Reality throwdown at New York Fashion Week

Christian Siriano, season 4 winner of Bravo TV’s  Hit Series Project Runway, made a big splash at New York’s fashion week as he  unveiled his women’s Spring 2010 collection under the tents in Bryant Park. This collection is refreshingly innovative and brought lots of the flare we expect from Siriano. From the large lush prints to his classic cuts, Siriano marked his place in the fashion industry and it’s no wonder Victoria Beckham noted him a favorite among top designers.

 

 

Also appearing at fashion week was fellow tv reality designer, Sheree Whitfield from the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Her Spring 2010 collection was definitely a step up from her viewing in May 09; however  She by Sheree continues to leave much desired. Her stitching lines did not appear smooth, and her collection was difficult to see an overall theme that brought the line together. Though she commented that the line was inspired by calli lillies, its possible that that dream didn’t come to fruition. There were a few standout pieces but notably the best looking piece in the collection was actually worn by none other than….. Sheree Whitfield.

 

 

 

Now looking at the collections side by side do you really have to be a designer to produce a line. My thoughts are yes, but look below and you be the judge.  My answers sum it up into one phrase:  Sheree pick it up…….your face.

 

 

Christian Siriano

       

         

 

 She By Sheree

       

    

SciFi for Swine Flu

With the constant media coverage of the menacing Swine Flu and the worldwide photos of people wearing face masks, I’d have to say that this disease is starting to feel like an opening to a scary science fiction movie. All I know is if one of these swine flu victims’ skin turns bluish pale, and their red eyes bulge as they gaze at humans like filet mignon, off to Milla Jovovich’s side I run! Ohh no no no I have screamed at the movie screen too many times not to know when it is time to bail out! I will not be fallout from the Umbrella Company’s biological weapon testing…. please believe me.

But what bothers me most about this pandemic is whether I should really start to call it a pandemic. Is it really a crisis I should be concerned about, or is this worldwide propaganda? Could this be an international government “G20” agreed upon Kansas City Shuffle, or is this the beginning of Biblical Armageddon? I saw Damian on June 06, 2006 but he is only supposed to be approaching his 3^rd birthday. According to the Omen, the world isn’t supposed to go through the first plague until he is six, so we have three more years to go Swine Flu!

Here I digress. With the global economy falling into the dark pits of Hell, and this new disease developing into quarantine stage I look up to the sky and wait for the brimstone. I can’t imagine that this is all coincidence. Maybe there is some validity to the happenings around the planet Nibiru and the recycling of the world. But I will tell you this…. if the shyt hits the fan I hope Will Smith won’t take too long to come up with the miracle cure. Maybe I should be a bit preemptive and send him some Bob Marley tunes so he can find inspiration. And if I can’t stand behind Milla as she karate chops Zombies heads, into the tunnels of London I go looking for the masked swordsmen V.

Peace Love and Coconut Oil

Olivia Rose

Bicuriosity: Dangerous Territory or Straight Taboo?

Today as I walked in the park, I got the first notices of Spring. The birds chirping, the children playing, even the ice cream truck performing its everlasting tune. New beginnings and warm recollections filled the air. A cute couple stopped along the path in front of me and shared intimate little kisses under the sun. She wore a smile permanently pressed against her face and he gazed into her eyes as he stroked her hair batting in the wind. They walked gleefully alongside the river hand in hand and I thought “what a wonderful pair……..too bad he’s gay”.

Now outside of his overly exerted masculine presence trying to hide his secret of yearning for the same sex, this man’s increasingly long glances at the half naked male passerby’s gave him away like free ice on a hot summer’s day. Now there is nothing wrong with a bisexual man or a man that is curious about his sexuality; however, I question whether a man who is curious about his sexuality should be allowed to continue to date either sex without being honest about his desires, who he is, and who he likes.

It is my belief that everyone’s coming out process can be varying, but for everyone there is some sense of difficulty because their lifestyle is not considered the norm in terms of the master narrative. Essentially, society teaches us from young that boys are strong, girls are sweet and they are only allowed to date each other. So feelings of dating the same sex is obviously against the “norm” and can lead to an emotional weight that can be so heavy it can cripple its occupier and eventually lead to the destruction of all the relationships that person may have.

I have experienced that men who are trapped in their desires of who they want intimately can allow the weight of their desires to weigh on them so heavily that they sometimes become abusive, both emotionally and physically. Check back to RiRi 2Ways to get an understanding of a man with whom I had a first hand experience of how his desires can become abusive to others.

From the beginning of our relationship my suspicions of his desires were present. I waited for him to be honest with me, and probably that’s the cause of why I allowed his ridiculous behavior to continue. A part of me knew he was acting out because there was something he was battling within. But I didn’t mind so much because hey, he was everything I thought I wanted in a man so I allowed myself to be available and be there when I felt he wanted to “come clean” or “out” whichever the choice. But I felt sorry for him because his defense mechanism for life was exposing and oftentimes creating people’s shortcomings so no one would see his own insecurities; most importantly, his discomfort with his desire of being with a man. This was a “man’s man” the archetype of the strong sophisticated black man. For the Black Man, history has taken away his strength; thus, he must reclaim it by distancing himself from anything one would deem “weak”. Hence of course the homophobic antidotes were his way to ensure his manly hood. But the constant negative rants about every women being a slut or a whore, and his extremely hyper sexual behavior should have been tiny inklings to his true nature; that he was angry with himself because he desired men.

A man who is questioning his sexuality can also be dangerous because of his false sense of hope that he provides to his lovers that their respective relationships will continue. On both sides of the spectrum, if he is with a man or a woman he can be placed in a situation whereby his partners are under the assumption that they give him everything that he needs. Without taking an honest look into who he is and having conversations about where he is on his journey, he can destroy relationships due to unclear expectations. It has been my experience that bicurious men honestly don’t know if they want either of the partner’s they are involved with; but the damage is severe because the conversations are not happening because they have yet to come out to themselves.

Now although questioning one’s sexuality has become increasingly apparent in today’s society, with the remnants of the past still looming over gender roles, it is still an arduous task for those who involve themselves with sexually curious partners. But the owness remains with the bicurious or bisexual man. He has all the power to either engage or not for he is the one on the journey. But let me be clear,  I am not saying that in the closet bisexual or bicurious men should not date nor am I discouraging people from dating as I do find it a process for all people to find out what they like and what they don’t like. However, I do question whether people who have crucial self identity issues and have not made it clear to their partners,  should engage in relationships . What do you think?

Rip Of The Week: “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”

So after about three weeks y’all I am back with another one! Times have been hectic but you know I didn’t mean to leave you on purpose. : (  So let’s get back to the nitty gritty and kick it off with the Rip of the Week. Now thanks to all of your votes, Beyonce and her “Single Ladies” have been allowed to get air shine and rock on in music history, but now Soulja Boy Tell ‘em is up on the chopping block.

Soulja Boy’s new song “Kiss Me Through the Phone” featuring Sammie, received an overwhelming amount of requests to speakyourpiece@live.com to be put to death! Now of course you Soulja Boy “Kiss Me Through the Phone” fans know the rules. If you want this song to rock on…..You better vote!

Peace Love and Coconut Oil,

Olivia Rose

Recessionary Blues

I am a glossy magazine junkie. That’s right news stand owners, I’m the moocher u love to hate. If I can’t find a library in your hood, best believe I will stand in your stores and read all the latest news from every magazine I can get my hands on in a half hour!  Annnnd I won’t buy not a one of them! Ohh and don’t be a busy news stand either, because then I will stay and mooch for hours. And I dont discriminate on my reading either….oh no.  Some owners will have their workers stand in front of a particular area in hopes that it will make me buy. I laugh at them actually. They must not know I can go from the Times to VIBE to OK to Country Homes and Gardens. I love it all….BUT I am about sick of these Hollywood folk who still flaunt their ridiculous and extravagant purchases while I am questioning if I should cut back to two meals a day!

I don’t want to see or hear about the ridiculous amount of money that Diddy just wasted on his new Mabach. I don’t care about Lindsay Lohan’s $5,000 retail therapy on new underwear to get over her lover Sam. I don’t care that you can’t afford to keep your eighth house Victroria Beckham. And NO…… I don’t feel sorry for you because you have to actually buy your Louboutin’s, while your five year old surfs the internet on his brand new Apple Mac Pro sitting next to his 3G iPhone! And if I hear another song about someone buying out the damn bar I am going to explode!

