Are they beats or are they bashing? Music or malice? Golden or garbage? The booty-shakin', sexual songs that overpopulate radio stations, TV channels, and iPods of today's youth are immensely controversial.
"She's fine, she got a badonk-a-donk, I lick her there, she suck me off, I'm gonna get her wet..." As ridiculous as these so-called lyrics sound, they are dominating the world of music, especially hip hop. All we see in the music videos for these songs are scantily clad girls, their barely-covered butts all in the camera, money thrown around all over the place, and those despicable dance moves. Normally, we would see this as something only guys would talk about amongst each other, to try and look cool. Essentially, these songs are conversations with a little more rhythm, thumping bass, a catchy melody, an occasional 808, and there you have it. Instantly, it would become a hit.
But the question is -- why? What substance do any of these songs possess? All they talk about is the female's physical appearance -- how big her breasts are, how round her butt is, or how flat her stomach is. All they talk about is the way she dresses (if she's dressed) and the way she moves on that pole. Does inner quality amount to anything anymore? What about her intelligence, her personality, what she wants to do with her life? Does she have any goals? Does she even matter to the person talking about her? This appalling garbage that we label as "music" and "hip hop" isn't even worthy of being labeled as either of those; it's more along the lines of pop rap.
And speaking of worthy, how do these "rappers" measure the girls' worth? By how well she can give head or by how well she can take a college exam? By how well she shakes her ass or how well she shakes off the social stigmas against women because of this?
Pop rap is (obviously) short for popular rap. It's the only kind of rap played on the radio, and if they aren't talking about sex, they're talking about gang violence, the hood, drugs, going to the club, their cars, and money. Once you play that type of song over and over again for several years, true hip hop seemingly dies and a mutant form is born, and that mutant form has definitely affected youth today. We see males calling girls "bitches" and "hoes" in a superior way, as if everything that Susan B. Anthony and those thousands of women in the 70's fought and protested to get rid of. We see the males seeing females as nothing but sexual objects, a toy at Christmastime that once they get bored of, they can just throw away, and it's all peachy. We see girls wearing jeans that look painted on, T-shirts that might as well be corsets, and obsessing over the way they look rather than obsessing over the way their GPA looks. These stupid songs have caused the majority of teenage girls to feel inferior, to look "cute" and "sexy" and "fine" and nothing more.
The majority of youth is more concerned about how many girls they've nailed or counting on a boy to make them feel happy than watching the news or at least listening to something they can grow from. How can anybody grow from this nonsense? How can a young girl grow to feel like a real, powerful woman, what with all these so-called "men" on TV and on radio stations telling them to get on their knees and get on the pole? Because of their appearance and the reputation they have to keep up, many girls resort to acting dumb and dressing like a regular on a street corner to look cute -- as a teenager myself, I would know.
What I also don't understand is how can some of these "men" be self-professed mama's boys and degrade women the way they do? Their mothers would turn in their grave to know the things their sons have said about females just to make some money.
However, men in pop rap aren't the only culprits. Sometimes the victims are doing it to themselves. There are quite a few female "rappers" who talk about themselves in vulgar, sexual ways and think that it's empowering. It most definitely is not empowering. It's self-degradation. These women selling albums and getting paid big bucks to be featured in music videos that might as well be softcore porn are sometimes the same people complaining about how men treat them -- absolute hypocrisy. One can't complain about the cycle if they aren't going to do anything to try and stop it, or even worse -- sell products that promote the idea of sex and inferiority to women even more.
While these "men" and "women" make millions off of the idea that "sex sells" and stupify American youth even more, I can live and breathe happily knowing that I choose quality music by the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Common (and so many others) that appreciate and encourage women to be more and to do more than what record executives and rappers tell them to be.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Jam-Packed in July
My oh my have I been busy! Time seems to go by so fast, especially in Eastern time for some reason. My personal life has gotten in the way of my -- dare I say it -- "blogging" life, and for that I apologize!
