Is Sean John "Geared Towards Metrosexual and Bisexual Men"?
Apparently so, at least according to one "style" and fashion blogger at AOL BlackVoices. Esther Dixon's trite and faux open letter to Sean "Diddy" Combs criticized the Sean John Fall 2008 collection that featured a runway show consisting entirely of black models such as supermodel Tyson Beckford and supermodel-to-be Wendell Lissimore. Why? The fashion forward collection that received rave reviews from the industry was "geared towards the metro-sexual/bi-sexual man."
I would like to write a brief note to you regarding your fall 2008 men's line. Please, please do not take this in the wrong way. But I believed the line was geared towards the metro-sexual/bi-sexual man. The sequin tops, the extremely fitted suites [sp], and sparkly scarves gave me reason to feel this way. Was I wrong?
I just thought the line would be a little more "hood'? Yes, I said it! I thought we would see more Flatbush Avenue; instead you gave us Hollywood Boulevard.
I'm not mad, not at all! Just confused as to why an urban line would be made for the European style and fit. Even Tyson Beckford, who was a model in the show, seemed awkward in the clothing.
One would expect a "fashion" blogger to be more fashion-forward and gay-friendly—as well as know the difference between "sequins" and embroidery, suits and "suites—but the gay-baiting is not unexpected on the site where several bloggers and forums are notorious for anti-gay comments. The post is an unfortunate reminder of attitudes across the black community that attach a premium to "hood" culture and hyper masculine imagery.
One more thing. The Blackvoices "fashion" blogger never once mentioned the dominant narrative of the Sean John show that made headlines across the world: It consisted entirely of black models . Perhaps that wasn't newsworthy to the readers of AOL/Blackvoices?
Dear Sean John [BlackVoices]
More TYSON BECKFORD
More SEAN COMBS
More FASHION
You May Have Missed ...
Diddy Hires Only Black Models for Sean John [R20]
Down Low Cyber Detectives [R20]
Tyson Beckford Does Fashion Week [R20]
Make. It. Work [R20]
Fashion Week: Diane von Furstenberg [R20]
Will Gave Good Face [R20]
Tyson to Host "Make Me a Supermodel" [R20]
Tyson Tapes "Supermodel" in Times Sq [R20]
News: Tyson Beckford, Hillary and the Gays [R20]
Taye: I'd Do Tyson [R20]
Tyson Beckford @ MFW [R20]
Best Oscar Moment Ever [R20]
Gosh, BV, you say that as if it's a BAD THING...
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 12 February 2008 at 22:17
Tyson looked "uncomfortable" in his bi-sexual gear. Hmmmmm ....
Posted by: Taylor Siluwé | 12 February 2008 at 23:15
BlackVoices is lame, it's almost as dense as Blackplanet.
Posted by: greg g | 13 February 2008 at 00:11
BlackVoices is lame, it's almost as dense as Blackplanet.
Posted by: greg g | 13 February 2008 at 00:12
BlackVoices is very lame, it's almost as dense as BlackPlanet. And that's really bad.
Posted by: greg g | 13 February 2008 at 00:13
It never seizes to amaze me how incredibly ignorant we black folks can be and how naive straight women can be. Metrosexual doesn't mean homosexual! I hear people making that mistake all the time. I saw the collection and I thought the clothes were very sophisticated and mature. Of course we can't be sophisticated and mature because that's "gay". And the BV blogger doesn't even realize that the "hood" look, baggy pants and hyper masculine is an offshoot of the gay aesthetic. There is a lot of ignorant homophobia in our community.
Posted by: Dluv | 13 February 2008 at 00:14
BV is just horrible. Have you ever read Karu Daniels, their entertainment writer? He is always gay bashing and dropping "how you doing" comments.
Posted by: tyler grey | 13 February 2008 at 00:15
That's an excellent observation, DLuv. I've always thought one of the biggest problems with our community is that we tend to seek uniformity and attack the unfamiliar. It's unfortunate a style maven, who probably is more educated, would make those comments about metrosexuals and bisexuals. That's the look of men's fashions.
Posted by: Tony R | 13 February 2008 at 00:21
Karu Daniels is always dropping gay comments and I think that he is gay. He at least looks gay in the pictures.
Posted by: Andrew C | 13 February 2008 at 01:00
I just want to know how long are we supposed to wear baggy clothes because this line that Diddy presented represents me! I love the styling and would look forward to purchasing some items. I normally shop @ ExpressMen and Guess so this is right up my alley.
Posted by: cedric | 13 February 2008 at 04:37
It's black voices ... none of us should be surprised. As for dumb black bitches, we know how naive and stupid half of them are. I let the majority of the shit those ignorant heffas say roll off my back. I guess we should wear white tees and baggy jeans and they'll be satisfied. My disdain for women grows daily ...
Posted by: Me | 13 February 2008 at 10:33
Clearly Sean Jean is only supposed to be Baggy T-shirts and Jeans and not compete with the big boys? How ignorant we are as people. This is just like the other kids in my hood that teased me for reading books and doing well in school. They are now security guards and janitors while I'm in management. How sad.
It's almost like saying to Diddy you should be in the Rocawear-Applebottom section and not on the other side of the Macy's isle with Ralph and Tommy.
It's clear Diddy is very serious about fashion and did his homework. Good for him!
Posted by: WillieDynamite | 13 February 2008 at 11:05
"This is just like the other kids in my hood that teased me for reading books and doing well in school. They are now security guards and janitors while I'm in management. How sad."
ROTFL ... that is funny. So true!
Posted by: Me | 13 February 2008 at 11:39
Well I don't know about New York, but here in the DC metro area a lot of younger men of color (latino, black, biracial, etc.) are wearing jeans with a tighter fit, I mean a lot of times they are still hanging off their asses (and with a belt at that!), but the point is, with Kanye West and other figures changing the style of hip-hop, the consumer starts to change as well. I agree with a comment earlier saying that Mr.Combs is stepping up his game so that HIS business can compete with the so-called high end designers. When I go to the "urban" stores in my local mall who sell the 3 and 4x clothes, I notice that they are all empty and going out of business. It's time to let those Timberlands and big bulky jackets and t-shirts go people.
Posted by: Blah! | 13 February 2008 at 12:19
Where is Hollywood Boulevard?
Posted by: sundaydinner | 13 February 2008 at 13:15
I don't know if they are or are not, they just seem poorly made, over priced copies of other designers.
Posted by: Luther | 13 February 2008 at 13:53
Whether you liked his line or not, there are two types of fashion in the world. That which is designed for trendsetters and that which is designed for the masses.
The masses should never try to review shows geared towards the trendsetters.
Posted by: Bernie | 13 February 2008 at 16:37
probably some old black woman who's fashion highlight of the year is the ebony fashion show.
Posted by: freeleo | 13 February 2008 at 18:19