Ok…So I’m a little behind on topics as of late. I had no idea what was going on with the Hunger Games tweets, Trayvon Martin’s story I unfortunately have not researched, only heard through the grapevine but know a bit about what happened there as well as Jasmine Thar, who I heard her story in detail via Facebook and I just so happened to stumble on an article about the racism that Issa Rae experienced after she won the Shorty award for best webseries for Awkward Black Girl. That article started it all when I looked at the comments that people left in outrage that Issa had to endure such blatantly ignorant racist tweets about her webseries and herself.
Tweeters nonchalantly threw around phrases like:
These comments were not only disturbing because as an American, I like to think that we have gotten smarter in our view of people different from ourselves. It’s clear that we as a whole country have not. It saddens me to think that people need to bash someone who is not like them because whatever they felt connected to was not rewarded. The racist comments also truly angered me because I have been met with racism before and no one likes being disliked just for the color of their skin…meet me, then hate me!
The Hunger Games was even more disturbing because people were outright posting disgusting ugly things about a LITTLE GIRL! The character of Rue is a sweet and innocent girl who is described “She has dark brown skin and eyes”. Amandla Stenberg is an adorable sweet and very innocent girl who accurately fits this description…
but you would never know it when a twitter user posted:
Youth in America. All I can say is that this post really brings to light the fragmented perceptions people have when associating race to their heroes and how infrequently literature delves into diversity where as most people just associate Caucasian features with their heroes.
Johanna Mason is a new character to be revealed in the 2nd and 3rd Hunger Games movies, there have been no talks about actresses being considered for the role to cloud my perception of what the character should look like. But I have pictured her as a skinny white girl with brown hair who is very dirty and doesn’t care how she looks, she just gets away with nudity. But why was my default white? In the book there is nothing to support that she is white. They just say that she has brown spiky hair (MockingJay) and brown eyes and she is very skinny. That could literally be anyone. She could be asian…but I guess when it comes to promiscuity and not caring how she looks with a potty mouth, I thought white because I have run into characters like her and all of them have been white. I can’t give you a known actress that I think would fit into the role besides Cameron Diaz with brown hair but she’s too old. But I even have to admit that my default in thinking was that she was white and that is a problem with myself and other people. However, supposing a character is a certain race without given a specific indication of their race isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But declaring a character is a certain race when they are clearly not defined as such is another story. The character of Finnick on the other hand…I had a few characters in mind, I thought he was bi-racial until the rumor that Garret Hedlund was being tapped on the shoulder…it’s very odd people’s perceptions! Outrage ensued after a blogger posted that she wanted a bi-racial actor to play Finnick as well…PS this actor is sexy as hell and would make a hell of a Finnick. They felt Finnick had to be white…he just had to! What is the world coming to I wonder where the automatic assumptions for characters in a fictional book cause outrage once revealed the truth about the race of the characters?
The problem is that if a book is describing a character, unless it is blatantly announced that the character is black or white or asian or latino, general audiences assume off of the character’s behavior and thus associate stereotypes and “their worldly” perceptions upon the character. The case with Rue and Thresh was explicitly different because their character’s were given full detail about their race short of shouting out in big bold black letters, Rue and Thresh ARE BLACK.
Ok now that my rant is over. What are your thoughts on these issues?
I love everything about this silent discussion. Dance piece? Fashion Performance? It doesn’t matter. What does matter are the expressions and the clothes! Love it!
Behind every great piece there is a story.
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@ScottKayArt opened the mysterioso SK66 Gallery on Saturday and Isabel was so nice to invite me and @SkimMilkProject .
I met Scott Kay’s very funny and successful CMO Dan Scott and told the reporter from Lifestyle Mirror how much I loved her dress. I also met the Jewelry Biz Guru Cindy Edelstein and her Husband Frank, both very cool and funny!
