Fashion This, Fashion That

New York Fashion Week is over. Sigh. But there have been some major developments in my world, fashion-wise, that beg to be blogged about.

Development #1: First glances of the Sex and the City movie.

Here we go! First off, can I shriek with enthusiasm over the Eiffel Tower replica? It's genius. Primarily because it tells me that they are picking up where they left off..no annoying gaps where you have to guess what happens. Secondly because it's hot and so absolutely Carrie. Again, can't wait, wait, wait for the movie.

Development #2: When It Comes to Accessories, Kate's Got It.

Way back in the day, 'round 1999/2000, Kate Spade was the former Vogue staffer turned It-Accessories Designer of the moment. Though she's kept a core "fanbase," she's definitely not an It-Girl any longer. I'm no expert, but I must say, when it comes to accessories, you are hard-pressed to find wallets, gloves, totes and paper products more chic, colorfull and still professional.

If erasers were that hot when I was in school, I would have made better grades in Math. I'm just saying.

Development #3: The New Generation of Black Fashion Icons.

This is really still developing, but is it just me, or have y'all noticed how wonderfully Rihanna, J. Hud, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union and Paula Patton have stepped into the shoes formerly occupied by Diana, Tina, Patti and Jayne? Maybe it's just me, but I dig what they wear these days.

Development #4: DVF's Pimp Hand Is SO Strong.

It is arguable that Diane von Furstenberg has never lost her swagger. From inventing one of the most important pieces in modern women's wardrobe (that classic wrapdress) to wedding a prince to revamping her company over and over again. But if one were to ever say that she has, she definitely got it back with her Spring 2008 collection.

From the pimp hats titled just so (see above) to the flowy dress in forgiving fabrics that scream summer on the veranda sipping ice tea and structured warm-weather sheaths perfect for the office, it was DVF at her best. Definitely my favorite of the week.

**Singing Fashion This and Fashion That, Fashion'll beat you down with a baseball bat**

Whitney

Hudson In The City?!

Mes amies, you must know by now that there are fewer pleasures in my life greater than plumping (is that a word...) on the couch with chinese food and strawberry lemonade and watching some of my favorite episodes of Sex and the City. The FANTASTIC Sex and the City. The GROUNDBREAKING Sex and the City. Ahh...the good life.


Now, if there are any tragic flaws in the series, they must lie in the producers/casting directors ultimate refusal to portray any of the millions of fabulous, sexy, successful, single women of color residing in New York. Of course we had Maragaret Cho as the Runway Producer in Season 4 and Miranda's Black neighbor bitching about Brady's crying in Season 5 but it's a great stretch to say that they were characters...fillers really.


Sooooooo, imagine my utter excitement to find that Ms. Bradshaw would be hiring an assistant for the feature film version of the series. Someone young, gorgeous and a bonafide Fashion Plate, someone named JENNIFER HUDSON! When I tell you that I'm grinning like a mad woman and kicking my legs in the air with glee, please don't think that I'm exaggerating...because I kinda am! I mean, really, the levels. Any Black girl would have made my day, but y'all know how I feel about J. Hud (check this out).

My only concern? Jennifer is a tad....country. For lack of a better word. I am anxious to see how the writers will make her character align with the ultra-chic, sophisticated and worldy Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda. I will be first in line (ok, definitely not first, but I'll see it on the first day, ok?) to see it but I SWEAR if I see one roll of the eye, or pointing of the finger, I'll walk out and demand my $8 back. White writers have a tendency to think that accuracy in cross-cultural portrayal means writing a rude, ghetto Black woman or a spicy, slutty Latina. We'll see and I'll contain my pessimism....

But OH can you imagine the clothes? Hudson's been dressed by some of the best already (ALT, anyone?) but I can't wait until paparazzi pictures of the movie hit the 'net so that I can preview what Pat Field does with the girls, guys and Jennifer.

I predict there will be fur (no matter the season), diamonds (even on a lowly assistant who makes less than $30K annually) and high, high heels...perfect for running the streets of Manhattan on Carrie's bidding.

OK, enough about Jennifer...what are the rest of the girls up to? Are Carrie and Big together? Yeah he left California for New York but did they really manage to make it work? She put it perfectly when she said that, with Big, it's never different. How are the circumstances going to change so that those two can work out? But by far the biggest question is.....what's up with the kiddies??? SATC left us with the adorable Brady (about 1 1/2 when the show wrapped) and the cute little daughter that Charlotte and Harry adopted. Miranda can handle parenthood and a social life, but Charlotte? Definitely seems like the type to desert the clique for the baby...

Questions, questions everywhere and not a single answer in sight...

I'll keep you posted :)
Whitney

Cultural Swaggerjackers: Beyonce Wants to be A Goat!

Beyonce wants to be Latina now that she's in Latina magazine. She's dumb, gullible and a bona fide publicity whore, but she's not the first to attempt to jack another culture. Because she's Black, oh excuse me, Creole, she is having a hell of a time trying to pull it off.

Latina magazine quoted her saying, “I’m just jealous that I wasn’t born Latina. I wish I had been because the culture is so beautiful.”

Latina.com, the online leg of the magazine, recently titled an article about her crossover attempt "Beyoncé and Other Wannabe Latina Divas."

