The Presidential Dashiki

The Presidential Dashiki

We really love the idea that the sitting President of the United States Of America, Commander In Chief and Leader of the Free World has a picture out now wearing a dashiki.

Good for us, but bad for him.

Seems the racist right has used this to somehow implicate him as being a muslim. Really? I would love to sell these ignorants a set of dashikis from Ethiopia. They come with the Lion of Judah, Star of David, and Ethiopan Cross on them. In cream or white.

There is a good article I wrote on the Presidents dashiki photo here.

Thank you, Mr President!

Cool Chinese Ethnic Apparel

chinese ethnic apparel

Bet you did not know China has this kind of ethnic apparel. It looks more african than anything to my eye.

http://2u4.us/1f

Little Pakistan Aids Flood Victims

I did not even know there was a “Little Pakistan” anywhere, much less in New York city.

It seems that with the Pakistani government for some reason (or none) blacking out TV coverage of the disaster in their country, world awareness of how bad it has become has not become a call to action.

Adding to that the confusion amongst the American populace as to exactly who is and is not our “friend” amongst the world’s countries. Especially after the 8 years of Bush-era finger jabbing into the chests of other world leaders, the US is learning to settle for “frenemies”.

Given that it is unlikely that the US will be held accountable for somehow causing the Pakistani flood, it is safe to say that if the US were to make its aide and presence known in a big way, it may go a long way to ameliorating hostilities.

If you break bread with someone, he’s a little less likely to want to saw off your head. Maybe a little.

Now if we would just stop killing Pakistanis with drones while they are on their own home turf, things would be even better, but I digress.

Little Pakistan is making relief efforts on its own. (LINK)

In addition to funds, the groups are accepting canned goods and other nonperishable food items.

Vintage Clothing Show In 26th Year

Vintage shirt... Very vintage shirt

The Vintage Clothing & Textile Show in it’s 26th year, features 65 exhibitors selling and displaying a wide selection of antique textiles, vintage clothing and much more!

Beyond the high fashion vintage and gently worn designer clothing, you will find an extensive array of other material from nostalgic eras including vintage table linens, bed linens, Victorian lace, draperies and cushions, a variety of wearable decorative trims, perfume bottles, jewelry boxes, buttons, shoes, handbags, jewelry, shawls, ethnic textiles and the list goes on.

The show has attracted a very loyal and enthusiastic following.

In recent shows, designer resale has been a noticeably strong trend.

Participating dealers are known to save their best and most unusual items for this event and their audience knows it.

 There is always something for everyone, from the most discerning collector to the college student on a limited budget!

See link below for more information

http://2u4.us/a

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. And India.

MuMu

Why does Indian apparel come up whenever the phrase “ethnic apparel” is employed?

In keeping myself informed so that I can write this blog with any kind of authority, it makes me wonder.

I see dozens of alerts about what is going on on the beautiful subcontinent of India, but mostly silence from the rest of the world on the fashion front.

It is all filmy fabrics, sarees, and paisley.  And while I do LOVE these designs, I know there is more to be seen.

It makes me wonder if much of the ethic apparel is suitable for the U.S. market.

Cold climates require warm clothing. And while I am in awe that someone can make a suite of clothes from available materials in a muderous environment with a pen knife and some twine, I would be hard pressed to find a market in Maryland.

Anything made of skins is probably out.

Hot climates too. A Bedouin bhurka may be great for wearable shade, but would stand out a tad in Miami.

The one exception in weeks was a site offering Bulgarian clothes. Wonderful! If only the site were live.

I found a site on mumu dresses today, but they almost all looked to be of Asian descent….

Mainstream Alternative

Jamaica Sundress

There is an ethnic bandwagon that may just save American business.

Seems that the clothing stores have had it rough the past few sessions.

The traditional hip is being replaced by the ethnic hip.

And its working.

An article in New York Fashion states that the bastion of stodgy, Talbots, is getting its financial freak on by offering more ethnic apparel.

I do not see how the items presented in the article in any way qualify as ethnic, but I will take their word on it.

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/04/can_talbots_get_hip.html

Ditto Ekru, based in India.  http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=84686

But Ekru by definition was always ethnic in its apparel.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere….

The economies of ethnicity http://mediareach.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/how-to-reach-ethnic-minorities/

What is ethnicity anyway? http://apeaceofconflict.com/2009/03/01/ethnic-conflict/

Methnicity

Hollywood drug supply...

I am appaled to see how many of the roles in Hollywood are for black/brown skinned people when it comes to the role of drug dealer and or drug user.

I know alot more whites that use drugs than my non white friends; I don’t know of a single self-respecting non white amigo that deals.

I know they are out there, but i have to ask myself if what is reperesented is reflecting what is actually out there.

Yes, commentors, I know. Does it ever? Ok, but to what degree?

... Hollywood drug demand

It is more than just another day, it is how we think about one another. The overview, the zeitgeist.

If we’re going to live together, if we’re going to blend we have to give each other a fair shake.

Sorry for the rant this week, guys, but this blog is getting harder and harder to write.

I research each of these posts by reading news sent to me via google news, and everytime the word ‘ethnic’ is used, it is referring to something  out of India or followed by the word ‘cleansing’.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere….

An Orwellian Hello Kitty: http://thatyemayobtain.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/hellobey-kitty/

An old blog from Hillary, everyone has an ethnicity, even pale blue white folks http://edinburghfeministing.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/i-have-an-ethnic-background-no/