It's Been a Style Ride...Peace

Excuse me...let me pour a lil Henny out for my homies (men.style.com).

I didn't want it to be true, but my girl Madea don't lie. Men.style.com is closing it's virtual doors. Another kingdom in the Conde Nast dynasty bites the dust. It's another fallen digit for the fashion and publication industry, not a good cover up for the recession-sensitive industry- but the hardest hit may be the fashion forward men of the world who were already short changed, in terms of (good)fashion authorities.

Luckily, part of the rationale for the downing of dude's dress forum is to focus on gq.com (not mad at this part). For more deets on this sad development, and information on where to send the flowers and condolence gifts, peep THIS.

And the Emmy Goes to...Obama?

A while back, I had a great argument with a friend of mine on the value of Barack Obama's celebrity. My friend Robinson, was coming from an astute perspective that Obama's pop star identity, his late night TV show appearances, the buttons and T-shirts and songs made about him would work to undermine his political position, and overshadow his purpose- to lead the United States of America. Me, being a lover, albeit critical, of pop culture defended that part of the reason (arguably the largest portion) Obama won the top seat in the country, was exactly because of his pop stardom. That Obama was present in America's lives, in ways usually reserved for movie stars, popular authors and national personalities, earned him a permanence many political figures overlook. Instead of filtering his connection with the American mainstream, Obama brought himself to the public in ways that were daily, common and accessible. This made America love him.
Since then, the celebrity hasn't really diminished. If Obama's not the hot topic at the water fountain, Michelle Obama's sartorial life (p.s.snore!) takes center. Obama still makes appearances on late night TV, is still the most sought after magazine cover and wins viewership whenever he makes a national address. At the same time, his recent winning of the Nobel Peace Prize has many of his supporters, and probably all of his adversaries, going "but what...what exactly have you done?" We have yet to see or feel the greater effects of Obama's diplomacy, but we do know that homeboy was, apparently, black achieving presidency.

And now, HBO has crafted a tear-jerky politi-doc about Obama and his campaign's way to the White House. As we all know, anything that ends up on HBO is sure to be telvisable-crack (Sex and The City, Entourage, True Blood). Rob's point gains more weight considering the global reach of how cool Obama is. The dude is pretty dope.

It might be that I'm rooting myself in some kind of faith in Obama, but I maintain the validity of Obama's media presence in America, and internationally. Producing a documentary that almost reads like Hova's Fade to Black, might be stretching reason, but I continue to appreciate Obama's awareness of remaining relevant, remaining commonplace, his attempt to maintain an image (we're yet to see his real deal) of being the people's President. As much as America (and the world) needs reformations in cold, calculated areas like health care, social security and the general economy-duh- there is also a need for connection, a use for national pride. I, personally, even understanding that it's completely superficial at this point, am proud to say that Barack is my president. Look at him, how could you not. I don't mean to discredit his vastly educated core, even on his Letterman interview above, delivers quality information- basically hides the vegetables in the steak. It might be this type of posturing that strengthens my belief that Obama will do right by us. I have no other reason to believe it.

Too Fierce for Malaysia

Beyonce has reportedly postponed her show in Malaysia. Why? Because they won't let her show skin. Shallow? Hell no! Even though I'm a major proponent for cultural relativism, I side with Beyonce's right to show her bootylicious.

Check a more detailed report HERE.

If it's true that B won't perform because they are denying her freedom to bare arms..legs and boobs, I support her campaign. Wholeheartedly. Taking Beyonce without the padded leotards, super high heels and sex-inspired dance moves is like ordering a burger and leaving it on the table.

The issue really lies within Malaysia's own political discourse. On one hand, the younger crowd wants this modern, pop vixen to do what she does, to replicated what they've seen on Youtube, purchased on iTunes (haha..purchased on iTunes..j/k) and to generally rock their world. On the other hand, conservative country leaders would prefer their world go unrocked; they allow western pop culture to enter the country only after being filtered through orthodoxy.











