Every Day I'm Hustling Page 17
It was cute, but it wasn’t a cute enough tag. It’s a business and I had to learn the rules. Big designers take out expensive ads in these magazines. When I wore one of the big guns—a Gucci or a Calvin Klein—the designer names would catch the eyes of magazine editors. They’d then run my photo with a caption reading something like, “Vivica A. Fox, in Gucci, attended the May 19 premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theater.” And a few pages later, look at that giant gorgeous Gucci ad. They are called “fashion credits” for a reason. That coverage was so important when I was starting out, because every casting director read those magazines looking for new faces. Can’t win the game if you don’t play.
I’ll never forget the first time and only time I ended up on a worst-dressed list in a magazine. It was so humbling, to be honest with you. You know the movie Carrie when she goes to the dance and they all laugh at her? Yeah, it kind of felt like that.
It was June of 1997, and this was before I was sure of my look and what works for me. I was attending the Atlanta premiere of Batman & Robin for Warner Bros. In the movie I play Ms. B. Haven, a henchwoman of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze. It was a campy, cartoony film, and I let a stylist talk me into this fool outfit. It was a blue-tinged mixture of a sheer top with a band across the boobs made out of another material, sheer across the stomach, then another material down by the legs. It was a hot-ass mess.
Now I look at that picture and I say, Vivica, that was such a no. But at the time you couldn’t have told me I wasn’t cute.
But I got it, though. I was like, Uh-hmm, that won’t happen again. The criticism can be harsh, but you gotta take it in this business. Sometimes still I’ll take a risk, but you better be ready for that feedback and those online comments. Because, baby, the Fashion Police will get you. Hit or Miss, Hot or Hmm …
I’ve made mistakes and learned lessons. So the biggest advice I tell all my girls is “Don’t force fashion.” Just because something is trendy does not mean it’s for you or your body type. Take me for example: I’ve got boobs and assets. I can’t wear any trend that’s designed for the itty-bitty titty committee, okay? If it ain’t got no stretch to it, it ain’t working for me.
What you can do to keep your look current is to add hints of what’s trending. Let’s say they’re doing too many cutouts, showing off abs and whatever. You can do a cutout down the side of your body that’s not so revealing, that’s covered with a little bit of lace. Learn to accentuate the positive and not the negative so you don’t feel uncomfortable in your outfit—and, perhaps more important, so you don’t look uncomfortable in your outfit. Confidence is always key.
That goes for everyone. Don’t feel because you got a little bit bigger that you have to put on a goddamn muumuu. Whatever size you are, feel good about yourself. It radiates from your whole aura and people see it a mile away. They either say, “Oh, she’s not happy,” or “Look at her go.”
That was important to me as I was making my clothing designs for women, and that’s why I offered sizes ranging from 4 to 22. I hate when I see clothes in magazines and you go to get it and it’s like, “If you’re not sample size, it ain’t happening for you.” I want to be diplomatic here, but I think that a lot of people in the fashion industry forget that the average, glorious American woman is a size 16. If you forget about those beautiful women, and refuse to make them feel beautiful and included, you’re just not good at business and you don’t deserve their hard-earned money. My clothes are also not about concealment. No way, honey, celebrate yourself. I did a gorgeous line of lingerie that showcased the glory of women’s bodies in sizes 34DDD to 44H for the bras and 6/8 to 22/24 for panties.
I just want to say one more thing to my big guys and girls. Every molecule in your being is loved and special. You are not beautiful despite your weight; you are beautiful because you’re you. If someone told my sister she was special despite being black, or told my friend he was perfect despite being gay, you and I would throw down for them, right? So why do we accept a beauty standard that makes our curvier girls feel inferior?
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My style has evolved as I have embraced this new chapter in my life. When I started becoming famous, I would go for trends. I would have to have the perfect Tichina Arnold scarf to match my outfit. I confess I still have to remind myself not to be so matchy and to throw in a pop of color or surprise. Then for a while I was heavily into big jewelry, to my detriment. I was spending way too much money. Then I went into a whole sexy, sexy, sexy thing where it was all about cleavage. That morphed into my rock-and-roll phase, with a tits-and-ass kind of look.
