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    <title>Essence Galleries</title>
    <link>http://photos.essence.com/</link>
    <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:02:35 GMT</pubDate>
    <description>Essence Galleries</description>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[First Date Reminders]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/first_date_reminders</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[First Date Reminders]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:02:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/first_date_reminders</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/346/971/thumb/friendly-reminders.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Sade]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/sade</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Sade]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:56:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/sade</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/346/801/thumb/sade-soldier-of-love-600-500x500.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/badu_hair</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[When Erykah Badu first blazed onto the music scene in '96, she was instantly crowned the queen of the neo-soul bohemian movement--and her hair, swept up into the endless folds of a mile-high headwrap, was instantly deemed iconic. We all thought the wrap moment was going to be Badu's signature look, but the boho-bluesy songstress kept us guessing with a parade of afros, braids, dreadlocks and, in one memorable case, a 1960s Supreme-esque wig. In celebration of Badu's fifth studio album, New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh (in stores next month), let's take a look back at Badu's hairstyle evolution since her early incense-waving, tea-sipping, Tyrone-calling days as a music industry newcomer.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:01:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/badu_hair</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/346/711/thumb/89976727.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Nicola Vassell]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/nicola_vassell</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Nicola Vassell]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:38:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/nicola_vassell</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/346/451/thumb/81197024.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[BET-SOS Help for Haiti Benefit Concert]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/betsos_saving_ourselves_help_for_haiti_benefit_concert</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[BET-SOS Saving Ourselves Help for Haiti Benefit Concert]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:07:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/betsos_saving_ourselves_help_for_haiti_benefit_concert</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/991/thumb/96455653.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Shingai Shoniwa of  The Noisettes]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/shingai_shoniwa_of_noisettes</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes

by Alexandra Phanor-Faury
Music and fashion have long made for an explosive, potent twosome. After one look and listen to the UK's The Noisettes, it’s obvious that when met harmoniously in the middle, the twosome can be mind-blowing. The trio consisting of guitarist Dan Smith, drummer James Morrison and singer and bassist Shingai (shin-guy, “Persevere” in the Zimbabwean Shona language) Shoniwa blend psychedelic, indie- rock, jazz, electro punk, blues and pop influences to create a sound that is uniquely their own. With two critically-acclaimed albums under their belt, What’s The Time Mr. Wolf? (2007) and Wild Young Hearts (2009), The Noisettes, who came together back in 2003, are reaching rock ‘n’ roll success on their own terms. In addition to being the poster children for the mixing of musical genres, The Noisettes have introduced the world to a one-of-a-kind, ferocious front woman who approaches fashion with the same gusto and non-conformist manner in which she approaches music.

To say that Shoniwa steals the spotlight from her band mates when performing live is an understatement. That’s not to say Smith and Morrison are simply background musicians to Shoniwa; in fact both Morrison and Smith are talented musicians in their own right that bring a great deal to the table. Nevertheless, it’s almost impossible to keep your eyes off Shoniwa during one of their live shows, even if you try (and we did!). Captivating an audience comes naturally to this English-Zimbabwean.

First there’s her beautifully melancholic voice which hints to a twisted melange of Billie Holiday and Beth Gibbons of Portishead. Second, and perhaps the biggest reason that sets Shoniwa apart from the slew of great singers out there, is her commanding stage performance. Before seeing The Noisettes live, we hadn’t seen anything like it. Shoniwa, usually bare foot and often sporting war paint on her face, goes the distance to keep her audience entertained. She climbs up the walls, literally, grabbing on to whatever she can while her other hand is tightly wrapped around the mic. She’s played her guitar with a loaf of bread and the former gymnast has even broken out into cartwheels, while singing, without losing a step. She’s also been spotted singing hanging from a rope ladder suspended from the ceiling! It’s like watching her have an outer body experience.

“I love dressing up. I’m from a huge African family and grew up in a really colorful place. The way I dress reflects my environment and wanting to take people into a fantasy world for half an hour,” said Shoniwa in VenusZine. This takes us to the third reason why Shinowa rocks and that’s her extravagant, playful, sexy and uber-cool personal style fit for a rock star. We’ve developed a serious girl crush on Shoniwa over the years. The fashion powerhouse is all about experimenting when it comes to her fashion choices similar to her fashion muses Jimi Hendrix, Kate Bush, Josephine Baker and Grace Jones.

