Empire's Fashion: Ghetto Fabulous!

[DollEyes]

 One of the most important things about Empire is the look. Clothes (or the lack thereof) definitely make the characters on this show, whether it's Lucius' suits,  the boys' gear or anything and everything Cookie wears.   Discuss everything fashion-related on the show,  whether it's from the runway or the swap meet, here.

[Trini]

 

Interview with Rita McGhee, Costume Designer. About Cookie/Taraji's look.

 

Mainly photos, McGhee on the looks for the show.

[Rick Kitchen]

Monique actually takes pieces out of her own closet?  That's too funny.

[Dejana]

For all the flack that get for Cookie and Luscious being stuck in the past, stylewise, Anika sure does look like she wandered in from being Halle's double on the set of Boomerang.

[Actionmage]

For the big family dinner, I was mixed on Cookie's dress, but loved the shoes. For Anika, I liked the dress, but don't remember the shoes.  I did like Anika's purple/fuschia dress earlier in the episode, though.

[Actionmage]

Tonight's wardrobe on Cookie was fun, but I wanted that pair of shoes she had on when she listened to Tiana's song. And the thigh-high boots she wore to speak to Titan's mom.

[BestestAuntEver]

I really liked the red animal print dress Cookie had on tonight. I may have to search for that one.

[DearEvette]

Yes, that red animal print dress was great and I liked the strappy, tall sandals that were paired with it.  The silhouette was fab.

 

What about Anika's dark brown lipstick.  I waffled over it.  On the one hand I like the drama of if and thought it perfectly matched her dress.  but on the other it felt a little harsh.  I think I finally came down to, she carried it off but not everyone could.

[LilWharveyGal]

Does anyone know of a site that offers info about the wardrobe items?  I usually rely on wornontv.net but they aren't covering Empire, at least not yet.

[Rick Kitchen]

Try http://www.whowhatwear.com/rise-of-an-empire-go-behind-the-wardrobe-of-foxs-fabulous-new-show/slide11

[CofCinci]

Does anyone know of a site that offers info about the wardrobe items?  I usually rely on wornontv.net but they aren't covering Empire, at least not yet.

Fox.com has "Cookie's Closet" now.  http://www.fox.com/empire/article/cookies-closet-2

[DollEyes]

  Given the show and Cookie's popularity, after this week's episode, I wouldn't be surprised if fedora sales soared because of her.

[nicepebbles]

I'm going to take it back and talk about Anika's outfit we first saw her wearing the pilot. Y'all, remember the shirt she was wearing tucked into the jeans. Her outfit had me confused on what decade we were in. I thought it was the 80s.

 

Cookie's zebra print dress that she wore in Ep2 was killer. Loved it!

[ParadoxLost]

So I have a question about Hakeem's style that probably falls into the I may be old and out of touch category.  Is there anything current about Hakeem's clothes and hair?

 

It gives me the feel of the 80's and 90's,  I can't put my finger on exactly who he reminds me of but the likes of MC Hammer, Kid n Play, Fresh Prince, New Edition, and Boyz II Men come to mind.  I swear at one point, he was wearing the yellow shirt that Denise tried to replicate for Theo on the Cosby show.  And I'm pretty sure this is Boy George's hat...

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2015 by ParadoxLost

[wanderingstar]

I've never wanted to wear animal prints of any kind. Until Cookie Lyon happened.

[JBC344]

I think I heard that Hakeem's 90's style is intentional.  I don't know if there is a specific meaning behind it, but that it does harken back to a lot of 80's and 90's.

[ParadoxLost]

They are making it so clear that Jamal is Lucious's musical heir apparent, that perhaps they are intentionally avoiding anything that would be reminiscent of Lucious's gangster rapper origins with Hakeem. 

Edited February 8, 2015 by ParadoxLost

[photo fox]

I loved that pinstripe crop-top suit Rhonda was wearing in the most recent episode. (Typing that out, it sounds ridiculous.)

[CofCinci]

Cookie's signature 'Tuxedo Cape' http://www.bcbg.com/Frances-Tuxedo-Cape/RND4H715-001,default,pd.html will be hot in Fall 2015.

 

Edited February 14, 2015 by CofCinci

[phoenics]

I think I heard that Hakeem's 90's style is intentional.  I don't know if there is a specific meaning behind it, but that it does harken back to a lot of 80's and 90's.

Currently all of the 80s and 90s stuff is really hot right now - a lot of kids are doing the high top fades and clothes that harken back to the 80s, but with a slightly fresh take.

Also I think capes have been hitting the past 2-3 seasons - but Cookie's version might extend that trend a bit longer. I bought my cape (very similar to Cookie's) 3 years ago.

Edited February 14, 2015 by phoenics

[CofCinci]

Did anyone ever read tomandlorenzo.com for in depth wardrobe analysis for shows like Mad Men? They're writing reviews for Empire, but not covering the wardrobe and art direction.

Looking at the clothing color choices in this scene from next week:

http://imgur.com/cxKmjaR

[phoenics]

Well, the one thing I've picked up from that is that perhaps Jamal and Hakeem have become "aligned" again as brothers? Meaning they've overcome the obstacle Andre threw at them?

Or they just wanted to do a black/white themed dinner.

[LilWharveyGal]

I want that cape so badly.

[wanderingstar]

After the most recent episode ("Out Damned Spot") I am seriously coveting Cookie's fur coat.

[Rick Kitchen]

Cookie's rocking that Chanel necklace in the pic with the cape.

 

Edited February 15, 2015 by Rick Kitchen

[CofCinci]

Andre's wardrobe is just too tight.

[Milz]

I want that cape so badly.