Point is…..I think advertising companys, music video directors, and media publishers need to take charge and redirect the message. Gone are the days where “bling” was in. Now enter the new age of the broke and desperate. The era when those who can show you how to save money have become demi Gods in the eyes of the consumer. With unemployment reaching an all time high, people have resorted to survival mode. But of course we know saving money is not a money making business; unless of course you happen to own a bank. (And don’t let me get started on that) Capitalism thrives on people spending money so that the world can go round. But then when you don’t have any money…..what do you do?

Rip Of The Week : “Single Ladies”

Ok everyone let me introduce you to what I like to call “Rip of the Week” This is the moment when you get to “rip through”, dissect, loathe, praise or just speak your piece on a song of choice and see if it earns a rightful place in music or just DIE an awful death.

So here’s how it works…… Is there a dumbass song that just irks your nerves to hear, yet it gets heavy rotation?? Well then tell me about it so we can air it out! Send your “dumbass” song request to speakyourpiece@live.com. The most requested song will be featured on the “Rip of the Week” Post and we will vote its fate.

Every Monday a new song will be featured where you can vote on the poll below . The two choices will be “Rock On” (if the song deserves to be a part of music history) or “Die and Awful Death” (if the song deserves a painful permanent departure). On Fridays the votes will be tallied and the song will forever be listed under the respective pages of “Rock On” or “Die an Awful Death”

So to start things off, I have surveyed a few of my trusted colleagues and friends and Uhh ohh! “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé Knowles has actually made the number one spot. (Sorry B you know I love you and this song) So people…..you know what to do. Vote on the poll and we will see if “All the Single Ladies” get to sing along again. Also if you need to just air out your feelings on the song or artist… please feel free to leave your comments below.

Disclaimer:  If you’re a recording artist or record producer and your song happens to be listed under the Die and Awful Death Page……… I’m sorry that your song sucks, maybe you should make better shyt! : )

 

 

Peace, Love and Coconut Oil

 

Olivia Rose

 

 

To Jump On or Off?

New York radio station, Hot 97, has a social networking advertisement on their website called “The Jumpoff : Look, Rate and Holla at other Hot singles”. Now…..last time I checked “jumpoff” was a term used for people (mostly women) whereby their mate only had meaningless, random sex with them. To be described as a jumpoff one was not taken seriously. Only used for sexual pleasures and beckoned for just that, a jumpoff could be considered a low budget whore. No conversations, no date, no dinner, no movie, just sex. An obvious downgrade from a prostitute because let’s face it, a prostitute gets paid for their services.

So why is there a site where people (mostly women by my count) list themselves to be placed on display where they can be rated and ranked on their eligibilty of being a jumpoff? This feels like some residual slavery “auction block” mentality. Is it ok to be exploited if we exploit ourselves? What are your thoughts?

The New Look?

Now see…. What’s really unfortunate is that I guarantee I will see a ton of people walking around with this shirt on. Just like “No Snitching” , and “BitchAssness”, we will be able to peruse down Fulton street and notice every table adorned with a “I will Chris Brown a bitch” T-Shirt. And of course you will hear the catch phrase… she got over so what’s the problem? Lord help… *SMH*

Gay Men: The Frenemies

They are the new fashion accessory of the fabulous woman. Alongside those crisp Christian Louboutin Corta Pumps, her never vintage Kelly Bag, and her oversized Chloe glasses, is her gay “boyfriend”. Their relationship is a special one. He dotes on her regularly and offers her the best conversation and advice. However, the difference between him and her other male friends is that the gay “boyfriend” never wants her sexually and she loves  it……but she still thinks he’s going to Hell.

Enter in the Frenemy. A relationship when the lines blur and friend and enemy are one in the same. Unfortunately, gay men are most likely left on the receiving end of the exploitation. The gay boyfriend is often dragged around behind her like a personal private pet. She shows off her new teacup Yorkie to all her friends and he is put on “show”. Everyone is excited about what nifty new phrases and gossip he has to offer. And he is no doubt the “go to” for all that is fashion, because as most people know: behind every fashionably chic woman is a gay man. He is simply the wonderful cocktail party jester, just as long as he remains asexual. Now he can make sexual comments, but a description too detailed about his personal sexcapades is strictly prohibited. Women love their gay men because they don’t see him as a threat, but few women really want to know what he does behind close doors. It’s the major double standard whereas she can divulge every nasty detail about her moments with her man but can’t stand to hear her friend’s experiences just the same. He is to remain forever in the “happy” gay box and happy gays don’t put their sexual experiences on display.

