However, some folks of the Black Artists Association seems to think otherwise. The group is livid that our First Lady has not notably worn anything by Black fashion designers. BAA cofounder and former model Amnau Eele said she will make a formal appeal to the First Lady's office regarding her outrage. "It's fine and good if you want to be all 'Kumbaya' and 'We Are The World' by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B. Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other Black designers do something too?" Eele told Women's Wear Daily last week. Eele added, "She [Obama] had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn't she wearing the clothes of a Black designer? That was out moment."
First Lady Michelle Obama rocking a Maria Pinto frock.
Sigh. I guess I better get used to this. For the next eight years (yep, EIGHT years), the Obamas will be placed under an enormous amount of pressure to "represent". I really think our First Lady's fashion choices are a matter of a tree simply being a tree, for the most part. She also appears to be a creature of habit, sticking to the folks she knows. Maria Pinto is a prime example. Quite frankly, I was happy to learn she was wearing Jason Wu because he wasn't really on anyone's radar for her to wear. Oscar (de la Renta) would have been kinda predictable as would Pinto have been at this point. She likes to keep folks guessing and the fact that he is only freakin 26 years old was a plus for me too! Yay for the underdog. Now, are there Black designers I'd like to see Michelle wear? Of course! I've already mentioned that Edward Wilkerson of Lafayette 148 would have Michelle even more smashing. He's a beast. And since she seems to favor flirty print dresses for day, Tracy Reese should certainly be a staple in her wardrobe. Because she is nearly 6 feet tall, I imagine that she wears at least a size 11 shoe. Samanta would be a great footwear choice for her since they offer stylish heels, strappy sandals and sophisticated stilletos for women who don't wear a standard size 8.
And we also don't know if Michelle's people actually reached out to any Black designers or not. I believe I'll hold on and see what the end will be. Let's give the woman a chance already before we start publicly pouting to reporters at WWD.
What do you think? Are the folks of the BAA being too critical or do you agree with their beef? Leave me a comment and let me know.
UPDATE: B. Michael tells the BAA not to speak on his behalf.
UPDATE #2: Eele defends herself on ESSENCE.com.
People, this is exhausting.
13 comments:
the fact that she hasn't worn a black designer yet didn't even cross my mind. there are so many more important things to think about right now. lol. our first lady can do whatever she dag on well pleases. she's the epitome of a black woman and if that's not enough because of who she chooses to wear, i don't know what else to say. they need to leave her alone. she kinda has other important issues to be concerned about right now.. you know, like being a politician, supporting the man who has the hardest job in America right now, AND raising two children in these times. come on people!
Its funny bc at first I was a little upset! It didnt help that every now and then I would read in a magazine or see someone on TV that was a black designer talking in hopes of Michelle wearing their designs. So yes I was thrown off, but when I think about it...Jason Wu is a man of color too. No he is not black, but he aint the sell out route either if you know what I mean. So I ve decided to let it go and say carry on Michelle with your bad self!
I think this is the problem: Some of us are too quick to bemoan that a black designer didn't get this or Obama didn't name enough blacks or women to be in his cabinet, when does the complaining end? I'm glad that she picked Wu, it's a major cue for him as a 26-year-old and it shows that she didn't go the predictable route. The Obamas are going to be under a large enough microscope already, so I wish people would stop being petty.
While I know there was just as much coverage on the inauguration as it was on what Michelle would wear, but COME ON... Her husband was elected President of the United States. If it was anyone's moment it was Barack's. Did anyone chide him for not wearing a Black designer's suit? There'll be no free passes just because we're Black. He or Michelle are not in the White House because they're Black; they're there because they are the best. She picked the best clothes for her. Case closed.
It's really tragic and sad that America's first black first lady would choose to wear and continue to support a designer from a country (China), that thinks all black people are "black Devils", many Chinese also avoid sitting next to black people on city buses, many Africans suffer the indignity of being quizzed by Chinese that believe that Africa is a primitive place that lacks modern cities and transport,there is also official Chinese police harassment where Africans are evicted from living in rental apartments after Chinese residents complain to the police of "the black devils making too much noise", Taxi cabs will not stop to pick up Africans claiming that they might be cheated and signs on public buildings where Africans live in China read "you have entered an area that is under 24 hour security surveillance".
All of this horrific information about chinese-black relationships can be found in an African magazine that was passed out during fashion week in NYC at www.arisemagazine.net search "The Eastern Promise" pages 75-79.
Last week the NY Post newspaper owned by Rupert Murdock and his Chinese wife Wendy Deng ran a cartoon of president Obama as a monkey killed by the NYC police department.
Question:
Why would a black woman, America's first black first lady continue to support a designer from a country that think black people, African people are primitive and monkeys?
Question:
Why would an Ivy league educated black woman choose to educate her black daughters about J.Crew, before she educates them about legendary black designers like Mr. Arthur McGee and Mr. Scott Barrie?
Black Artists Association NYC first presented these questions to the fashion media and we were mis-quoted in a WWD newspaper article written by Rosemary Feitelberg with silly quotes like "We are the world", "Kumbaya" and "It's our moment", and threaten with DEATH and attacked on the streets of NYC for asking "why America's first black first lady is not wearing or supporting black designers?"
No one with any intellect chose to fact check the WWD story before commenting.
After 232 all white American presidents, 232 all white American first ladies and the 232 all white designers that dressed those 232 all white American first ladies,
"CHANGE" came for everyone on JAN 20, 2009 in America, except the American black designer.
Black Artists Association look forward to presenting these questions and the sad stories of the hatred and ignorance on black blogs that were directed BAA's way to the White House and the people of D.C. at our first " Washington, D.C. Fashion forum" in April 2009.
At this forum , BAA will announce the winning black designer or black design student that will have a chance to dress one of BAA's artists that is up for an Emmy nomination this year in L.A. CA.
At Black Artists Association we hope to demonstrate the TRUE definition of "CHANGE".
Thank You,
BAA
memo typed by BAA assistant J.Webb
Bitch, you're on crack.
You speak bullshit about a powerful woman like Ms. Eele that is not afraid to speak up about your dumb ass, tranny looking first lady not having the sense to support black designers, then you have the gall to quote:"Now are there some black designers I'd like to see the first lady wear"?
Bitch you're a coward with serious mental issues.
Why that beautiful former model would waste her time even caring what that bow legged poorly dressed ugly hag wears is beyond any comprehension.
Why would any designer worth their talent want to dress michelle obama?
We're not talking about a beauty like Indie arie, alisha keys , jill scott or beyonce now are we?
After reading all the negative comments about this lady by self-hating blacks, it's now understandable why slavery lasted over 400 years.
Blacks are not ready to be free or powerful.
slavery happened because you hated yourself and other blacks in Africa. so it was no problem for a black to sell another black to the white or arab slaver traders.
Who killed Malcolm X?
Who killed Tupac ?
Who killed Biggie?
A black cop killed sean bell
and the list goes on....
Ms. Eele please be careful, because these hateful ignorant black people like the ones on this site will kill you for asking why a black first lady won't support black designers?
blacks kill each other everyday over tennis shoes, cell phones, n... what you looking at?
Chris brown beat the shit out of Rihanna and her beauty did not stop that ass whipping.
most black men hate black women.
How do I know?
From listening to all the horror stories from all the black men I've dated as a white woman.
stay strong Ms. Eele!! A lot of white people respect your efforts, because if I can sleep with a black man, then I should have no problem wearing clothes designed by black men and women.
That's why I wear Lafayette 148 and Tracy Reese.
If it wasn't for the support of white women both black designers would be out of business.
Black women could care less about Tracy or Edward, Armani and Gucci matters to blacks.
Why? Because by wearing Gucci and a hairweave, you're closer to being washed white as snow.
what's sad is that blacks don't think that whites understand this about you and that's why racist whites control your lives.
anything blacks want, blacks have to ask someone that looks like me for it.
Please white people give us rights, stop shooting us, let us be the president., please.....
as one poster said on essence.com all of you black women should get on your knees and give thanks that a white woman gave you your first black president.
Because most of your sons are in prison.
Bitch, you're on crack.
You speak bullshit about a powerful woman like Ms. Eele that is not afraid to speak up about your dumb ass, tranny looking first lady not having the sense to support black designers, then you have the gall to quote:"Now are there some black designers I'd like to see the first lady wear"?
Bitch you're a coward with serious mental issues.
Why that beautiful former model would waste her time even caring what that bow legged poorly dressed ugly hag wears is beyond any comprehension.