You know how they say the book is always better than the movie? It's true. I saw The Devil Wears Prada with my sister when it came out in theaters, but never thought to read the book until I found a very cheap (but nice) copy of it at the thrift store last week. I also have only been able to read it in bursts because of how busy I've been, and yesterday I devoured over 150 pages of it, in addition to the 108 I'd already read. I must say, it is an excellent book, and I know it is based on Anna Wintour (seriously, who doesn't know that?) but some of the things seem to be a little far-fetched. I did some research and I find it funny that a lot of people in the fashion industry don't like Miss Lauren Weisberger (the author). All I've got to say is... if Anna can get away with tellin' it like it is, then so can Lauren.
With that said, I did some (online) window shopping today and found a lovely Balenciaga weekender.
I don't care how old or used the design may be -- I love this bag. However, priced at $1,900+, it costs more than the mortgage on my dad's house(!). Related: While out last week doing some real shopping, I discovered that I have an inevitable attraction towards big white bags.
Also, while I was doing my real shopping, I went to the thrift store in search of some cool, vintage, and unique type things for school, and I did find plenty of those, I found an authentic Christian Dior nightgown for about 3 bucks!!! I was flipping through the racks and saw the gown, and at first I thought it was the weirdest thing ever, but after examining it some more I liked it. Then, when I checked for the size and saw the Dior label, I semi-freaked and thrust it in my mom's face. I'm wearing it right now and I love it. It's silky soft, a bright fuschia and extremely comfortable. It's my material baby; I take very good care of it, especially since those 3 bucks were my 3 bucks that I worked my ass off for.
I'm proud to announce that we have a new addition to the Jack & Couture team: my good friend EZP! He will be the graphic designer J&C and it keep it fresh. The lackluster design I have up right now pales in comparison to the awesomeness of his designs. Just wait. In the near future, J&C will look amazing.
Here's some more "A Little More Personal". Today was a little emotional. After a lot of family drama, my sister decided to fly back to Texas and live there. I cried when we were hugging each other. We've been together our entire lives, and I felt a little weird crying because I am the older one. I should be a little stronger. But putting my pride aside, I know I'll be okay with her away. It'll be better for the both of us, logically.
I start a new school here in less than two weeks and I am N-E-R-V-O-U-S (I gotta get Fergie and/or Miz Stefani to spell that one out for me). I make friends quite easily, yeah, but it's such a huge school with people I don't know. I hate being in unfamiliar areas. Ahhhh! But just as the same with my sister, I'll be fine. I'll get used to it.
This is extremely random and completely unrelated to fashion (unless you consider Angela and Vanessa Simmons' adorable shoe line) but I absolutely love Run's House and I Love Money. Reality TV will be the death of me! And more randomness: as I'm typing this, I'm jammin out to A Tribe Called Quest. Go, go go... listen to them!
Another realization of mine: with my certain tastes, whatever career I venture into, I gotta be making a nice amount of money.
Question of the Day:
Do you have any embarrassing things you love (besides your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend)?
IMAGE SOURCES: Balenciaga.com
Friday, July 25, 2008
My Want of the Week
My Want of the Week is:
To visit Montreal, Canada. I've heard so many great things about the city. I've heard it's exactly like Paris, which makes plenty of sense. I've heard the people, the attractions, the restaurants, etc. are excellent. The comPARISon to Paris is what really makes me want to visit there. Plus, I've always wanted to go to Canada. Plus plus, I love traveling!
Question of the Day:
If you know anything about Montreal, what can you tell me? Preferrably if you've visited there or if you live there.
To visit Montreal, Canada. I've heard so many great things about the city. I've heard it's exactly like Paris, which makes plenty of sense. I've heard the people, the attractions, the restaurants, etc. are excellent. The comPARISon to Paris is what really makes me want to visit there. Plus, I've always wanted to go to Canada. Plus plus, I love traveling!
Question of the Day:
If you know anything about Montreal, what can you tell me? Preferrably if you've visited there or if you live there.
