I’ve been having a bit of trouble thinking about fashion muses, so one day I decided not to worry about it and watch one of my favourite blaxploitation movies- Cleopatra Jones. Then it hit me- shouldn’t the woman who kick started the whole ‘strong black action female’ be my fashion muse?
Tamara Dobson plays Cleopatra Jones, an ass-kicking special agent dead-set on ridding the streets of heroin. When she burns a Turkish poppy field worth 30 million dollars, the white lesbian drug lord ‘Mommy’ decides to attack her lovers rehab centre and lure Cleopatra back to the USA.
For an action-style movie, the plot is simple and easy to follow, the characters are great (I love the big-shot dealer Doodlebug), the quips are superb and the outfits! Lets just say, Cleopatra Jones sure loves her fur! A film reviewer says this was supposed to symbolise her ‘animalistic’ side, so lets not get caught up on the ethics of a anti-drug woman wearing a pelt of a poor animal. Cleopatra Jones is also referred to as a ‘female James Bond’ as she never goes incognito, preferring outrageous outfits and flamboyance to draw out the enemies. And she sure is wearing the right clothes for it! She goes from boho to dressy to a flowing middle-eastern look to get the desired effect.
I took a lot out of this- I loved the fur coats (I’d do it in faux of course) the smart looking hats and headdresses, the casual silk outfits and her beautiful blouse shown above. I also admire this character because there aren’t any modern female role models that can be strong without being overly sexualised.
So for those interested, here's an awesome home made trailer, and you can catch the movie on Youtube. I’m still trying to get a hold of the sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold on DVD but I’m sure I can find it!
I was also very sad to find out Tamara Dobson died in 2006 from pneumonia and MS. RIP, and ride on sweet sister!
