Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 6 mars 2017
Is Social Media Making Fashion Week Obsolete?
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Over the past five years, the rise of social media has caused a major shift in the fashion industry, and especially during Fashion Week. Social media has lifted the curtain on a once-exclusive tradition that was shrouded in mystery. Some might even argue that it was the enormous influx of social media posts that caused the see-now, buy-now paradigm shift. From models Snapchatting behind the scenes before shows even start to designers prereleasing looks - and even whole collections - on Instagram, now more than ever, Fashion Month can really be experienced by anyone with a smartphone.
The concept of see-now, buy-now fashion may seem obvious to some, but this straight-to-market model is a major shakeup for Fashion Week. In times past, designers would show collections that would only become available months later. Buyers would attend the shows and decide what pieces would later be carried in their stores. Social media changed all of this. With editors and bloggers posting runway photos to feeds on Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, people started to want what they saw immediately.
Industry giants like Tom Ford and Burberry are abandoning the old schedule in favor of allowing customers to instantly purchase what they see on the runway. The reasoning is clear: the industry has changed to be incredibly fast-paced and social media driven. Designers and retailers know they must adapt to survive.
Another side effect the social media wave has had on Fashion Week is the unique behind-the-scenes view that social platforms have to offer. Now Fashion Week is as much about models Snapchatting before a show as it is about the actual runway. Designers and magazines alike are vying to get the It model of the moment to take over their accounts for the hours leading up to the show. Fashion media consumers are just as if not more interested in what Taylor Hill looks like getting her makeup done than what she looks like on the runway.
Social media has made Fashion Week far more accessible. Before Snapchat and Instagram, there were substantial barriers to being a part of the action. Participating in Fashion Week as a nonindustry person meant buying a magazine, looking at a few runway shots, and reading reviews. Now bloggers harness social media to make Fashion Week digestible. Who wouldn't want to watch the Delpozo collection through Chiara Ferragni's front-row eyes?
So, is social media ruining the magic of Fashion Week? I say no. See now, buy now makes more sense for consumers and is proving to pump new life into previously struggling brands (most pieces from the Gigi x Tommy collab sold out in 24 hours). Furthermore, the BTS view that social media is giving the average person is nothing short of remarkable. Sure, you may be stuck on the bus or in line at Starbucks, but one scroll through Instagram and you're sitting front row at Gucci. Social media has given the fashion industry a much-needed shakeup. Thanks, Instagram!
dimanche 18 mars 2018
Why This Is the First Year I Have Real Hope For Diversity in Fashion
Working in fashion can be hard on the soul. It's not always the most thoughtful or kind industry, and it has more than its fair share of deeply rooted issues.
Top of the list of things that bother me? Diversity, or lack thereof.
Fashion has long been known as a homogeneous industry, championing mainly white, able-bodied women. The effects of this are widespread - it means that what we perceive as beauty is very singular. If you don't look like this, you can feel completely unrepresented. Lack of representation has been a mainstay problem in fashion as long as memory serves, but Fashion Week tends to highlight the gross lack of equality . . . at least until recently.
The industry is (finally) starting to use Fashion Week to showcase its progress, rather than highlight its flaws. This past New York Fashion Week was the first time I felt like there might be real hope for true diversity and representation, thanks to certain pioneers. We've seen a surge in curve models on the runway, models of color, as well as trans models and those with disabilities. Seeing this change is inspiring. It's now becoming more obvious when brands aren't inclusive.
Consider this: statistically speaking, this past season was the most racially diverse Fashion Week EVER. Harper's Bazaar also reported that 33 transgender women and nonbinary models walked in Fall's shows - an all-time high. Cheers to that!
This Fashion Week, the always-amazing Christian Siriano featured 10 curve models on his runway, including Ashley Graham. Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung also featured Graham, who is becoming one of the most in-demand supermodels.
In part, we have to attribute the progress to amazing activist models like Graham and Iskra Lawrence. These women do a double duty, not only working tirelessly as models but also being crusaders and spokespersons for the cause. Though they've had to work twice as hard, their success and popularity is a testament to change being afoot.
But even beyond including a diverse range of models in a record number of shows, there has been a seismic shift in how brands are thinking about diversity, as well as which brands are getting the most attention.
I was lucky enough to hear Becca McCharen-Tran (above right), the founder of Chromat, speak about Fashion Week. Chromat was one of the most talked-about shows this season because of its modern, chic bodywear, but also because of the inclusivity shown on its runway. Chromat, which describes itself as "Future Forward Bodywear" had nine curve models on its runway, and Charen-Tran spoke about how obvious it was for her to feature a diverse range of models. Never once in her talk did I feel like she was hitting a desired ratio, but truly that she designs for everyone and anyone.