Bank-Buster & Bargain!
Bank-busters and bargains. The idea of being able to bust your bank shamelessly and in a carefree way sends many of us into a dreamy state, including me. I wish, dream, hope and pray that I could drop several hundred dollars on a personal driver and demand a trip to local boutiques and the Lenox Mall and spend thousands of dollars on my favorite items. But alas, I am a minor in a world where people my age work for $6-$8 dollars an hour, and to buy that $3,000 dollar Chanel bag or even that $200 Marc Jacobs blouse would take several weeks to save up for. I embarked on a little online window shopping trip and came up with the idea for Bank-Buster vs. Bargains. I go on sites with needless markups (cough cough) or ones similar to that effect, pick out the clothes I like, and compile an outfit. I then go on a lot more affordable sites like Forever 21 (designer copyright infringement or no designer copyright infringement, they still sell decent clothes for a nice price) or Target and find similar clothes and much lower prices. This is my first time doing this so bare with me!
All of these can be found at Old Navy's website.
Lotta Stensson blouse: $100
Johnson smocked shorts: $140
Gucci shades: $150
Cole Haan bag: $315
Tod's sandals: $396
Ted Rossi bracelet: $51
Total cost: $1152 (without taxes)
I have to say, that is definitely a bank-buster, and until I become a CEO or editor-in-chief of a major publication, I don't think I'll be spending that kind of money on just five items. Still, it's very nice to imagine. This is a pretty everyday look; good for going shopping in or going to lunch or even just a stroll around town.
All of these can be found at Old Navy's website.Top: $20
Shorts: $13
Sandals: $9
Bag: $34.50
Bracelet: $7.50
Shades: $9.50
Total cost: $93.50 (without taxes)
Total cost: $93.50 (without taxes)
As you can see, a very big difference in price -- just under $100! I personally adore both the Bank-Buster and the Bargain looks.
Question of the Day:
Do you have a designer that you've got a weakness for? If so, who?
IMAGE SOURCES: Bluefly.com, OldNavy.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A Little More Personal and A Little Less Fashionable
I'm a born thinker. Think think think, I think about all sorts of things and overanalyze things. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's bad. In this case, I'm thinking futuristically, realistically, and maybe a little medically.
I found out recently that for the past six years my dad has been battling Hodgkin's disease. I had absolutely NO idea, not until my mom told me. It hit me like a huge sack of bricks; hit me in the heart, in my mind, and in my soul. At first, I didn't want the tears to fall. I wanted to build a virtual Hoover's Dam to stop them from falling. Why? For the same reason my dad didn't tell me or my sister what he was going through. Pride. I hate crying in front of people. I don't care who you are; I don't care if you're the one who brought me into this world -- I HATE APPEARING WEAK! That's probably why it was at first so strange to hear that my dad battled something so horrendous. He's my father. He's 6'4", about 250 pounds, works out everyday -- he's big and burly, and my whole life I was jealous of the fact that he was healthy as a horse. I would experience the common cold for a week while his would clear up in about 12 hours. I was speechless when I found out about how he had this disease and how he was going through chemotherapy yet I had NO clue whatsoever. I couldn't recall a time when he seemed weak or feeble or terribly nauseous. And his entire life, he cut his hair short, so even if he lost hair from chemo I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Right now, according to my mom, he is in remission, which is a good thing of course. This is when I get to thinking. Cancer can always come back. Some people think that every little fucked up cell is cleared up because of the chemo, yet for some reason it can always creep back up so unexpectedly. I'm scared sometimes when I think about my dad. I'm scared to think that, what if he dies before my first wedding, before I graduate from college or even high school? Death and disease have always been two difficult things to grasp. All of my grandparents have died from medical ailments, three of them from cancer. I don't want my kids to not have a grandpa to tell them stories about the good ol' days and play catch with them and be senile yet funny at the same time. I want my kids to be close to my parents because I was never close to any of my grandparents. When I think about my dad, I think about the future. When I think about my dad, I think about losing him permanently.