Why would any designer worth their talent want to dress michelle obama?
We're not talking about a beauty like Indie arie, alisha keys , jill scott or beyonce now are we?
After reading all the negative comments about this lady by self-hating blacks, it's now understandable why slavery lasted over 400 years.
Blacks are not ready to be free or powerful.
slavery happened because you hated yourself and other blacks in Africa. so it was no problem for a black to sell another black to the white or arab slaver traders.
Who killed Malcolm X?
Who killed Tupac ?
Who killed Biggie?
A black cop killed sean bell
and the list goes on....
Ms. Eele please be careful, because these hateful ignorant black people like the ones on this site will kill you for asking why a black first lady won't support black designers?
blacks kill each other everyday over tennis shoes, cell phones, n... what you looking at?
Chris brown beat the shit out of Rihanna and her beauty did not stop that ass whipping.
most black men hate black women.
How do I know?
From listening to all the horror stories from all the black men I've dated as a white woman.
stay strong Ms. Eele!! A lot of white people respect your efforts, because if I can sleep with a black man, then I should have no problem wearing clothes designed by black men and women.
That's why I wear Lafayette 148 and Tracy Reese.
If it wasn't for the support of white women both black designers would be out of business.
Black women could care less about Tracy or Edward, Armani and Gucci matters to blacks.
Why? Because by wearing Gucci and a hairweave, you're closer to being washed white as snow.
what's sad is that blacks don't think that whites understand this about you and that's why racist whites control your lives.
anything blacks want, blacks have to ask someone that looks like me for it.
Please white people give us rights, stop shooting us, let us be the president., please.....
as one poster said on essence.com all of you black women should get on your knees and give thanks that a white woman gave you your first black president.
Because most of your sons are in prison.
THANK YOU MS. AMNAU EELE FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS IN TRYING TO HELP YOUNG BLACK DESIGN STUDENTS AND UN-SUNG BLACK DESIGNERS.
THANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS THE FIRST LADY OF AMERICA HAS FINALLY CHOSE A DRESS BY BLACK DESIGNER TRACY REESE WHICH CAN BE SEEN ON THIS WEEK'S PEOPLE MAGAZINE.
MS. EELE WAS THE ONLY PERSON WORLDWIDE TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION.
MS. EELE IS A PIONEER TODAY ON THIS ISSUE AND SHE WAS A PIONEER IN THE 7O'S WHEN SHE FIRST GRACE THE PAGES OF PARIS VOGUE AND THE COUTURE RUNWAYS WORLDWIDE.
PEOPLE THAT ARE" BOTTOMS" LIKE THE WEBMASTER OF THIS BLOG CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND A WOMAN LIKE MS. EELE, BECAUSE A BOTTOM WANTS TO STAY POWERLESS, IGNORANT AND BEGGING HIS MASTER , "THE TOP" FOR HIS DAILY BREAD.
STAY STRONG MS. EELE, THERE ARE MANY OF US IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY THAT ARE BOWING DOWN WITH THANKS TO YOU TODAY.
"Bitch, you're on crack. Bitch you're a coward with serious mental issues."
Regarding Mrs. Obama: "...that bow legged poorly dressed ugly hag."
Some wise person once said, "Don't argue with fools because people from a distance can't tell who is who."
I'm too smart, too blessed and just too fly for your comments. But I do appreciate you stopping by PPT and voicing your opinions.
Have a prosperous day!
All my best,
Bsquared
you]re the only FOOL on this blog.
if you were smart, you never would have responded to a bogus story about a person you din't know.
if you were blessed, instead of creating negative blogs about people you don't know you would spend your time helping poor people.
you play with God and words like "i'm blessed 'because in reality you really come from a cursed,and ignorant people.
Fly? Intelligence makes a person fly. Kindness makes a person fly. treating others the way you would want to be treated makes you fly. helping people instead of creating 'poison Eele blogs' makes you fly.
Mrs. obama wore a black designer for the first time in the history of America and Ms. Eele of Black Artist Association was responsible for that.
Ms. Eele braved your ignorance and hate to try and put money and sales into a African-American designer's business.
blessings are due Ms. Eele , not you.
you're going to hell.
show your blog to your pastor at your church and he will tell you the same thing.
moron.
Wow.
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