MJ we hardly knew ye.

We all remember the time... when we fell in love.

Remember The Time - Michael Jackson

I'm at a serious loss... I keep him in rotation, I thumb the leaflets that came with those old CDs. But in my own kind of way I'm glad that Michael Jackson has found a way to renew fascination, renew interest in his amazing life. As someone who truly cares and believes that pop culture can be enriching and powerful instead of bitter and destructive, I remember Michael with the utmost respect and appreciation. He was a Renaissance man in his own peculiar way, aside from the singing and the dancing, he was also a fashion icon. For better or for worse he was an innovator and an inspiration. I really will miss him, it feels like certain chapters of your life turn to vapor with the passing of these people... the ones who've managed to chisel their legacy in collective memory.

The girls and boys today, all these fashion bloggers doing this semi-bondage, retro/vintage 80s thing... I bet they didn't realize til just now that they were always copying Michael. And there really is nothing wrong with that.

perfectly structured shoulders, tailored Givenchy and Balmain

sequins, military details, sashes, belts, stripes, that signature glove.

Bondage, biker, punk, Western, futuristic, d-rings and metallics galore.

the red "Thriller" and "Beat" it jackets,
recalls Rebel Without a Cause, amazing details.

a suit, classic fedora, shortened slacks, armband detail.

Brooks Brothaz

more like "generations of bland white elitism"

I know I like to dig deep for evidence of racism sometimes, but I clicked the link that that image was once attached to, hoping that the Brooks Brothers's people would have some models who weren't white. Why? It might help illustrate that while they may possess the "style" of generations long since passed, they don't possess the same mindset. And as the "oldest surviving men's clothier in the United States [founded in 1818]*" you'd expect or at least hope for some change.

And they've delivered ... sort of. In that post-Obama binary kind of way that says "We may be old and uptight, but we're chummy with a sprinkling of black folk here and there!"

And when I say a sprinkling I really mean three black folks exactly:




So is this a step up or step down from brooks brothers in 2003 (courtesy of the WayBack Machine), when they were just using all the same canvas dummies instead of people? I'm really not sure. Still I am perplexed by how the inclusion of real models changes the entire message or branding of the product and at how there are many, many various caucasian models throughout the site. There is but one non-caucasian model per section (men, women, boys) and all three of those models are black. This goes for the print ads as well, and you have to wonder what they were after (I even checked Brooks Brothers Japan and its the same). I get the general idea of a target audience but when it comes to fashion and clothes I don't believe that there is such a thing. You want your clothes to sell. So don't limit your audience! And for God's sake don't think that you can mask your bias or "target" by chucking in some black people! I don't think that in the history of advertising, a skirt didn't sell because an Asian lady wore it in the catalog.

The same binary-type inclusion of black models as the only spare twinkle of minority presence is all over catalog and ad campaigns. Cases-in-point: abercrombie, target, american eagle.

I could go on but I'm lazy. Clearly, I'm not mad when I see black models get work but we could have more of this (Nordstroms) or this. I just dont think that effing GreatGlam of all places should outshine these people when it comes to projected diversity. But then again sluttiness and objectification is somewhat universal.

*thanks wikipedia!

I hate you, Forever 21. I do.

World's simplest DIY ever, am I right? Then why am I tempted to shell out the whole $14.80 for it? Someone shoot me now.

Screw Vintage.

Multi-scale digital houndstooth pattern, brassy illustration-style baroque/art nouveau flourishes.

Seriously, wtf? These leggings are FTW. They're "vintage" Express tricot, but I prefer calling it as it really is... "Mom's seriously fug' stuff from the 90s. Had to wrestle them from my brother who wanted to try 'em on too when he discovered them, can't blame him. American Apparel's tricot leggings can suck it, these are so crazy awesome my head is exploding.

Best part about them being old is that the cut isn't modern skin-tight. Meaning? No camel toe.

Afrikan Motherland and the Land of the Rising Sun

Since I seem to be on a roll with the scroll inspiration:

check out Wafrica if you haven't!
Wa- as in the people of Wa (the ancient Japanese)
Africa - as in, you know, that big beautiful continent

As much as I hate the generalization of blending and entire continent of styles with a single country, this can't possibly tie in better with my afropunk-band-goes-Meiji-period scroll.

Sexy vs Slutty and the Real Reason We Can't Win

Freakum Dress - Beyoncé

It's not a girl's fault that the mere size of her tatas dictates how low-cut she can wear something and what she gets away with...unless you measure fault in genetic predispositions and number of potato-chips consumed in a lifetime. While I'm a firm believer in booty-shorts and pretty lingerie (not necessarily alone as an outfit), there are things which my puritanical heart can't seem to sail a Mayflower on.

(That metaphor sounded nice but I do know that Puritans and Pilgrims are completely different sets of people)

Boobs are tough, symbolically that is. While I and most other women have to deal with them unquestioningly, the problems they present are manifold. Small-chested women face the stigma of being seen as boyish, unfeminine... and the chestier of us err on the edge of obscenity. My own Asian mother (who loved to take us to family dinners at Hooters) yodeled at me since I filled out at 14, saying things like "Your breasts are always showing!" and "Why can't you be more modest?" Even if you drape a sheet over an elephant... a five year-old would able to make the shape out anyway. There's just no hiding.

And so I get to my point- or turning point: sluttiness is for the extremes of society. Its attainable only by those at the fringes, either very rich or very poor. Arguably, the middle class...status quo as it is... just does not engage in this as heavily. But... as a poor college student I may attest to the bosom of the issue. An excess of money and an extreme lack of it can afford people the luxury of dressing however the f*ck they feel. Is this magical or tragical, who can say?


Exhibit A:

Ivanka Trump,
daughter of Donald, whose net worth is about 3 billion.