When I think about my dad, I think about me. I think about preparing myself for the worst.
I found out recently that for the past six years my dad has been battling Hodgkin's disease. I had absolutely NO idea, not until my mom told me. It hit me like a huge sack of bricks; hit me in the heart, in my mind, and in my soul. At first, I didn't want the tears to fall. I wanted to build a virtual Hoover's Dam to stop them from falling. Why? For the same reason my dad didn't tell me or my sister what he was going through. Pride. I hate crying in front of people. I don't care who you are; I don't care if you're the one who brought me into this world -- I HATE APPEARING WEAK! That's probably why it was at first so strange to hear that my dad battled something so horrendous. He's my father. He's 6'4", about 250 pounds, works out everyday -- he's big and burly, and my whole life I was jealous of the fact that he was healthy as a horse. I would experience the common cold for a week while his would clear up in about 12 hours. I was speechless when I found out about how he had this disease and how he was going through chemotherapy yet I had NO clue whatsoever. I couldn't recall a time when he seemed weak or feeble or terribly nauseous. And his entire life, he cut his hair short, so even if he lost hair from chemo I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Right now, according to my mom, he is in remission, which is a good thing of course. This is when I get to thinking. Cancer can always come back. Some people think that every little fucked up cell is cleared up because of the chemo, yet for some reason it can always creep back up so unexpectedly. I'm scared sometimes when I think about my dad. I'm scared to think that, what if he dies before my first wedding, before I graduate from college or even high school? Death and disease have always been two difficult things to grasp. All of my grandparents have died from medical ailments, three of them from cancer. I don't want my kids to not have a grandpa to tell them stories about the good ol' days and play catch with them and be senile yet funny at the same time. I want my kids to be close to my parents because I was never close to any of my grandparents. When I think about my dad, I think about the future. When I think about my dad, I think about losing him permanently.
When I think about my dad, I think about me. I think about preparing myself for the worst.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Club & Possibly Runway Mix
Okay, so today, I was sitting on my bed, and after flipping through unoriginal reality TV shows, defunct black sitcoms, and a shitload of Sex and the City-wannabes, I decided to get off my lazy (half) black ass and decide do something at least a little productive! I compiled a playlist of some songs that -- for the most part -- are definitely danceable and club, but I also could close my eyes and imagine two-pound models sashaying down the runway to these songs as well.
1. DJ Isaac - Impressed
This techno hit is deliciously scandalous -- a nice blend of proper language and British accents and heavy use slang terms to... ahem... certain body parts.
2. Kid Sister - Control
First of all, if you haven't heard of this girl, you better get on it. She is the new shit. Not new to me, but new to you. She lies in the happy medium between poppy, sexual gangsta rap (and by rap, I mean shit) and the socially conscious types like Common and Lupe Fiasco. Kid Sister comes straight out of Chicago and all her songs, to me, lie on the premise of having fun and shakin' your ass. "Control" definitely does the job.
3. Uffie - Hot Chick
This track is very hot, as is the girl who provides vocals on it (and I mean that in the least lesbian-ish way possible). Although lyrically she is definitely no genius, this song and all of her songs rest upon the same premise that Kid Sis' do -- shake what ya mama gave ya. "Hot Chick" is very feminine, pumps up the grrl power and is good to listen to on Mondays when you are headed off to work, the kids are screaming, and you just wanna say "Fuck the world, I'm a bad bitch."
4. DJ Mehdi - I Am Somebody
DJ Mehdi has that same sound that a lot of Parisian DJs do. It's retro-ish, electro, and funky, and definitely very danceable. For some reason I picture that nerdy, lonely guy at the club screaming the title of this song in his cute, squeaky little voice. "I am somebody! I AM SOMEBODY!!!"
