Thursday 15 September 2011

Shoulder Proof

Flicking through my wardrobe looking to have a fashion show of my own, something I often do when I am bored with nothing real important to do and to discover whether or not I have put on any excess weight, it just suddenly came to me the number of dresses with shoulder pads in, whether they were bought that way or I DIY'ed them. I don't know what it is about shoulder pads, but since their revival for spring/summer 2009, I have become obsessed.


Christopher Decarnin of Balmain Spring/Fall 2009

Anyone over 40 (not to say I am within that age bracket, but I do have distinctive memories of my mum's wardrobe hence why I can comment so clearly on such matter, trust me - I wouldn't lie) will remember the shoulder pads of the 1980's Dynasty-cult that paved the way of fame and fortune for Joan Collins, Princess Diana (rest her soul) and the infamous Margaret Thatcher; more for her style rather than her political view point.





A symbolism of 80's fashion and a measure for power dressing for women, I have taken to customising dresses, tops and even jackets - wherever they can be inserted; they are tacked or sewn in. To what seems to be a signature look for me at the moment because my style tends to change according to the hairstyle I am wearing, not only have I embraced a sense of liberation since the removal of my hair two years ago in a crazy and drastic move for change, but I have embraced the measure of 'power' using fashion as the tool to express it. As superficial as it may sound, especially when there are more trivial matters affecting the lives of many in this country and the world, fashion is powerful. 


Coincidentally, my thoughts were imprinted in this weeks edition of The Stylist magazine, one of three exclusive covers and their biggest issue to date, the impoverished trend for this autumn/winter 2011 being the 'fetish' and transforming it into an empowering topic for women to dominate and assert their personality, the use of bondage and black PVC leather, exudes this season's trend by using a powerful woman to empower us [women], and what better way to do that than with the support of a supreme beauty, Alek Wek. 


The cover of the The Stylist magazine (issue 93), Alek Wek
She affirms the true meaning of 'born this way' as oppose to societal ideals to what is internationally acceptable. Her inspirational words, "We should embrace each other, we should inspire each other and we should empower each other." A message that will take us leaps and bounds, if we continue to embody femininity with fashion as our power tool, we will continue to 'raise the banner' to the very heart of our existence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            



Tuesday 6 September 2011

I AM...





Do you know who this man is? 



This is Satoshi Kanazawa, University Lecturer of Psychology at London School of Economics, who was slammed by critics for his controversial and racially charged article published on his Psychology Today blog spouting ideals that "black women are less attractive than other women". Outraged, and offended, that an academic is free to voice such ideals, in what is now a 'multi-cultural society'; but whose ignorance is justified in the name of 'science'. It seems we live in a society where, if there is a scientific explanation, then it is true.

I AM PROUD, I AM BLACK, I AM A WOMAN; I AM A PROUD BLACK WOMAN. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". If you don't believe me, take a look and you will see exactly what I mean.


Dorothea Towles



Alek Wek



Tyra Banks 

Naomi Campbell 





Lauryn Hill 




Jill Scott





Mary J Blige 





Angela Bassett 





Gabrielle Union




Queen Latifah 

Maya Angelou


To name but a few...