[Italian Vogue- The Black Issue]

It's about time! For the July issue of Italian Vogue photographer Steven Meisel showcases only black models on over 100 pages of this legendary fashion magazine. Among these models are Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, Alek Wek, Alva Chinn, Sessilee Lopez, Ubah, Kiara Kabakubu, Noemie Lenoir, Vernoica Webb, Arlenis Sosa, Liya Kebede, Karen Alexander, Iman, Yasmin Warsame, Jourdan Dunn, Gail O'Neill, Toccara Jones, and Chanel Iman. The photo shoots are spectacular and the message is clear- black women are beautiful and stylish- why are we not gracing more magazine pages? Oddly enough there are fewer black models in fashion magazines in the US today than there were in the 70s. And many advertisers shy away from "ethnic" models because they feel they may not sell the product well. Interestingly enough it was Italian Vogue who put together an issue celebrating black women- not American Vogue. The issue also features articles on Michele Obama, Spike Lee, and Ebony and Essence Magazine. The issue runs about $15 us and it worth every penny- it's already had a US reprint and is most definitely a collector's item. More info and pictures: Jezebel

[Thrift Your Way To Exclusivety]

Secondhand, thrift, pre-owned. All adjectives to describe a type of store. Thrift Stores, V.V.A., V.O.A, Goodwill. It can a few minutes or as long as a fewhours to go through the vast racks of clothes found in area thrift stores. But, when you do find that exclusive garment circa the 80s or early 90s it feels so good, a real ground-score. I can think back over the summer to more than a few exclusives I got at various thrift stores around the 585. The Irulan Emerson(personal name tag inside of shirt) button-down I got with the mother of pearl buttons. The blank Boston Celtic colored Starter jacket, that will be transformed into a D.E.L.I. Ent. jacket. And the Monroe County Ice Storm of '91 t-shirt. So, don't be afraid to explore these graveyards of clothes because these garments can be brought back to life. You get used to the musky smell, and when you come back with something you never thought you'd see again, the feeling of knowing your gonna crush that shit is overwhelming, more so than that fresh piece you just bought at the mall.
-MdotCoop

[T-shirt and Sneakers]

A t-shirt and sneakers has always been the unofficial uniform symbolizing a laid-back American street style. Everybody's got their favorite T- could be that simple white Hanes that cost you 2.99 or an exquisitely hand painted or airbrushed masterpiece that set you back $100. This being an election year, and given the state of the American economy, political tees are wildly popular and highly visible. The choice of most political T-shirt wearers is clear- Obama is the man. Obama's face and message of change is being screen-printed onto shirts all over the country and they are selling like hotcakes from internet sites, corner stores, and bodegas alike. Artists like Shepard Farey and Van Taylor have designed images to adorn clothing and shoes supporting Obama. Regular vendors have jumped on the bandwagon too- bootleg Obama shirts are available in most hoods. Whatever version you rock- official issue, bootleg, or even homemade- there's no better way to show your support for Obama- except voting! -CleverGypsy