Though the industry is making progress, there is still much work to be done. Some races are still enormously underrepresented, and brands need to include more curve models outside of the most popular faces. It's up to big brands to cultivate new talent!
Still, this Fashion Week felt like a paradigm shift. It's the new normal to be thoughtful and inclusive, and the brands that aren't stepping up are looking old, out of touch, and totally boring. The ball is in their court: either start being inclusive or get left behind in the new era of fashion.
samedi 17 mars 2018
Why This Is the First Year I Have Real Hope For Diversity in Fashion
Working in fashion can be hard on the soul. It's not always the most thoughtful or kind industry, and it has more than its fair share of deeply rooted issues.
Top of the list of things that bother me? Diversity, or lack thereof.
Fashion has long been known as a homogeneous industry, championing mainly white, able-bodied women. The effects of this are widespread - it means that what we perceive as beauty is very singular. If you don't look like this, you can feel completely unrepresented. Lack of representation has been a mainstay problem in fashion as long as memory serves, but Fashion Week tends to highlight the gross lack of equality . . . at least until recently.
The industry is (finally) starting to use Fashion Week to showcase its progress, rather than highlight its flaws. This past New York Fashion Week was the first time I felt like there might be real hope for true diversity and representation, thanks to certain pioneers. We've seen a surge in curve models on the runway, models of color, as well as trans models and those with disabilities. Seeing this change is inspiring. It's now becoming more obvious when brands aren't inclusive.
Consider this: statistically speaking, this past season was the most racially diverse Fashion Week EVER. Harper's Bazaar also reported that 33 transgender women and nonbinary models walked in Fall's shows - an all-time high. Cheers to that!
This Fashion Week, the always-amazing Christian Siriano featured 10 curve models on his runway, including Ashley Graham. Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung also featured Graham, who is becoming one of the most in-demand supermodels.
In part, we have to attribute the progress to amazing activist models like Graham and Iskra Lawrence. These women do a double duty, not only working tirelessly as models but also being crusaders and spokespersons for the cause. Though they've had to work twice as hard, their success and popularity is a testament to change being afoot.
But even beyond including a diverse range of models in a record number of shows, there has been a seismic shift in how brands are thinking about diversity, as well as which brands are getting the most attention.
I was lucky enough to hear Becca McCharen-Tran (above right), the founder of Chromat, speak about Fashion Week. Chromat was one of the most talked-about shows this season because of its modern, chic bodywear, but also because of the inclusivity shown on its runway. Chromat, which describes itself as "Future Forward Bodywear" had nine curve models on its runway, and Charen-Tran spoke about how obvious it was for her to feature a diverse range of models. Never once in her talk did I feel like she was hitting a desired ratio, but truly that she designs for everyone and anyone.
Though the industry is making progress, there is still much work to be done. Some races are still enormously underrepresented, and brands need to include more curve models outside of the most popular faces. It's up to big brands to cultivate new talent!
Still, this Fashion Week felt like a paradigm shift. It's the new normal to be thoughtful and inclusive, and the brands that aren't stepping up are looking old, out of touch, and totally boring. The ball is in their court: either start being inclusive or get left behind in the new era of fashion.
dimanche 4 juin 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabi Fashion
El-Yacoubi sells long-sleeved maxi dresses and gowns with floral and lace appliques that are both modern and modest, and in the past, she has also sold hijabs made of silky cloth. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
vendredi 9 juin 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabi Fashion
El-Yacoubi sells long-sleeved maxi dresses and gowns with floral and lace appliques that are both modern and modest, and in the past, she has also sold hijabs made of silky cloth. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
mercredi 23 août 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabi Fashion
El-Yacoubi sells long-sleeved maxi dresses and gowns with floral and lace appliques that are both modern and modest, and in the past, she has also sold hijabs made of silky cloth. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
vendredi 9 juin 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabi Fashion
El-Yacoubi sells long-sleeved maxi dresses and gowns with floral and lace appliques that are both modern and modest, and in the past, she has also sold hijabs made of silky cloth. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
vendredi 28 juillet 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabi Fashion
El-Yacoubi sells long-sleeved maxi dresses and gowns with floral and lace appliques that are both modern and modest, and in the past, she has also sold hijabs made of silky cloth. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
jeudi 1 juin 2017
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabs
Averaging around $25 a scarf, hijabs El-Yacoubi has sold are made of silky cloth and oftentimes have a contemporary flare with a gentle pattern. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless in when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
How Muslim “Hijabistas” are Resisting in the Trump Era - With Style
President Donald Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries was a slap in the face to the Islamic world - and it still stings. While fashion might not seem the most likely way to cope with feelings of division and discrimination, two Muslim women are finding creative ways to fight the hate with style.