Just like her music, Shoniwa’s style is the result of a medley of inspirations from the 80's to ethnic garbs always in high-wattage hues. She loves showing off her legs in futuristic miniskirts, catsuits, dresses and bodysuits when she’s bouncing off speakers during her fearless live shows. She manages to pull off the craziest looks with such aplomb, while anyone else would just look ridiculous in them. Too much is never enough for Shoniwa who usually finishes off her eye-catching outfits with piles of accessories. While she’s made a name for herself in the UK as a fashion red carpet star wearing hot new designers like David Koma and Jean Pierre Braganza (even Topshop specially designed outfits for her to wear to the V Festival last summer), Shinowa’s fashion cred is steadily growing here in the states where her daring looks has won her cult fans.

Take a look at Shoniwa’s cheeky outfits and get ready to feel inspired to be braver when it comes to your style. ]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:37:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/shingai_shoniwa_of_noisettes</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/681/thumb/94175392.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Crowning Glory: The Best Tressed Red Carpet Stars]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/red_carpet_hair</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[When it comes to red carpet style, the one thing reporters always want to know is which designer the star's wearing. But for the hair-obsessed, nothing's more important than a fabulous, traffic-stopping, who-did-your-hair-and-does-she-make-house-calls 'do. Here are our contenders for this awards season's "best tressed" red carpet stars.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:49:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/red_carpet_hair</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/521/thumb/96353179.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Street Style: Atlanta]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/street_style_atlanta</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Street Style: Atlanta]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:55:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/street_style_atlanta</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/441/thumb/IMGP3534.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Tia's Ciara Grammy Makeover]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/ciara_makeover</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[If you watched the Grammy's last Sunday, then you know that Ciara's makeup look was fierce. Beyond fierce. We were so impressed that we immediately called the singer's makeup artist Yolanda Frederick to congratulate her--and by the end of the conversation, she'd agreed to stop by the Essence.com office and give beauty editor Tia Williams her very own Ciara-at-the-Grammy's makeover. The results were downright amazing (there was a lot of thrilled squealing on Tia's part)--see for yourself in our step-by-step photo gallery breaking down Frederick's process!]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:30:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/ciara_makeover</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/311/thumb/DSC_0700.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Star Gazing 02.04.10]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/star_gazing_020410</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Star Gazing 02.04.10]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:50:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/star_gazing_020410</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/347/081/thumb/96516269.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Valentine's Day Beauty Roundup]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/valentines_day_beauty_roundup</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Whether your Valentine's day scenario involves partying with your single girlfriends or cuddling up with your boo by the fire, we sincerely hope you have an appropriately scandalous time! To prepare you for the sexiest day of the year, we've compiled a list of beauty must-haves to help get you in the mood. From an aphrodisiac candle to candy heart-inspired lip balm, check out our Valentine's Day essentials.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:40:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/valentines_day_beauty_roundup</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/345/051/thumb/philosophy.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Fire & Desire: Red Shoes Bring The Heat]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/red_shoes</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Red Shoes]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:56:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/red_shoes</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/344/881/thumb/96366782.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Ask the Experts: One Cut, Ten Ways]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/short_hair</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[After seasons of long, wavy locks ruling runways and red carpets, short hair has staged a major comeback--and we all know why, don't we? We'll give you two hints: Her name begins with an "R" and she's so hard, yeah-yeah-yeah she's so hard. That's right, Rihanna's haircut--short on the sides, long on top--is the hottest look on the planet right now. The best part? Even though the dimensions of the cut are specific, there are a zillion different ways to wear it, from curls to spikes to flapper waves! Here, we asked the genius behind Rihanna's trendsetting style, celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen, to give us tips on ten different ways to rock this trendy 'do.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:30:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/short_hair</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/344/531/thumb/96184556.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Top Ten Black Beauty Mavericks]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/top_ten_black_beauty_mavericks</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Whether it's 1940s-era designers copying our Sunday church hats or Bo Derek rocking cornrows in "10," Black women have always inspired the world with our effortless personal style. But throughout history, a handful of women have taken the "style muse" thing one step further, making a culture-altering impact on the business of global hair, beauty, and skincare. From Madame C.J. Walker to Naomi Sims, these powerful black beauty pioneers have shaped the way we present ourselves to the world. In honor of Black History Month, we salute the top ten black beauty movers and shakers of all time.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:30:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/top_ten_black_beauty_mavericks</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/344/401/thumb/madame.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Chef Jenay's: Tasty Dishes]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/chef_jenays_tasty_dishes</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Chef Jenay's: Tasty Dishes]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:37:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/chef_jenays_tasty_dishes</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/343/991/thumb/IMG_3920.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Hairstyle File: The History of Revolutionary Hair]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/revolutionary_hair</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The idea that Black hair, in its natural state, is considered "revolutionary" is a very odd one, indeed. But in the context of our history in America, it makes perfect sense. When the first generation of African slaves landed in America, they'd been accustomed to carefully treating their hair with herbs, creating elaborate conrowed styles and grooming their kinks with carved wooden combs (thought to be weapons, they were discarded on the slave ships). On American soil, unable to care for their hair the same way, women began wearing rags to cover head sores and bald spots. Their kinks became a source of shame. And as young slave women began giving birth to half-white babies, their longer-haired offspring were considered better, prettier, more civilized. The idea that "white is right" was so embedded in the country's DNA that, by the time the Black is Beautiful movement hit in the 60s--and women proudly rocked afros and braids--the simple act of embracing the hair that grows out of our heads was considered a revolutionary statement. These days, we'd like to think that the decision to relax our hair, wear it natural, or weave it up is about the freedom of choice, not a political statement. But when dreadlocks can still prevent women from reaching the top of certain industries, we can't help but think we've still got a long way to go. 

