Welcome back to my blog darlings! It’s been almost a year since I sat down to create content here and it feels exciting to dust off this ole thing! What can I say, so much has been going on in life. In the past I would push myself to do it all, but over the last few years I’ve slowly been working on changing that and I’ll share more about that at a later time.

Today, I’m introducing my new series, For Vintage Lovers to the blog.

I actually created this as an Instagram Story series way back in 2018 so it’s not really new. It was called “Vintage Vixen Wednesdays” for those who remember, and the concept was similar to those WCW (Women Crush Wednesday) posts many of us did on social media back then.

The goal of this series is to share the intricate stories of people who paved the way through their life, art, creativity & activism. Some of the folks I’m familiar with and some I’ll be researching, sharing & learning about, right along with you.

For now, the cadence will be once a month. I initially kicked off the series in January with Eartha Kitt via Threads and Instagram but I promised to add the posts to my blog moving forward, so without further ado, let’s get into February’s For Vintage Lovers with none other than the electrifying Grace Jones!

Grace Jones, the iconic singer, model, and actress, was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica before embarking on a new chapter in Syracuse, New York when she moved to live with her parents during her formative teenage years. Before her transition to the USA, young Grace resided with her grandmother and her grandmother’s new husband, a deeply religious and rigidly disciplinary figure. She confronted what she later articulated as "serious abuse" from him and developed an intense loathing towards him due to this distressing experience.

Jones' upbringing was deeply influenced by her parents' strong religious beliefs, prompting her to push back by embracing activities like experimenting with makeup, consuming alcohol, and frequenting gay clubs with her brother. Her path took a turn when her theater professor at Onondaga Community College persuaded her to accompany him on a summer stock tour in Philadelphia. This decision led her to immerse herself in the 1960s Counterculture, where she chose to reside in hippie communes, work as a go-go dancer, and explore the effects of LSD.

At 18, Jones moved back to New York to pursue modelling and subsequently moved to Paris in 1970. Her unique avant-garde and androgynous look landed her jobs with Yves St. Laurent, and Kenzo and she graced covers of magazines such as Vogue and Elle.

In 1977, Jones embarked on a music career and her fearless persona and boundary-breaking approach made her a significant figure in both the music and fashion worlds. With a blend of new wave, reggae, and disco, her music, coupled with her unapologetic stage presence, solidified her as an influential icon. Additionally, Jones found success in the film industry, showcasing her versatility as an actress in various notable roles in films such as Conan The Destroyer, James Bond and Boomerang.

To this day, Grace Jones continues to inspire and captivate audiences with her unique artistry and unapologetic individuality. Recently, she collaborated (something she rarely does) on the track Move from Beyonce’s Renaissance album.

Beyond her contributions to music and fashion, Jones has also been a vocal advocate for various social and political causes. Her unapologetic approach to self-expression and activism has made her a symbol of empowerment for marginalized communities. Jones' fearless dedication to speaking out on issues such as gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights has solidified her legacy as not only an influential artist, but also a trailblazing activist.

FOR VINTAGE LOVERS - GRACE JONES