Month: October 2018

The spookiest thing about Halloween is not the costumes, it’s the slut shaming.

By Te’a DiNapoli

From one of the most iconic lines from the movie Mean Girls, Cady Heron says “in girl world, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” But as we all know, real life is not like how you see it in the movies.

There is no denying the fact that some girls (and sometimes boys) like to show a little more skin and feel ‘sexy’ during halloween. But why does that mean they have to be degraded for expressing their confidence? Why should a fun holiday give someone more of an excuse to slut shame? For those who don’t know what the term means, slut shaming is “the action or fact of stigmatizing a woman for engaging in behavior judged to be promiscuous or sexually provocative.”

Fetch Factor: Pretty fetch, because it's inspirational and shit. KEVIN G FTW.

One might see a man dressed up as a serial killer and say “hey, sick costume!” But when a girl walks down the street with a little more leg showing, the only comments that follow are sexist. How’s that for spooky?

There is also the factor that dressing a little more risky for halloween can create accusations on ones sex life. We would think that in 2018 these presumptions of ‘who you are’ and your sexuality based off of what you’re wearing would stop. But the sad reality is that it hasn’t. Why are people so concerned and offended by how someone dresses on halloween?

People of all genders should be encouraged to express their sexuality on Halloween! -huffingtonpost

Some people even take the unnecessary and crude commentary on halloween costumes to twitter:

But luckily there is a band of men and women who stick up for girls who get slut shamed. An article written by Independent magazine shared a story of a girl who has been publicly slut shamed based off her choice of costume. The blogger known as ‘Indy’ was inspired by one of Paris Hilton’s iconic fashion looks from back in the early 2000s.  The blogger star told Independent magazine “I got slut shamed for my Halloween costume but then Paris Hilton commented ‘that’s hot’ on my picture and literally that’s it that’s the story.” Haters, how bad does it feel to be shaded by Paris Hilton herself?

Unlike the ignorant twitter comments, there were also a lot of supportive tweets made about the more revealing costumes worn:

Whether you want to dress as a spooky zombie, wear a punny costume, or be a sexy nurse, it is your body and it is your rules! Do not let the slut shaming comments stop you from being your confident self. Halloween is supposed to be fun, a time when you can become whatever you want to be, don’t let offensive comments and stereotypes get in the way of who you want to be. That’s all we have for this week, thank you for coming to my ted talk. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Beauty Is More Diverse Than Ever: Why Hair Styles Mean So Much To The Black Community.

By Te’a DiNapoli

We are thankful to live in an era where beauty is growing to be more diverse; We have make-up collections with 40 foundation colors (thank you, Rihanna), women embracing their natural hair, and more women of color seen in fashion shows. It has been a long journey to this point and it is still not over.

Beauty expression through hairstyles has been long-standing sample culture. Specifically it has been an example of Black culture. Dating back to Slavery in America, African-American head wraps became a distinct symbol of American dress history. During Slavery, whites used these head pieces as a symbol of enslavement.

Headwraps via wordpress

Slavery was abolished in most parts of the world during the 19th Century. Hairstyles like the fro and braids have been used as personal expression. Today these hair styles are being used to show empowerment and proudness of Black culture. Yet, the Black community still felt obligated to conform with mainstream white society and adjusted their hair accordingly.

“Black people felt compelled to smoothen their hair and texture to fit in easier, and to move in society better and in camouflage almost,” -Aaryn Lynch, exhibition

Today, Afro-American men and women are starting to embrace their natural hair more. But just because it is becoming more accepted does not mean it isn’t always a topic of controversy.

Black hairstyles are the subject of a new exhibition – (from left) a freed slave girl, music stars Michael Jackson (top) and Bob Marley, and James Bond actress Naomie Harris (google)

Recently, a Black-owned hair company, Shea Moisture, found themselves under a spotlight because of their new ad campaign. In the recent digital campaign, the company appeals to more broad audience by including Non-Hispanic and Whites. But the ad also excluding their core audience, the Black community.

Due to the back story on the foundation of the company, Shea Moisture received a lot of backlash.

Social oppression, racial discrimination and abuse have forced many Black women to hide their hair. In every culture, hair has a different style. But it doesn’t mean it necessarily has a significance. But to the Black community, it does. You don’t have to be highly cultured about the black community understand the significance of their hair. Each African-American women has their own “hair journey” that usually comes from childhood experiences.

At The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, faculty conducted a two-week boot camp. While there, students shared their own experiences of being criticized:

— Gabriella Angotti-Jones stated that she was the only black girl at her school in Orange County, California. Jones says she experienced judgment for her natural hair an because of it, she had a lot of struggles with her self image growing up.

“I think a lot of your identity and how women express themselves, especially for young girls in environments that are very heteronormative, hair is everything. What you can do with your hair and how you present yourself is everything, and it really made me question who I was, and if I was pretty or not because I couldn’t do more stuff with my hair.”

Hair to the black community is more than just hair, it will continue to be a historic symbol of where they stood in the past, racial empowerment, and where they stand today. Black culture wants to embrace inclusiveness. At the same time, they also want their own culture to be noted and heard.

Think about culture appropriation the next time you take on a ‘trend’. Never deny history, culture, or social struggles. By understanding and becoming educated on other cultures, we create a safe and welcomed environment for all.

Why Fashion and Culture Are Related.

By Te’a DiNapoli

The fashion industry is filled with creative expression, talent and worldwide culture. Many are unaware that fashion also has the ability to control the economy. For example, in France fashion is so important to how the country survives that the government heavily regulates the industry.

Chanel Show via Getty Images

To those who are not really interested in fashion, it just seems like something to pick to throw on to start your day. But to those who understand and appreciate fashion, it is a way to voice your opinion on society, politics, and the arts. We even have Trend forecasting companies, who knew? Companies like  WGSN look at what is currently happening in culture and intemperate it into bigger things like what specific fabrics should be chosen based off their information collected. Clothes don’t just represent who we are today but who we want to be in the future.

