'THE HELP'

The movie I saw recently, 'The Help' was recommended by a friend and I loved every second of the 2 hours and 26 minutes. It is based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett also called The Help. 

Set in Civil Rights era America in the early 1960s; the film is about a young white woman, Eugenia Phelan ‘Skeeter’, and her relationship with two black maids portrayed by Viola Davis and Octavio Spencer. 

Without revealing too much  Skeeter is a journalist who decides to write a controversial book from the point of view of the maids (known as the Help), exposing the racism they are faced with as they work for white families. 

The story line and the acting alike are just heavenly; the perfect casting and the on point costume design both bring authenticity to the story, undoubtedly worthy of every tear I shed.

This should not be seen as a depreciation of the intended message of this civil rights movie; but my favourite part of the movie is the glorious 60’s fashion, however the incandescent portrayal of “Aibileen” by Viola Davis comes a very close second. The costume designer did an amazing job staying true to the “Mad Men” era. 

The ladies outfits are hyper-feminine, the dresses are in bright colours I just love; they are full skirted and nipped at the waist. 

I salivated as I imagined myself in a bold floral print clinched at the waist, accentuating my womanly treasures in a modest and classy way.

These dresses ooze elegance and a covert sexiness that leaves the right amount to the imagination. 

The women of the 60s were strong and brave; they were part of the civil rights movement,  they formed the Sharpeville resistance against pass laws, all while making sure one has the perfect dress on.   

They paved the way for me, so I may fully realise myself. I take from this movie the incredible strength and the personal style that every woman should exude.

If it were not for the big hair, the bad shoes and the unspeakable atrocities of racism; I would have loved to have been alive in the 60’s.

HATS OFF..TO THE TURBAN

Fashion is drawn to strange, avant-garde and daring, so it’s no wonder the turban is a fashion hit. The turban is a hot little number that is bound to add a touch of class and a dash of vintage to your everyday look. Like most I had my reservations about this headgear. This trend has picked up much momentum and popularity since its debut two seasons ago, raising its stylish head from the 70s.

The turban is not the head gear to wear when you are having a bad hair day or when you are trying to be incognito. This Middle Eastern inspired head scarf will ensure you own the room so be ready to turn heads. Like most risky fashion items; confidence and commitment are cardinal. This is neither a political nor a religious statement; fashion has been inspired by the orient.

The turban is old school glamour, and it will go with most things in your wardrobe. Hold your head up and rock this do. You can get an already made up turban that slips on like a cap or you can start from scratch using a scarf that’s already in your closet with the help of the tens of instructional videos on you tube. 

Be bold, be trendy, try the turban.

THE HAIR ISSUE

A discussion amongst friends on facebook got me thinking about the hair issue, and with some doubt I decided to blog about it. I know a black girl’s hair is not open to any kind probing, unless the discussion revolves around how great the hair looks and how one can get one’s hands on it. 

The facebook discussion was not focused on hair alone, it interrogated the “beauty” standards women and men put on African women. Weave your hair; lengthen your lashes so you will be beautiful. Is this our definition of African beauty, was the main contention. This reminded me of a recent article on British Vogue tackling a similar debate. The article titled “I AM NOT MY HAIR” tackled the controversial; do I weave because I’m trying to be white question. The hair issue at hand seemed to be the question of whether as Africans we see our beauty as somehow associated and intertwined with our hair?  The other underlying motion is whether I am less African when I weave or straighten my hair? 

The wigging and weaving of hair is a practise as old as time. The ancient Egyptians wore wigs to shield their shaved, hairless heads from the sun. Black Supermodels like Naomi Campbell wore wigs and later weaves to protect their hair from the constant styling that was abrasive to their afros. Many women weave for convenience; but we cannot deny that there is usually an intended consequence of beauty when one “gets one’s hair done”. We also must admit that there are Africans who believe the closer to western you are is the closer you are to beauty. These poor souls are lost. One woman braids her hair; the other weaves, then shaves all her hair off and at some point dreadlocks it.  If the woman’s beauty that glistens on the outside reflects her inward state then who cares what hair she has on? *Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.

 

^{*Steve Biko- I write what I like}

JUMP IN!

The Jumpsuit is back, it’s bright, bold and it’s here to stay.

We have spent much time fighting it and gasped at its return, it is now time to jump in with both feet. 

Follow in the stylish, Christian Louboutin wearing footsteps of Tyra Banks. 

You can choose to wear it palazzo style or skinny with heals; whatever you choose make sure it’s bright and making a statement. 

Originally designed to insulate skydiver’s bodies from the cold of the high altitudes, the jumpsuits has today become an essential piece of any fashionista’s wardrobe. 

It is a fashion statement; one that screams I’m chic and I‘m fearless. With your feet firm on the ground, rock your suit your way and you will not be ignored. It’s like wearing your favourite maxi dress only better, it slims your body and creates a long and lean you. 

Whether worn short or long the jumpsuit is your best summer piece so embrace it. Get the shape that suits you, the colour that warms your cheeks and the right attitude.  

Belt it if you wish, wear it loose or skin tight like leather; remember with this look, the woman must be present. Coco Chanel put it simply; “look for the woman in the dress, if there is no woman there is no dress”. You must make the jumpsuit not the other way around. Apart from the getting completely naked thing when going to the bathroom, I can find nothing wrong with this frock.

WHAT IS FASHION ANYWAY?

I think fashion is always changing; it has very little to do with everything else and more to do with you.

Fashion is something we deal with everyday. Even people who say they don't care what they wear choose clothes every morning that say a lot about them and how they feel that day

It’s about how you are feeling? It’s about what you want to portray.

It does not matter what you are, what you wish to be or what you know to be true; fashion is you.

It allows you to be what you want to be, to express who you wish you were, or to disguise your true self.

So who decides what’s fashionable; Is it Miuccia Prada of Prada, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs of Marc by Marc Jacobs? Or is it the fashion journalists who write about what’s fashionable and the department store buyers who procure what resembles the Louis Vuitton Spring line?

Do I decide what’s fashionable?

Can I be myself and be fashionable?

You must decide what fashion is..for you.