Solange in Italia Vogue

The younger sister of "King B", mother of Juelz and aunt of Blue Ivy Carter sits down with Vogue Italia Black Blog and discusses individuality, style and fashion. She has just signed a major modeling contract with Next Models. She answers a series of questions and you may be shocked to see some of her answers.

Place you call home
Brooklyn.

Must-have wardrobe items
Vibrant colours and print fabrics. High waisted silhouettes, statement shoes, easy dresses and Doc Martens for rainy days.

What is your definition of style?
“The canvas of our individuality. An outlet for expression.”

Most valuable possessions
“My sanity.”

Fashion Icons
“Diana Ross, Erykah Badu, the Fela Kuti Queens, my uber glam mother, Chaka Khan, Bjork and the girls on the street in my hood.”

Where do you find inspiration?
“Traveling, diving into other cultures face first. The colours everywhere, the colour palette of shotgun houses in New Orleans, spices in Marrakesh, nail polishes on shelf at my favourite nail shop in Brooklyn. I just left Rwanda and have never seen colours used in such natural and spectacular way in my life. I see colour before I see any other element in design.”

Beauty Routine
“I am very low maintenance. I think I am lucky when I get to wash my face at night. I occasionally get facials by a miracle worker in Los Angeles named Mirta. However, apparently getting facials is not the way to erase months of carelessness and angry pores. Sleep is vital, happiness is key so I feel the most beautiful with those two elements combined.”

Make-up Routine
YSL concealer, Rimmel mascara, Rimmel pencil eyeliner, bright lips… Keep it moving

Relationship status
“Happily Committed. It is not complicated, thank God!”

Personal motto
“I tend to adopt Tamar Braxton’s Motto over my OWN.COM.”

What does success means to you?
“Defining success on my own terms. First, being a loving and committed mother. I have failed in all things if I have not achieved that. Being an artist that creates to express the needs of my own, and in the process hopefully inspiring others. Having the financial stability to support the lifestyle that makes me feel fulfilled. I know that happiness is a temporary state of mind, success means for me constantly growing, evolving to find that place.”

How do you feel about being recognized for your great sense of style?
“I feel completely flattered and also very humbled.”

What is your opinion about the black representation in the fashion industry?
“I think it is evolving, and that is a beautiful thing! Now when I flip trough magazines I can see just as many beautiful black models in major campaigns as any other race. Unique, striking,beautiful women. I felt so extremely blessed to be Rimmel’s first black spokesperson, and to be embraced fully for being exactly who I am. And standing next to Kate Moss, with my Afro bigger than days light. I don’t by any means consider myself the most qualified for model material. I think that people tend to respond to what is real. Black women carry that flame with so much ease and confidence. It is being captured and celebrated on all fronts in fashion now. I have friends who are doing greats things, that movement is very real and well deserved!”

5 things you can´t live without?
Water, food, plants, sun and sex.

Projects?
“My blood, sweat, tears and long awaited album, which is being mixed as we speak.”