Cultural appropriation is an issue when it comes to fashion and the combination of culture. There have been bans on American-Indian mascots because of cultural appropriation, even festivals have banned the sale of Native American headdresses. In 2015, a Change.org petition that called the wearing of the headdresses by non-Natives,  “an offensive and disrespectful form of cultural appropriation.” This has been argued since the late 1980’s. Now, groups are urging people to stop using their heritage as costumes solely for aesthetic effect.

Headdress From the collection of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

This also goes for hair. There are a lot of different hair styles that different cultures use to symbolize their endeavors. An example would be hair braids in the African American community. Braids are often used for aesthetic purposes. But they are also an expression of a shared cultural experience and past history within the Black Community. This is why there’s  been backlash towards celebrities like Kylie Jenner, who flaunted her braids at Coachella..

Tradition has been passed down in the production of clothing in countries across the world for decades. All of the materials used are hand picked, and every thought and design follows where we come from. In India, block printing is more than just a pretty design. It is a tradition that has been past down for generations reflects their culture.

Although you might not think it, what you put on shows where you come from. Your clothing can not only show your interests but it can also show who you are. It is impossible for any designer to not be influenced by wider culture, everything is so entwined when designing. Even at fashion events like the Met Gala, the clothing designed is influenced by culture. Although something might just look like a piece of fabric, there is always a story behind where it came from.

Rihanna Brings Inclusivity To Another Level.

Rihanna brought inclusivity into the fashion world back in September of 2017 with her launch of Fenty beauty foundation. Her make up line was made purposely to  push boundaries in the industry.  Launching over 40 shades of foundation , the singer/entrepreneur said “it was important that every woman felt included in this brand”. Rihanna is being praised all over the world for her efforts in bringing a quality-to-affordability ratio to make-up with an emphasis on diversity.

Fenty Beauty Foundation Shades Via Sephora.com

Just when you thought Rihanna couldn’t get more amazing, she dropped her Savage X Fenty line at the closing of 2018’s New York Fashion Week. Her show featured a diverse group of women; different body types, races, LGBTQ community, and even two women who were visibly pregnant. Through her lingerie line, the singer hopes to encourage “confidence and strength”.

Getty Images/ Brian Ach
Before this new fashion era, Designers were forced to consider who should be excluded from the runway and why. Now, designers, like Rihanna, want to engage inclusivity into the fashion world. 
During the show the singer incorporated many empowering things like a repeating soundtracks of voices saying “We know beauty and brains are not mutually exclusive,” and, “We know that we can be as competent in the boardroom as the bedroom,”. Rihanna called the show herself when speaking with Vogue — “a celebration of womanhood.”
Getty Images

Besides embodying body-diversity, The show included interpretive dance, performance art pieces, and ended with models holding hands as RiRi took the final walk. Many took to twitter after the September 2018 show to express their gratitude and liking to the singer’s show.

The only downside that contradicts her memo of inclusivity are the cup sizes for her lingerie. Some buyers online were taken back by finding the sizing range imitating most intimates brands, since Rihanna’s lines are usually known for their ride ranges.

Despite the one holdback, the inclusive casting in her performance sent a powerful message to brands and women all over the world. We should continue to embrace every body shape, every culture and ethnicity because there is not “it” girl.

If online shopping isn’t your thing, here is where you can get your own Savage X Fenty products!

 

 

 

 

One Man Wont Stop Survivors From Being Heard.

By Te’a DiNapoli

It has been over two weeks since California professor Christine Blasey Ford has spoken up about her allegations of sexual assault. Her courageous words spoken to the Senate Judiciary Committee, following the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, were watched by millions across the United States. Ford said she told no one about the assault that took place in high school by Kavanaugh until she was in couples therapy in 2012.

Donald Trump attacked Blasey Ford after her allegations went public, “if it was as bad as she says,” Ford would’ve reported it. What Donald Trump and a lot of others don’t know is that  victims tend to not report the attacks for many reasons: shame, minimization, fear, and having to relive the traumatic experience over and over again.

No one was okay with how the president reacted, but no one was also surprised. In an effort to show support for Christine, many took to twitter sharing their stories and ended them with hashtags like  #WhyIDidntReport and #MeToo hashtags.

There have been stories of assaults by women from powerful many for many years. Many have been brave enough to come forward these past years. Even though those years have past, the trauma from their attack has never faded. But the bravery of women like Christine Blasey Ford Power has given others the courage to let their voices to be heard.

The way Christine was treated and not understood by people of higher power caused an uproar amongst Americans. On September 23rd, men and women across the country walked out of work to united with Ford. All dressed in black and carrying signs with messages like “I still believe Anita Hill,” and “I Believe Her,”. This march was not only to show support of the women, but for themselves. 

Like the majority of victims, Ford said she was hesitant to come forward because she did not want to relive the trauma for nothing to happen. “Why suffer through the annihilation if it’s not going to matter?” she told the Washington Post. But she soon realized it was not for nothing. She soon came to the realization that it was not for nothing. Her courageous move to stand up against her attacker paved a way for other women to be heard too, regardless of the outcome. She as well as the many other victims were not going to let one man top their voices from demonized.

#BelieveSurvivors Walkout 2018. Getty Images

Although we do not know the outcome of Christines outcome, survivors are still so proud. Ford’s courage to speak up against someone so powerful in the government, opens up a space for women and men to speak. It also gives non victims a reason to listen. Watching the trail gave others the realization on why it is important to listen to those that have been hurt. listen to survivors as if they were on trial too, listen because unfortunately sometimes that is the only thing you can do for a vicim.