Sometimes I Don't Get It

There was a time in human history where leaves, animal skin and a little tan provided all the protection one needed from the elements. Simplicity was of the essence. These days? Not so much. A couple of things that I picked up from the internet.

First the Italian Vogue issue on African fashion has a due date!

http://www.styleite.com/media/luomo-vogue-africa-issue/

Africa is coming into its own when it comes to fashion. At the same time there have been designers who have seen fit to admire and appropriate African design aesthetics without proper due.

Then we have designers like Walter Van Beinrendonck. He is one in a very rare clutch of designers who frequently has all black male models for his catwalks. He is very talented and has been "designer's designer" to steal from my source since the 80's. I took a look at his designs:






Then, I noticed a couple of things: first the bone through the nose(!), then the "flesh-toned" gloves and shoes that some of the (predominantly black) models wore. What exactly was the message he was trying to put across--about himself, the models and/or the clothes? It is disturbing because on the one hand, he makes truly interesting clothes and has a great sense of colour and design. O the other hand? Bone. Through. nose.