XXL & VH1 Presents: Black Ink Crew

XXL has teamed up with VH1 to shoot the stars of their top-rated shows in unique Eye Candy special spreads. Each month, we'll be doing a new show for your viewing pleasure.

This month, we are pleased to bring you the lovely ladies of Black Ink Crew. We envisioned a shoot where Dutchess Lattimore and Sassy Bermudez were seen as sporty, yet sexy...but still classy. Distressed sportswear was teamed with knee-high socks and the freshest Jordan kicks. Dutchess's lion's-mane of dreads were twisted into a French braid, while Sassy's mohawk was transformed into an elegant hail of ringlet curls. The makeup: Bold pastels which were daring without being garish.

Dutchess and Sassy, then, are hip-hop cheerleaders!

You can check out a great behind-the-scenes teaser of this shoot here: http://youtu.be/pQ56shk9jy8

Credits:

Creative Director: Bernadette Giacomazzo

Assistant to the Creative Director: Amanda El-Shiekh

Photographer: Scott Church/www.scottchurch.net

Assistants to the Photographer: Sarah Squeek & Alan Davis

Videographer: Michael Donati/www.tjpictures.net

Makeup Artist: Tishonna Ferguson/Whip Appeal Cosmetics

Hair: T.Cooper of Major Face, Inc., for Mixed Chicks

Clothing: #ush! Clothing Worldwide -- Chicago, IL (Atelier: Kolaberri)

Stylist: Sigourney M. Salley