Hassanah El-Yacoubi and Reem Motaweh are merging art and entrepreneurship to quench the bitterness they feel toward Trump's presidency very differently than most demonstrators. Both women wear hijabs and are self-proclaimed hijabistas, or hijabi fashionistas. Both are fashion bloggers and clothing curators who have launched businesses specifically to empower Muslim women during this time of cultural tension.
"Every day I wear my hijab to show that I am proud of who I am," said Motaweh. "I knew I had to do something to help others who may not feel the same way."
At only 21-years-old, Reem Motaweh is a budding fashion designer and the creator of the Los Angeles-based subscription service About That Wrap. For less than $30 a month, Motaweh sends a box of modern and modest clothing items right to her customers' doors. It includes items such as chic hijabs, scarves, and jewelry. Unlike other clothing subscription services, this package comes with a personalized style guide intended to inspire the buyer to love and appreciate the beauty of the Islamic faith.
"I walk around proud with my hijab because nothing I'm doing is wrong," said Motaweh. "My hijab is a part of me just like my name."
Hassanah El-Yacoubi is also on the cutting edge of Muslim fashion in Los Angeles. As the founder of a PFH, Perfect For Her, El-Yacoubi encourages Muslim women to bridge their religious identity through fashion. El-Yacoubi is a PhD student at the University of California Riverside and one of her interests is how Muslim women create new forms of identity through mediated practices such as modest fashion. She also hosts the largest annual modest fashion show in California to help women and girls renew their confidence in being Muslim.
"I wear my headscarf as a symbol of modesty just like the Virgin Mary," said El-Yacoubi. "In most of the images that we see of the Virgin Mary, she is wearing a veil."
Tackling Hate With Hijabs
Averaging around $25 a scarf, hijabs El-Yacoubi has sold are made of silky cloth and oftentimes have a contemporary flare with a gentle pattern. The lightweight necklaces and earrings Motaweh sells are often pieced together with pastel gems. Once their items are ready to hit the market, models pose for photo shoots that look they should be in the glossy pages of a couture magazine. Instead, the photos end up on Instagram.
And women like El-Yacoubi and Motaweh are not alone in their efforts. Muslim female entrepreneurship is surging, and the Muslim consumer market is growing. Muslim consumers spent approximately $266 billion on clothing worldwide in 2016, a figure that is estimated to almost double by 2020, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and research firm DinarStandard.
"Los Angeles is a huge market for me and other Muslim women right now because this city is so open-minded," said Motaweh. "I have a large following in Egypt and Malaysia, but Los Angeles is becoming the new hub for hijab exporters and buyers."
The California Fashion Association reports that $46 billion in apparel imports come through Los Angeles ports annually, including authentic fabrics and textiles predominantly from Middle Eastern regions. Such a large supply of these materials being funneled into Los Angeles has made designing and selling authentic hijabs relatively inexpensive for new designers and large companies alike.
"Corporations and organizations were always hesitant to publicly align themselves with Muslims out of fear they would lose funding," said El-Yacoubi. "Now, there's a wave of companies standing up for us."
A True Fashion Statement
Neiman Marcus, Marshalls, Sears, and Burlington are among the list of stores that have stopped carrying the Trump brand after he instituted the travel restrictions on Muslims. Other stores like Macy's and Amazon are being pressured to do the same. Nordstrom also confirmed in early February they would no longer sell Ivanka Trump shoes or accessories.
"We made this decision based on performance," a spokesperson for Nordstrom said in a statement. "Over the past year, and particularly in the last half of 2016, sales of the brand have steadily declined."
In addition to backpedaling away from selling Trump products, companies and designers are also improving Muslim representation in their marketing campaigns. Amid a streamlining effort, brands like Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY have turned the hijab into high fashion by using it as the focal point of their collections. Rapper Kanye West also pushed for the debut of a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, in his latest show during New York Fashion Week.
Eric Rose, a crisis management expert and partner at the communications firm Englander Knabe & Allen, believes the current political climate is inspiring business owners to celebrate Muslim culture more directly.
"We are in a new era where companies are now advocating for social issues and taking stances that are predictably going to cause a reaction in the marketplace," said Rose.
While it is still uncertain whether companies are dumping the Trump brand for business or political reasons, Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both believe this is a significant step toward mending the troubled relationship America has with the hijab.
Bridging Divides Instead of Building Walls
The latest FBI annual hate crime report shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States rose 67 percent in 2016 year over year and are steadily increasing. El-Yacoubi says that Muslim women are often targets.
"Muslim women bear the brunt of the hate because they are visibly Muslim," El-Yacoubi said. "I want to remind women that diminishing that visibility is not the answer."
