The Style Evolution of Teyana Taylor

Musical artists are often defined against the release of bodies of work. Teyana Taylor, however, is more than just a vocalist. A  multi-disciplinary creative who is making waves in the worlds of, direction, acting, and being a mother, has become one of the most recognised faces in the industry, a mogul for black culture who changed the narrative of success for black women in the entertainment industry, as well as making history in 2020, after becoming the first black woman in the magazine’s 21- year history to grace the cover of MAXIM, an international magazine that was launched in the UK in 1995, an based in New York since 1997.

The artist’s painful departure from music saw her leave fans with ‘The album’, which served as a blast of throwback r&b samples with her own modern twist on it, including some of the voices who were best known to have launched r&b and neo soul to the status it has today, such as Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. As well as making her mark in the music industry, Taylor has also established herself as a fashion icon, and just as her voice in music evolved over the years we’ve been familiar with her work, so has she. 

The years 2017 and 2018 saw Taylor evolving in her craft, and simultaneously evolve in her fashion choices, and more significantly as a new mother behind the scenes. At the VMA’s in 2017 she sported a white cropped top with wide bell bottom style trousers, a sleek and finely cut outfit that is simple, but graces a woman who knows her identity is more than just one-dimensional.

In 2018, Taylor released K.T.S.E, (Keep That Same Energy) under Def Jam Recordings and GOOD (Getting Out Our Dreams Inc.)  Music, a highly anticipated EP that garnered attention on her single ‘Gonna Love Me’ where Taylor croons out a smooth ballad about forgiveness, restoration, and recognising one's faults. In her music video for the single, which she self- directed, she can be seen in a few street-wear inspired ensemble, most notably her set complete with a blue varsity jacket, large hoop earrings, and layered chains, fitting for the music video where Taylor can be seen walking the streets of her hometown, Harlem the video serving as reminiscent of ‘a black girl going through life in 90’s Harlem’. 

The years 2019 and 2020 saw Taylor not only release her last full length album ‘The Album’ in the height of the pandemic and racial tensions following the murder of George Floyd in the United States, but a couple of significant style moments for the artist, Including her trip to Versace’s Pre-Fall 2019. Taylor went ‘Donatella blonde’ as she sported long goddess faux- locs, 

Styled in a half bun, whilst her full outfit, which brought a fresh and creative presence to the event,originated from Versace Spring/Summer 2019, a sheer  floral blouse with matching leggings covered by a black leather skirt. 

In 2020, the release of the 23 track long album that is several times longer than K.T.S.E, saw a complex body of work split into 5 categories - family, desire, strength, drama, and joy. The striking cover of her album, a distinct shot of Taylor posing as a Grace Jones inspired superwoman, shows Taylor styled with an asymmetrical flat-top afro, elongated limbs and neck, holding a modelesque pose with gold accessories finishing the look with a wave of royalty. The era of ‘The Album’ placed Taylor within the genre of r&b as a masterful, almost alternative soul singer, making a mark on music that no other can replicate.

The years 2022 and 2023, after her painful departure from music as a recording artist, saw Taylor discover new ventures in her career, namely direction, under her production company ‘The Aunties’ and acting, most notably in the 2023 full feature film that has caused Oscar buzz around the singer’s stunning and honest performance. 

‘A Thousand and One’, directed by A.V Rockwell, is a story about an unapologetic and nonconformist Inez, who kidnaps her 6-year-old son Terry from the ruthless foster care system, in hopes of raising him as her own and building a life together. The film surrounds themes of home, identity and individuality, and most importantly for the Harlem native, is set against the backdrop of the ever changing and bustling New York City. 

At the premiere of her film where she plays the lead, Taylor showed up wearing a beige puffer across her chest and a pleated grey skirt with a matching clean cut blazer, which brought the whole look together. Her beige lace up boots finished the look, while charms in her hair and a white manicure added to the feminine strength that defines this look - reminding us of Inez and the mother she is in the film, her labour of love to her son - and reflective of Taylor’s sacrificial nature she holds towards her own daughters, who stayed by her side at the event. 

Taylor’s journey so far as an artist has been all encompassing to witness, and her style as an individual has evolved alongside her voice - musical, and metaphorical. As she ventures out to new horizons in her career, Taylor will undoubtedly continue to establish herself in the entertainment industry as one to be reckoned with.