Now I’ve been trying to do more mature and ladylike looks, thank you, but with a little bit of edge. What I call my “grown woman swag.” I will do a little pop of skin, but I had to let go of all my hoochie gear. Just because I could still fit into certain looks, that didn’t mean I still had to wear them.
When I get red-carpet ready, I always have a theme in mind and I always try to dress to the event. If it’s like a music event, you can be a little bit edgier, a little bit sexier. If it’s awards seasons like the Emmys or Oscars, you have permission to go all out and be glamorous. I always allow two hours to get ready. I prefer to prep for an event at my house because I have a little salon with a beautiful mirror, lighting, and a chair. It seems like a luxury, but it’s actually very affordable and you should consider it if you have space. I turned what would have been a pantry area into my private salon. I have one wall mirrored and framed, and I’ve got my wigs all lined up in there. Then I got two strips of beauty lights from Home Depot, placing a row of six lights on each side of the main mirror for about thirty dollars a pop. I also put in a comfy chair so that someone can sit and keep me company if they want. I made sure not to forget outlets so I can plug in the hair dryer and curling iron. And that’s my little beauty salon. You, too, can have it. Girl, Home Depot can be your best friend.
Here are some other tips to keep you fashion forward:
Invest in one great bag, not ten cheap ones.
I treat myself to one or two good purses per year. Now, I could get three or four pairs of shoes for the price of that $3,000 bag. But it’s worth it. My work bag is always an expensive, well-made black bag. I wear black or silver every day when I am working and traveling, so the bag goes with everything. I recently got introduced to the world of Céline. Yes, it’s an investment, but that bag will never go out of style. It’s a classic, beautifully made and worth the money.
A great bag is also an eye-catcher and conversation starter with other women. This woman in the grocery store the other day was like, “Oh my God, that bag!” Then she looked at me and said, “Oh my God, Vivica Fox!” That bag and I shared top billing, let me tell you.
Your shoes are an advertisement for you.
My romance with shoes began when Patti LaBelle took me under her wing on the set of Out All Night, my first series in Hollywood. One time the little wardrobe lady told me my shoes weren’t in the shot so they didn’t matter. “Oh, just bring any old pair,” she said. I wore these flower shoes that I liked.
When I walked in, Miss Patti looked me up and down. “Baaaaaby?” she said, “Please tell me you didn’t let them put those shoes on you with that dress?”
“Oh, they’re mine,” I said. “I think they’re cute.”
“If you say so,” she said. From that point forward, I told myself I would never have anybody give me the side-eye about my shoes. Before my knees started giving me the blues, I used to wear them the higher the better. Now I believe in a good four- to five-inch heel. Most of the collection in my closet are Louboutins—just because I love those red bottoms. But I also favor Jimmy Choo, Giuseppe Zanotti, and René Caovilla. Sometimes those are all the men I really need in my life.
Slay at the office.
Dress appropriately, but always add a little touch of yourself up front. Perhaps a pop of color with your shoe or your shirt. In business meetings, little things can also be talking points—“I
love your brooch” or “I like your earrings.”
Get a tailor and keep things streamlined.
Get a good tailor. My tailor loves me, but I drive her crazy. I am a bit of a broken record, always making the same requests: “Take in the arms, take off the belt loops, close the pockets, add a zipper in the back…” But I say these things to her constantly because I like a fitted look. You hardly ever see me in billowy things because I am a tall girl. And I always tell her to give me a waistline because I work too hard for this waistline. I say a strong “Hell yeah” to shapewear. I don’t mean squeezing your guts out wearing the corsets all day, but when you’re suited and booted, it’s nice to be snatched in, too.
Find a fashion role model.
