FOR FALL, FRENCH VOGUE DOES BLACK FACE PANDEMONIUM

Does this look tight to you?  I was thinking NOT.

October 2009, in what was supposed to be a celebratory supermodel edition,  French Vogue http://vogue.fr  unleashed a fourteen page beast with model Lara Stone a la BLACK FACE!  Has to be one of the biggest issues that they've ever had-  which heretofore, would have been that they HAVE access to actual African and African-American models that "they" seemingly care more to exploit than to employ.  This feature clearly makes a statement about the haves and the have-nots in this poorly integrated fashion industry.  Gorgeous Black African models-working in the industry would have been proper- not that not being chosen for this job hurt any of those women's pockets.  The publisher, creative director and editor in chief -lacking all tact and cooth, have upheld a standard that is socially and morally incorrect and is contributing to the mental confusion that shrouds the perception of the ignorant and under exposed in this world.  If you hurry, you can still catch 2009...or the last fifty years of social revolution...

Lara Stone and French Vogue's 

"Inspired" Mockery

THE COVER: FRENCH VOGUE OCTOBER 2009

THE SPREAD

TIRED OF MESSY PAINT?

USE REAL AFRICAN MODELS!

 (rich COLOR INCLUDED)

LIYA KEBEDE

E

ITALIAN VOGUE PAYS DUES

ALEK WEK

NAOMI CAMPBELL

TREND SPY: Lace Me Long Time

So excited.  Grandma's curtains are making a come back ya'll!  Yes- LACE IS BACK- like a vendetta! For those of you who can't fade it, (I know if done incorrectly, lace can look a bit...matronly?)  Don't be so literal when you follow trends. SUBSTITUTE!  There are other alternatives to wearing lace.  Opt instead for chiffon, organza or a really cool burn out (yes it's a FABRIC- ask a seamstress) or even tulle if your adventurous, to keep that sexy peek-a-boo factor high on the richter!  Be rebellious.  Work it with a rough fabric, boyfriend jeans, a biker jacket.  If the bottoms are lace, pair it with heavy knits (oversized cardigans, a chunky cowl neck scarf) and something with chains (necklace, bangles, bag)  


Here's some inspiration:

OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS: THINK CONTRAST!

Boyfriend/slouchy jeans or bermudas (unstructured)

Lace top with ribbon detail (feminine/dainty)

Dr.Martens/Combat Boots (Rugged, More Masculine)

chunky knit sweater or scarf to add volume or more texture

speaking of celebrity lines....

We've all seen it's frightful shadow.... Its....... The Celebrity's (Agent).  
They infiltrate, they dominate, they develop clothing lines.  The funny thing is that (chuckle) usually they are unspeakably tacky, employing not even a minute sense of ingenuity or craftsmanship. How does the saying go?... You can take the celebrity out of the (hood/trailer park).........Anyway- I'm tired of seeing real artists having to settle for dreaming (those with passion, possibly an educational foundation, talent, that's a big one-) get denied opportunity, funding exposure and a myriad of other things- so that celebrities can get their ego's rocks off.


Enter Fashion Pimp.


Providing a (false) sense of security against the lame, the cheap, the underdeveloped styles that are hurled our way...
Innocent people who want to be fashionable become victims, swayed by the power a masterful marketing strategy - sink their dollars into "celebrity designers", who's only intent (other than to make some extra money to cover the costs of living beyond their means) is to capitalize on YOUR style disfunction, persuading you to invest in the security or "prestige"  that their name brand offers.  After all, why would Jessica Simpson or Kimora Lee Simmons design and SELL clothes they wouldn't wear themselves? (yes, note the sarcasm)


Here's the kicker for me-the ones with the ugliest lines usually look nothing short of amazing in their publicity pics-could it be because they're NOT wearing their own line?


There are exceptions to the rule.  A few designers of note have debuted FABULOUS lines that I've caught myself "putting a mustard seed bag together" for (inside joke).
I can't help but to question the integrity of the consumer industry.  I love music, but I can't sing.  I wouldn't put an album out unless I knew someone would be dumb enough to buy it. Then again, bad music is really in right now...


Enter the PRO-SUMER.


The educated consumer who appreciates good taste, impeccable quality and probably knows more about the fabric content of a garment than the textile manufacturer does.  You can't fool her just because it says "Dereon" in twirly fancy letters!  She needs to see some cost benefit. Admittedly, the celebs occasionally make impressive pieces, but they are few and far between. (Nothing is ALL bad...)


I wonder, especially when it comes to "urban culture"...if we were not inundated with baby phat, phat farm, south pole and apple bottoms at virtually every retailer that occupies our demographic sector, would we still buy it?  To be fair, the clothes are not at these places for no reason; there is some sort of message the clothes send that retains the attraction of the urban consumer, but still-where are the other options-the ones that signify there exists more than one type of urban man or woman.  And why does being "urban" when it comes to fashion, become synonomous with cheaply made, too tight, too bright- too.......
I'm just saying.  What are these labels saying about who the urban consumer is, and are they addressing those of us who expect more? 

HAVE YOU FALLEN VICTIM TO HIDEOUS CELEBRITY LINES?

ask yourself.....

CAN I BORROW SOME OF YOUR BABY PHAT..................WAIT.....

I DONT THINK I SEE ANY.

KIMORA..... I COULD HAVE SWORN THESE WERE YOURS-

REDEMPTIVE PIECES:

WHAT WOULD SASHA DO...(I think she's just Beyonce here)

IF THIS WAS WHAT WARDROBE PULLED FOR PHOTO SHOOT?

A COUPLE CUTE ITEMS CAN PASS

CELEB SUPERHEROES 
the ones who care about the clothes

VIVA LA STEFANI!

MRS. GWEN 

"L.A.M.B."

ANDRE 3000 

"BENJAMIN BIXBY"

MARY KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN

"ELIZABETH AND JAMES"

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

"WILLIAM RAST"

tell me what you think.