Janelle Monae is an artistic powerhouse with a killer fashion aesthetic on the red carpet. But her style has one common thread — she only wears black and white (with the occasional red accessory).
In 2012, Monae revealed the reason why her outfits were so monochrome.
"When I started my musical career I was a maid. I used to clean houses," Monae said at the BET "Black Girls Rock!" awards. "My mother was a proud janitor, my stepfather […] worked at the post office, and my father was a trash man. They all wore uniforms, and that's why I stand here today in my black and white. I wear my uniform to honor them. This is a reminder that I have work to do, I have people to uplift, I have people to inspire."
The musician-turned-actress had roles in Oscar-nominated movies "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures," which means 2017 has been a treat when it comes to seeing Monae's iconic monochrome style on the red carpet.
Keep scrolling to see how Janelle Monae's approach to black and white styling has evolved over the years.
Janelle Monae entered the mainstream music scene in 2008.
For most appearances and performances, Monae wore a signature tuxedo-inspired outfit.
Here she is at the 2009 Grammy Awards, rocking a ruffled collar along with her tailored black suit.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider