Chiwetel Ejiofor for The Jackal - February/March 2019
British Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor leads the issue as the latest cover star. In the interview, he speaks to new Editor Nick Carvell about taking on the roles of actor, screenwriter and director on his latest film project The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (no pressure), the dangerous cult of individuality that’s so prevalent in society right now, and why it’s still so important to be talking about race in the movie business. Is this Londoner the man to smash the Hollywood status quo? We think so. More HERE!
#RHoA: So Kim Zolciak is Discussing NeNe Marriage Struggles?
It feels like the saga between Kim Zolciak and NeNe Leakes will never end. During Season 1 of Real Housewives of Atlanta, these two were best friends. For a couple episodes anyway. Then, they had an on-again-off-again relationship that spawned some infamous insults.
NeNe told Kim “close your legs to married men.” She called her a “trash box.” NeNe even referred to Kim as “Wig” instead of her actual name. Many times over. And who can forget their confrontation during the Season 10 reunion? There’s no coming back from that kind of animosity. Right? Well, you never know what to expect from these two. The door is actually not closed.
Kim appeared on Watch What Happens Live episode with Eva Marcille. Right away he asked Kim about NeNe and Gregg Leakes’ marital issues. Instead of shading NeNe while she’s down, Kim remarked, “I think that Gregg going through what he’s going through is rough. You should definitely try to put your needs on the side. But, NeNe still does have needs. I mean, we all do, but through sickness and in health.”
Later in the episode, Kim said, “I just feel like NeNe’s going through it. I don’t think a lot of people can relate unless you’re actually in her shoes. It’s rough. It’s rough to watch. It is.”
At another point in the show, Eva commented on Dennis McKinley proposing to Porsha Williams during the last RHOA episode. Eva gushed, “Oh my god. I hit Porsha up immediately. It was the most beautiful thing ever.” She followed up with “It’s like literally seeing someone’s Cinderella story happen. I’m so happy for them.”
Andy asked Kim, “Whose presence do you think is missed on the show the most? Sheree [Whitfield] or Kenya [Moore]?” Kim answered, “Mine.” Can we just bring them all back? We need some drama.
Kim was asked about NeNe. Again. A fan wanted to know about their current relationship. Initially, Kim said, “We’re cool.” Then, she revealed, “Tracey [Bloom], our chef, does diets for them and all these things. So, I wanted Gregg to have kind of almost a head start on things. I’ve sent her what we’ve learned over the years.”
Hmmmmmm!
#Empire: Empire is Cutting Back Jussie Smollett's Scenes as The Investigation Into Alleged Attack Continues
Fox’s Empire is cutting back on Jussie Smollett‘s scenes and shooting schedule this week, as the investigation into an alleged attack of the actor — including the possibility that it may have been staged by Smollett himself — intensifies.
Per Deadline, Smollett will be “a rare presence” on the set this week as upcoming episodes undergo “serious rewrites” to reduce his scenes, while episodes already filmed will remain unchanged. (A Fox spokesperson had no comment for TVLine on the production changes.)
Smollett currently is facing further questioning by the Chicago Police Department after two persons of interest (brothers from Nigeria, one of whom worked as a personal trainer on a music video of Smollett’s) were released on Friday after additional interviews, and without being charged.
Chicago PD communications director Anthony Guglielmi said on Saturday, “We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police … has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation.” Deadline in turn quoted a source as saying “the new direction of the investigation is now based on the premise that Mr. Smollett was an active participant in the incident.”
Smollett’s lawyers issued a statement late Saturday, saying, “As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”
As for reports that Smollett knew one or both of the Nigerian brothers, his lawyers said, “It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity.”
Smollett sought treatment at a hospital in Chicago, where Empire is filmed, following his alleged late-January attack, in which two men supposedly approached the actor/singer and began hurling racist and homophobic slurs at him. He performed at an L.A. concert days after the attack, and appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America last week to give his account of the incident, saying that he’s been “forever changed” by it.
This is just so messy!
#NewMusicVideo from MÃ―a ‘With You’ Featuring My Guy Mars
MÃ―a joined the Valentine’s Day music madness and released a serene visual for “With You” featuring My Guy Mars, from her T.K.O. (The Knock Out) album.
WATCH HERE
“With You” is the fourth track from T.K.O. to receive video love. Following the release of the record, she linked up with Tink for “G.M.O. (Got My Own).”