In celebration of Black History Month, lets take a look back at some notable moments in the history of revolutionary hair.]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/revolutionary_hair</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/344/221/thumb/NHfrancesharper.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Most Stylish Black Women in History]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/most_stylish_black_women_in_history</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Most Stylish Black Women in History
by Alexandra Phanor-Faury
We doubt Michelle Obama ever fathomed that her personal style would be of such interest to the American public. But one year into being First Lady, it’s undeniable that her affinity for fashion has not only been a boast for American fashion but it has also reaffirmed both the buying power of African-American women and what we’ve always known-that Black women are stylish. Michelle Obama may be one of the very few Black women celebrated for her impeccable taste by mainstream America, but she certainly isn’t the first stylish sista to make an impressive fashion mark. Black women have long demonstrated their styles and personalities through their inventive fashion transformations over the past decades.
From the 40’s church going women who took pride in their elaborate hats to acclaimed author Zora Neal Hurston’s more minimal lady-like chapeau to Josephine Baker’s sensual style to Grace Jones’ strong edge, fashion has always been part of our lives. In honor of Black History Month, we're taking a look back at the most stylish Black women in history and paying tribute to their timeless style.
]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:01:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/most_stylish_black_women_in_history</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/344/051/thumb/0000214563-002.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Bridal Bliss: Cynthia and Lester]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/bridal_bliss_cynthia_and_lester</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Bridal Bliss: Cynthia and Lester]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:59:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/bridal_bliss_cynthia_and_lester</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/343/321/thumb/ce08.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[Super Bowl Hotties 2010]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/superbowl_hotties_2010</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Superbowl Hotties 2010]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:05:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/superbowl_hotties_2010</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/343/541/thumb/72717856.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>
        <![CDATA[52nd Annual Grammy Awards Best Dress]]>
      </title>
      <link>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/52nd_annual_grammy_awards_best_dress</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[52nd Annual Grammy Awards Best Dress]]>
      </description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:10:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://photos.essence.com/galleries/52nd_annual_grammy_awards_best_dress</guid>
      <media:content url="http://photos.essence.com/system/images/gallery/000/342/971/thumb/96304986.jpg" type="image/jpeg"/>
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