The fashion was very interesting at this event. Scott Kay is known for making biker jewelry and there was no shortage of Bikers, many clad in leather and jeans with their helmets still attached to their hip. I found it very odd but surprisingly comfortable. Other fashionistas attended the party though I didn’t know any of them, they were mostly jewelry people.
The inside of SK66 looked like what I would imagine Kanye’s bathroom to look like. It was filled with paintings in the style of Leonardo Da Vinci, a Hercules sculpture with a lion’s head hat, a Terra Cotta warrior, samurai swords and many more ancient and exotic features. The jewelry in the bridal section was my favorite with the guardian collection containing my favorite pieces.
Here’s a link to the Lifestyle Mirror Video of the event: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1386757186001?bckey=AQ~~,AAABNMyT4nk~,qfEBsrLL0zxeamRw1dclQ0q4C8t0ToMk&bctid=1638896023001
Everyone at the event was given a lugnut on a wire bracelet. I especially loved the story given with it. Scott Kay’s venture into jewelry started with a simple lugnut that he elaborated on with other pieces of hardware to create his first bracelet, and that is how he decided he wanted to become a jewelry designer.
I really loved the pieces and how delicate some were and how strong others came out! I was wearing my Erik Hart dress that I’ve wanted to wear forever! Turned out to be just the perfect dress for the perfect jewelry.
And here’s Isabel! Photo via Cindy Edelstein, the Jewelry Biz Guru
I was so excited to see the New York City Ballet. I have been to the gala once before and was slightly underwhelmed by the ballet Ocean’s Kingdom composed by Paul McCartney and choreographed by Peter Martins, Artistic Director of NYCB. However last night was astonishing! I took my mom to the gala for Mommy’s Day and I’m very happy to say, she loved it!
But first, check out the gowns my mom and I donned for the night.
The gown I am wearing is the gown from Rare Opulence that was previously sold on Outnet.com. I got multiple compliments on it. Though you can’t tell because unfortunately my camera phone sucks and my mom doesn’t know how to take pictures with it so it was slightly fuzzy. Her picture is much better and she is wearing an unknown but BEAUTIFUL gown! Doesn’t she look MAGNIFICENT?!
The ballets were gorgeous too! First was Peter Martin’s Mes Oiseaux, a beautiful ballet about a man chasing 3 gorgeous birds. Each had their specialty but the red bird had the best Allegro! She was quick and moved very much like bird. Peter Martin’s Ocean’s Kingdom was a warm-up compared to what he debuted last night. Interesting, provocative and fun were all elements he incorporated into his ballet! Costumes were designed by Gilles Mendel! Check out the link to this video below:
Two Hearts was the following ballet choreographed by Benjamin Millepied, non-ballet aficionados might know him as Natalie Portman’s husband! Who was also there with Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman!!! Natalie was in Dior while Drew was in Chanel. Both classic fashion houses.
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Images via celebrity-gossip.net
Two Hearts was a beautiful Ballet starring Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle. It was sad because it was about true lovers being pulled apart by a very earth shattering event. The costumes very basic black and white with cut outs in the bodice. The music was gorgeous composed by Nico Muhly and featuring a gorgeous Irish Singer Dawn Landes. My favorite scene, coincidentally is the most tragic, but I don’t think anyone realized until the next scene, also the staccato feel of the music and the suspended jumps of Tiler Peck being caught by 3 male dancers allowed for playfulness and lightness.
After a long 40 minute intermission, Symphony in C made a triumphant revival! With gorgeous Swarovski crystal covered tutus, my mom loved this ballet the most! Classic and beautiful…I enjoyed it as well. Balanchine was a great choreographer (obviously) and not much had to be done to his masterpiece!
It was a fairytale night and afterwards we ate burgers at Bobby Van’s. The perfect ending to a perfect night!