5. Rihanna - Breakin Dishes
Another grrl power song from one of my absolute favorite singers. This is the song you wanna blast and piss off the neighbors when your man is out late at night, doin' wrong. This is a very high-energy, sassy song. Basically, if I were a man and I was Rihanna's man, I would not wanna cheat on her. Otherwise, I would face shards of china dishes on my face, on my kitchen floor, bleach on my clothes and my things burning to a nice crisp in the fireplace.
6. Justice - Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
Justice, who are honored by many critics to be described as the new Daft Punk, produced the music, and Uffie, mentioned above, provides the vocals. It's all about a bad bitch gettin' ready to go out and party. Some of my favorite lines include: "I'm turnin' orange from all these carats around my neck" and "Rockin' hi-tops and sayin' no to stilettos, cuz I might get drunk off my ass and I don't wanna fall". I must say Justice did a badass job on producing this track.
7. N.E.R.D. - Spaz
Can the geniuses behind N.E.R.D. do no wrong? Seriously! Especially Pharrell. Damn. Not only is he intelligent, ridiculously good-lookin', he can dress his ass off. Anyway, this song is the poster child of what experimental hip-hop is all about. If you could call this hip-hop. I'm not sure how to describe this song -- all I know is that the production of it is superb and probably the most danceable song on this list.
8. Kanye West - I Wonder
Kanye Kanye Kanye. One of the greatest producers and lyricists of all time. This song has a lovely sample and an electrifying beat. I definitely see greasy-haired hipsters trying to pull off the whole "I spend my parents' money trying to appear like I'm below the poverty line" dancing to this song, as well as those models that Ye seems to love struttin' their stuff down the runway.
9. Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy
I love Estelle! I love her music and her funky jaw that she seems shares with Ye! I especially love this song. It's funky like her jaw, reminds me of the 70's for some reason, and is definitely a rump-shaking song, but with class. (Unlike "Donk" by Soulja Boy. Did he even graduate high school?)
10. Adele - Cold Shoulder
Okay, so this song is not really a "club" song, more like a song you'd hear at a jazz bar or a really small, cozy venue, but I. love. Adele. Adkins. She's an extremely soulful British songstress with amazing pipes. This song is fast-paced and sassy, and I could definitely picture this being played by the "poor" hipster-DJ at the show. Absolutely amazing song.
11. The Cool Kids - What It Is
The Cool Kids, along with Kid Sister, are the new shit too, and they also rest in that happy medium of rap. They're very talented and their beats are none I've ever heard before. The drums on this track are mad old-school. I could definitely picture this song being spun by a DJ at a show. Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks do the damn thang!
12. Lupe Fiasco - Go Baby
An awesome song by another awesome lyricist from Chicago (for some reason I love all the hip hop comin' out the Chi). If you haven't endeavored in Lupe's music, you are really missin out! He is an amazing writer; I've looked at his lyrics (because his flow is mean and fast, hard to keep up) and the wordplay blows me away. This is more of a romantic song, but not in an annoying/cheesy/grotesquely sexual way. The drums on this track are awesome too.
13. Lily Allen - Smile (Revisited)
I know, I know. It's an old song, but this is a remix. It's a lot more up-tempo and retro than the original. The music itself is a little Amy Winehouse-y, but I mean that in a good way. I love this remix of it!
14. DJ Dax - Low Satisfaction Shake
Last but definitely not least, this seemingly unknown DJ mashed up "Low" by Flo Rida and T-Pain, "Satisfaction" by the wonderful Benny Benassi, and "Shake" by Pitbull. Definitely a dance song.
My descriptions of these weren't spectacular, but the songs are, so GO GO GO download! And while you're listening, think of models goin' down the runway to these tracks... and think of me ;) Ta-ta!
1. DJ Isaac - Impressed
This techno hit is deliciously scandalous -- a nice blend of proper language and British accents and heavy use slang terms to... ahem... certain body parts.
2. Kid Sister - Control
First of all, if you haven't heard of this girl, you better get on it. She is the new shit. Not new to me, but new to you. She lies in the happy medium between poppy, sexual gangsta rap (and by rap, I mean shit) and the socially conscious types like Common and Lupe Fiasco. Kid Sister comes straight out of Chicago and all her songs, to me, lie on the premise of having fun and shakin' your ass. "Control" definitely does the job.
