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In Your Mother's ImageBy Christine Stoddard QuailBellMagazine.com I'm an avid reader of XOJane.com, as much for the comments as for the actual articles. (No, that was not an intentional riff off the old joke, “I read Playboy for the articles.”) I especially enjoy watching the conversations about personal identity and feminism unfold. The community that forms over essays like “It Happened to Me: I'm 34 Years Old, and I Just Found Out I'm Not a Woman, But I'm Actually a Man” and “The Myth of the Teenage Temptress: Or Why a Young Girl Can Not Consent to Sex with an Adult Man” gets the ol' gears turning and usually leaves me feeling empowered. It's because of this community that I have yet one more reason to count my lucky stars that I was born in the Age of the Internet. In devouring as many XOJane comments sections as I have, I cannot help but notice some reoccurring ideas. One thought that has been echoed over and over again is the belief that a mother projects her feelings about her physical appearance onto her daughter—whether that means positive or negative body acceptance. Many XOJane commenters have agreed that this rings especially true if a daughter closely resembles her mother. The mother's feelings will influence her daughter and her self-esteem. If she likes her hips and her daughter has inherited the same hips, the daughter will like her hips. If she hates her hips and her daughter has inherited the same hips, the daughter will hate her hips. Time after time, XOJane commenters have mourned over how their mothers' negative body perception has forced a lifetime of self-loathing upon them. While some have directly blamed their mothers, others have acknowledged that their mothers are just as much victims of societal expectations as they are.
When I look at ads in Vogue, Town & Country, and other national fashion and lifestyle magazines, I sometimes wonder what the models think of themselves. These young, tall, and almost impossibly skinny models are our society's ideal beauties. But do the models look in the mirror and feel pretty? What did their mothers tell them growing up? Did they tell them they were beautiful? Or were their mothers too focused on complaining about their “ugliest” features to remind their daughters that they were beautiful? A couple of years ago, ABC News put out an article called “Fashion Models: By the Numbers.” I was shocked to learn that the average professional model only makes $42,560 a year or $20.46 an hour. That's about the same as the average professional journalist and we're all aware that journalism is one of the poorest paid career paths. But once I considered the fact that fashion is a glamour industry (duh), I realized that most models are so hungry (no pun intended) to be a part of it, that they'll settle for low pay. I remember watching the documentary, “Girl Model,” and being astounded by how desperate these tall, skinny Russian girls were to become models in Japan. Why did these girls crave that lifestyle so badly? Why weren't they aspiring for careers in other fields as a different means for escaping poverty? Was it because they needed to be told they were beautiful? Because their mothers forgot to remind them? Or because they misinterpreted their mother's self-loathing as their mother's low opinion of their looks? The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
A Dowry for GuysMost of us have heard of a dowry, the collection of properties and other valuable things which a young lady gives to her husband upon their marriage. It's a word bandied about in period movies all the time. But what is less well known is the groom's version, the corbeille de mariage. An extremely important tradition in 19th century France, the corbeille de mariage was a gift basket given by the groom to the bride upon the signing of the wedding contract. Inside it was a host of lovely things, the objects that would transform the woman from a young daughter to a mature married lady. The corbeille was worth rougly five to ten percent of the dowry, and as the century progressed became an important piece of furniture, taking the form of a little desk or a trunk. While corbeilles varied depending on budget, certain items were simply must-haves. The March 1847 issue of La Mode describes two corbeilles:
The cashmere shawl was an extremely important luxury item in the early to mid-19th century, and no corbeille was complete without one. Fans, gloves, purses, lace for decorating garments, jewels, and handkerchiefs were similarly required.
The corbeille had an important symbolic value as well. Young, unmarried women would generally dress in a demure manner. Light colors, little decoration, overall a not very flashy appearance. This was part of her allure, as a woman who dressed in an extravagant manner signaled an expensive lifestyle. Men didn't want a wife who would drain all their money with her spending. But a plain and modestly dressed woman showed good sense and would not bankrupt her future husband with her spending (supposedly). Married women, on the other hand, reflected their husbands' wealth and subsequently were "allowed" to dress in a more decorative style. Thus the presentation of the corbeille, filled with the luxurious, decorative items of a married woman, signaled the transition to a new status, that of the respectable married woman. It was symbolic of the young lady's entrance into adulthood. But you don't hear about that at bachelorette parties anymore, do you? The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
The Dirty 30's Weren't So Dirty After AllWomen's fashion in the '30s became a little more form-fitting and longer in length than it had been during the comparatively outrageous Roaring Twenties. In order to make clothes that hugged the body, designers had to use very lightweight fabrics such, as crêpes and lighter satins—both very elegant fabrics. Here are some examples of what designers did way back when: For our first dress, I am bringing you the famous Jeanne Lanvin. This dress is made of off white-wool crêpe decorated throughout with silver sequins; the design is mostly abstract geometric shapes, but there are a few stylized fish. Also note the low neckline, straight-topped bodice, and 1" thick straps, as well as the natural waistline accentuated by a thin, sequin-covered belt. The skirt falls straight to the floor. Chicago History Museum Next up we have a House of Worth evening gown, c.1932. It's sleeveless and a pale sea-foam green with a V-neck, decorated with large seashells of various types all over the fabric. The straps are decorated with sequins and rhinestones. Attached to the dress is a sea-foam crêpe de chine slip with slide closure. More on the House of Worth Next, take a look at a dress from Coco Chanel. This dress is made of dark purple blue silk net and crochet, and is completely covered with tiny iridescent paillettes, which are sewn onto the yarn strands. The V-shaped neckline with fold-over collar trails down the back of the dress and can be tied like a scarf. The dress also has a proper left-side zipper and flared, ankle-length skirt. More on House of Chanel Last but not least, we have another stunner. This little beauty is from Mainbocher, c. 1938. It is floor-length and an evening style, pink and gold jacquard weave with silk brocading. It has a high neckline with attached trompe l'oeil (illusion of depth) necklace of sequins, glass beads, and orange pink beading. The cap sleeves have similar trim at edge, and the bodice attaches to the straight skirt at the natural waist.
It is becoming obvious to me as I find these gowns that I will have to revisit this time period again and again—I just can't do it justice in only 4 photos! The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
The History of PinkThe color pink has come to represent all that is quintessentially girly. Barbie, the most famous of girls' dolls, frequently wears pink, drives a pink convertible, and lives in a pink house. In the movie "Legally Blonde" (2001), Elle Woods, the stereotypical ditzy sorority girl, is often dressed in her signature color—pink. Disney princesses, including Cinderella, Ariel, and Aurora, all appear in pink gowns at some point in their movies. The logo for breast cancer awareness, a disease associated with women (although men can get breast cancer as well), is a pink ribbon. I know some women who love pink because it's girly, and some who hate it for the same reason. For some, pink represents the negative gender stereotype of a shallow and stupid girl. For others, pink represents a vibrant celebration of femininity. I myself like the color pink, not for any gender connotations, but because I think it is a pretty color. However, I know my fondness for pink clothes, accessories, and objects to decorate my house with sends a certain message to people, be it positive or negative. I have sometimes been criticized for my fondness of pink, and told that it makes me seem immature, unintelligent, and "girly" (that is, I'm like a little girl, not an adult woman). Strong Independent Modern Women don't wear pink! I think Strong Independent Modern Women can wear whatever they like but that is besides the point. Pink is a highly politicized color. But it hasn't always been that way. The designations of pink and blue as gendered colors that we know today did not come about until the twentieth century, when children's clothing became gender specific. In previous centuries, young boys and girls wore dresses and skirts (because it was easier to change diapers that way) for the first years of their life. But this began to change in the twentieth century, and with gendered clothing came gendered colors. It may surprise you to know that pink has traditionally been a masculine color. Pink, as a lighter version of red, had associations with blood and fighting, symbols of masculinity. Blue, today the color designated as masculine, has traditionally been the feminine color. In Christian tradition, blue is the iconographic color code of the Virgin Mary, and what is more feminine than the symbol of purity herself, the virgin mother of the son of God? In June 1918, the Infants' Department wrote:
So when did the colors switch, with pink becoming feminine? It was during the 1950's that pink became strongly feminized. This was not a sudden change, but the result of a gradual evolution. The designation of pink as feminine was the result of several factors, one of which was due to changes in the clothing industry. By the 1950's, most families bought clothing from stores, and clothing manufacturers helped to shape the idea of gendered clothing. In her book about the history of gendered childrens clothing, Pink and Blue, Jo Paoletti writes:
In recent years, men have somewhat reclaimed the color pink. In conjunction with the release of Baz Luhrmann's new adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Brooks Brothers sold a design based on Jay Gatsby's famous pink suit. Famous hip hop artists such as Jay Z and Kanye West have been pictured wearing pink. And preppy polo shirts and shorts for men come in a variety of shades of pink. So is the pink stigma being lifted? Only time will tell.
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Vintage Photos for KeepsYoung women run splashing into the water in their swimsuits at Lake George in New York, 1945.
This photo and others from the National Geographic archives were put up for auction by Christie’s in an exclusive, online-only sale from July 19-29. (See here for details.) Photograph by B. Anthony Stewart, National Geographic. Source and copyright: National Geographic Found The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
My Fashion 2013By Caleon Reed QuailBellMagazine.com Living in a world where new styles are created precipitously, you may quickly feel out of the loop. We are part of the digital age where new styles are constantly being thrown into the mix at all hours of the day by numerous designers, stylists, and average Janes on every social network you can think of. If you’re filthy rich, you might be able to keep up with the ever-changing trends. It’ll only take all of your money and a few personal assistants. So how can a girl get by wearing some vintage duds without looking like yesterday’s yesterday?
If you have an Instagram or Tumblr, I’m sure you’ve noticed a wave of fashionistas who use social media to post their looks. I know my timelines are filled with posts from crisply color-coordinated amateur designers and stylists. Looking at these pics definitely makes me wonder how on earth can they afford to dress this well everyday. Maybe they’re excellent bargain hunters or wealthy, but that doesn’t explain how they’re aware of every new trend the moment it hits the surface. I feel as if I’m missing out on a daily text that sends underhand fashion updates. But as enticed I am by the many threads and brilliant outfits I see, I can’t jump on the “Follow the trends” bandwagon. I like a few new “It” pieces here and there, but I love a good deal on timeless and vintage items. I feel my style achieves a happy balance between trendy and vintage. I like to shop everywhere: department stores, thrift stores, outlet stores, etc. When I’m buying shirts or blouses, I can never go wrong racking up at my local thrift store. I’m bound to either find a top I’m absolutely in love with, or one I see potential in with the right statement pieces. My statement pieces usually include nice jewelry that I find at Charlotte Russe, Macy’s, or my mom’s jewelry box. If I’m buying a new shirt/blouse, I start with the rule of not spending more than $15 (max!) per piece. If I MUST HAVE the piece, I might spend $25 (a rare occasion because I usually talk myself out of most items priced this high). I’m a little picky when it comes to jeans because I decide based on the fit, cut, and wash. I have so many requirements for jeans because I don’t like to buy them often and need them to last. That being said I purchase most of my jeans new. My choices in jeans are usually classic washes that can go with anything. When I do make that special occasion trendy jean purchase (like the newest skinnier than the last skinnier skinny jean), I’m certain not to buy any with prints that I’ll get tired of easily. Sometimes I luck out at the thrift store and find a nice pair of pants, and I either leave them as is or spruce them up by adding some rips or patches here and there, or a nice neat cuff. Every now and then I can find a distinctive pair of shoes at a vintage store. If shoes have a jazzy design, bold colors and/or distinctive shape, and if they're marked at a good price, I get them. The rare shoes that I find at vintage store have regularly become the focus of my outfits. This inadvertently works in my favor because it gives the impression that I started my own trend. Other times, I find an online boutique and choose shoes with a trendy “girly-girl” look (usually heels). Having both a selection of vintage and current pieces, I get kudos as well as unique outfits. Thanks to my mix-match way of choosing my outfits, I rarely have to worry about being in that awkward situation where you see someone wearing your exact outfit. Most importantly I’ve learned when you mix up your wardrobe, you create your own style. After a while it's inevitable to become more comfortable with your own individual style and gain more confidence in yourself overall. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
From Catwalk to SidewalkI’ve been thinking for a while about doing some kind of study-at-home course to learn more about the history of fashion.When I chose my university major all those years ago, I didn’t choose things which particularly interested me on an intellectual level. I chose something I thought would be fun (I got to live abroad for a year) and would help me get a job at the end of it all. Oh, how I’d do things differently if I did them now! Anyway, I looked at the Open University and other places but nowhere seemed to do a purely academic fashion history course which lets you study from home. So I went onto Amazon.com and had a look to see what I could find out for myself, and I found A Cultural History of Fashion in the 20th and 21st Centuries: From Catwalk to Sidewalk. This book was just the ticket! It gives a comprehensive history of fashion in the 20th and 21st centuries, including fashion trends, influential designers, and much much more! I can’t claim to have read it all yet, but I’m gradually working my way though it and it’s absolutely fascinating. It's also surprisingly readable, a great improvement from a lot of the textbooks I had at uni! I’m hoping to be a real fashion history expert by the time I’ve finished. The second edition of this has just been released which also includes 21st Century fashion influences, trends, and technology. Oh, and it is packed with illustrations and photos too! Anyway, that’s enough chatting from me, I want to get back to reading it… A Cultural History of Fashion in the 20th and 21st Centuries, Second Edition: From Catwalk to Sidewalk by Bonnie English The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
The Pomegranate Motif(Rotated) Pomegranate illustration from Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé's Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, 1885. The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing shrub, originating from the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin. Throughout history, the pomegranate tree has been used for a variety of purposes. Its bark has been used to cure leather; its rind and flowers have been used as textile dye; and its fruit has been prized for its delicious taste and medicinal properties. Images of the pomegranate have permeated visual culture since ancient times. In Ancient Greek mythology, for example, the pomegranate was the food eaten by the dead in the underworld. In the world of fashion history, the pomegranate has had an extraordinary impact on textiles. Silk from the 15th or 16th century. Museo Civico d'Arte Antica. This textile shows the so-called "pomegranate motif." This stylized design of a central floral image surrounded by wavy stems has its origins in the Ottoman Empire. Under the reign of Süleyman I, also known as Süleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520-66), the arts flourished, and the textile design of a flowering plant such as carnations, blooming palmettes or pomegranates surrounded by a lattice pattern became extremely popular. These textiles made their way across trade routs to Western Europe where they were prized for their elegant patterns and luxurious materials. These motifs were also adopted by Western European artisans and dominated textile design of the Renaissance. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
More spring, please! (Too bad it's summer and feels like fall.)Spring is my favorite season because it’s naturally all about color. It’s a great time to experiment with happy shades — you’ll never be judged or looked at strangely, even if you normally wear more muted tones. So why's it summer again? Oh, yeah, science.
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Meet the Native Americans of the Everglades Florida has a long and compelling history, even before it was admitted into the Union. One of the chief parts of its history belongs to the Miccosukee Indians. In fact, the name Miccosukee means “the chief’s voice.” We just missed it, but July 26th was the anniversary of the Miccosukee’s international recognition as a sovereign nation by the Republic of Cuba in 1959. In honor of this, let’s take a look at the history of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Are you ready? I'm ready. GO.
The Miccosukee are primarily from Upper Creek stock, originating from Southern Georgia and Northern Florida. Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced the majority of Miccosukee west of the Mississippi, but about 100 Mikasuki-speaking Creek fled into the Florida Everglades, which is called “Kahayatle” in Mikasuki. They joined forces with the Seminoles and other tribes to withstand European occupation in the Indian Wars of the 1800s. The Miccosukee adapted to their new environment, living in small groups in temporary “hammock-style” camps. Their houses were called “chickees” and were made of wood, plaster, thatched roofs, and perhaps raised on stilts. The clothes they wore changed to fit the environment as well. The men wore breech-cloths and elaborate tattoos. The women wore wrap around skirts made of palmetto fiber. Neither wore shirts, which is understandable because South Florida is so hot! At times I wish I could try it. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
One of the fabulous and fantastic things about working at Quail Bell Magazine is that we truly never know what will fly into our inbox. One day we'll receive a flurry of epic poems and another day we'll get bizarre photos and short stories galore. Every once in a while, a fashion designer will contact us with pictures of recent creations. That's exactly what Christine Bebeau did recently. Check out these two jackets she made! And, yeah, she runs an Etsy. -CS
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Where Current Wedding Traditions Originated By Julie Lain QuailBellMagazine.com Modern weddings have their own traditions that many still follow—garter tosses and best man speeches, for example. But have you ever wondered what it was like to get married in medieval times? Well, look no further. When we think of popular wedding customs, it’s hard to imagine that, at one time, brides carried herbs in their bouquets instead of flowers. But, hey, it was centuries ago and their beliefs were much different then. Here are other ways in which people during the middle ages celebrated their Big Day: 1. Wearing a blue dress. “Here comes the bride, all dressed in...blue?” You bet. Apparently in medieval times, blue was considered the color of purity. Nevertheless, it was the tradition for brides to don that color for their big day, or at least have a blue ribbon on them, which is where the phrase “something blue” comes from.
2. Garlic bouquets. Yes, you read that right. Brides in medieval times used bouquets with garlic and herbs to ward off evil spirits, instead of using flowers like brides typically use today. 3. The Honeymoon--literally. There’s a reason this ritual was given its name. The bride and groom were given a cup of honey wine from friends and family for 30 days after the wedding—a complete moon cycle. 4. The wedding cakes. The traditional wedding cake was started in medieval times when guests brought smaller, individual cakes and stacked them on top of each other. When they were all assembled, the newly-wedded couple would try to kiss over the stack without knocking it over. Aww! 5. Ambush the bride. At the end of a wedding ceremony, the guests would rush toward the frightened bride to tear off a piece of her dress for good luck, leaving her battered and crying by the time they were done. Aggressive enough? Thankfully, the tradition soon turned into the garter toss practice we’re so familiar with today. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Old Clothes have STDs, right?By QB Film Buff QuailBellMagazine.com Ask all the clerk the stupidest, most ignorant and insulting questions about vintage clothing possible, such as, "So, how'd you get rid of the crabs after trying on your great-grandmother's wedding gown?"
