jorian on ubb & abercrombie natural hair madness

photo: urbanbushbabes

Thoroughly enjoyed meeting Jorian on Urban Bush Babes, one of my daily blog fixes.  Absolutely needed to share.  A feast for the eyes, style oozes off this woman.

photo: urbanbushbabes

What caused my brow to twitch was what she had to say about Abercrombie & Fitch and the way they dealt with her as an employee with natural hair:

"What do you do? Is there a resistance or compatibility with your hair in your field of work?

Well, I recently worked at American Apparel and Abercrombie and Fitch.  American Apparel is very open and was completely fine with my hair and I never had any complaints, just compliments. Abercrombie is a different story.  They have a very strict “look policy” which includes no braids, no dreads, no nail polish, eye make up etc. I was almost sent home during a shift when the district manager came in to check on things.  Instead of coming to me, He went to my floor manager and told her that my hair was not “look policy”.  She pulled me to back and asked me if i had a hair band or a brush so I could comb my hair. My hair was in a twist- out done on dry hair and I pinned up the sides into a fro-hawk.  It had a lot of volume, so it was quite big.  My manager explained to me that she was sorry and she loved my hair, and it was the district manager who wanted me to change it.  When I told her I had no brush and I wasn’t going to change my hair for a 4 hour shift, she told me she would talk to district….and I just continued on with my evening.  As of September 6th, I will have no more Abercrombie worries because I will be going back to school to start my 4 year program for a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Photography.  My goal is to become a fashion/editorial photographer." (UrbanBushBabes)

"Look policy?"  Hmmmm.

Way to keep your mind right Jorian, and your eyes on your goals despite the crazy.  One day enough people will understand, accept and respect that not all hair is supposed to be straight, or lie just so.  Until then, the struggle the natural beauty continues.  Not that I was running to shop at Abercrombie anytime soon anyway.  It's just good to know it's a place I definitely don't want to contribute one red cent to.

photo: urbanbushbabes

Gorgeous!
 See the whole story here.  Thanks UBB!!

dukexxx - the next level in saggy pants (what the...?)

photo: dukexxx on facebook

Guess what they've done. 
In this case, they are DUKEXXX Clothing and they have created a saggy pant that doesn't sag, so that "saggers" can have alternatives in the face of the controversy their sartorial choices are rousing.  Yes.  "With DUKEXXX clothing, the boxers are sewn into the black, denim shorts; they are both attached into one piece of clothing." (PR NEwswire)

photo: dukexxx on facebook

See, between Florida oulawing saggy pants in public schools, other states following that lead, and New York City's Metropolitan Etiquette Authority launching the "Pull Up Your Pants" poster campaign, self expression is apparently under siege in the sagger world.  Saggers aren't happy.  Saggers need solutions.  Saggers have rights.  Even the ACLU is involved, and I understand on some level. 

I don't really mind the occasionally visible underwear waistband, but what I have peen privy to on these city sidewalks could turn pant sagging into an olympic sport.  I've seen people waddle, alter their entire way of walking, in order to attempt to keep their pant waistband, often belted, just below their ass cheeks.  It's actually quite a feat to behold. 

photo: Ellis Peters

And it's the wonder of it all that gets me:  Wow, the right to sag your pants.  The right to walk around looking like your pants are falling off.  The right to assault strangers' eyes with a mandatory visual of the outline of your ass cheeks, since all that separates them from the world is flimsy UNDERwear material. Deep. 

I myself prefer ye 'ole Ass-In-Pant look.  You?

via PR Newswire.

yours truly, on natural hair salons @ the atlanta post

Hello Beauties!

