Blow the trumpets! Patti Labelle is coming to Fashion Queens this Sunday. The legendary singer, and fashion icon, will be dishing out her style commentary (and reads) with Bevy Smith, Miss Lawrence and Derek J. As she gears up for her summer tour, Miss Patti, 70, spoke to ESSENCE about her love of Michelle Obama’s style, her secrets to keeping it fab all these years, and having way too many pairs of shoes.
You’re everyone’s style icon. Who are your style icons?
I love Michelle Obama’s style! She always looks beautiful and so classy. I also like Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham. They’re fierce!
Who do you consider the most stylist entertainers of the moment?
Janelle Monae always looks amazing, and I love Rihanna. She shut it down at the MET Gala!
What’s your secret to staying so fabulous for all these years?
I don’t have a clue…I get up and thank God that I woke up. I take good care of myself and always want to look decent when I step out my door. My parents and my sisters had a whole lot of style and grace and always looked youthful. So I think I have good genes.
Have you kept any of the outfits you’ve performed in over the years? Where do you keep them?
Yes, I have some of them and I keep them in a giant Louis Vuitton trunk.
You’re a shoe lover. Dare I ask how many pairs of shoes you own right now?
I can’t even lie and tell you how many. I give a lot away. I actually went shopping yesterday and bought four new pairs!
Catch Patti Labelle on this week’s episode of Bravo’s Fashion Queens on Sunday at 11:30pm ET.