Well the Met Gala was Monday night. I didn’t watch the live stream of the red carpet because also Monday night I had a screening of my latest movie Linda Lethorn and the Music Box. It was the Pratt Senior Showcase and I was astonished with the amount of talent all of the directors had. Many of them working on each other’s films and supporting each other. My favorites were The Griot, Polaroid Girl and Linda Lethorn…Just very talented.
Back to the topic at hand, the MET Gala was swarming with celebs! More than usual! But here are a few of my favorite dresses of the evening.
Christina Ricci in Thakoon
This dress is magnificent. I love everything about it because it is keeping up with the modern trends with the nude and brocade print but there is something so classic about it. Only thing that might prove difficult, is eating in this dress…
Rihanna in Tom Ford
I usually can’t stand Rihanna. I think some of her fashion choices are trashy but I have to put all that away in a box because she looked stunning in this Tom Ford, even with the weird hair. She stayed edgy and cool but incredibly chic. Bravo!
Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy
What is not to love about this dress? Her hair is amazing, the dress makes her curves ridiculous and she looks so classically beautiful! And the color is just to die for with her complexion!
Now for my worst picks of the night!
Emma Stone in Lanvin
Who doesn’t love a Lanvin dress? Who doesn’t love Emma Stone? But who would’ve thought that the combination would spell out atrocity? Emma looks like Minnie Mouse on crack. The shoes, the hair, just everything looks wrong here.
Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga
Eeck. Where to begin? She looks like a strung out 80s prostitute. Hot mess!
Beyonce in Givenchy
Most people won’t agree with me…though I don’t understand why. Beyonce looks like she was attacked by a purple Big Bird who left no dress, only his feathers behind. The worst part about this dress is not the dress itself, but the undergarments Beyonce chose to wear with it. Why is she wearing a pale leotard instead of a black teddy or an ACTUAL skin toned teddy? She definitely could’ve taken some tips from Solange this trip!
So now I’ve shown my praise and my disgust, tell me…who was your favorite? You can take a look at all of the pics and dresses at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/met-gala-2012-red-carpet-arrivals_n_1497975.html#s=949615
All images via the Huffingtonpost.com
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Well I had the pleasure of having a very eventful Friday night with my friend and fellow Fashion Blogger @Terry_McFly and @SkimMilkProject !
There I was rushing out of work with my boss and 4 other people, all trying to make the cocktail reception for the Green Festival Opening. This weekend was New York’s first ever Green Festival at the Javits Center.
Sad to say I’m not really able to do a lot of “Green” eating because most of it is made with nuts and I’m allergic to peanuts, but at the reception there was red pepper hummus, a delicious spicy green dip and some fresh veggies!
At the reception, we got to hear Josh Silver, a very passionate and smart anti-politico who wants us to push out the people who don’t care in office. He was very motivating and the only thing that lacked any insight was how we should go about doing exactly what he said. He knows what we need to do, but unfortunately can’t tell us how to do it. We have to figure it out for ourselves.
After the work function, it was time for @SkimMilkProject and I to play. We went to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant at Union Square and then headed over toFUERZA BRUTA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taBAtxasWto
Ok if you don’t know this show, please make the effort to get to know it. It is amazing! I can’t tell you the plot, because I truly don’t think there is one…but here are some awesome highlights.
Starts with an ordinary guy who’s life is filled with obstacles.
Then there was a dream sequence.
The VERY Fun Dance Sequence! Here I thought that the wish of every adult was to be a kid again, this scene definitely enforced that theory.
Of course the highlight of the show, and the most confusing part to me, the synchronized swimming with the pool coming down to your head!
Who better to help you in your obstacles than friends?
Now I had no idea what I was stepping into when we saw this show, but I would LOVE to see it again. I still don’t know exactly what is about, but not gonna lie…I kinda like it that way. Even @SkimMilkProject liked it, and he’s not really into stories withput plots or dance. And they had a great dance party thing going on at the end of the show. Soon, Usher will be joining the cast but I don’t know in what capacity.
Thanks again @Terry_McFly !