Fashion et al Hearts: Maluca Mala

MALUCA from V Magazine on Vimeo.

One of NYC’s bright-young-things, musician Maluca Mala is all about real talent -and is slowly blowing up across the pond. I love her style, music and verve -and hope to see more of her -this side of the pond.

You can keep up with all her lip-smacking happenings at: http://malucamala.tumblr.com/
http://www.malucamala.com/

“Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?” -Satoshi Kanazawa’s statement continues to shock…

In a world where our Caucasian sisters are spending millions a year on fake tan, hair extensions and injecting collagen into their lips -to plump them up, where our south Asian sisters are bleaching their skin, wearing coloured contact lenses and lightening their hair, where our oriental sisters are also lightening their skin, having their eyelids restructured (to allow for eyelashes and that all so coveted -big eyes look), their nose bridges heightened, and the tips of their noses altered, -where our Mediterranean sisters have dyed their tresses Scandinavian blonde -and black sisters bleach their skin and wear straight hair extensions etc ----where does the not so attractive Satoshi Kanazawa get off -singling out black women as the most unattractive?

Self hate is found in all races, -and plastic surgery is indulged in by all. We all know about stereotype too. We’ve all heard the: -Black men have big penises, Oriental men have small penises. That Jewish people have big noses, black people have big lips. White women have no lips, Mediterranean sisters are hairy. And so forth and so forth.. -Are these stereotypes true? -Maybe one or two of said people/race may have these characteristics but most people come in their own special way …what is true, -is that we all have preferences when it comes to what/whom we find attractive and I’m guessing that Mr Satoshi Kanazawa who may or may not have a small penis -just doesn’t find women like me attractive. -And if this is the case then he has every right to feel this way -but please don’t justify it with science and S%$@ and make it out that its a scientific FACT -that ‘Black Women are Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women’.

This negativity has been going on since slavery -and I'm sick of it. -Because black women are more likely to blamed for society’s ills than other races, tend to be poorer and are seen as aggressive (lets not go there about hot tempered Italian mammas or Latina women -as their tempers are seen as sexy) -and are always compared to other women -especially Caucasian women (who are perceived as being at the top of the aesthetic hierarchy -due to position, power and economics etc, even though many will agree when I say -its all about mix race women -they are truly celebrated) -there will always be those who will always see women like me as inferior and therefore less attractive. Personally I think its all about preferences and therefore -subjective. And as I have never come across a human-being I find more superior -than myself -...I just don’t give a s*&%@ about what one mere man thinks of me or my race.

I’m not going to justify how beautiful black women are, why should I? Nor do I want to talk about the ‘Hugh Grant’ thing, -that ‘intrigue’ other races have with black skin etc -or the role slavery and thus poverty (lack of political or economic powers) has played in the perception of black people -period, but I do want to point out that this debate will pass, just like the ‘Are Men Superior to Women s@%8‘ -passed.

Also, some folks will use anything to justify their views and Satoshi Kanazawa is doing just that. -And he’s not alone, -we all know of black/brown/white/yellow people who hate themselves and thus -hate others.



**P.s As I started looking for images to accompany this piece - it just dawned on me just how very sad it all is! -The self hate and the pressure for women of all races to conform to some image or the other. God help us all. If men are judging us -we can’t afford to do it to ourselves or each other. Kindness ladies -that’s what we need from each other.

Horror …corrective rape of lesbians in South Africa (and Jamaica)

Can you believe it -lesbians in South Africa are being raped by men who believe it will cure them of their sexual orientation. This problem is also on the rise in Jamaica. I don’t know what to say, I’m beyond shocked! For more info visit: http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/search/label/Rape

Fashion et al’s model of the month: Herieth Paul

Herieth Paul is shot by Richard Burbridge for a Dazed & Confused June 2011 editorial

You know there’s like -always a beautiful model you see everywhere but don’t know her name…well Herieth Paul is that model for me. I know very little about this stunning beauty apart from she hails from Tanzania and is our Fashion et al’s model of the month.

Friday Late, June: Afropolitans

Honest to goodness I don’t know what I’d do without my mate Natasha K, -she always keeps me in-da-loop. Anyway it’s a must….. -write it in your diaries -folks, 24th June 2011 at the V&A for the ‘Afropolitans’ show. I look forward to seeing you all there…-remember to say hello. More info below xxx


Afropolitans @ V&A
Date: 24 June 2011
Time: 18.30 - 22.00
Join us for an evening exploring African photography, fashion, style and identity. The evening will look back to image-makers who captured the excitement, optimism and sense of freedom of post-independence African nations from the 1960s, and forward to a new generation of ‘Afropolitans’ – global tastemakers whose sensibilities are rooted in their African identities. A fun and celebratory evening of modern, iconic African aesthetics reflecting how Africans living across the continent (and beyond) view themselves and their cultural heritage.

For more info visit:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/afropolitans-24-june-2011/

Beyonce is set to be honoured with Millennium Award

Title: Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga to Pay Tribute to Beyonce at Billboard Music Awards

Bono, Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand also among those to honor the singer Sunday in Las Vegas.

Beyoncé will receive a star-studded tribute during Sunday's Billboard Music Awards.

The singer is set to be honored with Millennium Award and, according to Access Hollywood, First Lady Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Bono and Stevie Wonder will take part in a tribute during the award show in Las Vegas.

Beyoncé recently contributed a music video to Obama's National Education Foundation, which works to fight childhood obesity. She also sang Etta James' "At Last" during the president's inauguration.