Beyonce really has no obligation to compromise her artistic license to make up for a country's intra-cultural dinner table squabbles. Sasha Fierce is a careful curated image that doesn't belong on the stage wearing a tunic and leggings. JS (jussayin!)




Imagine this opening number in one of Whitney Houston's old long-as-hell show dresses

Besides, WWLGD...?











After the Video Phone collabo, the two should get up with Judy Jetson and make a better/badder Destiny's Child.

Love Lover

If I have any secret admirers out there, here's the key to my heart- dress like this.
















Actually, you could probably wear anything from this Aussie label's new White Moon Rising line. The couple behind Lover (yes, they "love" each other) have put together a line that's delicate and elegant, yet there's an edgy silver lining, and although this has the southern hemisphere in mind, I could definitely go tramping down a city street with a shorty dressed like this in tow.

How do The Beatles refrain? All you need is love(r).

Jay-Z! Still?

Though there's a lot of debate over the lyrical and musical quality of the leaked BP3 tracks, I'd like to take a second to silence the music and check the rhyme:

Thought Shawty was the truth, found out she was a cheater,
we were supposed to takeover, I caught her bumping Ether!
I thought shawty like Mike, found out she like Prince,
thought she was Adrian, it’s been Rocky ever since,
My dollars was down, she left me for some Euro’s,
Took my whole flavour, I call her coke zero,
Co-MVP like Kobe and Shaq,
left me for the Heat,
we were winning back to back,
said I partied too much, shawty got fed up,
shawty got Britney shaved her whole head up,
we used to make out, kissing each others face off,
Fell for the ponzi scheme, damn shawty just Made-off.

(third verse on Venus vs Mars).



The ironies are a bit Kanyeezian, but still with an utterly Jay-Z sensibility. I don't think he's at the point where anyone can really call him washed-up. If he's no longer the greatest rapper alive (Wayne? Drake? Soulja Boy?), he's the greatest old rapper alive- sorry Rakim.


What remains worrisome, though, is the blandness of the Timbaland tracks on BP3. Of all the leaked songs, the Timbo tracks are getting the most thumbs down, and often because of the music. Uh Oh. What I think is going on? Timbo has moved on. Give him a J.Timberlake, Keri Hilson, Nelly Furtado- he'll make some dancefloor madness. His days of rap jams, may be passed him. Thoughts?

Beautiful Vanity

The following picture is not meant to mock. It's not an up-turned nose, or a sneer. This is actual interest.

We all know that Kanye West travels with his vanity next to him, but no-one expected him to find a narcisstic match (Amber Rose). I know I'm supposed to be, but I'm somehow not upset with the exposed I'm-the-shit-ness these two exude. There's something infinitely intriguing about their ability to do what most of the world cannot let themselves do, what society meters, what new company won't comprehend, the ability to love one's self (noted: these two have enough self-love for North America).

The couple (?), spotted at the Narciso Rodriguez after party at Rose Bar (who wants to visit?) are BOTH rocking stunner shades. Even if their proximity implies being into each other, the shades insist that both are into themselves, respectively, more. And the blogsphere, I'm sure, is filled with pissy rants about their conceit. But...who cares? Why so mad? What did their conceit ever do to you? Don't get mad, get better...or at least that's how I feel about it. Maybe I'm too vain myself.

Either way, this photo captures a refraction of an artist's classic romantic gaze where the subject would project love or admiration onto an object. Here, we see those feelings refracted, against designer glass, to themselves. Lovely.

London Hearts NYC

Seriously, that's a great idea for a shirt: another I Heart NYC rip off, but somehow more attractive with London being the fleeting subject.

Anyways, genius shopping initiative that will hopefully generate some much needed revenue into NY's (and London's) retail industry. There will be fashion shows on the noted dates, and a culminating block party on September 13th. Who's down?

http://www.wishyouwerehereswap.com/lower-east-side-events/