Yesterday, we mentioned the fact that several magazines are featuring all-black male fashion editorials in their current issues. One of those magazines is Paper, the New York City-based fashion-forward lifestyle bible. Barack Obama fans will be particularly thrilled because the editorial is entitled "Mr. President" and is dedicated to the fashion aesthetic of the Democratic presidential front runner.
Well-known fashion photographer Richard Phibbs lensed the project. Phibbs, of course, was responsible for those sculpted and muscled images of Nigerian model Kwame. Speaking of African models, the lead model in this editorial is Red NYC's Salieu Jalloh, seen above, who is from Sierra Leone and was last seen ripping the runway for Sean John in its all-black male fashion show. Below is Ibrahim Baaith, also with Red NYC.
Red's Marcus Lloyd is also featured. Marcus and Ibrahim were also featured in the Sean John show.
The Obama fashion aesthetic—previously discussed on these pages and at The Huffington Post—certainly works to the candidate's advantage. The greys and muted colors convey a Kennedyesque earnestness, the open shirts are casual show confidence, at least in our opinion. The designers represented here are John Varvatos, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Michael Bastian. The models below, left to right, are Robert Joseph (Fusion), Sandy Oumar (Wilhelmina) and Ibrahim Baaith.
Cynics will probably dismiss the "Mr. President" fashion editorial as a gimmick, which would be typical, but that also demonstrates a failure to grasp at least some of the "meta" rationale for Obama's candidacy and/or presidency. If our country is going to have a black presidential nominee, or president, it opens a larger conversation on race. (The meta-conversation on Hillary Clinton's campaign and sexism, sadly, has yet to arrive.) Just like many boardrooms and executive offices, the fashion pages and runways are notoriously monochromatic. In the months to come, it's likely many companies will reevaluate their complexion of their executive offices, and more magazines and designers will hire more black models.
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BEAUTIFUL! In the last photo, they make me feel cannibalistic they're so delicious.
And they've got their pants pulled all the way up. Praise God!
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 28 March 2008 at 14:15
oh i'm loving this....
Posted by: freeleo | 28 March 2008 at 14:46
Looks great! These guys are very sexy and sauve..
Just like to say that some of the blogs should take your actions regarding the postings on the Obama and Hilary posts!
Thank god! I'm no little boy but hey, people can be really offensive and it's not pleasant to even tap onto the post. So thank you.
Posted by: john | 28 March 2008 at 17:16
Thanks for the great comments, these were beautiful pictures, no?
Thanks, John. You and everyone else should feel free to speak your mind. The tone in some of the posts just became too ugly, I want everyone to feel welcome.
Posted by: Rod Mc | 28 March 2008 at 18:30
I am so happy that ADULT men are coming back to dressing like ADULT men....and those boys are hott no question...I love Kwame and Ibrahim the most
Posted by: nahtans | 28 March 2008 at 19:22
Amen, nahtans! Call me old fashioned but I love a brutha in a grown man, fitted suit. (I love a man in uniform, but that's another subject) instead of half nekkid all greased up like you usually see black men in fashion. That's why I loved the Sean John show in fashion week. I like us suave and sophisticated.
Posted by: Dluv | 29 March 2008 at 12:06
Amazing!! Hey Rod, would you happen to know by any chance what nationality (or background) Ibrahim Baaith is? I'm thinking East African (like moi)...But I could be wrong.
Thanks!
Posted by: Shabaka | 29 March 2008 at 20:50
This is great, I love it!
Posted by: Andrew C | 29 March 2008 at 21:47
Hi Shabaka. Nice to see you're back in comments. I'll find out about Ibrahim, he's wonderful, no?
Posted by: Rod Mc | 29 March 2008 at 21:55
Thanks, Rod! Good to be back! Yeah he's delish!! Have a wonderful week end!
Posted by: Shabaka | 30 March 2008 at 12:43
This is so fabulous!!! And they are soooooooo good to look at!!!
Posted by: Boutique Mix | 23 May 2008 at 21:18