You can draw strength and inspiration from your own personal fashion icons. I look to mature, sexy women who are around my age. I’m not going to be taking notes from some girl who just broke the pacifier habit, right? So think about people in your age lane who are killing it. For me, the nominees are:
Charlize Theron
First glance: She is tall, beautiful, statuesque. She just makes you go “YAAAASSS, bitch” when she hits the red carpet.
The deeper look: She’s never one-note. If she goes really rocker-edgy with the outfit, the material is in a classic black and white. But when she does full prom princess for an awards show, the hair is always very simple.
Jennifer Lopez
First glance: Man, that bitch. She just gets better with time. I love that she’s a mature woman who lets you know the best is yet to come.
The deeper look: She dresses totally appropriately for her body and accentuates the positive. She is the queen of using a cutout to draw the eye to what she wants you to see, like her amazing abs. She’s about five foot five, and she often elongates her frame by going all leg. And when she does wear a long leg, you better believe she is bare-armed, shoulders out, with her hair styled to death.
Angela Bassett
First glance: This is a woman who took three or four years off to hang out with her kids and live a little bit. And now she’s killing the game.
The deeper look: She always has her arms out looking good. You know she does her chair dips and press-ups, so she is going to show you the results in strapless or one-shouldered looks. She’ll also mix up classic looks by adding modern touches. A Grecian gown will have little peekaboo cutouts above the waist or a fifties-style cocktail dress will have a new and edgy belt. It’s such a smart way to stay current—you know she didn’t go to Yale for nothing.
Visit quality, even if you don’t take it home.
There are certain stores that are like museums. Care and taste are put into the edit of what they sell. If I am in Manhattan for even a minute for work, I always stop at Bergdorf Goodman. I like to say it’s on the corner of Fifth Avenue and opulence. You go in there, and what they have on offer is the best of the best, from the jewelry to the shoes to the bags to the dress and, oh my God, the gowns … and, oh my goodness, the coats, the hats …
I like them because they’ve got a good price point. But even if right now you can’t afford to buy a jacket that looks like a work of art, you can visit quality, feel it, and then you’ll know it when you see it at a price you can afford.
Remember that you’re also visiting people. A staffer can become your best friend. They can give you a heads-up when a shoe is about to get marked down, and when you really get in good with them, they might let you in on that employee discount. Be kind, learn their names, and be sure to use those names when you greet them.
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Okay, you are now ready to get out there and be a fashion warrior. I hope you’ll think of me when you’re at the checkout with something fabulous, and looking in the mirror at someone really fabulous.
LESSON THIRTEEN
DON’T GET OLDER, GET BETTER
Maya Angelou used to say that modesty was a learned habit. I hate when women find reasons to put themselves down when they are really dying to be told they are just fine. Dr. Angelou preferred humility to modesty, so I humbly say that I have great skin. And I can say that because it is part of my job. I have to make sure my complexion is nice and smooth and even, because my face has to be a canvas for a makeup artist to paint. So trust me when I humbly tell you that I know what I’m doing when it comes to looking good no matter your age.
My biggest beauty secret is the cheapest one. It is a little lemon squeeze. Yes, one of those bright yellow plastic lemons you see at your grocery store. You need to drink a ton of water—I try to do 2.5 liters a day—and this will make that water an event. I have one in my bag at all times, and when I rifle through looking for my keys, it’s a reminder: “Get your water, girl. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.” The little guy is under three ounces, so he flies with me right through TSA checks, and he just makes the water special.
As you hydrate from the inside drinking water, you have to hydrate from the outside. As soon as I get up, I spritz my face with Shu Uemura’s Depsea Water Rose Mist. I know it sounds exotic and spendy, but it’s only about twenty-five dollars and lasts forever. I swear by it. Then I use Kiehl’s rosewater toner to clean my face and get it going. I have a steam shower in my home, and I take those showers twice a day. In the morning I put in eucalyptus drops to wake me up, and at night, I put in lavender. It signals my body to get moving or slow down.