3. Uffie - Hot Chick
This track is very hot, as is the girl who provides vocals on it (and I mean that in the least lesbian-ish way possible). Although lyrically she is definitely no genius, this song and all of her songs rest upon the same premise that Kid Sis' do -- shake what ya mama gave ya. "Hot Chick" is very feminine, pumps up the grrl power and is good to listen to on Mondays when you are headed off to work, the kids are screaming, and you just wanna say "Fuck the world, I'm a bad bitch."
4. DJ Mehdi - I Am Somebody
DJ Mehdi has that same sound that a lot of Parisian DJs do. It's retro-ish, electro, and funky, and definitely very danceable. For some reason I picture that nerdy, lonely guy at the club screaming the title of this song in his cute, squeaky little voice. "I am somebody! I AM SOMEBODY!!!"
5. Rihanna - Breakin Dishes
Another grrl power song from one of my absolute favorite singers. This is the song you wanna blast and piss off the neighbors when your man is out late at night, doin' wrong. This is a very high-energy, sassy song. Basically, if I were a man and I was Rihanna's man, I would not wanna cheat on her. Otherwise, I would face shards of china dishes on my face, on my kitchen floor, bleach on my clothes and my things burning to a nice crisp in the fireplace.
6. Justice - Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
Justice, who are honored by many critics to be described as the new Daft Punk, produced the music, and Uffie, mentioned above, provides the vocals. It's all about a bad bitch gettin' ready to go out and party. Some of my favorite lines include: "I'm turnin' orange from all these carats around my neck" and "Rockin' hi-tops and sayin' no to stilettos, cuz I might get drunk off my ass and I don't wanna fall". I must say Justice did a badass job on producing this track.
7. N.E.R.D. - Spaz
Can the geniuses behind N.E.R.D. do no wrong? Seriously! Especially Pharrell. Damn. Not only is he intelligent, ridiculously good-lookin', he can dress his ass off. Anyway, this song is the poster child of what experimental hip-hop is all about. If you could call this hip-hop. I'm not sure how to describe this song -- all I know is that the production of it is superb and probably the most danceable song on this list.
8. Kanye West - I Wonder
Kanye Kanye Kanye. One of the greatest producers and lyricists of all time. This song has a lovely sample and an electrifying beat. I definitely see greasy-haired hipsters trying to pull off the whole "I spend my parents' money trying to appear like I'm below the poverty line" dancing to this song, as well as those models that Ye seems to love struttin' their stuff down the runway.
9. Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy
I love Estelle! I love her music and her funky jaw that she seems shares with Ye! I especially love this song. It's funky like her jaw, reminds me of the 70's for some reason, and is definitely a rump-shaking song, but with class. (Unlike "Donk" by Soulja Boy. Did he even graduate high school?)
10. Adele - Cold Shoulder
Okay, so this song is not really a "club" song, more like a song you'd hear at a jazz bar or a really small, cozy venue, but I. love. Adele. Adkins. She's an extremely soulful British songstress with amazing pipes. This song is fast-paced and sassy, and I could definitely picture this being played by the "poor" hipster-DJ at the show. Absolutely amazing song.
11. The Cool Kids - What It Is
The Cool Kids, along with Kid Sister, are the new shit too, and they also rest in that happy medium of rap. They're very talented and their beats are none I've ever heard before. The drums on this track are mad old-school. I could definitely picture this song being spun by a DJ at a show. Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks do the damn thang!
12. Lupe Fiasco - Go Baby
An awesome song by another awesome lyricist from Chicago (for some reason I love all the hip hop comin' out the Chi). If you haven't endeavored in Lupe's music, you are really missin out! He is an amazing writer; I've looked at his lyrics (because his flow is mean and fast, hard to keep up) and the wordplay blows me away. This is more of a romantic song, but not in an annoying/cheesy/grotesquely sexual way. The drums on this track are awesome too.
