Black History Month: 10 great style icons

Each February, we remember the black men and women who changed history. Here's a look at a few who did it in style. -- Monica Corcoran and Whitney Friedlander Eryka Badu From her elegant African-style head scarves to sporting a free-flowing afro, the Grammy-winning soul singer’s individual attitude can always brings an urban fashion following. Although her look took an elegant spin as the face for Tom Ford’s White Patchouli fragrance last year, one can always count on her devil-may-care attitude to continue with her personal life. (She and partner, rapper Jay Electronica, recently Twittered their daughter’s birth.)

Each February, we remember the black men and women who changed history. Here’s a look at a few who did it in style.

-- Monica Corcoran and Whitney Friedlander

Eryka Badu

From her elegant African-style head scarves to sporting a free-flowing afro, the Grammy-winning soul singer’s individual attitude can always brings an urban fashion following. Although her look took an elegant spin as the face for Tom Ford’s White Patchouli fragrance last year, one can always count on her devil-may-care attitude to continue with her personal life. (She and partner, rapper Jay Electronica, recently Twittered their daughter’s birth.)  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Sean Combs

Sean Combs

The multi-moniker musician made his mark on the fashion industry in 1998 with his relaxed yet sleek and professional Sean John label. Hugely successful from almost day one, the brand has since expanded from its men’s sportswear roots to include outerwear, sunglasses, fragrances and designs for boys and women. His second cologne, I Am King, is on the shelves now and a women’s equivalent is set to debut this summer.  (Lawrence Jackson / Associated Press)

US President Barack Obama with his wife US First Lady Michelle Obama wave on their arrival to attend the Mid-West Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.

Michelle Obama

Choosing designer Jason Wu’s one-shouldered white dress is just the tip of the fashion iceberg for our new first lady. From a campaign trail wardrobe of jeweled broaches played against slightly subdued solid colors to a devotion to J.Crew as well as other up-and-comers such as Wu, Obama has already made a difference in the fashion world.  (Peter Foley / EPA)

Diana Ross performs at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2008 at the Oslo Spektrum on December 11, 2008.

Diana Ross

A style icon since her early days as a Motown queen, the diva songbird is known for looks as big and powerful as her voice – the hair, the makeup, the clothes, the works. While still making an impact herself, her looks have transcended to modern-day equivalents such as Beyonce and Rihanna. Out of the sound studios, she’s been the face for M.A.C. cosmetics, and she reportedly designed some of her looks for her 1975 film “Mahogany.”  (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

Kanye West

Kanye West

When a rapper has the chutzpah to wear a giant, red, blinking heart brooch and wants to apprentice with a fashion designer, you know he’s a sucker for style. West never disappoints in wearing looks that span decades, and he’s even designed a line of sneakers for Louis Vuitton.  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)