Elle France Gets it Wrong - Dead Wrong

Here at MOW we are all about showcasing the fabulous fashion sense of First Lady Michelle Obama. She is definitely the most fashion forward First Lady this country has seen in a long time. But did you know that before Mrs Obama became First Lady  Black women had no sense of style? Of course I’m being factious, but sadly Elle France writer Nathalie Dolivo was dead serious.

In a blog post, titled ‘Black Fashion Power’ the writer stated that for Black women fashion is a “political weapon” and that Black women have “returned to style as a source of dignity.” Dolivo goes on to say, "For the first time, the chic has become a plausible option for a community so far pegged [only] to its street wear codes."

According to Claire over at the Fashion Bomb Daily…

“Citing the Obamas as the inspiration for this “ black fashion renaissance,” Dolivo says, “Michelle Obama sets the tone, focusing on cutting-edge brands….revisiting the wardrobe of Jackie O in a jazzy way.” She continues to write that while black women in the 30′s wore flapper dresses, and women in the 60′s were inspired by Angela Davis, black women of 2012 constitute a ‘black-geosie‘, integrating all the ‘white codes‘ of dress while adding twists like african print turbans and shell necklaces (!!!).”

The article has since been taken down. Click on the option to skip the ad and you’ll be redirected to a page that reads “OUPS ERREUR.” OPPS YOU ERRORED is just what the editor should have tagged this post when it was delivered to their inbox. This is most definitely the melting pot of assimilation boiling over and scorching Black women yet again.

Obviously there is still a need for cultural sensitivity training worldwide. However, there’s nothing like good old fashioned on the job training where you actually learn about people by working with them. If corporations and institutions made genuine commitments to a diversified workplace perhaps the misguided Ms Dolivo could’ve shared her post with a Black female colleague who would have schooled her on the essence of Black women’s style from Nefertiti to Michelle Obama and ultimately told her, “NO. THIS WILL NOT END WELL.”

This is one of the many reasons why people powered media is so important and the freedom of Internet must be preserved. People have a right to tell their own stories and to be represented free of ignorance and prejudice, rather benign or malevolent.

Without getting up from your laptop or putting down your smart phone you can help effect change. Make a promise to support the blogs and publications you read with your time and money. Leave comments; write letters to the editor or op-eds. Donate to blogs. Subscribe to and read newsletters from your favorite online publications. If you’ve ever had the urge to produce your own publication – DO IT! Don’t know how? Click on the Blogging While Brown registration link to your right, meet us in Philly in June and we’ll teach you how.

I don’t know about you but I’m sick and tired of “Slave Earrings”, black face models and the world thinking that every Black woman and girl aspires to be a King “model.” But what are we going to do about it?

Comments

[Dee]

Goodness me, I wonder what Ms. Dolivo would have made of photographs taken in the 60s showing my beautiful, elegant and stylish mother, who is still years later, beautiful, elegant and stylish.

Maybe, Ms. Dolivo has started to get some of the much-needed schooling "on the essence of Black women's style" by way of the feedback she's no doubt received, post-publication of her blog post.

[Aminah Hanan]

Dee, I thought the same thing about the Grands & Greats in my family. Sadly enough I still think there are elements in the world that don't see, refuse to or struggle with seeing the humanity of Black women - Black people in general. That's what makes it easy for them to write such nonsense. However, seeing the reaction to the piece by bloggers and writers of every ethnic and racial background demonstrates that not everyone is clueless.