The Purple Purse: Kerry Washington Helps Women Gain Control of Their Purse Strings

Scandal star Kerry Washington is speaking out about a form of abuse that is not only rarely talked about, but it is also virtually unheard of by the general public, called financial abuse. Financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse or a tactic used to keep a person of lesser financial stability in an abusive or otherwise unhealthy relationship. Career sabotage or putting the person in debt are also often used as methods in which the abusers can be assured that their victims have no other recourse but to stay with them. 

 

Washington is the brand ambassador for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse initiative. The initiative is raising awareness about financial abuse and Washington took part in designing limited-edition purple purses to highlight the role of money in financially abusive relationships. "I think people just aren't as aware of financial abuse," Washington told the Huffington Post. "If a woman isn't even aware of the dynamics of financial abuse-what it looks like, what it is-she may not even know that that's part of the tools being used to control her and manipulate her and keep her trapped. When there is more information around it, people can begin to identify it and then get the help they need."

Only 500 purses were produced, and most will be used as fundraisers and given to charities, with the purses going to abuse survivors. "For me, one of the things I wanted to combine was this idea of elegance and classic traditional design, with something kind of funky and fashion-forward," Washington stated.

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Sesame Street, Lupita Nyong'o and Janelle Monae Teaches Kids about Beauty and Power

For years Sesame Street has taught children many lessons. This lesson starring Elmo and Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o teaches kids to love their skin, and that it not only serves a purpose but it comes in many different beautiful shades. 

The beautiful and talented Janelle Monae laced up her dancing shoes to encourage kids with the help of the Cookie Monster and other Sesame Street favorites. Through song and dance Janelle reminds kids never to give up with the power of "Yet"!

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Fashion Friday: New York Fashion Week at a Glance

Just in case you missed it.


Like every Fashion Week there are some great moments that leave lasting impressions. Ralph Lauren put on a show in Central Park featuring holographic images. A 60-foot-tall wall of water rose from the Lake, with projected ‘4-D’ illusions of an ever-changing set while the models wore pieces from the Polo for Women collection.

Take a look of some of the standout moments of the week-from 3-D nail designs to pierced eyebrows. This year designers from 5:31 Jerome to Azede Jean Pierre cemented themselves as forward-thinking engineers of style.

James Kaliardos for Nars Cosmetics crafted faux brow piercings at the Rodarte Spring 2015 show. Tom Pecheux for Badgley Mischka applied a clear gel on the brows setting them with blue, pink and lavender MAC eyeshadows.

Honor’s Spring 2015 nails included custom mixed shades by Nonie Creme for Beauty.com. For a pop of fun, 3D pearls in a star pattern were added.

The Libertine show nails showcased a unique look on each fingertip, including a hand-sculpted skull with a moveable jaw and accented with a gold tooth.

The Blonds show, with 3D looks made of gold chains, medallions, tassels, lace, porcelain and over ten thousand stones, gems and jewels. The designs took over 500 hours to create.

5:31 Jerome

Distressed gold tank dress, reminiscent of the Studio 54 era.

 

Altuzarra

Sheer cardigan perfect for layering and multifunctional as a swimsuit cover; seamlessly paired with a floral skirt with a high flirty slit.

 

Jay Godfrey

Tailored menswear inspired suit with a bold exaggerated geometric pattern.

 

Kate Spade

Homage to the lady-like eras of the 50s and 60s- a button down dress with a feminine accentuation of the waist and a Peter Pan collar.  

 

Monique Lhuillier

Off the shoulder overstated tulip sleeve dress.  

 

Nicole Miller

A twist on the classic trench coat. A bold pattern, not for the faint at heart.   

 

Azede Jean Pierre

(Left) This designer did not shy away from bold colors or ultra-feminine silhouettes. For a bold statement declaring your fashion fearlessness, wear the two-piece red suiting together. For a more subtle approach, pair the jacket with a midi pencil skirt, or the pants with a graphic t-shirt and a colorful strappy sandal.  (Middle) Black and white is always a classic and the flowing color blocked skirt was paired perfectly with a floral embroidered crop top. (Right) This nature inspired print is a rich earth tone with elements of stomata, (hence the pockets and cold shoulder).

 

Stella Nolasco

Maxi, tank dress with a sheer embroidered panel.

 

  

 

 

 

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