• Constance C.R. White, Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine, has fired the title’s managing editor Michael Bullerick. Apparently, Bullerick, who is white, had some unsavory things to say about black folks on his private Facebook page, made public by Journal-isms after a tipster sent it to them. The screenshot of his page shows an unflattering caricature of Reverend Al Sharpton with the caption “race pimp,” as well as attacks against the President, labeling him as a radical. Clearly such behavior has no place at a publication like Essence. This just goes to show everyone, once again, that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it on social media. (News One)
• It seems fashion’s overlords have control beyond our closets (and wallets). Retail and executive employees are donating about the same amount of money ($234,000 to Obama and $195,820 to Romney) to both presidential candidates. And let’s not forget the $500,000 Anna Wintour has raised on behalf of the Obama reelection campaign. (Styleite)
• New York artist Kehinde Wiley, famous for his baroque portraits of contemporary black men, is teaming up with Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci. The artist will paint a series of pictures, this time of women, all clad in Givenchy. They scooped their models off the NYC streets, and Tisci designed all the outfits especially for them. You can watch the whole process in an upcoming documentary by Jeff Dupre, at The Economy of Grace exhibition at NYC’s Sean Kelley Gallery this May. (Stylefile)
• Vena Cava designers Sophie Buhati and Lisa Maycock sat down with Refinery 29 to talk their recently-announced partnership with LF USA. As mentioned, Buhati and Maycock plan to focus more on the creative end of VC, while the folks at LF USA will handle the business end of the brand. “We’ve been working with LF now for a few months,” said Maycock, “…They’re experts at sourcing, tech design, fabrication, manufacturing, and many other things that can be extremely difficult for a small brand to get a handle on. But at the same time, they understand that we’re the experts when it comes to our brand and our customer, and are totally open to letting us continue to do awesome and weird branding projects.” (Refinery 29)
• London’s famous WAH school of nails is releasing a nail art book with simple-to-follow tutorials on some seriously sick nail designs. You can purchase the WAH Nails Book of Nail Art later this month at the W London and if you’re in New York the W Union Square. If you don’t live near either of those locations, the book will be available everywhere in July. (Fashionista)
•See Rita Ora talk about her style in this episode of Vevo Stylized. (Vevo)
~Jihan
April 24, 2012 9:47 am
I am happy that Constance C. R. White fired him. What makes him think that wouldn’t leak? Essence please keep your eyes wide open to people like this—things aren’t always what they seem.
April 24, 2012 10:03 am
Al Sharpton is a “Race Pimp” They fired him for saying that? Oh please!! Essence hasn’t been hitting on anything for a while now..So,they could fire everyone.
April 24, 2012 10:35 am
This is what happens when you think the white horse can save everything. Out of all the talented black writers and editors, u choose a white editor….for Essence???!!! I’m all for equal opportunity and at any other kind of magazine it wouldn’t have been a big deal to me, but you hire a white woman as the editor of a magazine that caters to and highlights important issues to the everyday black woman?? It didn’t sit well with me then and this definately validates those feelings.
April 24, 2012 11:00 am
Racism rears it’s ugly head again. Good for Constance for firing his ass!
April 24, 2012 2:42 pm
i wonder if the ladies they pick get to keep the Givenchy clothes.im definitely getting that nail book.even though i cant rock my nail art at work,i like painting my little nieces nails.
April 24, 2012 5:14 pm
@Coco, I agree with you. I am all for diversity but the don’t understand our issues. I don’t care what he thinkds of the prez and Sharpton. When it comes to our ussues, only us can fully understand them.
I have lost respect for Essence because this magazine simply does not do it anymore for me. They should indeed get rid of the current team and get one that is ready to turn things around for the better. In the meantime, I am sticking at reading black fashion blogs.
April 25, 2012 11:31 am
The comments regarding Essence are pretty ignorant. For starters, the managing editor at a magazine does just that: manage. They have little to no creative direction so what does overseeing budget, staff, and any other administrative duties have to do with ” understanding our issues”??? If the man was qualified his skin color is irrelevant.
Furthermore when it comes to “understanding our issues”, as a college student I was usually one of a handful of black students in my black studies program. It’s one thing to sit and complain, but a whole ‘nother to actually do something.
Lastly, I’ve said more outrageous things about my white co-workers, public personalities, and elected officials… not that we need to not be sensitive, let’s not lose sight over the battles that need to be fought.