As long as we’re showering together here, I’ll tell you my favorite shampoo and conditioner is the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special. If I get to have a day to myself, I’ll take time out to condition my hair with hot oil treatments or do a hair mask from Carol’s Daughter. One of the things I love about wigs is the versatility and the fact that I don’t have to overprocess my hair. I just braid it underneath. (Side note: One of the best parts of having a line of wigs and weaves is customers sending me notes on social media: “I’m wearing Tyce for my date tonight” or “Heading to a job interview with Hayden.” Please keep them coming, girlfriends.)
I don’t wear makeup if I’m not working because I like to give my face a chance to breathe. So I just use lip gloss and the old trick of a little clear mascara on my brows. I am a brow fiend! There’s a term that actresses use for a really gifted makeup artist: They can beat face. It just means that they do an exquisite job bringing you to the heights of beauty. When I have to have my face beat, I swear by MAC, especially the Studio Fix liquid foundation and pressed powders. When it comes to my eyes, I am a Dior and Chanel girl for my eyeshadow and mascara.
Once a month I do a microdermabrasion and an oxygen facial. I started doing this combined treatment with my esthetician, Sharon Stutz, a little over four years ago, and my God, what a difference it has made in my skin. I think people hear “abrasion,” and they are like, “Jeez, what are they gonna put on my face?” They just scrub off those layers of dead skin and keep things smooth. First they clean your face really good. Then they sandblast your skin, and those little aluminum-oxide crystals do their work erasing my lines and wrinkles. Then they do the oxygen, which treats the wear and tear of sun damage and toxins in the air. It also hydrates the skin.
That’s an indulgence, but a good investment. One of my Sunday self-care rituals if I am in town is to spend the morning at the Beverly Hot Springs. It’s a spa with a natural hot springs right in the middle of Los Angeles. The best part is this gorgeous pool of water, about 103 to 108 degrees. The water has this silky baby oil feel, and it is constantly pumped and drained so it’s clean. Then they have this cold, cold, cold water you can plunge into.
They have it done up like you’re in a cave, and you just feel transported to another time and place. I take my friends as a treat and make a girls’ day of it. One of my best girlfriends, Azja, calls it Lake Minnetonka, after Prince telling Apollonia in Purple Rain that she has to purify herself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. Whenever I run into her, she yells, “Bitch, you been dipping in Lake Minnetonka with that good-ass skin of yours.”
While I am there, I also g
et a treatment called Body Care, where they massage you with oil, honey, and milk, wash your hair, and give you a cucumber mask. If it’s fifty minutes, and if you’re single, it feels like the closest thing to getting some. Who needs a boyfriend? They rub you head to toe, and you get up off that table with the skin of a new little baby.
I put the work in to look good, but when people tell me, “Oh, you’re much prettier in person,” I’m like, “Well, damn, what movie did you see?” They also notice that I’m slimmer than they thought. When I exercise, I don’t like to be She-Ra with the weights, since the camera already adds pounds, so I have to keep my muscles long and lean.
That’s why stretching has been so important to me. I do it in the morning, no matter where I am, usually right when I get out of bed while my body is still warm from the covers. Should we do one now? How about an upward stretch? I like this one because the first thing you do is straighten your back and hold your head like you’re wearing a crown. That’s right, my queen or king, wear your crown. Now intertwine your fingers and raise them way high above your head, palms facing the sky. You feel that? Now hold it.
Didn’t that feel good? And I am always sure to get in my sit-ups and push-ups, because that’s the way to keep your abs and arms looking tight. I also love to hike because I get bored just going to a gym. If I want to go somewhere, I need them to have more than a couple of machines I can do at home. So I will go to a pool for water aerobics five days a week if I am in town, but not just some gym to run in place. You just gotta know yourself and do things you’ll stick with. I’m a girl’s girl, so if I commit to working out in a class with someone, I’ll do it. But when I’m alone, treadmills bring out the to-do lists in my head, so I just end up cutting the run short to get started on work.
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