Fashion Friday: Diversity is Beautiful. Diversity is Global.

 

As the fashion world braces itself for the inception of yet another New York Fashion Week, I would be remiss not to mention a glorious occurrence that took place last year in Milan.

Phillipp Plein's spring 2014 show in Milan

'Pushing the limits and transcending convention' is something of a mantra for many people in the usually white-washed world of fashion. Ask German fashion designer Phillipp Plein. After casting an entire Milan runway show featuring only models of color, Phillipp Plein followed suit with his spring/summer ad campaign that included a series of Black beauties dressed in all-white. 

Phillip Plein Fall/Winter 2014 Ad Campaign

Plein is no stranger to controversy as he had male models during a show in Milan in January of 2013 walk the runway holding fake machine guns.

Plein's spring 2013 show in Milan

 "My message is about breaking down barriers and breaking the rules. Doing the unexpected and shaking people from their complacence, forcing people to face the future where old prejudices have no place. For example, the public expects to see pallid girls in high heels walking my show and I give them a fleet of black beauties in flats! Not to mention the opening act featuring one of the hottest rappers on the horizon, Iggy Azalea, who also happens to be white in a black dominated hip hop world.”-Phillipp Plein

Like many others including Bethann Hardison and the Diversity Coalition who called out top designers and fashion houses who are notorious for using no or only one model of color in shows, I will be excitedly watching hoping that the world of fashion continues to makes strides in the direction of diversification. If for no other reason, follow the rule-breaking mentality of Phillipp Plein to include models of color just to piss a few people off! 

I do not claim ownership to the above images.

Fashion Friday: The Apple Collection

We all know whether you have an Android or an iPhone that Apple is an incredible company that forced technological growth and change, birthed from the genius mind of Steve Jobs. However, it isn't common knowledge that in 1986 Apple Inc. created a clothing line called, "The Apple Collection," of course. One of the ways Apple imagined to market itself into a lifestyle brand was to dress people in head-to-toe apparel with Apple insignias. Take a look at some of the awesome or horribly bad clothing, depending on your perspective.

My guess is that in 1986 these clothes were cool and styled to perfection. Looking back into this digital time capsule made me think how future generations would critique the fashion of today and the early 2000s. I can only imagine the perplexed looks and unanswerable questions that will be asked when pictures are shown of what many thought was fashionable. I can't imagine what people will think wondering why shaggy, baggy pants were a stylish trend. I doubt the future onlookers will instantaneously realize that that was a form of rebellion. Or that nearly every generation embraces some type of martyrized form of self-expression, feeling the need to fight against social norms thereby making them revolutionists. If only this were an actual original thought. 

I do not claim ownership to the above images.

Broadway’s First Black Cinderella

Keke Palmer has a charismatic personality that makes it easy to see why her fans love her. She’s never been afraid to let fans have a glimpse into her life. Her Instagram posts and videos are hilarious. Follow her @kekepalmer to see for yourself. She is what industry insiders like to call a triple threat; she acts, sings and dances. Making her even more multi-dimensional, Keke now has a talk show on BET called Just Keke-making her the youngest talk show host in history. With all her great movies, a few albums and a talk show, Keke is set to add yet another amazing accomplishment to her repertoire. 

On September 9^th she is slated to be the first African American Cinderella to be featured on Broadway. 2014 has been a very successful and history making year for Ms. Palmer. What an achievement for this incredibly talented 21-year-old who has a smile that parallels a supernova. Congratulations Lauren ‘Keke’ Palmer! You deserve every bit of your hard earned success! I’m excited to see what’s next for this shooting star.

This clip of Keke on the Queen Latifah show is a perfect example of her vibrant personality. I've posted this clip before, but it never gets old. 

For an even more monumental turn of events. Sherri Shepard will play the role of Cinderella's evil stepmother, making her the first African American to play this role on Broadway as well. This isn't the first time Keke and Sherri have had co-starring roles together. Shepherd played Palmer’s on-screen mother in the 2012 Lifetime movie Abducted: The Carlina White Story. It's no wonder Actors Equity honored the Broadway musical with the Extraordinary Excellence in Diversity on Broadway award in 2013.

Congratulations ladies!

Amazing job on the @bleubombshell shoot

Photographer: @L10_Lax

Stylists: @apuje and @icontips

Makeup and producer: @ajcrimson

Hair: @daricojackson

I do not claim ownership to the above images. 

Nene Sells Out on HSN

Whether you love or hate Nene Leakes you cannot deny that she has had an incredible amount of success following her starring on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, which is the highest rated show in the Housewives franchise. She has had drama to plague her reputation, a public divorce and remarrying to Greg Leakes, and a bout with a serious illness. Somehow, Mrs. Leakes always comes out on top. Her new clothing line was featured on HSN and sold out in just one day. Her enemies may have wished and hoped for her failure but she keeps proving that she is a winner. Nene never shy’s away from drama, recently addressing Wendy Williams for her incessant negativity concerning the former Dancing with the Stars contestant, and the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity star. Here is Nene’s blog post to Wendy. I have followed Nene’s career since her debut on the RHOA and I have to admit she is an acquired taste, but I love her take no prisoners, tell it like it is personality. Some people prefer to associate themselves with those that operate in the gray. With Mrs. Leakes it’s either black or white, hot or cold, and I love that! She loves hard and dismisses unashamedly. 

Nene pays 'homage' to Wendy Williams for making fun of the Birkin bag she plans to donate to charity.

The 17 piece clothing line was inspired by the tall and curvy women in her family. “I wanted my collection to be bold and give women of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to look and feel fabulous. I want my clothing line to be versatile. A lot of the pieces can take you from day to night; from the grocery store to drinks with your girlfriends. I believe that every woman deserves her moment to shine!” I’m excited for Nene and wish her much continued success. Be sure to shop her new line on HSN.

Congratulations on your success Nene! 


I do not claim ownership to the above images.