The levels of ridiculousness can not be justifiably explained in this blog format. Suffice it to say that:

1) She needs to endure another round of media training.
2) She doesn't know who she is or what she wants to be. When Essence interviews her she is gushing about the beauty of Black women. If Hebrew Life magazine ever calls she'll attest to her lifelong ambition to learn Hebrew and visit the Holy Land.

After Bossip posted the quote a commenter accurately wrote that :

"I think if Beyonce were talking to [...] 'Goat Weekly'..she would have been like, I wish I were a goat."

3) It's completely offensive. I mean we all know that Justin Timberlake tries his best to get as close to Black as he can get without getting constant harassment from the police but do you see him running around saying he wants to be Black? NO, because he (or his publicist/managers/etc) have enough sense to see that it's offensive. You don't have to be Latina to sell albums in Spanish, B.

Moreover, if Essence or VibeVixen or any other magazine for Black women deigned to call Beyonce a wannabe anything, the powers that B would swoop down from their publicity trees like "WooKaa!" I am certain that because they are published for the lighter sistas, las hermanas if you will, they have license to say whatever they want about Black women.

Trust, Christina Aguilera did not get the same treatment from them after her Spanish album. In fact, they named her their Entertainer of the Year in 2000 and attempted to drag Vibe through the mud after booting her off of the cover for Bobby Brown (read here). Sure she has a Spanish surname but has just as few ties to any kind of Hispanic culture as Beyonce. Repeat for Jessica Alba and Cameron Diaz.

The moral of this story? Beyonce should refrain from speaking and it's absolutely OK to say anything about Black women.

How Many of Us Have Them?

FRIENDS! How many of us have them? FRIENDS! Ones we can depend on? FRIENDS! Y'all, I'm blessed. I have more friends than I do fingers on my left hand. In my eyes, this is a humongous accomplishment since I put few in this category. The other day I was IMing one of my HU friends and something she said sparked an internal conversation (yes, with myself) about different types of friends.

Carrie Bradshaw once said that you can't depend on any one person to give you everything. While she was justifying cheating on her boyfriend with her new gay guy pal, I think the rationale perfectly applies to a circle of friends. Like those essential components of any Flyy Gals tote bag

(you know, iPod, face framing shades, titillating novel, etc), everyone should have, or instantly make, one of these friends:

1: The Sista-Friend: My sista-friend happens to really be my sister, but she still counts. This is the person that you share everything with. You know you can tell her about your successes, faults, embarassements, hopes and dreams and she won't judge you, criticize you or kick you when you're down. But please don't get it twisted, she'll let you know when you're wrong and never hesitate to remind you of your beginnings.


2: Ryde or Die: One word describes this friend. Ghetto. She makes up words (conversate?), may or may not have a gold tooth and always suggests that you slash somebody's tires. Or jump them. Either one will do. You probably met her in daycare or the low-income after school program you went to because it was within walking distance of your grandparents' house and never lost touch with her. Despite the different paths that your lives have taken, she remains one of your closest friends and is never more than a phone call away. Another word describes her: loyal.

3. The Frien-emy: I stole this word from Sex and the City because it's so incredibly fitting. Everyone has a friend that is 1 part friend, 2 parts fierce competitor and 1 part mortal enemy. You love each other to death but something about the other really brings it out of you. To figure out which of your friends fits the bill, think about which one prompts you let out a litany of profanities while chatting on AIM with her or to constantly roll your eyes while you lunch with her.


4. The Publicist: This chap or chick knows about everything approximately 10 days before it happens. Whether club promoters text her or restaurants keep him on speed dial, I don't know, but everyone needs someone in their life that is an official Guy/Gal About Town. Don't expect the publicist to listen to you complain about your internship or meet you on the highway when your car breaks down, but he/she is one of the most fun people to go out with...word to the wise, don't even think about calling it a night before 4am and since the Publicist is a fabulous gay guy 79% of the time, don't even think about coming out looking an inch less than your best.




5. The Career Connection: Your "At-Work" friend..think Whitney from The Hills. You guys met at work (hey Nicole! Essence C/O '06!) but instantly began spending all of your at-home time together. You can dish about office gossip, your career goals and ask her whether beaded sandals are appropriate for Casual Fridays. Though you met her later in life she has become one of those life friends you never expected to make after the age of 16.

I'm friendly with lots of people but the few that I count as my friends I love to pieces...Kisses!

I Heart Chucks!

I luv my Chucks, yep, yep I luv my Chuck Taylors! And I'm not alone! This site says that 60% of Americans have owned a pair of the classic basketball sneakers.

Like so many other wardrobe pieces, Converse All-Star "Chuck Taylor"s began as a practical accessory for Akron Firestone player Charles "Chuck" H. Taylor in 1908. Now, almost 100 years later, B-girls, fashionistas and gals and guys around town alike can be seen sporting these sneaks.






Mine are old (circa 2004), beat-up, a little grey-ish and one of my favorite pair of shoes. I love wearing them with jeans and a sweater to Saturday brunches and this summer I was seen rocking them with sundresses and hoop earrings.

Let's make this week "Let's All Wear Chucks" week!