Many nonprofit organizations and groups are also channeling their efforts toward normalizing the visibility of being Muslim. Edina Lekovic, the spokesperson for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, proudly wears a colorful hijab daily and believes systemic change begins with the non-Muslim community.
"Clothing is a symbolic issue, and I think it's unfortunate when Muslim women are used as political footballs," Lekovic said. "There's a larger issue of integration and identity here and non-Muslims have to help us stand against the hate and bigotry."
Motaweh and El-Yacoubi both plan to continue growing their brands in Los Angeles in hopes their clothing lines will inspire other large and small retailers to be fearless in when it comes to understanding the lived realities of Muslim women - and showing respect for diverse beliefs and cultures. Through the hard words flaring from pro-Trump forces, Motaweh says one message is very clear:
"With so many individuals coming together around the world to make Muslims feel included and worthy, time will heal our divides."
vendredi 27 janvier 2017
Gigi Hadid Would Change This 1 Major Thing About the Fashion Industry
Admittedly, there are days I come to work lacking the inspiration I need to write about fashion: yet another It girl has scored another fashion campaign or another magazine cover. But Gigi Hadid, who just won model of the year at the British Fashion Awards, just reassured me that my job is important, that there is a message behind every ad I cover and a sure-as-hell connection between every woman posing for the camera and the designer who put her up to the task.
"The successful ones in this industry right now are actually cool," Gigi said as she sat cross-legged on the floor surrounded by a bunch of editors who came to talk to her about her #PerfectNever campaign with Reebok. As always, Gigi pushed the importance of being kind to the people she works with in the fashion industry, which has so graciously accepted her and celebrated her strong mentality instead of focusing solely on her body.
But what, I wondered, does Gigi think still needs to change? The idea behind her partnership with Reebok is simply that we should create our own standards for ourselves but never strive for perfection. The same goes for the fashion industry - it will never be 100 percent inclusive, lack total superficiality, and exhibit complete understanding of all cultures and races. The fashion industry will never be perfect, but what does Gigi think is its next step toward greatness?
Ahead, read bits from my conversation with Gigi, all of which inspired me to run home, get to work, and relay the message: the fashion world has come a long way, but we have work to do. Here's where she thinks we should start (and where I, myself, promise to).
mardi 7 février 2017
See Now, Buy Now Is Back in Full Force For Fashion Week
Last Fashion Week, one of the biggest conversation starters was the see now, buy now show. Brands and designers like Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Burberry debuted shoppable runway looks and shook up the industry. Instead of waiting an entire season to buy that It bag or top that caught your eye, customers could now buy it minutes after they saw it on the catwalk.
The same is true of this season's collections. Rebecca Minkoff already released her Spring '17 line during a show in LA (in lieu of a show at New York Fashion Week) while H&M has promised to follow suit in March at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to see who's making their collections shoppable in real time so far. Then, stay tuned for more shoppable items from your favorite fashion houses all Fashion Month long.
dimanche 12 février 2017
You Can Buy Straight From Fashion Week's Runways - Right This Way
Last Fashion Week, one of the biggest conversation starters was the see now, buy now show. Brands and designers like Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Burberry debuted shoppable runway looks and shook up the industry. Instead of waiting an entire season to buy that It bag or top that caught your eye, customers could now buy it minutes after they saw it on the catwalk.
The same is true of this season's collections. Rebecca Minkoff already released her Spring '17 line during a show in LA (in lieu of a show at New York Fashion Week) while H&M has promised to follow suit in March at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to see who's making their collections shoppable in real time so far. Then, stay tuned for more shoppable items from your favorite fashion houses all Fashion Month long.
mercredi 1 mars 2017
You Can Buy Straight From Fashion Week's Runways - Right This Way
Last Fashion Week, one of the biggest conversation starters was the see now, buy now show. Brands and designers like Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Burberry debuted shoppable runway looks and shook up the industry. Instead of waiting an entire season to buy that It bag or top that caught your eye, customers could now buy it minutes after they saw it on the catwalk.
The same is true of this season's collections. Rebecca Minkoff already released her Spring '17 line during a show in LA (in lieu of a show at New York Fashion Week), while H&M is following suit at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to see who's making their collections shoppable in real time so far. Then, stay tuned for more shoppable items from your favorite fashion houses all Fashion Month long.
jeudi 25 janvier 2018
6 Ways to Shop Fashion on Amazon Like an Expert
Once upon a time, Amazon was known mostly as the go-to destination for ordering books online.
How times have changed.
The web's largest retailer has since branched out way beyond its humble beginnings, evolving into a mecca for, well, nearly everything. The most unexpected - and pleasantly surprising - piece of this evolution? Amazon Fashion. With a selection of brands that rivals any of the reigning fashion etailers, the getting on Amazon is good: You just need to know how - and where - to look.
Ahead, six tips for shopping fashion from the mammoth site like a pro.
1. Bookmark the Fashion Homepage
The selection is massive, so make the experience less overwhelming from the beginning. If you start out at Amazon.com/Fashion, you'll bypass all the other "stuff" (i.e., batteries, vitamins) and get straight to style.
2. Use Those Filters
Looking for something specific like, say, an off-the-shoulder dress for under $200? Make use of the site's narrowing-down features to get right where you want to be.
According to Kate Dimmock, fashion director at Amazon Fashion, "Amazon has a variety of filters that help simplify the shopping experience. You can tailor your results by selecting your size, color, and desired price point. There are even options for narrowing down the neckline, sleeve type, or type of pattern."
3. Start Off With Editors' Picks
Not sure what you're looking for? Yes, browsing without a particular goal in mind is absolutely possible on Amazon. "We have an entire team of fashion editors who are dedicated to curating shopping guides featuring the top trends every month," says Dimmock. "You can browse stories from 'Hold-Everything Bags' to 'Flattering Dresses.' Our editorial trend pages are a great resource that can be used to discover brands that we are currently loving and are seasonally on-trend."
4. Check Out the In-house Brands
Aside from carrying everything from Levi's to Rebecca Taylor to Gucci, Amazon has also developed a solid stable of private label brands that are worth paying attention to. That includes lines like The Fix, a contemporary accessory collection that features everything from colorblocked top-handle satchels to glittery ankle boots to satin ankle-wrap sandals - all at a superaccessible price point. Others, like Lark & Ro, offer ultrawearable fare like sheath dresses and cashmere pullovers, while Cable & Stitch's under-$100 novelty knits rival anything you'd see at Aritzia.
These and a plethora of others can be found by searching "Our Brands" within Fashion.
5. Two Words: Premium Denim
"We have an amazing selection of premium denim brands," says Dimmock. "Not only are we hitting all the trends, but we truly have a fit for every body type, including great plus options." So be sure to scout out your favorite labels when it comes to jeans - from Mother Denim to Rag & Bone to Citizens of Humanity, it's more than likely Amazon has what you want.
6. Start a Shopping List
If you've spotted an item you're into but you're not quite ready to pull the trigger, click on "Add to List" under the Shopping Cart tab. You can add any of your favorites to a private shopping list (or a public "Wish List," if you're hinting around for gifts) that allows you to take some time to mull over a potential purchase, then come back to it later.
dimanche 19 février 2017
You Can Buy Straight From Fashion Week's Runways - Right This Way
Last Fashion Week, one of the biggest conversation starters was the see now, buy now show. Brands and designers like Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Burberry debuted shoppable runway looks and shook up the industry. Instead of waiting an entire season to buy that It bag or top that caught your eye, customers could now buy it minutes after they saw it on the catwalk.
The same is true of this season's collections. Rebecca Minkoff already released her Spring '17 line during a show in LA (in lieu of a show at New York Fashion Week) while H&M has promised to follow suit in March at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to see who's making their collections shoppable in real time so far. Then, stay tuned for more shoppable items from your favorite fashion houses all Fashion Month long.
jeudi 16 février 2017
You Can Buy Straight From Fashion Week's Runways - Right This Way
Last Fashion Week, one of the biggest conversation starters was the see now, buy now show. Brands and designers like Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Thakoon, and Burberry debuted shoppable runway looks and shook up the industry. Instead of waiting an entire season to buy that It bag or top that caught your eye, customers could now buy it minutes after they saw it on the catwalk.
The same is true of this season's collections. Rebecca Minkoff already released her Spring '17 line during a show in LA (in lieu of a show at New York Fashion Week) while H&M has promised to follow suit in March at Paris Fashion Week. Read on to see who's making their collections shoppable in real time so far. Then, stay tuned for more shoppable items from your favorite fashion houses all Fashion Month long.
dimanche 25 mars 2018
I'm Indian - Why Don't I Ever See Anyone Who Looks Like Me in Fashion?
Fashion has always been a part of my DNA. As a child, I would spend hours dressing up in my mother's clothes, ripping out pages of magazines for things that inspired me, and drawing outfits from my favorite movies. Flash forward to today, fashion is still a huge part of my life, and I've even managed to make a career out of it. But whether I look at bloggers on Instagram or billboards on the street, one important question has always stood out to me: I'm Indian; why don't I ever see anyone who looks like me in fashion?
