Where's Brooklyn At? Where Has Urban Culture Gone?

Where's Brooklyn At?  Where Has Urban Culture Gone?

There is no such thing as urban radio anymore!  While driving, I turned to KYS 93.9 and they were playing a techno-ish song by Rihanna.  Yes it is Rihanna, but it's still techno.  While I have had my fair share of late nights with glow sticks and red bulls with vodka (the only way to drink at a techno club), I want urban music on my urban radio station!  So I switched to its local competitor, 95.5 PGC and they were playing a techno ish song by Dev.  I guess her song would be classified as more dance than techno, but again, I want urban music on my urban radio station.  If urban music no longer exists, play gogo!  I mean this is DC, right?!

This music fiasco got me thinking, is urban culture as we knew it, dead?  I was a teenager in the 90's, to me urban music was Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, Mary J Blige, and Monifah (where the hell is Monifah?!)  Urban music was hip hop and r&b.  Now urban music has merged into the mainstream with pop and techno beats.  And the fashion!  While some of you may say urban fashion is alive and well, I beg to differ.  However, to state my argument properly, we all must agree there is a different between metropolitan urban and country urban.  For all you southerners, (remember I am from Phoenix, raised in New York and moved to DC, and yes DC is the south!  Mason Dixon line, you DMV'ers forget!) being in the south doesn't make it "country" (so please, you can return your guns to the safety position) some of the countriest places (as far as fashion) I've been are in Western New York, Michigan, and Illinois.  Sorry, but it's true.  My point is the distinction between metropolitan urban and country urban includes Kool Aid colored weaves with sneakers, belts, shirts, nails, and eye contacts matching.  To me that's just country.

With that said, go to a major metropolitan "urban" area (code for...) and the women look like they stepped out of Lucky Mag or People's best dressed list.  Urban fashion has become quite mainstream.  In my beloved 90's urban fashion was baggy jeans, over sized shirts, Karl Kani, Maurice Malone, Versace shirts, timb's (Timberlands), Air Max, and Up's (for you non-New Yorkers Air Force 1's).  While I appreciate not having to look at a mans under wear in public, I am a little leary of men wearing the same jeans as their girlfriends.  I'm just saying.

So to wax nostalgic about when urban was urban, here are some of my favorite "old school" looks.

Not necessarily 90's, but it epitomizes urban cool from the era with a funky mix of masculine and feminine street wear.  Remember the Manolo Blahnik boots (some of you remember the Steve Madden version better, wink, wink)

Janet Jackson from the "You Want This" video.  Yes, baggy jeans and a half  top/sports bra!  Nothing could be more 90's urban.

Denim everything!  Oh the 90's urban fashion was all about denim...and dark lacquered lips! 

Aaliyah, may she rest in peace.  Who could forget the Tommy Hilfiger craze?  You know, when your jeans and shirt screamed Tommy?  Even the beautiful Aaliyah wasn't spared.

In my search for more 90's urban fashion I came across an article "’90s Hip Hop Icons and the Fall 2011 Looks They Could Be Wearing" and they have some fabulous examples with their 2011 runway counterparts.

Oh...when urban was really urban...I miss those days.

XOXO,

 

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You Say You Want a Devolution?

You Say You Want a Devolution?

In the January 2012 issue of Vanity Fair, author Kurt Anderson wrote a fabulous piece about how culture (in particular fashion) has not really changed in the past 20 years. 

From the article: "For most of the last century, America’s cultural landscape—its fashion, art, music, design, entertainment—changed dramatically every 20 years or so. But these days, even as technological and scientific leaps have continued to revolutionize life, popular style has been stuck on repeat, consuming the past instead of creating the new."  (Read the rest here)

I agree with the authors sentiment. 

“It’s a famine of beauty – a famine of beauty, honey!!”-André Leon Talley

 

 While I understand André as well, I don't think it's a famine of beauty.  I think it's a famine of originality, of genuine style.  Seemingly, most of our "celebutantes", celebrities, artists, magazine editors (ahem) and new fashionistas are really just recycling what some one else did (or does).  While fashion by it's very nature does that frequently, what's lacking is the personal self expression, how the individual rocks the style.  I get inspired by people all day!  I see women with outfits that I want...However, I do not immediately run to the boutique and proceed to wear it piece by piece.  Take the look Retail Addicts!  But make it uniquely your own.

There are exceptions of course.  As crazy as it is, (simply because I remember them as babies on Full House)  Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are stylish.  Extremely stylish.  I recently read their book "Influence" and while it concentrated on others like Diane Von Furstenberg and John Galliano, bits and pieces of the girls style did shine through.  The Olsens, besides having the wealth to buy everything on the runway, mix vintage pieces with modern luxury very well.  Furthermore, while you may see the Chanel half tints on someone else, the Olsens have a knack for making the accessory, dress, shirt, or gown uniquely their own. 

Another example of stylish but unique, is Halle Berry.  Besides being one of the most beautiful people on the planet, she also has her own style expression.  Who could forget this number at the Golden Globes?  Or her dress at the Oscars when she won for Monsters Ball?

Besides always looking her best on the red carpet, this is her in her everyday attire.

I don't know how she does it, but girlfriend does it!  Her style is sleek and modern always with a touch of edge or rock n roll.  She may not be the flashiest, but she rocks her clothes, her clothes do not rock her!

Last but not least, Jennifer Lopez.  I have not always been a J.Lo fan, but ever since this senorita hit 40 (or left Mark Anthony) seemingly her style has been off the charts.  Again, I appreciate J.Lo's new style because it accentuates her legendary curves and is refined.  She looks great in her clothes.

Now, I do not think, J.Lo is the best dressed or most fashionable woman out there.  Like everyone she has made some faux pas, however, now her style is uniquely her own and at 40+ she looks fabulous!

My point Retail Addicts, is the inspiration for new fashion has been waning over the years (about 20-I guess).  However, that should not stop you!  If you are vintage, modern, couture, preppy, conservative or Wal-Mart, wear it like you mean it!  Please!  Just stop carbon copying everyone else.  I want to see you in your clothes, not just your clothes.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think we have changed radically since '92?  What do think of the divas, I mentioned, styles?

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