FASHION & STYLE
One such angel is Janet Bailey, former wife of Earth, Wind & Fire singer,
Philip Bailey, who has lent the furs that have become a Cookie signature.
Angel number two is Empire’s fashion and music consultant, Monique
Mosley, married to musical director Timbaland.
“Monique lives the music life and is the wife of music royalty. She has lent
her own jewelry, purses and clothes,” Rita said.
The show is about music, money and power, and Rita said all the
characters have strong identities that are reflected in what they wear, like
the music mogul himself, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), who wears
royal colors like dark reds, yellow and blues, ascots and pocket squares,
reminiscent of the old gangster style.
Anika (aka Boo-Boo Kitty) was a debutante.
“She wears her pearls and solid colors,” Rita said. “When she wants to
show her power, she wears red.”
Son, Andre, is broody and wears dark colors. Jamal dresses casual, but
rich, never flashy. Hakeem, on the other hand, spends the money, and
wears plenty of bling to prove it.
“I strive to make the characters approachable people that viewers can
relate to in some way,” Rita said.
Shot in Chicago, Empire’s schedule calls for 12- to 14-hour days. It takes
eight days to shoot each episode. Rita said while the long hours are
challenging, challenge creates champions.
Born in San Francisco, her father’s job took the family to Guam, where
she spent most of her childhood. Watching American TV, she noticed
and thought about what actors wore, even news reporters. She returned
to the U.S. for college, majoring in fashion merchandising. She got her first
break working on the Spike Lee film, Jungle Fever.
“I was fascinated by fashion, and I was fortunate to work as an intern
under Spike’s designer, Ruth Carter,” Rita said. “She is still my inspiration
and muse.”
Rita is inspired by colors.
“And I’m inspired by men and women who have a style and ‘own’ it,
even if it’s not something I like personally,” she said.
So how does an average gal become a fashion icon like Cookie?
“It’s about finding fashion that works for you,” Rita said. “Experiment.
Find your own style and the look that works for your body. Then mix and
match bargain pieces with a good pair of shoes or a nice bag or coat.”
What is Rita’s personal style?
“I like to dress very feminine to go to dinner or church,” she said. “But
truthfully, most days, I wear jeans and a nice shirt. I maintain a clothes
budget for myself, but I will splurge on a really good bag. And I refuse to
wear shoes I can’t walk in.”
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As costume designer for the Fox series, Empire, Rita
McGhee mixes and matches styles and costumes, down
to the smallest detail, which helps create the characters
for the show. (opposite page)
Taraji P Henson rocks a purple fur stole as Cookie Lyon
.
on Fox’s new series, Empire. (top)
Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) and his mother, Cookie
(Taraji P Henson), both make a fashion statement at
.
Luscious Lyon’s White Party. (bottom)
Photos courtesy of Fox
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY