• Today’s apology for abhorrent behavior comes from the folks at Buro 24/7, for the image of Garage magazine editor-in-chief Dasha Zhukova sitting on a chair made to look like a black woman in bondage. Hear ye, from the mouth (or rather, keypad) of Miroslava Duma: “Buro 24/7 team and I personally would like to express our sincerest apology to anyone who we have offended and hurt,” she wrote on Instagram. “It was ABSOLUTELY not our intention. We are against racism or gender inequality or anything that infringes upon anyone’s rights. We love, respect and look up to people regardless of their race, gender or social status. The chair in the photo should only be seen as a piece of art which was created by British Pop-Artist Allen Jones, and not as any form of racial discrimination. In our eyes, everyone is equal. And we love everybody” Dasha Zhukova has also come out with an apology of her own:“I regret allowing an artwork with such charged meaning to be used in this context. I utterly abhor racism and would like to apologize to those offended by my participation in this shoot. Garage Magazine has a strong track record of promoting diversity and racial and gender equality in the worlds of art and fashion, and will continue in our mission to stir positive debate on these and other issues.” What do you think? (Styleite, @Miraduma)
• Cameroonian Singer Dencia has been getting a lot of press as of late for her new skincare line, Whitenicious, which claims to cater to people with “dark spots, acne, hyper pigmentation, dark knuckles and knees (all of which can leave your skin looking uneven)” Sadly, it seems as if Dencia herself has been overloading on the product (or ones similar,) as she, a woman who was once of a magnificent brown hue, has bleached all evidence of melanin into oblivion, and now is as pale as raw chicken. The before and after pictures of women who have used the product also tell a different story than what’s been posted on the Whitenicious website. Sure, the women who used the stuff for their dark spots eliminated unsightly hyperpigmentation (no one is here for acne marks), but they also managed to bleach out their surrounding skin so dramatically, that they’ve become a different color. Dencia has faced a ton of criticism for her product, which she stands by on social media: “S/0 to everyone supporting whitenicious & s/0 to those indirectly supporting but thinking they’re hating with PHD worthy Essays. #FreePress.” What’s the most unfortunate part about this whole thing? Whitenicious is already sold out. Ah, colonialism. What do you think about this hot mess, Bombers and Bombshells? (Clutch)
• I’m one of those women who think we all could use a pair of Spanx every once in a while, but according to doctors, the wonder undergarment is killing us not-so-softly. The Huffington Post has a very interesting report on what Spanx are actually doing to you when you wear them. According to gastroenterologist Dr. John Kuemmerle, not only can shapewear contribute to acid reflux and heartburn by pushing down on your intestine, stomach, and colon, but it restricts your breathing. He adds, “increasing intra-abdominal pressure can certainly provoke episodes of incontinence.” ICK. You can also get tingling and pain in your legs, and increase your chances of getting blood clots. Also, if you rely on Spanx to help improve your posture, over time, you can wind up making it worse, according to chiropractor Dr. Karen Erickson: “Shapewear is not a substitute for having strong muscles,” she says. “It’s important to develop muscle tone, because it’s those muscles that hold your posture in perfect alignment. Many people use shapewear as a crutch to avoid using those muscles” So, how does a girl avoid all the negative effects that come with a smooth underwear line and flat belly? Wear Spanx in moderation. (Huff Post)
• It’s confirmed: Jay Z and Beyoncé are performing at the Grammys this weekend… TOGETHER. Hairpieces shall be confiscated, feelings will be hurt. (Us Weekly)
• Sophia Webster, Jackie J.S. Lee of J.S. Lee, and Nasir Mazhar have won this year’s BFC’s Fashion Forward prize. The trio will receive money to fund their collections as well as support for their businesses. Congratulations to the winners! (WWD)
~Jihan
