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Hip-Hop News Plus Tupac Shakur Info |
Black Hollywood Collides With Urban Fashion In The Motor City!
Milkcrate Athletics & Aaron Lacrate Launch Official Online Guttershop
Threader Urban Clothing Partners With We Are Heroes, Darrin Henson, Good Wood, Shoeture, and Mayan Tamang Productions.
The fact that the video accompanying a NY Daily News article uses runway models to illustrate the growing diversity of Barbie dolls pretty much keys into my response to the introduction of the new So In Style black Barbie dolls. They still don't represent real women's beauty and they tie into unattainable standards of beauty that contribute to social ills such as anorexia and bulimia.
I'm not on a crusade and I do believe there's room for all sorts of fantasy figures in people's lives, but I have to ask, where are the women I've known and loved, whether up close or at a distance?
The big girl at the club who dances better than all the skinny chicks.
The nerdy scholar whose thrift shop style represents a new cool for emerging generations.
The tattooed and pierced bad ass who shaved her head and has no regrets.
The paint spattered artist who doesn't mind dirt but cleans up real nice.
I think the discussion that's happening around these dolls is important and I'd like to think the Barbie cliches help open up space for various efforts at alternative dolls. I just hope that, in those discussions, folks don't forget that all these Barbies are cliched fantasy figures that have their place in women's lives but should not be allowed to become the sole definition of beauty.
Note: If you want to dig into deeper Barbie analysis, one thing you might consider in the video mentioned above is that, as the commentator describes a boombox, the violin actually seems more prominent and any serious critique should take such complicating details into account.
Over at Hip Hop Press:
Barbie Launches a New Line of Black Dolls Called So In Style
Spike Lee Joint 2.0
New Caps! New Caps! Get Yer New Caps Right Here!
Spike Lee and New Era have announced the newest addition to the Spike Lee Joint Cap Collection with a homage to the NY Yankees dubbed the Spike Lee Joint 2.0:
"As a life-long Yankee fan, Spike Lee drew his inspiration for the cap from the New York Yankees 26 World Series Championships. 'When it came time to design another cap with New Era, it seemed fitting that it represent the most decorated franchise in professional sports -- the New York Yankees,' said Spike Lee. 'On the cap, I inscribed each year the Yankees won the championship. Now I'm just hoping we can add the year 2009 to that list come October!'"
"In total, only 750 caps will be made available to the public exclusively at the New Era Flagship store at Yankee Stadium, the New Era: New York Flagship store in Soho and participating Lids stores in New York City. The cap comes in a special commemorative box and can be purchased for $75..."
"Spike Lee will be on-site at Yankee Stadium on September 25th for the official launch of the cap and will be conducting an autograph signing from 5:30-6:45 pm at the New Era Flagship inside the Stadium."
[Photo: PRNewsFoto/New Era Cap]
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
New Era Caps: Iron Man/Marvel, Leroy Jenkins/New Era, Hulk, DJ Shadow/LRG, Hat Bag, OPP, Run DMC, BRIMLO/FEDD HILL
New Era Caps: Ludacris, Travis Barker, Boogie Down Bronx,
New Era x Tradition for "the Yard"
Over at Hip Hop Press:
New Era Cap and Spike Lee to Unveil Newest Addition
to the 'Spike Lee Joint' Cap Collection
Diddy Blog #43 INTRODUCING NEW SJ Collection and Logo!!!
"Good Hair" TV Promo
Notice how they're promoting Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair as a comedy. Comic documentary anyone?
Here's an interview with Chris Rock conducted in January after the premier at Sundance.
Video via Kiss My Black Ads.
LL Cool J & Rachel Roy @ Pay It Fashion Forward
LL Cool J, with special guest Rachel Roy, presided over festivities at the 2nd Annual Pay It Fashion Forward event including honoring multiple individuals and organizations doing good while creating fashion.
