Erykah's first release On & On, and her album Baduizm made a big impact in 1997, as did her style which was as unique to her ex-partner's, Andre 3000.
He recently said, "I think it's important to dress again…It's just great showmanship and style. I think it goes back to African tribes. They're always elaborate, they got face paint and beads and dirt in their hair…making them look like something else." (The Guardian)
Erykah is a perfect example of being showy but always elegant - renowned for her huge headwraps, flowing robes, natural fabrics - she's a mix of Afrocentric chic and flower child.
Unlike the New Jersey born Lauryn, she is a southern gal from Dallas and her style is less street casual even though they use the same type of fabrics and colours.
For the 2005 Oscars, Erykah worked on a green leather patchwork dress for 10 months with her friend, Charlene Sheppard (see above).
Body decorations such as henna and painted symbols are included alongside African influenced jewellery, especially bangles and bracelets.

When Lauryn hit the big time with The Fugees in '96, her style was urban street - combat colours, denim, headscarves (gang style), big hoop earrings.
When she hit an even bigger time in '98 with her solo, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (5 Grammys) her taste developed. She had partnered up with one of Bob Marley's sons, Rohan, grown dreads and was using earthy fashions - crochet-knitted skull caps and rasta hats, leather and suede jackets, khaki striped tops.
Lauryn always feminises her look - often wearing dark lipstick and full make up, but keeping it simple. She's about as far as you can get from the OTT glamour of Lil Kim etc.
After becoming close to a 'shaman' type figure who talked to her about the Bible Scriptures she said, "I started to see I was my own worst enemy. I was the problem, my own self-image, who I thought I should be, as opposed to who I really was." (2002)
Her look is now dominated by a large afro, her clothes slightly less street, more original with African-style robes, high necked lace blouses, wool wraps and Indian-like ornate earrings.