The 2025 Met Gala dress code was ‘Tailored for You’ and on the night, many of the guests were inspired by the themes and concepts on show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’

On the night we saw heavy influences of the Black Dandy, a little international flavour and a lot of tailoring with highlights coming from the likes of Zendaya, Lewis Hamilton and Teyana Taylor.

In this Met Gala special I chat with fashion creator Aston Em, beauty editor Kayla A. Greaves and stylist Justin Friedman to find out their top 5 blue carpet looks. As well as sharing my own favourite moments, I also share information on the history of the Met Gala and how Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity formed the basis of the exhibition.

Links

Find Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmm

Find Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaagreaves

Find Justin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomfordforgucci

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Find me on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today's guest is Penélope Silva Miranda but you might know her by her social media name @documoda.

The Documoda account is one of the most well thought out fashion history accounts anywhere on the internet. Penélope doesn’t just spout opinions or react to current issues; she is someone who truly knows the value of research and has a genuine love for the deep dive and sharing it with her growing army of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

In this episode Penélope is open on a wide range of subjects, from the danger of the trad wife trend to how having a child changed her life as well as her experiences growing up in Latin America, feeding her fashion appetite watching the iconic Tim Blanks on Fashion Files.

Note:

In the final five minutes segment near the end of the show we discuss forgiveness and second chances as the conversation turns to two problematic men: John Galliano and Kanye West.

We do not support any kind of hate speech or antisemitism on this show, but if you don’t want to hear anything at all pertaining to these two, please feel free to end your listening there.

Links

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week my guest is Michela Wariebi, a New York-based makeup artist who was born in Monrovia, Liberia.

I can’t remember when or how I first discovered Michela, but I know why I followed her; she has this brilliant relationship with colour, especially when it comes to black skin, and she is an artist in the truest sense of the word.

In this episode Michela is really open and thoughtful; she’s honest about what she calls her trash morning routine and she shares which beauty innovations have inspired her the most throughout her 15 year long career.

We also discuss the importance of grooming as a ritual and we talk about how beauty is not just about creating an aesthetic, it’s also how we communicate.

We also touch upon the recent conversations around why Pat McGrath Labs is apparently failing when Pat McGrath the woman is a unicorn in the beauty industry and the importance of archiving black beauty practices and products.

Follow Michela on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michelawariebi/

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today’s episode is a Week in Beauty and it’s packed with a few things that I’m loving right now, from YouTube accounts and books to beauty products and beauty news, including the story behind makeup artist Erin Parson’s $800 moisturiser.

As well as all that, I’m also sharing not one but two interviews with you; first I invite a very good friend of the show Felicia Walker, AKA @thisthatbeauty to tell us all about her latest venture, a workbook called Your Glow Guide and I also have a brand new meet the founder interview for you. I chat to co-founder of OSEA, Melissa Palmer, who alongside her mum Jenefer created a skincare line founded in nature that features one of the best smelling and performing body oils you will ever try.

Links

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation: https://go.shopmy.us/p-16263204

Victoria Beckham Beauty brushes: https://victoriabeckhambeauty.com/en-gb/pages/brushes-by-victoria-beckham

Makeup by Nikki La Rose on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Makeupbynikkilarose

Biobele  Braide on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bio.bele

Sarah Fennel’s Broma Bakery on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bromabakery

Preppy Kitchen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PreppyKitchen

Aston Em’s video on Erin Parsons: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCCDsv/

Erin Parsons original video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCFqC8/

Javon Ford’s analysis of Biologique Recherche La Grande Crème: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCmSGF/

Felicia Walker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisthatbeauty

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil: https://go.shopmy.us/p-16263154

Andre Leon Talley’s The Chiffon Trenches audio book on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zgD9E3emRvpXfI94SpTcM?si=jVMe2_pWRMmEJUGjTWLdHg

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week I’ve got a very special guest in the form of Aston Morrison, known on the internet as Aston Em, the creator of some of the most aesthetically striking fashion content videos you will ever see.

Aston manages to create truly viral moments by showing the beauty that isn’t always shown, particularly when it comes to black models and black designers.

In this episode New York-based Aston shares on his first fashion memories including watching his singer mum Elizabeth get ready to take to the stage as well as the impact that Nerd members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo had on his own personal style.

Aston is also very open about how he sees the benefits of using AI as a creative tool, but not something that you need in order to create.