An article I wrote for The Atlanta Post on natural hair salons and the booming business they're becoming nationwide in the African-American community went live today.  Thought I'd share.   Enjoy! (and do feel free to share thoughts and comments).

via The Atlanta Post:

Top Natural Hair Salon Owners Discuss Industry’s Explosive Growth

September 13, 2011 08:13 AM

By Yassira Diggs
One doesn’t have to look far for evidence that wearing natural hair is still unacceptable to many in the mainstream. Only four short years ago, a Glamour magazine editor presented a slide show on proper corporate fashion during which she declared the afro “a real no-no” and dreadlocks “truly dreadful.” Despite such negative feedback, more and more African-Americans are falling in love with their natural hair and seeking salons that cater to this interest. Leaders of natural hair care salons nationwide have shared some of their insights into this growing market with us — and their favorite products — highlighting the exciting expansion of this beauty revolution. As more black women (and men) explore their natural hair options in droves, this new aesthetic will become more common in the workplace. Corporate America might have to adjust to our new standard of beauty, as the growth described by these natural hair care salon owners is certain to continue. 

Read more and see the entire slideshow here.

touchy about hair touching?

The question, posed today by Black Voices (via facebook), How do you respond to uninvited touching of your hair?, instantly gave me a flashback, only a few days old, of a woman I know (who happens to be white) at a party reaching out and touching my updo.  She'd never seen my long dreadlocks done this way, and she was complementing me on the style, saying "I love your haaaaiiiiiiirrr," as her arm unfolded and suddenly her hand was on my haaaaiiiiirrr.  Something in me skipped, like a needle on a record (I don't know her like that), but the song kept playing.  The moment passed as quickly as it came, and when it was over, I was glad.

But then it wasn't really over.  After a bit of mingling with other people, She and I bumped into each other again, and again, the arm was unfolding as another compliment was being uttered.  This time though I reacted.  Physically.  I can't even say I did it on purpose.  I felt my neck straighten and float backwards, leaving my face about an inch away from her outstretched hand.  Sure, a photo of the moment could believably have been captioned  "A game of Charades. the word is 'Pelican' ".  And yes, there was a much more alert and ladylike way for me to handle the situation, says hindsight now (of course).  But it all happened so fast...

Nevertheless, we got through the moment, and, I believe, we both learned from it. People (who aren't close to me) don't often try to touch my hair, so the shock and speed of this moment were probably why simple words like "Please don't do that" escaped me.  In a way, I'm glad my body took over when my mouth went mute.  A situation like this is often steeped in messy subconscious racial dynamics that aren't ready to see the light of day (that is, beyond the gross presumption that it's okay to touch a virtual stranger's hair in the first place, just because it is so other).  I didn't have time to think of it in racial terms.   I feel readier now, should it happen again.  But I'd bet that if it does, it won't be Her doing the reaching.

What about you?  Are you a hair toucher? Do you like your hair touched by strangers?

fashion stands up for liberian orphans

 

via the Alpha Omega Children's Foundation (AOCF) website:

“Fashion Stands Up for Liberian Orphans” is a fund raising fashion show and cultural event aimed at supporting the mission of AOCF, to assist in completing the Misssion of Hope orphanage in Liberia.  The event is designed to bring hope and encouragement to orphans in Liberia, and to help reestablish the lives and the emotional well-being of children infected with HIV/AIDS.

Spread the Love!!
Saturday 07.16.2011
4pm
LUXE at Lucky Strike (624-660 42nd Street and 12 Ave.) 

true blood makeup

photo via ecouterre.com

I know, I know, True Blood fans: As much as you want to, you can't go hang out, one of these summer nights, at Merlotte's. Lafayette will never be your BFF. And Bon Temps, you have to remind yourself from time to time, doesn't really exist.
You can however go to Sephora and check out the new limited edition 3-piece makeup collection, developed by the show's head makeup artist Brigette Myre-Ellis and eco-beauty label tarte.

From Ecouterre:

"Tarte uses only natural mineral pigments and fruit extracts, so its cosmetics contain no parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or Triclosan. An infusion of mint in the lip and cheek stains offers zest without the bite, while the uber-deluxe eye palette is a must-have for fang-bangers and V-curious alike. Clad in a killer corset-tie packaging, the kit includes eyeliner, mascara, and primer, plus shades with names like “Fairy” (shimmering pink), “Werewolf” (matte chocolate), “Glamour Me” (sparkling plum), “Stake” (matte steel), “Bayou” (shimmering golden tan), and “Waitress” (sparkling pink champagne)."

lianne la havas

Lianne La Havas from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.