carroll and many more that we will profile in our upcoming blogs.  What these UrbanHautes have in common besides high fabulosity is that they all danced to the beat of their own drum creating a lifestyle of eccentricity with an everlasting impression of trendsetting fashion on the runway of our hearts and minds. 

This lifestyle has its bitter moments. Being a non conformists is never easy.  "I have been in Sorrow's kitchen and licked out all the pots. Then I have stood on the peaky mountain wrapped in rainbows, with a harp and sword in my hands." -Zora Neale Hurston   

 How sweet it is to reap what we larger than life Urban Hautes sow. The choice to be non conformist, leaders, individuals and trendsetters have led us to countless battles that we fought until victoriously won. Establishing new fearless ways  of living.

We invite you to come along with us on a journey of eclectic innovation, exploration and discovery of the perfect fit.