13. Lily Allen - Smile (Revisited)
I know, I know. It's an old song, but this is a remix. It's a lot more up-tempo and retro than the original. The music itself is a little Amy Winehouse-y, but I mean that in a good way. I love this remix of it!
14. DJ Dax - Low Satisfaction Shake
Last but definitely not least, this seemingly unknown DJ mashed up "Low" by Flo Rida and T-Pain, "Satisfaction" by the wonderful Benny Benassi, and "Shake" by Pitbull. Definitely a dance song.
My descriptions of these weren't spectacular, but the songs are, so GO GO GO download! And while you're listening, think of models goin' down the runway to these tracks... and think of me ;) Ta-ta!
How does politics affect fashion, and vice-versa?
Most people wouldn't correlate fashion and politics, and I certainly don't blame them. Fashion is an art form, an exhilarating lifestyle -- beauty is the law of the land in the world of fashion. Politics is exciting to an extent, but has hundreds of laws and is very systematic and structured. There isn't much beauty--especially in the clothes (hello Hillary Clinton!). Then again, most politicians are too busy corrupting the government and accepting funds from lobbyists for their "campaigns" to worry about beauty or, at the least, attractiveness.
Anyway, the question popped into my head this morning: Can politics affect fashion? And if so, how?
When I oiled up the gears in my brain and they got to movin', I found the answer -- yes.
During the Great Depression, all families were hit hard, especially in terms of clothing. In junior high, I remember a guest speaker coming to my history class. She was a survivor of the Dust Bowl with a surprisingly sharp memory. She talked about how scarce resources were, particularly when it came to her clothes; she only had two dresses two alternate with for church, school, etc., all because of the Depression and the accumulative Dust Bowl.
Anyway, the question popped into my head this morning: Can politics affect fashion? And if so, how?
When I oiled up the gears in my brain and they got to movin', I found the answer -- yes.
During the Great Depression, all families were hit hard, especially in terms of clothing. In junior high, I remember a guest speaker coming to my history class. She was a survivor of the Dust Bowl with a surprisingly sharp memory. She talked about how scarce resources were, particularly when it came to her clothes; she only had two dresses two alternate with for church, school, etc., all because of the Depression and the accumulative Dust Bowl.
In more modern times, I would say that politics still affects what we wear and what is manufactured, especially right now in the heat of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. There are T-shirts, messenger bags, and all sorts of apparel & accessories being made -- and they're not only produced by the candidates' campaigns either.
Not only does the election have an effect on fashion but so do all the laws and regulations that dwell around one little plant -- marijuana.
Stoners across America (and I mean that in an endearing way) have been fighting for decades to make marijuana legal -- at the least, decriminalized. Shirts with potleafs, bongs, and other paraphernalia have been selling quite well at specialty shops like Spencer's. I see people on YouTube all the time wearing these shirts while supporting the legalization of marijuana as well as petitions and bills towards its legalization. These videos and petitions have been effective, however. This also brings me to my next question.
Does fashion affect politics? Definitely, I think. Wearing a shirt supporting your favorite presidential candidate or to legalize the plant you wished you could have grown in your horticulture class grabs people's attention. It gets the word out without you even having to open your mouth; there's that 50/50 chance that someone's political opinion will sway all because of your fashion choices ... and that is extremely powerful. Embrace that power.
Question of the Day:
If you could control the clothes that politicians wear, who would wear what?
IMAGE SOURCES: FoulMouthShirts.com, UrbanOutfitters.com, VEAC.org
(B)old Yet Feminine
Ah! I absolutely love these Giuseppe Zanotti heels. They are, like the title of this post says, bold, old, yet feminine. And I don't mean old in a bad way. I mean old as in the romantic, Parisian, old-timesy feeling I got as soon as I found these shoes. I love the way the shoes make me feel -- yet again like the title implies. Bold, not physically old, yet feminine. These babies are at a reasonable price on 6pm.com, another lovely website I found today.
