‘American Able’ intends to, through spoof, reveal the ways in which women with disabilities are invisibilized in advertising and mass media. I chose American Apparel not just for their notable style, but also for their claims that many of their models are just ‘every day’ women who are employees, friends and fans of the company. However, these women fit particular body types. Their campaigns are highly sexualized and feature women who are generally thin, and who appear to be able-bodied. Women with disabilities go unrepresented, not only in American Apparel advertising, but also in most of popular culture. Rarely, if ever, are women with disabilities portrayed in anything other than an asexual manner, for ‘disabled’ bodies are largely perceived as ‘undesirable.’ In a society where sexuality is created and performed over and over within popular culture, the invisibility of women with disabilities in many ways denies them the right to sexuality, particularly within a public context. – via American Able

You can also read a great inteview with Jes and Holly at the, always clutch, Worn Fashion Journal.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein

September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999

*My dad willingly took me to see an LFO concert but refused to take me to Lilith Fair. He drew the line at Lilith Fair.

And it’s pretty excellent.

And hilarious…. in a melodious way, of course.

Also excellent: David singing + a rabbit!

We all have people whose personal style inspires us- whose beauty compels us. Without a doubt, Daul Kim has been that woman for so many of us. I’ve never been good with keeping up with models but from a distance, I found her more than intriguing. I felt invested in her in the way that this strange industry allows encourages. The celebration of her beauty on the runway  and editorial after editorial made me feel good in some odd way. Maybe not so odd. She was a beautiful woman of color and the world celebrated that, and while there is so much more to life, this is also important. This meant something and will continue to mean something to me and so many others. Her death leaves me sad for her family and friends – those who held her dear in the realist of ways.

Rest in peace, Daul Kim.

a beautiful video made by Miles Tokunow and friends.

For all of you who will be in the city, please don’t forget that today is the Save The Garment Center rally at the button and needle statue (39th & 7th Ave) around noon. More info about the event and the cause at the 39th & Broadway blog!

Go Check Out This Blog! FOR SERIOUS!

Whenever i am feelin down and out, they help me get through the rainy day.

They lift my spirits and erase my doubts then chase those gray clouds away.