Growing up, I moved over 12 times, hopping around from cities like Mumbai, New York, and Dubai. Living in these cultural meccas, I often found myself wondering why the media didn't represent the stylish Indian people I saw walking on the streets every day. When I would see an Indian person being represented on TV, I'd quickly realize that they were based on stereotypes rather than the kinds of real people I knew. I'm looking at you, Raj from The Big Bang Theory and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons. (C'mon, Apu's last name is something right out of a racist joke book, don't you think?) Even as I entered my first Fashion Week, it was jarring how I could barely count the number of Indian models I saw on one hand.
Where Are We Now?
When Priyanka Chopra broke onto the scene with ABC's hit show Quantico in 2015, everyone couldn't stop buzzing about how amazing her style was. I, for one, couldn't help cheering from the sidelines, "FINALLY!" But the thing is, Priyanka's amazing style was something I already knew about and, over the years, I had kind of just given up hope that people outside of my community would take notice. It was powerful to see Priyanka make it big because it felt like Indian people were finally a part of the equation and getting some much-needed recognition. I was lucky enough to meet the actress during an event and we instantly bonded over the fact that we both love fashion and we are both Mumbaikars (which is a playful way of saying we both lived in Mumbai). I told Priyanka that it made me proud to see an Indian person making it big in Hollywood and she said that it made her happy because she too was proud to be Indian.
While it's great that Priyanka is getting the recognition she deserves, it's been three years since she broke onto the scene, and she is just one person from a country with a population over 1.3 billion. There are so many other fashionable Indian women out there like Sonam Kapoor, who has over 11 million followers on Instagram. (For scale, that's about the amount of people who live in Belgium or, to make it relatable to fashionistas, the same number of people who follow street style star Chiara Ferragni.) There's also Aishwarya Rai, who has received many accolades for her Cinderella-esque gown at Cannes Film Festival, and Bollywood actress Deepika Pudukone, just to name a few. (If you need any proof of how stylish these women are, just scroll through their Instagrams and you'll see what I'm talking about.) We should be giving more women like them a platform, because everyone's obsession with Priyanka has proved that the world is ready for it.
While it's great that Priyanka is getting the recognition she deserves, it's been three years since she broke onto the scene, and she is just one person from a country with a population over 1.3 billion.
One big missed opportunity was Vogue India's 10-year anniversary issue. Instead of choosing an Indian model or one of the many stylish Bollywood actresses, the magazine decided to "outsource" their talent (yes, I went there) by choosing American supermodel Kendall Jenner to be the cover girl. From a business perspective, I understand that it's a huge deal to land a covetable model like Kendall, but this could've been a huge moment for Indians to showcase some of the amazing, diverse talent we have in our country. It would've been inspiring to see someone Indian on the cover, showing the world that we're proud of our heritage.
Another thing that got everyone buzzing was a Business of Fashion article written by an Indian editor. I opened up Instagram one morning to see that a ton of my friends had posted a specific quote from the article that made them feel extremely marginalized, and it was easy to see why. "They [Indians] may not be the tallest or the conventionally prettiest of models," read the quote. I had many conversations that morning with others who were completely stunned by the fact that a fellow Indian could say something like that. If we perceive ourselves in this light, what stops others from doing the same? Being someone who's been called both "too Indian" and "too Americanized" my entire life, the article made me furious because that statement is so far from the truth. While the editor did apologize stating she meant "Indian models weren't perceived as 'the prettiest' by the Western-centric standards that dominate the fashion market," it still made me sad to think that these so-called beauty standards are so deeply ingrained in our society. Shouldn't every ethnicity be celebrated and considered beautiful? We shouldn't be ripping each other down; we should be embracing each and every individual for who they are, and all of the unique traits they bring to the table.
Beauty companies like Rihanna's Fenty Beauty and Huda Kattan's beauty line are breaking the mold by making it a point to include a diverse range of models in their campaigns and, more importantly, releasing multiple shades of their products. Their lines were instant successes, and people of all different ethnicities couldn't stop expressing their excitement over feeling included for once. The fashion industry should take a cue from these companies and the public's overwhelming cry for more diversity. Honestly it baffles me why designers don't even see this as an opportunity to make more sales. They're all missing out on a huge segment of the population, one that could potentially mean millions of dollars in revenue. What company wouldn't want that?
Where Do We Go From Here?
One Indian woman in the fashion industry that I admire greatly is Roopal Patel, who is the SVP fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. Looking at her career, it makes me proud to see another Indian woman succeeding in the industry, particularly one who is regarded so highly by her peers and designers. I admire Roopal not only because she has a lot of knowledge about the fashion industry, but also because she's managed to forge her own path as one of the only Indian woman directors of a multimillion-dollar retail company. Having even one person with a high-profile fashion job like Roopal's can help inspire a movement in the industry. I know she has already inspired me in my own career.