She also collaborated with Lady Gaga for their duets, "Video Phone" and "Telephone."

Credit: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michelle-obama-lady-gaga-pay-190884

“Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter”


An old African Proverb

Hollywood’s Herpes War….

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Fashion et al Hearts Ana Araujo

I’m a big fan of Ana Araujo! I share this because my mate Nana (I-only-like-people-I-like) is soooo not a fan. Apparently, Mz Araujo is a clever Gal.. (this what she would be called in Ghana), as in -young pretty gal, old, old, rich white guy and exposure etc! But I honestly don’t think that Ana is clever in that jagger-jagger-ambitious way! I truly believe this beautiful Brazilian artist/polo coach is genuinely having the time of her life with a man who has uber experience, who keeps her stimulated and entertained -and most importantly, someone who can teach her something etc, etc!!! Anyway, regardless -I like her, her style and her love of high-end designer garb. I’ve watched this beauty’s metamorphic rise from messy bed hair to sleek Brazilian relaxed hair, from cha-cha-cha make-up to groomed to within-an-inch of her life and from sloppy t-shirt & jeans combo to high-fashion fabulousness. Plus I love her name! Good for you hot gal….x

Big Brother Africa…..Girls Gone Wild

This is only the first week and the whole of Africa’s wondering -how its all going to end and soooo am I … You can keep an eye on Africa’s most watched TV programme via: http://bigbrotherafrica.dstv.com/

Met Gala 2011 -fashion Hits and Misses

True Style Icons of the night..

Elle Fanning in Valentino

Fabulous! Fun. young, fresh and uber stylish…


Leelee Sobieski in Vionnet

Wow -Leelee! When I dream -this is how I’m dressed.


Chanel Iman in Dolce & Gabbana

For some, Chanel’s not dressy enough but for moi -she looks fresh, young and happy -just beautiful, and the Chanel bag and shoes are lush!


Milla Jovovich in Marni

Milla looks neat, fresh and rested in her LBD. Wow -what a transformation from last year -when she looked pale and worn out. Good for you Milla xx


Madonna in Stella McCartney

Its OK. Its age appropriate… ..


Chloe Sevigny in Alexander McQueen

I like!….very fashion, very Chloe!!


Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop Unique

Ginnifer Goodwin is new to my radar but I love her already. The whole look is young and fabulous -and its kind of made my day -nothing desperate here. Bravo Ginnifer…


Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

I don’t care what anybody thinks (nor does Mz Daphne) but I think she looks amazing. I’m loving all the feathers…plus it makes me dream -lovely x


Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture..

I’m loving the whole look -Anna was undeniably the best dressed at the Met Gala 2011 soiree. Viva la Diva…


Tory Burch and Kanye West

Fabulousity all around …


Liv Tyler in Givenchy Couture

Wow, all grown-up and elegant! -I love the whole look, -just lovely!



Frieda Pinto in Chanel

Wow sexy gal… I love the whole look…


Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein…

Lovely, just lovely…neat, sleek and elegant..


Janelle Monae in Chanel

All good…



Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane..

Alexa looks lovely but I’m beginning -slowly to not care about what she’s wearing!


Hilary Rhoda in Alexander McQueen…

I love this look but I also feel -she looks kind of naked!


Miranda Kerr in Marchesa

 I love, love, love this look -but then I’m a big fan of La Kerr -she’s soo beautiful! My mate Miss jagger-jagger hates the dress -but personally, it makes me dream -it all soft and lovely.



Those who got it very wrong..

Rihanna in Stella McCartney..

Ghetto I’m afraid, -is no longer fabulous -RiRi…


Keri Hilson in Atelier Versace..

Young with a killer body -and this is the best Keri can do! Back to style school -missy. Next time -think young, fresh and killer silhouette!


Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney...

What is going on here? I don’t know where to start -so I won’t!


Jessica Szohr in Topshop Unique

What a let down! I’m shocked because Jessica usually gets it right…


Ciara in Prabal Gurung…

Ciara’s a beautiful young gal but she's never made my fashionista list -and judging by this busty, hard, over accessorised look, -she never will. The face looks ok though!


Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

What is this? Why did she bother?


Joy Bryant in Missoni

Pretty make-up, romantic hair, lovely earrings -what’s going on with the dress? Joy is such a special gal -a Fashion et al fav but I’m disappointed with this look!



Fabulous Style, Bad Hair

Iman in Stella McCartney 

I know, I know -its not a bad look but that bleached blonde BIG hair -why? A neat dark ponytail would have perfected this look. Still love you Iman but let the big fake, blonde weave thingy -gooooo oOOO….


Solange Knowles in Dries Van Noten

It wouldn’t take a lot to mix this look up and get it right. Can you image if Mz Solange still had her short natural hair, went lighter on the make-up -then added the dress -the silhouette would be fierce fabulous!


Kerry Washington

Sexy dress, poodle hair.....yep, bad hair happens to good people..…better luck next time!


Those who can wear whatever they want because they are sacred and fabulous...

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang

 La Hudson’s ’s skin, hair and make-up’s magic. This sister has come a long way and I love her. Jen’s wearing the ubiquitous ball-grown (yawn), and even though I‘m liking the top half -I detest the wannabe wedding-gown thingy going on -at the bottom.


Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen

La Campbell usually get it right but she had an off day -and I love her for it..

The "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art took place on 2nd May 2011 in NYC and the above personas attended. Did they get it right? *All photos courtesy of Zimbo.Com...