Question Of The Day:
What designer do you always flock to for your favorite kicks? Why?
IMAGE SOURCE: 6pm.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Move over Trina, A.W. is the Baddest
She's smart, resourceful, impeccably fashionable, and financially very content. She's frequently seen in her stunna shades, that irresistible bob, and that charming accent -- and she is quite possibly the most powerful woman in the world of fashion. Oh, don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about! The wonderful Miss Anna Wintour. She's a topic vastly talked about, but does she get old? (And I mean this both physically and and figuratively. She's almost 60 years old yet she looks like she's in her 40s! Plastic surgery or not, she'd still have that youthful air about her.)
I personally don't think she gets old. Ever. I have an immense amount of respect for this woman. Like those Married to the Mob shirts say, she really is the Head Bitch in Charge. Miss Wintour can make people aware of some unknown designer's work or annihilate the thought of even wanting to browse their collection online. Where would Marc Jacobs and John Galliano be without the help of this Brit? Really?
Anna has power in loads of other aspects that would take me forever to get into as thoroughly as I'd like to. But I still have this unanswered question that's been lingering in my head for some time now. In a world where women are (sadly) still fighting to be equal with men and be as powerful and influential as them, I'm surprised and even a little appalled to hear rumors that she has tried to keep her practices and the treatment of her employees hush-hush. Why in God's name would you want to do that? To me, I think that is simultaneously keeping her power hush-hush as well. I see and marvel at the power and control she has, yet many people might not be able to see it. If you're the H.B.I.C. and you've got that way over people, why not flaunt it? What's so embarrassing about being one of the most successful people in the world of fashion, publishing, etc.? If I held any sort of position as high as Anna Wintour's, I would make damn sure I had people in check.
Anna seems to have many titles -- "condescending evil elitist bitch" seems to be the summary of it all, but what most people don't seem to understand is that she is the editor-in-chief of VOGUE! Vogue! People seem to expect her to have some Southern-housewife-mentality! If you were under all that stress to produce an extremely popular and successful publication, you've got to step on some -- no a LOT -- of people's toes to get shit done. And seriously, when you think about it, when you're in that kind of position, you can be a bitch if you want to and get away with it.
Anna Wintour is one of the B.B.H. -- the Baddest Bitches in History. Period.
I personally don't think she gets old. Ever. I have an immense amount of respect for this woman. Like those Married to the Mob shirts say, she really is the Head Bitch in Charge. Miss Wintour can make people aware of some unknown designer's work or annihilate the thought of even wanting to browse their collection online. Where would Marc Jacobs and John Galliano be without the help of this Brit? Really?
Anna has power in loads of other aspects that would take me forever to get into as thoroughly as I'd like to. But I still have this unanswered question that's been lingering in my head for some time now. In a world where women are (sadly) still fighting to be equal with men and be as powerful and influential as them, I'm surprised and even a little appalled to hear rumors that she has tried to keep her practices and the treatment of her employees hush-hush. Why in God's name would you want to do that? To me, I think that is simultaneously keeping her power hush-hush as well. I see and marvel at the power and control she has, yet many people might not be able to see it. If you're the H.B.I.C. and you've got that way over people, why not flaunt it? What's so embarrassing about being one of the most successful people in the world of fashion, publishing, etc.? If I held any sort of position as high as Anna Wintour's, I would make damn sure I had people in check.
Anna seems to have many titles -- "condescending evil elitist bitch" seems to be the summary of it all, but what most people don't seem to understand is that she is the editor-in-chief of VOGUE! Vogue! People seem to expect her to have some Southern-housewife-mentality! If you were under all that stress to produce an extremely popular and successful publication, you've got to step on some -- no a LOT -- of people's toes to get shit done. And seriously, when you think about it, when you're in that kind of position, you can be a bitch if you want to and get away with it.
Anna Wintour is one of the B.B.H. -- the Baddest Bitches in History. Period.
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