Even though I am just one person, I've made it my mission to do everything I can to make the situation better. Working at a place like POPSUGAR, I feel like I can voice these issues and unearth Indian brands and designers that mean something to my culture. I've been making a conscious effort to include people of all different backgrounds in my stories in the hopes of making everyone feel more included when they read an article of mine. During my first week at POPSUGAR, I was showing my team pictures from my sister's wedding and everyone was asking questions about what each outfit meant and what exactly one wears to an Indian wedding. I decided to write a couple of posts about it and, just like that, I was already writing about topics that mattered to me.
It's inspiring to see how Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday have managed to start an entire movement about the lack of curve models in the industry. Maybe we can learn from these empowering women and try to get the conversation started in the same way.
This past year has sort of been an awakening for women. There seems to be a growing platform for women of all races to speak out when they feel like they're being marginalized and underappreciated in today's society. While these strides are long overdue, we definitely still have a ways to go. Much like the body-positivity movement, it's time to call for the fashion industry to be more diverse so every young woman can feel like they are being represented in some way. It's inspiring to see how Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday have managed to start an entire movement about the lack of curve models in the industry. Maybe we can learn from these empowering women and try to get the conversation started in the same way. Whether it's by using social media like the #effyourbeautystandards hashtag and calling for Indian bloggers to band together, or simply by sharing this story to spark conversations, we can at least attempt to make a difference.
In the future, I hope to look at the runways of my favorite designers and see Indian models being included, but I wouldn't want it to end there. I would love for all ethnicities to be represented. Call it wishful thinking, but I think it can be accomplished in time. It's the best feeling in the world to see designers like Naeem Khan and Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia pave the way for other Indian designers out there. It gives me hope. After all, fashion is all about dreams. It takes a dream to start a company, it takes a dream to create a collection, and it takes a dream to make even the slightest difference in the world. Maybe one day, this simple dream will become a reality and we can finally look up at a billboard or open up a magazine, and see someone who we relate to looking back at us.
lundi 31 décembre 2018
I'm Indian - Why Don't I Ever See Anyone Who Looks Like Me in Fashion?
Fashion has always been a part of my DNA. As a child, I would spend hours dressing up in my mother's clothes, ripping out pages of magazines for things that inspired me, and drawing outfits from my favorite movies. Flash forward to today, fashion is still a huge part of my life, and I've even managed to make a career out of it. But whether I look at bloggers on Instagram or billboards on the street, one important question has always stood out to me: I'm Indian; why don't I ever see anyone who looks like me in fashion?
Growing up, I moved over 12 times, hopping around from cities like Mumbai, New York, and Dubai. Living in these cultural meccas, I often found myself wondering why the media didn't represent the stylish Indian people I saw walking on the streets every day. When I would see an Indian person being represented on TV, I'd quickly realize that they were based on stereotypes rather than the kinds of real people I knew. I'm looking at you, Raj from The Big Bang Theory and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons. (C'mon, Apu's last name is something right out of a racist joke book, don't you think?) Even as I entered my first Fashion Week, it was jarring how I could barely count the number of Indian models I saw on one hand.
Where Are We Now?
When Priyanka Chopra broke onto the scene with ABC's hit show Quantico in 2015, everyone couldn't stop buzzing about how amazing her style was. I, for one, couldn't help cheering from the sidelines, "FINALLY!" But the thing is, Priyanka's amazing style was something I already knew about and, over the years, I had kind of just given up hope that people outside of my community would take notice. It was powerful to see Priyanka make it big because it felt like Indian people were finally a part of the equation and getting some much-needed recognition. I was lucky enough to meet the actress during an event and we instantly bonded over the fact that we both love fashion and we are both Mumbaikars (which is a playful way of saying we both lived in Mumbai). I told Priyanka that it made me proud to see an Indian person making it big in Hollywood and she said that it made her happy because she too was proud to be Indian.
While it's great that Priyanka is getting the recognition she deserves, it's been three years since she broke onto the scene, and she is just one person from a country with a population over 1.3 billion. There are so many other fashionable Indian women out there like Sonam Kapoor, who has over 11 million followers on Instagram. (For scale, that's about the amount of people who live in Belgium or, to make it relatable to fashionistas, the same number of people who follow street style star Chiara Ferragni.) There's also Aishwarya Rai, who has received many accolades for her Cinderella-esque gown at Cannes Film Festival, and Bollywood actress Deepika Pudukone, just to name a few. (If you need any proof of how stylish these women are, just scroll through their Instagrams and you'll see what I'm talking about.) We should be giving more women like them a platform, because everyone's obsession with Priyanka has proved that the world is ready for it.