LL Cool J Throws Psychic Gang Signs
2009 Pay It Fashion Forward Honorees:
-- I/denti/tee started through a partnership with Edun Live, creating music t-shirts profiting African workers as well as publishers and song writers. The t-shirts are made from local, African-grown cotton and feature licensed lyrics produced by African artists.
-- Linda Loudermilk started a luxury and eco lifestyle brand where her fine designs are all made from sustainable fabrics that she has researched and developed.
-- Philanthropist boutique, founded by Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler in 2008 in San Francisco, donates 100% of its sales directly to charities that combat poverty in the bay area.
-- Chloe Jo Berman of Girlie Girl Army is a fashion personality who is spreading her eco-friendly lifestyle message to the masses through her eco-friendly fashion blog.
-- JONES APPAREL GROUP was recognized for its charitable contributions including Jones New York in the Classroom, Shoes on Sale, JAGreen, and Anne Klein's involvement with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
[Photos: PRNewsFoto/Fashion Delivers]
T-Pain's Big [Dumb]Ass Chain makes me want to retire. And if I had that chain I could!
Broken Cool presents The 10 Most Ridiculous Rapper Chains.
[via The Rap Up]
Rafaello & Co.'s Blackout Collection
Rafaello & Co. are on the move with a revamped website, a new showroom and the introduction of The Blackout Collection:
"An array of high quality black diamonds all accessed from the world's most exclusive diamond mines. Specialty trend pieces include: rosaries, watches, bracelets and cocktail rings. The "Blackout Collection" takes inspiration from the millions who have lost their lives in Africa during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Rafaello's commitment to the non usage of conflict diamonds will donate on behalf of the purchaser, a certain amount of proceeds to an undisclosed African charity which will be announced at a later date."
Though it would make a stronger statement if they were clearer about the charity angle, it's nice too see more moves opposing the use of conflict diamonds from within the industry. And, though some might say that a new luxury line in the midst of a downturn disrupting the lives of so many is a bit questionable, despite their reduced budgets, top urban artists don't seem to be expressing any qualms about displays of luxury.
Official Site: Rafaello & Co.
As the recession forces rappers to reassess their bling, Nahshon shares the 5-Step Hip-Hop Guide to Surviving the Recession.
Teva B1-G Air Contest Promo Video
Aceyalone's single Can't Hold Back is featured in the promo video for the Teva B1-G Air Contest:
"The promo video features professional mountain bike athletes Aaron Chase and Jeff Lendsky. Video directed by Decon's Yoram Benz."
Nice fit!
Louis Vuitton Brand Calls Out Rick Ross for Fake Shades:
“'We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,' stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony."
Counterfeits = Big Money. Just ask Rick Ross and XXL!
Update: The Bawse says they're the real thing. They're just customized!
Does this mean Rick Ross wins again?!?
Related ProHiphop Coverage:
Prison Guard Rick Ross Covers May XXL
In a press release from late April, Apple Bottoms announced a partnership with Romane Fragrances to create an Apple Bottoms perfume.
I apologize for my rudeness but I think my headline pretty much sums up the branding problems inherent in the name. Then again, strong brands tend to disconnect from the actual meaning of the original terms used so perhaps for their target market there is no problem.
Common - Only The Brave Commercial
I'm more than a man. I'm a Diesel associate!
Via WoooHa.
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Common & Diesel: Only The Brave Men's Fragrance
Rocawear Promo Video
I love this song and I like the second half of the video. I realize that hanging around at the ski lounge with a bunch of folks is partly symbolic of success but it doesn't fit the song at all. The first part, after the brief Brooklyn & live show segments, is about the soft life and boring clothes. But once it returns to an urban environment, there's visual excitement in the setting and that somehow makes the clothes more interesting.
Of course, for my generation, preppy clothes will always reek of boring conformity.
And I won't make fun of their skinny jeans.
Positioning yourself against the next fashion wave does not put you in a position of strength, old man. Let the kids be the kids. That's what you did. That's what they'll do. And that's just how it is.
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