Another exploration of the Frenemy is via the church goers. Our god fearing women of the church absolutely love their gay friend but will pray for his soul! Like the classic case she “doesn’t approve of his lifestyle” and often thinks it’s because of his kind that so many of our women are the victims of AIDS. Sadly she isn’t totally wrong in her assumptions about the latter, especially with the emergence of the Down Low brothers. But it is still an often conflicting relationship where for the most part the men are in somewhat of a submissive role.

So why do men do this? Why be the friend when you know there is slight resentment? Its simple…. They aren’t accepted anywhere else! The world has yet to fully accept a homosexual man. So where does an out gay man go for comradery? Through the unquestionable amount of gay “boyfriends” out there, my guess is women. But psychologically this a no brainer. Society tells us that men who are gay or are effeminate are not real men. That plays a major role in how gay men relate to straight men, and vice versa. Often times men who come out of the closet lose their straight friends from societal homophobia. Fear the gay may rub off, or the gay friend may try a pass at the straight friend are common reasons straight / gay male friendships are not prevalent. So who else to turn to but a community that will still befriend them, women.

So ladies what can you do? As a proud woman who loves my gay “boyfriend” unconditionally, I say we need to step up and rethink things. If we truly believe we “love” our gay friends we need to honestly offer more respect to them. Fundamentally are they not our friends?! Inversely, gay men you need to reassess why you feel that you don’t need more respect from us. I can’t imagine that the “show” is all you are good for. Let’s demand more from one another as friends and put aside our secret backstabbing and tom foolery antics. As second class citizens we need to embrace one another and truly appreciate our bond so maybe this particular brand of the Frenemy can end.

Peace, Love and Coconut Oil

Olivia Rose a.k.a The Fantabulous 1ne

It’s Unfair

 Bank of America Chief Executive Officer, Ken Lewis, speaks out to his employees on an internal memo about the proposed legislation to tax 90% of their bonuses. Specifically the tax only impacts, associates who make more than $250,000 a year, and are employed by a bank who has received government aid. Now I don’t know if you guys remember but since October 2008, Bank of America has received $45 billion dollars in government aid. (ie. your tax dollars) Moreover, let’s turn back to the most recent agreed upon definition of rich……wasn’t that $250,000 or more?

But wait…..it gets better! Lewis stated in the memo that if the bill passes into law, “in this environment I am concerned about our ability to retain some of our most valuable associates.” He also stated that most executives that would be impacted would just leave the industry altogether. Now I highly doubt that Lew Lew. In this environment what industry are you thinking about that an executive who was making over $250,000 can just cross over and continue to make that same amout of money with bonuses? At best, I predict maybe a handful of associates would leave. Now if your argument is that your most valuable talent rest in just a handful, then I guess you should be concerned. But if my guess is correct you have enough top talent that you should be able to weather the storm should they leave. As the unemployment numbers begin to reach in the double digits, and the financial sector continues to flop…… really where are the rest of your executives going?

Now Lewis, I get that you are trying to save face, I get it. You’ve put your associate’s financial futures in jeopardy by taking on Merill Lynch, and now you want to stand firm while the government technically takes away their contractually earned bonuses.  I totally understand. But if you weren’t such a wuss when the leaving government told you to take on Merill you wouldn’t be in this mess. I just can’t understand that you wouldn’t have read over every stitch of information before you took on Merill. So as far as I am concerned it’s yours and your top advisors’ fault that your company is in the state that it’s in.  And I (taxpayer) should not have to continue to fit the bill because of your mistakes.  As C.E.O I would assume YOU were the best talent the company had to offer and yet you made such an egregious mistake which has crippled the company and therefore crippling the economy. So maybe it IS in the best interest of BoA to let all of its top talent go.

 

Peace, Love and Coconut Oil

Olivia Rose a.k.a The Fantabulous 1ne