 

I'm getting into sewing clothes. Here's a Vogue pattern that's similar to Cookie's cape. http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8959-products-47839.php?page_id=265 

 

If you substitute a standard notch collar or one of the other types of notch collars for the Peter Pan collar in the Vogue pattern and lengthen the arm slits, it will be pretty close to Cookie's. (Hmmmm, good excuse to go to the fabric store this weekend!)

Edited February 20, 2015 by Milz

[LilWharveyGal]

Thanks for the info, Milz, you're speaking my language.  I'm tall, so even if I had $300 to drop on the cape I'd be worried that it would be too cropped on me.  A $15 pattern that comes in lengths is a much more sensible idea!

 

Now, is there an easy and cheap way to replicate Cookie's furs? :) 

[Milz]

Thanks for the info, Milz, you're speaking my language.  I'm tall, so even if I had $300 to drop on the cape I'd be worried that it would be too cropped on me.  A $15 pattern that comes in lengths is a much more sensible idea!

 

Now, is there an easy and cheap way to replicate Cookie's furs? :) 

 

The $$$$$$$ is the reason why I'm learning to sew clothes, lol.  Also, I like the fact that I can adjust or modify a pattern to what I want and what looks best on me.

 

I would totally do Cookie's cape using fleece fabric (polar or microfleece) because fleece is easy to sew, doesn't require special washing/care methods and it comes in alot of patterns and colors. (I can totally see the cape in a black and white large hounds tooth  print.)

 

For Cookie's furs, you could use a coat pattern and faux fur. I haven't worked with faux fur, so I can't tell you how easy (or difficult) it would be.

[Congo]

I would love to see people dressed as Cookie come Halloween time.

[QueerGirrl]

I would love to see people dressed as Cookie come Halloween time.

You know it's totally gonna happen. And it'll be awesome.

[wanderingstar]

Cookie's best looks courtesy of BuzzFeed

 

I would love to see people dressed as Cookie come Halloween time.

 

 

I may or may not have started looking for a leopard print dress.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Gillian Rosh

[phoenics]

I want her purple faux fur coat - that was serious.

[CofCinci]

Speaking of coats, I liked the structure and function of Anika's grey wool coat.

[LilWharveyGal]

The outerwear this past episode was just awesome.  Anika's wardrobe hasn't impressed me much, but that grey wool coat and the scarf she wore when leaving Chez Lucious were so classy.  Then she followed it up with that second grey coat with the shiny silver shoulders and sleeves.  Jamal had a really sharp grey coat this episode too.  Then, to cap it all off, Rhonda showed up in that beige jacket with the leather sleeves!  *dies*

[phoenics]

Yeah - Anika's wardrobe was on point... sometimes they dress her too harshly - I wish they would soften the colors they put her in sometimes... it's all hard colors mostly, but that gray coat with the contrasting red/gray check scarf was gorgeous.

And the episode before when she went to see Beretti with her cream/nude dress, nude heels and that burgundy-red fur? Gorgeous.

One day I'm going to wear a nude/camel/caramel dress with matching heels.

Btw - that coat Anika wore at the house and later on with Hakeem was the same coat.

Also - is the actress who plays Anika a Delta? Cause they stay keeping her in red and sometimes crimson and cream.

Edited March 6, 2015 by phoenics

[wanderingstar]

I loved the red feathery jacket Anika was wearing when she first went to see Berretti.

[CofCinci]

I loved the red feathery jacket Anika was wearing when she first went to see Berretti.

Great piece but it didn't seem like something out of Anika's wardrobe. Was Anika trying to channel her inner Cookie in order to defect to Berretti? Edited March 6, 2015 by CofCinci

[editorgrrl]

Get that Cookie look: Online shopping with Empire’s costume designer

That scandalous teddy was from Victoria’s Secret.

 

Want Cookie Lyon realness? Costume designer Rita McGhee put together a wardrobe of Cookie-approved looks, just for us

[DollEyes]

 

I would love to see people dressed as Cookie come Halloween time.

 

  I think the drag queens alone would kill it.

[Trini]

The Fug Girls recap Cookie's outfits for the season.

[Brooklynista]

I have missed half of tonight's episode cause I've been online trying to find that front handle clutch Cookie walked in that room with. I need it in my life!!

[ecadorniga]

Here is a must read! I am student at NC State writing on fashion and entertainment! I am a huge fan of the show, especially Cookie's closet! 

 

Read and share! Tell me your thoughts! I wanna make it viral:) 

 

http://theodysseyonline.com/ncsu/cookie-lyon-goddess-fashion/99626

[wanderingstar]

I love it! Thanks for sharing. I adore all the outfits highlighted in the piece. The trouble is, Cookie slayed so much throughout the season that this piece barely scratches the surface of her awesome looks!

[SimoneS]

Wow, Empire's fashion is going big time. Saks will be featuring an Empire inspired fashion collection.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2015/08/18/empire-teams-up--saks--fall-fashion/31922921/

[quaintirene]

 

I have missed half of tonight's episode cause I've been online trying to find that front handle clutch Cookie walked in that room with. I need it in my life!!

Did you find it?  I just now watched the season and I have Got  To  Have  That  Bag!  I thought it might be Nancy Gonzalez.  But if it is I can't see it...

[Dee]

Rita McGhee exclusive interview: The Emmy-nominated Empire costume designer

[caracas1914]

Anika is killing it , even if she can't dyke right. Two piece knit was priceless.

[Dee]

The Signature Looks of Empire Season Two

[JessePinkman]

I absolutely hate all of Cookie's outfits this season. And her hair looks terrible in almost every scene. I have no idea if they fired the fashion designer from season 1 or just think they can get away with anything but they need to stop. She doesn't look "ghetto fabulous", she looks awful! Taraji is way too beautiful for these clownish costumes they're putting her in.