Articles by: Alexandra Phanor-Faury

We've rounded up four ladies from ESSENCE Fest with eye-catching styles to share their round-the-clock cool festival looks and the story behind their style predigree. Take a cue from these ladies on how to pull off easy summer dressing.

Breaking fashion rules with flying colors. 

Think of any successful African-American celebrity and chances are publicity dynamo Marvet Britto has represented them. As Founder and President of the Britto Agency, Britto has represented the likes of Mariah Carey, Angela Bassett and Vivica A. Fox. She's also known as one of the most fashionable Black women power brokers in New York City. Whether perched in sky-high Louboutins or Brian Atwood pumps, the petite industry insider relies on an effortlessly chic style philosophy. She spoke with ESSENCE.com about her style repertoire, and gave us a peek into her legendary closet.

Tracy Wilson Mourning may be married to a basketball player -- her husband is the handsome Alonzo Mourning, or Zo for short -- but her fashion sense is far from your typical over-the-top athlete's wife, in head-to-toe in flashy designers. Mourning's style ethos has always been comfort comes first and that's what keeps her standing out from the crowd...

Author, producer and baby health advocate Tonya Lewis Lee's first novel, "Gotham Diaries," co-written with Crystal McCrary-Anthony, explores the world of New York's African-American elite. It's a subject that resonates with the former lawyer who grew up amongst the Black upper class and later became one half of Hollywood royalty when she married famed director Spike Lee in 1993. Needless to say, Lee's profile skyrocketed when she set foot on Hollywood's red carpet. It didn't take long for us to fall head-over-heels in envy with her sophisticated fashion sense. Take a peek inside Tonya Lewis Lee's closet and discover a woman whose sartorial choices leave us wanting more. Here's what you had to say: Monique commented: "Tonya Lewis Lee is a gorgeous woman - very classy, sophisticated and sexy. I love her taste in clothing."   Evangeliste wrote via Facebook: "I love her style, it's very classy and sophisticated."

Woman about town and filmmaker Maggie Betts has been on our radar for years now. The daughter of New York's Chelsea Piers real estate developer Roland Betts and wife Lois, Betts has become the embodiment of today's modern socialite. Instead of simply preoccupying herself with star-studded events and exclusive dinners, Betts utilizes her high-society standing to bring attention to a number of causes dear to her heart...

Broadway actress and dancer Karine Plantadit dreamed of being a dancer since getting her hands on a bootleg version of "Fame" while living in Cameroon as a little girl. Following years of training in Africa and France, where she also grew up, Plantadit studied and later became a soloist at Alvin Ailey, starred in the original Broadway production of "Lion King," "Saturday Night Fever" and "Movin' Out." Most recently, Plantadit earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her electrifying performance in Twyla Tharp's "Come Fly Away." While her coveted and flourishing career has Plantadit's star shinning bright, her eclectic and sensual fashion sense is giving us a bad case of closet envy...