Links

Nymphet Alumni episode with Evan Collins of CARI: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1psqjoLoRPK9oo4Lbci2vS?si=ea44eeae87a84b2f

Aston’s models you need to know video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHn0KpExhJj/?igsh=MWFxamp0MnA3YjhvMA==

Follow Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmm

Follow Aston on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astonemmm

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week it’s a very niche episode focused on 90s hair, specifically the impact and artistry involved in black hairstyles of that era and how Nneka Allison, founder of HoochTeestyle Hairstyling is bringing them back to life in a fresh new way.

I first heard about Nneka, AKA Tee via her PR Keysha Davis, and when she sent me Tee’s press release I instantly thought that she must be based in Atlanta or somewhere else in the US because her work was so niche, so precise and so specific, but then I found out that not only is she based in the UK, she’s basically down the road from me!

In this episode Tee breaks down her quintessential '90s hairstyles and how cultural influences such as Freaknik (an annual spring break street party in Atlanta during the '80s and '90s) and musicians such as Lil Kim and Mary J Blige inspired her to bring these styles back to life.

Artwork by Charisse Kenion

Follow Tee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoochteestyles/

Follow Tee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoochteestyles

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

Imagine going through your mum’s closet and finding out she wears Tom Ford for Gucci?

That’s just part of Justin Friedman’s undying love for everything Tom Ford and one of the reasons he started his fashion archive account @tomfordforgucci.

I’m so excited to share Justin’s episode with you; he’s a New York-based stylist and creative director who fell in love with fashion from an early age and early on in this conversation we connect over that love and share on how it got us into not only collecting magazines but also trying to recreate what we saw in those magazines through drawing.

As you can imagine the conversation also touches upon some of our most favourite ad campaigns ever which then leads us to discuss the state of the fashion industry right now and into the concept of aspirational advertising.

Follow Justin at https://www.instagram.com/tomfordforgucci/

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week I'm mostly talking about the most beautiful shows at Paris Fashion Week but I'm also popping over to Milan to discuss the Prada AW25 show because it needs to be discussed.

As well as talking you through some of my favourite hair and beauty moments from the shows, I'm also taking you through some of the best bits from my recent visit to Paris, from checking out some stunning exhibitions at Dior, Saint Laurent and Alaïa to eating some of the best coffee and pastries Paris has to offer!

Artwork images via @instagram/lucyjbridge

Links

Phyllis Cohen episode 292: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7aKjIEvaNphCPJgHclIHRV?si=b60a83cb70a04260

Haider Ackermann on Fashion Neurosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rpAVTWXBUo

Hotel Panache: https://hotelpanache.com/en/

Noir Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/parallel.coffee

Parallel Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/parallel.coffee

The French Bastards: https://www.instagram.com/the_french_bastards

Musee Yves Saint Laurent: https://museeyslparis.com/en/

Fondation Azzedine Alaïa: https://fondationazzedinealaia.org/

Peter Lindbergh at La Galerie Dior: https://www.galeriedior.com/en

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week my guest is New York-based makeup artist and content creator Lila Childs. I’ve been following Lila for a few months because she really stands out for having this amazing ability to recreate some of the most beautiful makeup looks while also making her followers feel like they can do it too.

In this episode we discuss celebrity glam squads and why it’s time the media caught up with the importance of the teams involved behind the scenes, especially when it comes to those iconic red carpet beauty moments, because it’s not just about fashion.

Lila also shares on how it felt to become one of Pat McGrath’s porcelain dolls when the makeup icon released Skin Fetish Glass 001 Artistry Mask recently. I loved listening to her share on how it felt to meet Queen Pat and she also gives us the breakdown on how to use the mask – although last time I checked it was still sold out online.

Let me know if you know Lila’s work already  – you can send me a DM on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!

If you’re listening elsewhere please leave a rating or review for the show and remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also over on YouTube too now.

Links

Pat McGrath on Desert Island Discs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fxVUzVULX88n4RWv28ntT?si=c12bb957c2944b83

Follow Lila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilainc/

Follow Lila on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lilachilds

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week it’s an intimate look backstage at tworecent shows for London Fashion Week. Dilara Findikoglu and Huishan Zhang.

As well as sharing my time backstage I'm also discussing a trend I'm calling 'happy exhaustion' as a kind of precursor to the Great Exhaustion, forecast for 2026.

Let me know your thoughts over in the DMs on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!

If you’re listening elsewhere do please leave a rating or review for the show and most importantly, please follow the show or subscribe so you never miss another episode.

Remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com - I've spoken about the Great Exhaustion there too and shared some of my backstage imagery. You can also find me over on YouTube too now.

Artwork: Charisse Kenion

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]