Exhibit B:

Random Model,
g r e a t g l a m . com

Lessons Learned

• Having millions at your disposal and a real income = sexy
• Having $20.80 to spend on a dress with no label but a stupid name = slutty

And for those who don't find this dress objectionable or even curious, I leave you with a testimonial from the site in question:

My hat is off to you, Mary T. May you forever be young and wear your shirts as low as your boobs will hang.

Writer's Block

I seem to be facing some nearly insurmountable writer's block. Which means pictures, pictures and more pictures:

of EFJA (Extremely Fashionable Japanese Assholes)

dropsnap.jp

Oh my God... she's so skinny. She's so skinny, I want to be her...

Chanel Iman, why??? Why do I insist on blogging about you so much?
I think it's because you're a fucking rockstar. Just look at you.


Ripped from Teen Vogue (yes, I know. it wasn't my copy). Red tartan skinny pants, puh-leeze! She always reps it hardcore for the blasians.

A Big Reason Why I Fucking Love the Holidays

This time of year is the fucking best. All of that good holiday cheer just puts everyone in the right mood. Even Banana Republic...

Yes, that WASP-y corporate business-casual conglomerate has rung in the season with some real love on their part. And by love I mean interracial love, and by interracial love I mean excellent winter ad campaign:

(my sincerest apologies for the shitacular PhotoBooth quality of these "scans")

Finally, an interracial ad campaign that is so understated that the interraciality should pass unnoticed (except by the hyper-conscious, aka moi). It's beautiful, elegant, candid even. And the best part is that we're presented with a black woman who is not packaged with token exoticism or any visual stereotypes. She simply is. There in all her prettiness just as she should be. All other designers/campaigns take heed. Yes, we can.

Now, if only we could make the inverted relationship (white woman, black man) come across a little better than the "LeBron Kong" of April's Vogue cover.

That's it. No More Online Shopping.

new purchases highlight
(f21, Target.com)

So, I began this whole shopping binge thinking I just really, really needed to invest in some basics because my wardrobe is almost nothing but statement pieces.

The Prelapsarian list:
1. White Scarf
2. Simple Cardigan
3. Cute Shoes
4. Winter Coat

Instead, I reconned an old trench, and bought the following:

1. Fringed White Scarf
2. Faux leather leggings
3. Cardigan
4. Two basic tees, in black and white
5. Fringe-y boots
6. Grey Tights
7. Fleece Lined Lace Gloves
8. Black above-the-knee skirt
9. Black and Silver Miniskirt

Despite my deviance, all came out to less than 100 bucks, so w00t w00t b****s.
Maybe later I'll make a post about the hypocrisy of hipster culture and the consumerism that has taken hold of my generation and the vacuity of image and perception that now plagues young females in society.

Just kidding (maybe).

Fakes, Leather, S&M, and all things Salacious

There is an undeniably S & M quality to black lame, latex, bodytight, whatevers.

Just bought a cheap pair of faux leather leggings for when I'm feeling a little bit Vivienne Westwood (or Pat Benatar). I wouldn't dare wear them alone though. That's for the anorexic and glamorous. I really honestly can't wait, I have come down with a severe case of shipping anxiety.

Breast Cancer Awareness, for the Cool Kids

So its pretty much guaranteed that every young person in the United States went through a skater phase at some point. How else would we account for the success of those ridiculous fingerboards and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater in 1999. And even though the heyday of skating may be long past us, I can't help but continue lusting after boys with Nike SB Dunks or those incredibly chic skate backpacks, but more than that... more than that is how the skate subculture now asserts the existence and importance of something perhaps overlooked for the past decade.

Breasts.

And I'm not talking about the dearth of female skaters to begin with, but the actual things themselves, breasts. Because even the most skatecore among us would agree, we want breasts here to stay. Boobies aren't some passing fad, they're an institution, and we have to support them. In more ways than one, ya hear?

OK, so you don't know what I'm talking about??? Check this jonx out from B4BC, its perhaps the most well known skate labels producing the cheekiest (or rather, the chestiest) cancer awareness advertisements EVER.

Paul Frank "take care of the ladies", Billabong "Protect your tetons"

CCS "Bra Tree", Volcom "Whats Up Bra?!"

I'm lusting after the Volcom one, and 100% of the proceeds go to all the right places (bwhhahah, get it?!).

Why Don't Boys Dress Better?

That's it, it really breaks my sweet Southern heart to see cute boys, really genuinely cute boys, who dress worse than a McShaker Salad.

And I'm tired of their excuses:

1) "I'm too lazy."
2) "I'm not gay."
3) "I like the way I look."

I'm not saying I don't have a bias. My brothers are kiiiinda metro and I'm admittedly quite used to being asked if "this belt goes with these shoes" etc. etc. But seriously, it's not hard. Ask a lady friend, she'll tell you.

I'm done with excuses. Guys can keep some of their ratty-ass favorites and just pair them with simple things that take a look over the top.

Forever21
Chuck Taylors, Vans Slip Ons, Coordinated layers, Manly Scarves, Dark jeans




American Apparel
Super simple well-fitting tees, layered tops, logoless slim hoodie, soft cardigan



Urban Outfitters
Clean structured jacket, cotton blazer, v-neck tee, cut off jeans (instead of cargo shorts)


Sartorialist

And yeah, they don't have to have the "gay" little scarf but you can do well with good fit and nice colors. The"I'm not gay" excuse is just a cop out anyhow, because dressing well shouldn't have anything to do with the number of guys you'd like to do up the bumbum.

A clean cardigan over one of the 5 shirts you wear, a casual blazer with jeans on occasion, just a good fitting pair of pants, and not wearing shiny, ugly, basketball shorts when you're not working out... is this so much to ask?