Before striking out for solo stardom with 1978′s Chaka, Khan was part of the wildly successful funk outfit, Rufus – later dubbed Rufus and Chaka Khan in true diva fashion. That same year the band came out with Street Player featuring the Khan-composed “Stay.” Starting off slow and plaintive, Chaka lets loose in the goosebump-inducing finale. One of the singer’s favorite songs, it was subsequently covered to thrilling effect by Erykah Badu for her 1997 Live album.

2. “Some Love”

Lace up your platforms, squeeze into those bell-bottoms and drop the disco ball because we’re going to work. From Chaka’s debut solo album, “Some Love” funks shit up with a bassline that won’t quit, a dazzling horn section and Chaka riding the beat till the wheels fall off.

3. “Aint’ Nobody”

Rufus and Chaka officially parted ways with 1983′s double LP, Stompin’ at the Savoy, a live recording with some studio tracks added for filler. But wedged in there was their final hit as a group, the rollicking “Ain’t Nobody.” Talk about going out on a high note. A favorite among poppers and lockers the world over, the song was featured in the classic ode to breakdancing, Breakin’. It was not, however, included in the sequel, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.

4. “Close the Door”

An album cut from Rufus and Chaka’s 1977 Ask Rufus, “Close the Door” is cool, refined and quietly funky, showcasing enormous restraint from Chaka as she pleads, “Do you close the door to giving?” The answer, I certainly hope not. You don’t close doors on Chaka Khan. That is unless you want that door kicked down and burned to the ground.

5. “Sweet Thing”

“Sweet Thing,” another Khan original, is easy like Sunday morning. It’s simply joy as a record with Khan delivering an iconic performance that  inspired Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige to cover “Sweet Thing” for her debut album, 1992′s What’s the 411?. And while MJB’s version can’t hold a candle to the original, it’s a testament to the song’s greatness that it’s become one of her signature performances as well.

6. “Love Me Still”

Chaka Khan is incredibly proficient at many genres, but she truly shines as a jazz singer. Khan originally wrote and recorded “Love Me Still” for 1996′s Clockers, but her excellent live rendition from 2000′s The Jazz Channel Presents Chaka Khan takes the emotional cake.

7. “Tell Me Something Good”

Thank you Stevie Wonder. After hearing Rufus and Chaka cover his “Maybe Your Baby” from their debut album, 1973′s Rufus, Wonder was impressed enough by Khan’s dynamic delivery that he gifted “Tell Me Something Good” to them for their next record, Rags to Rufus. “Tell Me Something Good” went on to become their breakthrough hit and earned the group their first Grammy. How…Wonderful.

8. “You Got the Love”

Also from 1974′s Rags to Rufus, “You Got the Love” features one of the funkiest basslines in history and Chaka generally owning it with trademark gusto.

9. “What ‘Cha Gonna Do for Me?”

Khan fully embraces her disco-divadom with this dancefloor barnburner from the 1981 album of the same name, featuring a strutting beat that will have your shoulders swaying from the first fluttery flute notes.

10. “Stormy Weather”

Chaka’s impassioned take on “Stormy Weather” from her 2004 album of covers, Classikahn, led a friend of mine to quip that Khan probably woke up one day, brushed her afro out of her face and belted out, “Quick, someone get me the rights to a standard so I can sing the shit out of it.” Mission accomplished.

When and how did your line begin?

I launched my accessories line in the Fall of 2010 with a concept design of epaulets.  I created a small collection in different styles and they ended up in the hands of some fashion influentials. I’ve since introduced earrings, bangles and eyewear.

What inspires your work?

I watch a lot of nature documentaries. I’m in love with the beluga whale. I watch the same documentaries over and over.. I’ve seen the Blue Planet series over a hundred times and I now watch Microcosmos fanatically. Have you ever seen ladybugs make love? It’s a fascinating and a gentle experience.

Where do you finding the amazing leathers and animal skins that you use on your accessories?

I buy my leather at the same place that Helmut Lang, Diane Von Furstenberg and Oscar De La Renta buy from. Its expensive and the best in the city. Libra Leather. I work with Sam Jones, The Leather Queen. She has great taste and instincts when it comes to leather. Libra Leather has been pioneering leather trends in New York for decades. They provide the selection designers conceptualize their entire leather collection from. They are best in the biz.

The Feather Spray Earrings seem like a big deviation from some of your previous designs. What was the inspiration behind those?

When I launched my line in October 2009 I used feathers in the fabrication of many of those epaulet designs. The feather was lying on my desk at a certain angle and it came to me.. that should be attached to an ear. I guess it’s all the nature videos I watch.

What celebrities have you worked with?