While it's great that Priyanka is getting the recognition she deserves, it's been three years since she broke onto the scene, and she is just one person from a country with a population over 1.3 billion.
One big missed opportunity was Vogue India's 10-year anniversary issue. Instead of choosing an Indian model or one of the many stylish Bollywood actresses, the magazine decided to "outsource" their talent (yes, I went there) by choosing American supermodel Kendall Jenner to be the cover girl. From a business perspective, I understand that it's a huge deal to land a covetable model like Kendall, but this could've been a huge moment for Indians to showcase some of the amazing, diverse talent we have in our country. It would've been inspiring to see someone Indian on the cover, showing the world that we're proud of our heritage.
Another thing that got everyone buzzing was a Business of Fashion article written by an Indian editor. I opened up Instagram one morning to see that a ton of my friends had posted a specific quote from the article that made them feel extremely marginalized, and it was easy to see why. "They [Indians] may not be the tallest or the conventionally prettiest of models," read the quote. I had many conversations that morning with others who were completely stunned by the fact that a fellow Indian could say something like that. If we perceive ourselves in this light, what stops others from doing the same? Being someone who's been called both "too Indian" and "too Americanized" my entire life, the article made me furious because that statement is so far from the truth. While the editor did apologize stating she meant "Indian models weren't perceived as 'the prettiest' by the Western-centric standards that dominate the fashion market," it still made me sad to think that these so-called beauty standards are so deeply ingrained in our society. Shouldn't every ethnicity be celebrated and considered beautiful? We shouldn't be ripping each other down; we should be embracing each and every individual for who they are, and all of the unique traits they bring to the table.
Beauty companies like Rihanna's Fenty Beauty and Huda Kattan's beauty line are breaking the mold by making it a point to include a diverse range of models in their campaigns and, more importantly, releasing multiple shades of their products. Their lines were instant successes, and people of all different ethnicities couldn't stop expressing their excitement over feeling included for once. The fashion industry should take a cue from these companies and the public's overwhelming cry for more diversity. Honestly it baffles me why designers don't even see this as an opportunity to make more sales. They're all missing out on a huge segment of the population, one that could potentially mean millions of dollars in revenue. What company wouldn't want that?
Where Do We Go From Here?
One Indian woman in the fashion industry that I admire greatly is Roopal Patel, who is the SVP fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. Looking at her career, it makes me proud to see another Indian woman succeeding in the industry, particularly one who is regarded so highly by her peers and designers. I admire Roopal not only because she has a lot of knowledge about the fashion industry, but also because she's managed to forge her own path as one of the only Indian woman directors of a multimillion-dollar retail company. Having even one person with a high-profile fashion job like Roopal's can help inspire a movement in the industry. I know she has already inspired me in my own career.
Even though I am just one person, I've made it my mission to do everything I can to make the situation better. Working at a place like POPSUGAR, I feel like I can voice these issues and unearth Indian brands and designers that mean something to my culture. I've been making a conscious effort to include people of all different backgrounds in my stories in the hopes of making everyone feel more included when they read an article of mine. During my first week at POPSUGAR, I was showing my team pictures from my sister's wedding and everyone was asking questions about what each outfit meant and what exactly one wears to an Indian wedding. I decided to write a couple of posts about it and, just like that, I was already writing about topics that mattered to me.
It's inspiring to see how Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday have managed to start an entire movement about the lack of curve models in the industry. Maybe we can learn from these empowering women and try to get the conversation started in the same way.
This past year has sort of been an awakening for women. There seems to be a growing platform for women of all races to speak out when they feel like they're being marginalized and underappreciated in today's society. While these strides are long overdue, we definitely still have a ways to go. Much like the body-positivity movement, it's time to call for the fashion industry to be more diverse so every young woman can feel like they are being represented in some way. It's inspiring to see how Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday have managed to start an entire movement about the lack of curve models in the industry. Maybe we can learn from these empowering women and try to get the conversation started in the same way. Whether it's by using social media like the #effyourbeautystandards hashtag and calling for Indian bloggers to band together, or simply by sharing this story to spark conversations, we can at least attempt to make a difference.
In the future, I hope to look at the runways of my favorite designers and see Indian models being included, but I wouldn't want it to end there. I would love for all ethnicities to be represented. Call it wishful thinking, but I think it can be accomplished in time. It's the best feeling in the world to see designers like Naeem Khan and Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia pave the way for other Indian designers out there. It gives me hope. After all, fashion is all about dreams. It takes a dream to start a company, it takes a dream to create a collection, and it takes a dream to make even the slightest difference in the world. Maybe one day, this simple dream will become a reality and we can finally look up at a billboard or open up a magazine, and see someone who we relate to looking back at us.
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