#HipHopNews: Meek Mill On Drake Beef: “Nothing Lasts Forever”
The Meek Mill and Drake beef dragged on for three years but now it's a thing of the past. The two former enemies are back on good terms and have even already collabed on the track "Going Bad." According to Meek, the two rappers settling their differences was all about growing up and maturing.
Meek covers the latest issue of FootWear News, with the digital version of the interview dropping on Monday (Feb. 18). In the Q&A, Meek opens up about squashing things with Aubrey.
"Nothing lasts forever," he said. "We had something going on for two or three years, but I’m older now — I’m 31 years old. I can’t be the same way I was when I was 27 or 28. Everything about me is maturing.”
Meek and Drake publicly squashed their beef last September when Drizzy brought Meek out during his Aubrey & The Three Migos Tour stop in Boston. They doubled up the following week when Meek made a cameo during Drake's show in Philadelphia and have been back to being buds ever since.
The article also finds Meek touching on his plans to help out those stuck in the judicial system, specifically via his partnership with Puma and the Reform sneaker. Proceeds from the shoes go to benefiting criminal justice reform efforts.
“The goal is to get a million people out of the system," Meek revealed. "We have 6 million people in the system right now, and 4.4 million of them are on probation. The goal is to get people free from the system in the next five years, people who don’t belong in prison.”
Check out the full cover story on FootWear News
#FASHIONNEWS: The End of an Era: Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld dies at 85
PARIS (AP) — Chanel’s iconic couturier, Karl Lagerfeld, whose accomplished designs as well as trademark white ponytail, high starched collars and dark enigmatic glasses dominated high fashion for the past 50 years, has died. He was around 85 years old.
Such was the enigma surrounding the German-born designer that even his age was a point of mystery for decades, with reports he had two birth certificates, one dated 1933 and the other 1938. In 2013, Lagerfeld told French magazine "Paris Match" he was born in 1935, but in 2019 his assistant still didn't know the truth — telling AP he liked "to scramble the tracks on his year of birth — that's part of the character."
Chanel confirmed that Lagerfeld died early Tuesday.
Lagerfeld was of the most hardworking figures in the fashion world holding down the top design jobs at LVMH-owned luxury label Fendi from 1977, and Paris' family-owned power-house Chanel in 1983. Indeed, his indefatigable energy was notable: he lost around 90 pounds in his late 60s to fit into the latest slimline fashions.
Though he spent virtually his entire career at luxury labels catering to the very wealthy — including all of 20 years at Chloe — Lagerfeld's designs quickly trickled down to low-end retailers, giving him an almost unprecedented impact on the entire fashion industry.
At Chanel, he served up youthful designs that were always of the moment and sent out almost infinite variations on the house's classic skirt suit, ratcheting up the hemlines or smothering it in golden chains, stings of pearls or pricey accessories. They were always delivered with wit.
"Each season, they tell me (the Chanel designs) look younger. One day we'll all turn up like babies," he once told The Associated Press.
His outspoken and often stinging remarks on things as diverse as French politics and celebrity waistlines won him the nickname "Kaiser Karl" in the fashion media. Among the most acid comments included calling President Francois Hollande an "imbecile" who would be "disastrous" for France in Marie-Claire, and telling UK's The Sun that he didn't like the face of Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge's sister.
"She should only show her back," he advised.
Lagerfeld was also heavily criticized for sending out a negative message to women when he told France's Metro newspaper that signer Adele was "a little too fat."
Despite this, he did have an under-reported soft side. He was known to be very kind to his staff at Chanel and was famous for according journalists generously long interviews after each fashion show. He also shared his unmarried life in his Parisian mansion with a Siamese cat called Choupette.
"She is spoilt, much more than a child could be," he told AP in 2013, revealing also that he would take her to the vet every 10 days overcautiously.
Lagerfeld had little use for nostalgia and kept his gaze riveted toward the future. Well into his 70s, he was quick to embrace new technology: He famously had a collection of hundreds of iPods.
A photographer who shot ad campaigns for Chanel and his own eponymous label, Lagerfeld also collected art books and had a massive library and a bookstore as well as his own publishing house. He was also an impressive linguist switching between perfect French, English, Italian and his native German during interviews at post-catwalk celebrity media scrums.
Although he spent much of his life in the public eye, Lagerfeld remained a largely elusive figure. Even as he courted the spotlight, he made an apparently deliberate effort to hide what was going on behind his trademark dark shades.
"I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that," British Vogue quoted Lagerfeld as saying. "It is like a mask. And for me the Carnival of Venice lasts all year long."
After cutting his teeth at Paris-based label Chloe, Lagerfeld consolidated his reputation in the 1980s when he revived the flagging fortunes of the storied Paris haute couture label Chanel. There, he helped launch the careers of supermodels including Claudia Schiffer, Ines de la Fressange and Stella Tennant.
In a move that helped make his a household name, Lagerfeld designed a capsule collection for Swedish fast-fashion company H&M in 2004 and released a CD of his favorite music shortly after.
A weight-loss book he published in 2005 — "The Karl Lagerfeld Diet" — consolidated his status as a pop culture icon. In the book, Lagerfeld, said that it was his desire to fit into the slim-cut suits by then-Dior Homme designer Hedi Slimane that had motivated his dramatic transformation.
The son of an industrialist who made a fortune in condensed milk and his violinist wife, Lagerfeld was born into an affluent family in Hamburg, Germany.
Lagerfeld had artistic ambitions early on. In interviews, he variously said he wanted to become a cartoonist, a portraitist, an illustrator or a musician.
"My mother tried to instruct me on the piano. One day, she slammed the piano cover closed on my fingers and said, 'draw, it makes less noise," he was quoted as saying in the book "The World According to Karl."
At age 14, Lagerfeld came to Paris with his parents and went to school in the City of Light. His fashion career got off to a precocious start when, in 1954, a coat he designed won a contest by the International Wool Secretariat. His rival, Yves Saint Laurent, won that year's contest in the dress category.
Lagerfeld apprenticed at Balmain and in 1959 was hired at another Paris-based house, Patou, where he spent four years as artistic director. After a series of freelance jobs with labels including Rome-based Fendi, Lagerfeld took over the reins at Chloe, known for its romantic Parisian style.
Lagerfeld also started his own label, Karl Lagerfeld, which though less commercially successful than his other ventures, was widely seen as a sort of sketchpad where the designer worked through his audacious ideas.
In 1982, he took over at over Chanel, which had been dormant since the death of its founder, Coco Chanel, more than a decade earlier.
"When I took on Chanel, it was a sleeping beauty — not even a beautiful one," he said in the 2007 documentary "Lagerfeld Confidential." ''She snored."
For his debut collection for the house, Lagerfeld injected a dose of raciness, sending out a translucent navy chiffon number that prompted scandalized headlines.
He never ceased to shake up the storied house, sending out a logo-emblazoned bikini so small the top looked like pasties on a string and another collection that dispensed entirely with bottoms, with the models wearing little jackets over opaque tights instead.
Lagerfeld was open about his homosexuality — he once said he announced it to his parents at age 13 — but kept his private life under wraps. Following his widely known relationship with a French aristocrat who died of AIDS in 1989, Lagerfeld insisted he prized his solitude above all.
"I hate when people say I'm 'solitaire' (or solitary.) Yes, I'm solitaire in the sense of a stone from Cartier, a big solitaire," Lagerfeld told The New York Times in an interview. "I have to be alone to do what I do. I like to be alone. I'm happy to be with people, but I'm sorry to say I like to be alone, because there's so much to do, to read, to think."
As much as he loved the spotlight, Lagerfeld was careful to obscure his real self.
"It's not that I lie, it's that I don't owe the truth to anyone," he told French Vogue in an interview.
R.I.P And thank you for all your contributions to Fashion!
Report: Manny Machado and San Diego agreed to $300 million, 10-year contract
Manny Machado has agreed to the biggest free-agent contract in American sports history -- a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres, league sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday.
Machado, a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner at third base, made $16 million between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles last season.
The deal with the Padres, which is pending a physical, includes an opt-out after the fifth season and a limited no-trade clause, league sources told ESPN. It is expected to be officially announced Thursday or Friday.
Padres owners Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler wouldn't confirm the deal and said discussions are "continuing."
"Ron and I, we love the city of San Diego. We love sports in San Diego. We're also well aware of the history," Seidler said. "There's never been a championship. ... We as an organization, we want to completely change that. We want our franchise to win year after year after year. And we're going to do whatever we can rationally do to make that happen."
As Manny Machado heads to San Diego on the largest contract ever given to a free agent, we break down what the deal means for the infielder, the Padres and a certain other available star.
By signing the biggest free-agent deal in sports history, both the player and the Padres knew exactly what they were doing.
A team spending to win? The third baseman's move to San Diego changes the prospect-packed Friars' timetable for a return to contention.
General manager A.J. Preller also wouldn't comment on the deal but spoke Tuesday about the Padres' approach to building a ballclub.
"If the right guys are out there -- guys we feel fit in a long-term plan -- we want to build it year-to-year, basically. As we get going, add the right piece at the right time," Preller said. "You can wait for some of the young talent we built up and look at three, four years, then try to hope the right guys are out there at that time, but I think we figured as a group if pieces that fit for us both in the short term, long term are out there, that's how you build a club.
"I think we understand now the key is to turn what we feel like we built from a system standpoint and turn that into a winning product on the big league field. It's not about looking up at a group and saying we have an elite farm system."
Machado, 26, posted a career-high .905 OPS in 2018, finishing the season with a .297/.367/.538 slash line, 37 home runs, 107 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. In 66 regular-season games with the Dodgers, he hit .273 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs.
Padres players were ecstatic Tuesday, even though the signing was not yet official.
"You see me smiling right here,'' said first baseman Eric Hosmer, who exactly a year ago finalized a $144 million, eight-year deal with San Diego. "We've all been practicing today, obviously. We've all kind of heard what's been going on, and all we can say is he's a guy we'd love to have, and I think it changes things pretty quickly if we do have him here.
"He's one of the top guys in the league,'' Hosmer added. "Obviously, extremely young free agent that's got a lot of amazing baseball left in him, and he's already had a lot of amazing baseball in his career. We're all just glad he'll hopefully be here with us in San Diego.''
San Diego, which has missed the playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons, ranked 28th in the majors last season after averaging 3.8 runs per game.
Machado has hit 30 home runs in each of the past four seasons; only Wil Myers (2017) has surpassed that mark for the Padres in that span. Only six times in Padres history has a player hit more home runs in a season than Machado did in 2018. The last to do so was Adrian Gonzalez (40) in 2009.
Myers was the last Padres player to start an All-Star Game in 2016, serving in the designated hitter role. The Padres' last position player to start an All-Star Game was Tony Gwynn in 1998.
"It's exciting to be able to add a star, somebody like that in the middle of the lineup," Myers said Tuesday. "I think it lengthens the lineup for us, makes everyone around us better. ... Anytime you can add a player of that caliber to your team, you do it."
The Padres have spent $474 million in free agency the past two seasons -- tops in the majors. San Diego had spent a combined $309 million in free agency in the previous 25 seasons, which ranked 27th in the majors.
ESPN's Keith Law ranked the Padres' farm system as the best in baseball entering this season.
Machado's signing immediately registered with oddsmakers, as the Padres' chances to win the World Series improved from 80-1 to 50-1 at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook on Tuesday. In addition, their season win total at the SuperBook jumped from 76.5 to 78.5, and their chances to win the NL West title improved from 30-1 to 12-1.
The Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees had been considered in the running to sign Machado.
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams told reporters on Tuesday that he was shocked that Machado chose the Padres.
"I'm wearing my shades, so you can't see the shock in my eyes," Williams told reporters at White Sox spring training in Glendale, Arizona. "Very surprised. There are a few other words you could put on that, but still in a little bit of disbelief. ... I honestly believe we had the best offer on the table."
The White Sox's final offer to Machado was for eight years and $250 million, sources said. It included a pair of club options based on plate appearances that could have brought the value of the package to $320 million.
Had Machado stayed healthy throughout the deal, the likelihood is Chicago's offer would've been worth around $340 million. Machado instead opted for the guaranteed money from San Diego.
Machado spent most of this past season at shortstop, his preferred position, and produced the third-worst Defensive Runs Saved total (minus-13) among the 22 players with enough innings to qualify at that spot. He played better at the position upon joining the Dodgers, who gave up five minor leaguers to acquire him from the Orioles on July 18, but his 15-week stint in L.A. was tumultuous.
The former No. 3 overall pick drew criticism for loafing up the first-base line, then fanned the flames when he told Fox Sports during the postseason that hustling is "not my cup of tea."
"He got booed in Baltimore three weeks before we traded for him," the Dodgers' Andrew Friedman said at the general managers meetings on Nov. 6. "It's not like it was a secret. ... I think there are other times where guys do it, and they really do care. And by care, I mean the effort they put into their work, the type of teammate they are, and Manny checks all those boxes."
Machado had several big moments with the Dodgers, some while the team was fighting for a sixth consecutive division title in September and a few more during a victorious NL Championship Series. But he hit just .182 in the World Series, and he made the final out as the Boston Red Sox won the championship.
"There's not that many guys that get to free agency at that superstar level that are 26 years old," Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said Tuesday. "Ten years seems fair, for sure, and getting that $30 [million per] year is great.
"Can't say I'm happy for him. I guess he's with the Padres now. But it's good to maybe get the market going a little bit, for sure. I think [the Padres] took advantage of Manny being out there for so long, got in the mix. Kudos to them."
Machado was limited to 82 games in 2014, but he has played at least 156 games in each of the past four seasons. He has hit at least 30 home runs and 30 doubles in each of those four seasons, making him one of just two players, along with Colorado's Nolan Arenado, to reach both of those marks every season since 2015.
He has compiled 29 FanGraphs wins above replacement since his first full season in the majors in 2013, tied with Joey Votto for sixth among position players since then. Only Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson, Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve have a higher WAR in that six-year stretch.
Machado's 175 career home runs are 12 more than that of the Padres' all-time franchise leader, Nate Colbert, who hit 163 -- the lowest total for any active franchise.
#POLTICS: Bernie Sanders Is Running For President…AGAIN!
Senator Bernie Sanders has announced he is running for president in the 2020 election!
Bernie made the announcement on Tuesday morning with the following post on social media:
I’m running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country.
Add your name to say you’re in at the link in my bio.
See Bernie Sanders’ original post as well as his campaign video HERE
Will you “feel the Bern” in the 2020 election?
Duchess Meghan Markle Steps Out for Her Baby Shower!
Duchess Meghan Markle has emerged on the day of her rumored baby shower!
The 37-year-old pregnant Duchess emerged from a hotel in New York City on Monday (February 19) and it’s rumored that she’s having her baby shower today, though nothing has been confirmed.
In fact, one of her celeb guests was seen arriving with a gift in hand that seems to be a clue as to if she’s having a baby boy or a baby girl!
It’s unclear how long the Duchess will remain in New York City, but she’s due to be in Morocco with her husband Prince Harry this weekend.
Tinashe Splits From Label, Manager Claims It Was Time to Part Ways
Tinashe has moved from her former record label RCA Records, citing creative differences. According to the singer’s manager Mike Nazzaro, she was not dropped, and instead, the split was amicable and necessary.
We initiated for her to be released. It was a positive split for her. It’s giving her back creative control. [The split has] been a respectful separation on both sides. Her relationship with RCA was a long-term relationship, but they needed space. It was time to part ways.
Despite reports, the “Joyride” songstress has walked away from the label for the past month. As far as what’s next,
She’s excited for this next step in her career. We’re trying to decide now, if we want new partners, who the next ones will be.
The singer released two full length projects under the RCA umbrella; her debut album “Aquarius” in 2014, and 2018’s “Joyride.” The singer’s artist profile has been removed from RCA’s roster. The record label is home to rising star and Grammy Award winner H.E.R., Alicia Keys, Bryson Tiller, A$AP Ferg, Jazmine Sullivan and Brittney Spears.
The singer recently received rave reviews from her performance in FOX’s televised live play of “RENT.”
Lady Gaga and Christian Carino call off their engagement
The “A Star Is Born” actress and her fiancÃĐ, Christian Carino, have called off their engagement, her rep confirmed to People on Tuesday.
Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, and Carino got together in February 2017, just months after she called off her engagement to actor Taylor Kinney. Carino was — and appears to still be — working as Gaga’s CAA agent when they coupled up.
In September 2017, Gaga, 32, gushed during one of her concerts that she was “in love” with 50-year-old Carino.
Although rumors of an engagement between Gaga and Carino swirled for a while after she debuted a pink diamond ring in late 2017, the couple didn’t confirm the news until October 2018 when she thanked “my fiancÃĐ Christian” during her speech at Elle’s 25th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration.
However, only a few months later, fans began to speculate that all wasn’t well with the couple. Rumors began to swirl that Gaga and Carino split when she didn’t wear her engagement ring to the Grammys and he didn’t go as her date.
Although she won’t be getting married yet, she’s hardly far from the shallow now.