I grew up in NYC so Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill and Beyonce were the soundtrack of my life. I attended borderline ruff schools and their music was uplifting and their voices strong, I adored them. Now as an adult, this entire experience as a designer has been transcendental for me. I often can’t believe who I’ve turned out to be. Just three years ago I was the most unhappiest girl in the world. I’ve designed for all them. I’ve also created custom accessories for Lil Wayne’s and Prince’s musical tours.. I used to make out with posters of Prince. I’ve designed for Alicia Keys’ Freedom tour.  Lauryn Hill just bought my entire collection for her European tour.

What’s your favorite part about being a designer?

The actual design process is probably my favorite part of being a designer. I often struggle between concept and application.. I’ll think about a construction for months before I even attempt to piece it together.. My own thoughts intimidate me. There is an element of anxiety I experience and I know that I’ll figure it out eventually. There are some designs I’ve constructed, not many, that I will never share with the world. I hoard special pieces.

What are the biggest challenges as a designer?

Figuring out which tradeshows to do make me pretty dizzy.

Three must haves to have in your wardrobe?

Combat boots, a black fur and a balaclava.

What is your best moment that you’ve experienced in your career?

All of them have been extraordinary. Getting picked up by Nordstrom, a tour order from Alicia Keys, selling at Patricia Field and having my mom and dad say that they’re proud of me.

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

Organize yourself. Have a decent website, take good pictures, get a press list, don’t get tired, get motivated.  Surround yourself with good people that want good for you.  Love yourself and visualize yourself in the place you want to be.

How would you describe your personal style?

My look changes drastically, often. Recently my style is Le Femme Nikita.. assassin chic.

What is the inspiration behind “in love and good fashion” and “good taste must be shared”?

I tend to curate everything. My friends, my wardrobe and words.. I love language and assembling words together.. In Love and Good Fashion fell into place in the first weeks of creating my first collection.. it represents the head set I was in at the time..

Good Taste Must Be Shared is a personal philosophy.. Good taste crosses over into all aspects of living.. food, clothing, jewelry, travel and all of earths spoils.. Everything that is good about anything should be shared and enjoyed.

What’s currently on your iPod?

I don’t have an Ipod but I have been listening to Amy Winehouse, Wu Tang Clan, Florence and The Machine and Lauryn Hill recently.

Describe Mary Had A little Scam and the other short films you are working on based on your line?

I decided to make a short film when the concepts in my head began to move and could only be expressed through video. I’ve watched enough documentaries and films to understand the shooting style I like.  I titled the film Mary Had  A Little Scam to represent the duality between innocence and  a calculated menace. I wanted to create a sexy film that captures the private moments strong women experience when alone.. the awkwardness, paranoia, struggle, uncertainty and ultimate perseverance.  The character Mary in the short film Mary Had A Little Scam has a public persona of  a fierce rebel leader with the American Accessories Coalition for Good Taste (AACGT). Her mission is to collect rare jewelry from around the world, sharing good taste with the masses.

What are you currently working on for your line right now?

I’m preparing a trip to Paris, meetings, meetings, meetings!

Where do you see Seville Michelle Anastos 5 years from now?

I’m excited for the future.  Nothing I’ve done has been planned, my line has swept me off my feet!

You can follow Seville Michelle’s line and updates on twitter too @SevilleMAnastos

Photos: Vogue Italia

And on the side of reality:

The My Life Holiday Gift Set, including an eau de parfum, body lotion and shower cream, sold out all of its 6,000 available units while the Blossom Gift Set — eau de parfum, body cream and a copy of MJB’s new CD because bitch is working — was in larger supply but equal demand, selling out all 20,000 available sets.

Fittingly, one of the songs Blige performed during her HSN stint was “No More Drama” and no wonder with the amount of dough she’s raking in. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul has come a long way since smoking crack — allegedly — and hanging out with Biggie to become a sophisticated chanteuse and superstar in her own right. It’s as if she and Whitney Houston had some sort of Freak Friday switcheroo in the late-90s that no one knows or talks about. [WWD]

Thank Christ someone came to work last night. Nicki wore this look flawlessly right off the runway with Alexander McQueen wedges, a curly pink coif and feminine makeup. I don't know about y'all, but she is my vote for Best Dressed by a landslide.

The words "Jenny McCarthy" and "impressed" are rarely seen in a sentence together, but last night was an exception. Not only is this outfit perfect, Jenny's hair and makeup look gorgeous and her boobs are contained under more than an inch of fabric. Surprising, yet indeed impressive.

Jennifer Hudson worked hard for her rockin' bod, and she's not afraid to show off those curves. For any other event, this dress would have been a tad short, but it's perfect for the AMAs. I know a few celebs (*cough* Christina Aguilera) who should take note from Jennifer here.

