Fonzworth Bentley: showcases what's cool, what's hot in menswear this fall

Ebony, Oct, 2006

Just a couple of years ago, the image of Fonzworth Bentley holding an umbrella over E Diddy's head in Saint Tropez was seen around the world. At that time he was P. Diddy's personal assistant and took advantage of such moments to showcase his own sense of style. With a flamboyant personality, impeccable sense of style, gentlemanly manner and charismatic charm, Bentley boldly has been infusing his sophisticated, urban style into the hiphop and fashion worlds. The self-proclaimed hip-hop version of Sammy Davis Jr. is now considered to be a celebrity himself. He's come a long way from being P. Diddy's umbrella-handling assistant.

Born Derek Watkins, the Atlanta native and Morehouse College graduate says his style was influenced by his father and great-grandfather, but also reflects the distinguished elegance proudly displayed by Blacks during the Great Depression and Harlem Renaissance. "My sense of style is a throwback to the old, but it's new," says Bentley. "It's kind of unfortunate that a lot of Black people don't know their history. They don't know that we've always been elegant. During the Depression, we were elegant, and the Harlem Renaissance was the height of elegance."

Even as a kid, Bentley's fashion sense was forming. If you look through his grade-school pictures, he's the one with the cardigan, blue button-down shirt, green polo player and baby-blue corduroys.

But Bentley says his style is also a reflection of hip-hop, just with a different flavor. "[My style] really is hip-hop. Hip-hop is about keeping it real at the end of the day, and that's why I think I've been accepted in hip-hop," says Bentley. "I keep it real and I've never acted like I was something that I wasn't."

Often attired in a cashmere sweater, dapper button-down shirt and a fedora hat, Bentley also is frequently seen with an umbrella in hand, which serves as a tribute to his great-grandfather. "Daddy Emmett was the most elegant man I've ever seen," Bentley says. "He was the type of gentleman who was never seen without a fedora, and he always had his walking cane or umbrella."

The fashion-forward mover and shaker is now making bold moves on the music scene with his eagerly awaited debut album, CoolOutrageousLoversofUniquelyRawStyle (C.O.L.O.U.R.S.). But don't call him a rapper. "I am an artist, a violinist, a singer, a dancer," says Bentley. "I'm an MC, and as an MC, you gotta be able to rock the party."

He will be rocking the music scene with his distinctive style.