Gaga’s rep didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tristan Thompson Supposedly was Seen Flirting With Women In Bars On Valentine's Day
Looks like Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian are dune...again.
10-months after his explosive cheating scandal (with videos and all), it's being reported the two have called it quits again.
On Valentine's Day, Tristan and Khloe apparently didn't spend the day together. And people who spotted the NBA baller on V-Day are spilling tea on what he was up to. And he was up to no good again...allegedly.
Eyewitnesses tell Life & Style the Cleveland Cavaliers player spent Valentine's Day at an L.A. bar flirting with chicks instead of being cuddled up with his daughter True Thompson and her mother.
“Tristan was being flirty, hitting up girls,” at the Pineapple Hill Saloon & Grill in Sherman Oaks, California, according to a source.
The source added the 27-year-old baller also snapped pics with the females at the bar. He was also spotted having dinner at Gyu-Kaku restaurant in Sherman Oaks with a few of his friends.
Khloe on the other hand spent her Valentine's Day with their 10-month-old daughter True Thompson. She posted several videos of herself and baby True on her Instagram Stories. It's said Tristan sent True a huge floral arrangement to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's unclear if he stopped by to see her on the holiday.
Days before making his way to L.A., he was seen with some women at Barley House Bar in Cleveland. It's reported a bouncer brought a few girls upstairs to see the NBA star.
“He came in the back door and he was snuck quickly through the back by two or three bouncers,” an eyewitness tells Us Weekly about his Feb. 9th spotting. “They took him immediately upstairs. There were some girls who went up afterward. One of the bouncers said, ‘Tristan Thompson is upstairs,’ and they just said, ‘Really?’ and he took them up there."
Meanwhile, Khloe Kardashian has been busy posting cryptic messages about "love" on her Instagram account.
“'Are you willing to give up what you love, for who you love?' Big Sean," Khloe captioned a picture of herself. Chick done cut her hair. Y'all know what that means.
As you know, Khloe and Tristan "broke up" after several videos of him tonguing down girls in the club surfaced. The videos came out days before Khloe gave birth to their daughter. She took him back and they were seemingly working on their relationship. The picture of them above as a family was taken on Thanksgiving.
Now, it seems they're over. At least for now.
“They are done — for good,” a family insider tells RadarOnline. “Khloe began to see what everyone else had been seeing for months: that he doesn’t deserve her.”
BYE!
#FASHIONFAUXPAS: Burberry Issues Apology After Featuring Hoodie With Noose Around Neck
Fashion company Burberry is apologizing after it featured a hoodie with a noose around the neck during the Sunday show for the brand’s autumn/winter 2019 collection at London Fashion Week.
“We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our A/W 2019 runway collection Tempest,” Burberry chief executive officer Marco Gobbetti said in a statement provided to CNN and Highsnobiety. “Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake,” he said in the statement.
The model who wore the hoodie, #LizKennedy took to Instagram to shame the fashion brand for their tone-deaf actions, saying she was “ashamed to have been a part of the show.” She continued, “Suicide is not fashion,” she wrote in the Instagram post. “It is not glamorous nor edgy and since this show is dedicated to the youth expressing their voice, here I go.” Kennedy then went after chief creative officer of the brand Riccardo Tisci.
“Riccardo Tisci and everyone at Burberry it is beyond me how you could let a look resembling a noose hanging from a neck out on the runway,” she wrote. “How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth. The impressionable youth.”
Kennedy went on to express how the hoodie plays on the historical racial violence against Black people. “There are hundreds of ways to tie a rope and they chose to tie it like a noose completely ignoring the fact that it was hanging around a neck,” she continued. “A massive brand like Burberry who is typically considered commercial and classy should not have overlooked such an obvious resemblance.” Kennedy said she left her “fitting extremely triggered after seeing this look. Feeling as though I was right back where I was when I was going through an experience with suicide in my family.”
“The issue is not about me being upset, there is a bigger picture here of what fashion turns a blind eye to or does to gain publicity,” she said. “I did not post this to disrespect the designer or the brand but to simply express an issue I feel very passionate about.” Burberry has yet to respond to media’s request for comment. Burberry has now been added to the boycott list following behind #Prada and #Gucci after they posted racially insensitive pieces.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
‘MR. NASTY TIME’
Here you will see the redneck in his natural habitat of Walmart presenting “the goods” to a potential mate.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Sienna The Latin Bear!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
ENJOY!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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