MJB could wear a garbage bag and land herself on the best dressed list. She is rocking this tacky Cavalli animal print dress like nobody's business and looks fantastic. Although, I wish the hair was a little bigger to match the mood.

Selena Gomez, the apple of Justin Bieber's eye and target of every tweeny bopper's hate mail, looks elegant as always in Armani. The dress, hair and makeup are perfect, but I wish her accessories weren't so matchy-matchy. She should mix in some playful pieces while she's still young.

ZZzzZZZzzz... Oh, excuse me, I fell asleep looking at Taylor Swift in the SAME DRESS SHE ALWAYS WEARS. To quote the late Lexi Featherston, "I'm so bored, I could die." Splat Taylor, splat.

I understand dressing elegant and all old Hollywood-like is kind of Katherine's thing, but this is the AMAs, not a black tie gala. Also, is her cleavage creeping you out like it's creeping me out?

New cougar on the market Jennifer Lopez borrowed the famous embellished nude jumpsuit Britney Spears wore performing at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Sure she looks great for her age, but this is about 40 years from being appropriate.

Put X-Tina in a bandage dress and you have the perfect Jimmy Dean costume. Too bad Halloween is over. As usual, everyone failed to tell Christina she needs to go up about four sizes. Hair is bad, makeup is worse, poor girl just keeps rolling right down the hill.

Oh dear, another girl who doesn't know how to handle her own curves. A tight, red, sequined dress just does not work on a body like Clarkson's. A few more yards of fabric, some fishing line and black dye would improve this look greatly.

Keep smiling through the Botox Cheryl, and maybe no one will notice you raided the Kids 'R Us for your AMAs dress. Oops, too late. If you listen carefully, you can hear the soft chatter of her stylist being fired.

If you can manage to look past Audrina Patridge's lifeless gaze, you'll see what she really is - a low-class stripper with no soul. Wearing a garbage bag and prostitution whore heels, it's just another day in LaLa land for the reality television has-been.

The songstress gets swathed in fur courtesy of stylist Christopher Niquet and shot by Thomas Whiteside. Photos: Elle

Mary will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 4

Styling: 4

Shoes: 3

Hair: 5

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

MJB can really do no wrong – if you disagree, enroll immediately in Diva 101. She looks gorgeous and sexy in this bondage-inspired Hervé Léger dress, and that weave is to die for. I would have done a strappier shoe in a different color, but overall she looks fantastic.

Technical difficulties — including inappropriate music cues, microphones cutting out, an errant and uninterested audience, empty awards envelopes and even a full-on blackout after generators blew — were the biggest problems of the night.

That is, if you discount some of the winners acceptance speeches.

MJB won two awards for her My Life by Mary J. Blige fragrance, including Fragrance Sales Breakthrough of the Year, and naturally thanked god, with whom “we can do anything.” Like schill perfume on HSN. Praise him.

Josh Duhamel apparently lied to wife Fergie — of Black Eyed Peas not royal wedding snub fame — telling her he was going on a golfing trip. But surprise! There he was presenting her with the totally legitimate-sounding New Fragrance Celebrity of the Year award for Outspoken.

Fergie, always the picture of class, began her speech with “You fuckers” then thanked the 6.5 million Avon ladies around the world.  Sounds like someone missed out on a perfectly good 18 holes.

Elizabeth Taylor, whose White Diamonds is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, was inducted posthumously into the Fragrance Hall of Fame — because that exists — just in time for fellow Oscar winner Halle Berry to pick up the newly named  Elizabeth Taylor Fragrance Celebrity of the Year award.

Halle, an old pro at this speech thing, left the tears and sincerity at home: “Fragrance is a new love for me. I never thought I’d be here four years later. And I’m inspired by Mary J. Blige and Fergie — let’s keep lifting women up.” Lifting women up, turning them upside down and shaking them till their loose change falls out.

All in all, it was a successful night…I mean, we’re actually talking about the FiFi’s. Aim low and never be disappointed, I always say. [WWD]

Photo: Refinery29

- Dov Charney has been accused of behavior even despicable by his loose, scumbaggy standards. What could that possibly be, you ask? How’s about subjecting a young girl to sex slavery for her 18th birthday (allegations AA denies). Happy Birthday — slip on this muzzle!…The Charlie Sheen Story. [Racked]

- “Artist” Richie Budd has encased a bunch of not completely unattractive frat boys behind Plexiglass in the exhibition, “Come on Guy” (one must assume) for the sake of art. And also for the sake of perverts who have been banned from every other peepshow in town. [Refinery 29]

- Kate Middleton to wear Alexander McQueen at wedding? Reportedly, the princess-bride-to-be consulted British Vogue‘s EIC, Alexandra Shulman over the momentous gown. All hail the McQueen! [The Cut]

- Matthew Morrison‘s album art was clearly dug up from a never released early-90s Richard Marxx project. Meanwhile, shelve this easy listening snoozefest and give me Amber Riley‘s record, ASAP. [Just Jared]

- Kanye West will not be attending Central Saint Martins after all, it seems. According to a CSM spokesperson: ”He isn’t coming to study the MA course but he did visit the college regarding a separate issue last week.” I hope that “separate issue” involves renaming the college Central Saint Kanyes. [Vogue.co.uk]

- Recession, resmession! Is there even a recession anymore/does anyone even care? Well Michael Kors certainly could give two shits. He’s opened his largest store in the world: a sprawling 7,000 square feet in Paris. [NYT]

- And at the Paris opening of his new store, Mary J. Blige “confirmed a year-old report that she will portray Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic” by covering a Simone classic. I’m officially starting my Oscar pool early this year. [NYT]

- Miss J. Alexander once famously said (on one of the 62 cycles of Top Model): “Fashion has no sympathy or empathy.” Well, if you’re John Galliano, that may not be absolutely true. [The Cut]

- Walking lab experiment James Franco has been tooling around with supermodel Agyness Deyn and has uploaded some of their kooky exploits on the Twitter. [Oh No They Didn't!]

Image courtesy of necolebitchie.com

LINK LOVE:Smells Like Success: Mary J. Blige Launches New Fragrance Line

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The launch of GUCCI ICON-TEMPORARY, a flash sneaker store that will travel the world beginning in October 2009 with its first stop in
New York City on 43 Crosby Street. Frida Giannini has collaborated with Mark Ronson on a limited collection of sneakers.

The opening was last week and boy were there tons of celebs, including: Mary J. Blige, Claire Danes (so cute and tiny in person), Wyclef Jean, Evan Rachel Wood, Mischa Barton, Poppy Delevingne, Leigh Lezark (this girl can totally rock 5 inch heels), Agyness Deyn, Alexander Wang, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Alex Skarsgard (True Blood fame) and many many more. Red velvet cupcakes and turtle cheesecake was served along with white only wine and champagne.

Images via Fashionista101

This fashion week marked the launch of Dsquared2 latest endeavor, eyewear, and the twins behind the naughty little brand had everyone seeing double.

LINK LOVE: http://starworksny.com/blog/2009/09/18/dsquared2/

The folks at Gucci do a good deed by supporting Mary J. Blige’s Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now.

It’s always great when the big boys do something nice. Case in point, Gucci’s support of FFAWN, an amazing group founded by Mary J. Blige. On September 16th,  Gucci will donate a percentage of the day’s sales from its New York 5th Avenue Flagship to the charity and will toast the evening with a private in-store cocktail party co-hosted by Gucci and Mary J. Blige.

Want some more? Check out the excerpt from the official release for more on this exclusive watch:

In honor of Gucci for FFAWN Day, Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini has designed a limited edition black PVD Twirl watch. Gucci will donate a portion of sales to FFAWN from the sale of each limited edition Twirl watch in Gucci stores and select department and specialty stores in the United States and Canada.

“Mary J. inspires all of us with her songs and now through her commitment to the empowerment of disadvantaged young women,” said Frida Giannini, Creative Director of Gucci. “We are proud to support Mary’s Foundation and the special edition Gucci Twirl watch that I have designed is a symbol of this partnership.”

The limited edition Gucci for FFAWN Twirl will be offered in sleek black PVD with signature GG motif pierced bangle, monochrome dial and rotating rounded case adorned with black diamonds. To commemorate the partnership, the limited edition Twirl will also feature a ‘Gucci for FFAWN’ engraving. With its original design and exquisite craftsmanship, the limited edition Twirl, as with every Gucci timepiece, harmoniously combines bold Italian design with the finest in traditional Swiss watch-making.

“I am so grateful to Frida and Gucci for their extraordinary kindness and generosity. By opening their doors to support FFAWN, they will make a real difference in the lives of many young women seeking hope and help,” said Mary J. Blige. “Gucci sets a great example in the luxury world in recognizing its responsibility to give back.”

Venturing into new endeavors, company Carol’s Daughter, has decided to pick up their first celebrity fragrance! Who’s the lucky investment? Mary J. Blige! Coming out with the fragrance, My Life by Mary J. Blige, Carol’s Daughter is hoping the scent “creates a complex fragrance with layered notes inspired by nature.”

Thanks NYMag!