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Songstress Style, Obscure EditionOh Linda Manning, you're a mystery. A few cute rockabilly tunes from her can be found on YouTube, but just two photos have turned up in my extensive Google Image Searching, and nary a clip from the Linda Manning Show which this obituary says she lead. What gives? Why didn't anyone preserve any more vestiges of Linda Manning? Oh well, her elusiveness kinda heightens her mystique.
I first stumbled upon her portrait many and many a year ago (in a kingdom by the sea) and included it in this round-up of hillbilly fillies. Since then, she's always been in the back of my mind when I am getting ready before the mirror, because she is actually Perfection and if I could only have one "look" for the rest of forever I would choose her exact hair & makeup style, the end. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Show us your beauty!Are you gorgeous? A real fashionista? Just overflowing with confidence? Send us a pic of your beautiful self showing off your fantastic style and YOU could be the Bell(e) or Beau of the Week! Give us a sentence or two about what's inspired your look. We can't wait to see you!
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Do the Dark 'DoBy Julie Lain QuailBellMagazine.com Looking for just the right hairstyle to express your dark side? You may be in luck. In a culture in which individual self-expression is encouraged, Goths have experimented with every hairstyle idea imaginable, from the French braid to the beehive. And fortunately, gothic hairstyles are easy to do, unique, and can be done with any hair length and texture. There are many different types of goth, but here is a list of three popular hair ideas from gothic culture and how to create them. Hair Falls
What you need: Two hair falls Brush Two hair ties Bandana (optional) 1. First choose the material you want the falls to be. Hair falls can be yarn, wool, tubing, or foam. These can be purchased online on eBay, Etsy, or you can make your own. 2. Brush hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. Just as with any hairstyle, this gives you a fresh start and makes your hair easier to work with. 3. Make a bun (or pigtail) on each side of your head toward the front and top. This provides the falls with something to hold onto and also gives them more volume. At this point, if you’re going to wear a bandana or pair of goggles as some people like wearing with falls, it should be around your neck because it will be much easier to put on once the hair falls are in place rather than waiting until afterwards. 4. Tie a hair fall around one of the buns so that the ends of it hang over your face. If the fall is layered, position it so the shortest layer is in the front. 5. Flip the hair fall over the bun so that it completely covers that side of your head. Repeat with the other hair fall. 6. Position the strands how you want them to look. Tips
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The Unicorn Queen on WatermelonsWhat came first, the watermelon outfit or watermelon makeup? In my case, the socks!
I saw a pair of watermelon knee-highs at Fred Flare and fell in love. Soon after I found myself obsessed with watermelons! I decided to build an entire outfit, complete with makeup, inspired by watermelons—which I wore it to the Generation Beauty event. It was a big hit! Socks: Fred Flare, $12.50 Purse: H&M Dress, belt, sunglasses: Forever 21 Shoes: Buffalo Exchange Watch: Target Makeup: Chinadoll & Palette d’Antoinette (eyeshadows), Countessa Fluorescent + Centrifuchsia (lips), all by Lime Crime. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
The Unicorn Queen on FlamingosConfession time: I am totally obsessed with flamingos right now. Flamingo-pink is my new favorite color, I’m frantically buying everything flamingo-related— in fact, I’ve decided that I am a flamingo! Yes, a purple-tinted flamingo. I like the birds for what they represent: exotic luxury, care-free living and retro-kitch. I also think it’s fascinating how the birds themselves aren’t at all pretty, yet they can’t seem to take a bad picture! Yeah, you’ll be seeing a lot of flamingo-related stuff from me… And now, time for some pictures! Striking my best flamingo pose… I didn’t have flamingo socks (travesty!) so I had to settle on swallows & polkadots. Yes, both, simultaneously. I’m lucky to have a man who understands: Mark wore a flamingo-pink shirt on my birthday! :D
Shrug: Vintage Dress: F21 Flamingo glasses: gift Shoes: Miu Miu Socks: eBay, I think Lipstick: Geradium + Centrifuchsia mix The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Rock those lenses!By The Fashion Fairy QuailBellMagazine.com Baby Phat "Boys don't make passes for girls wearing glasses." Well, those guys are royal asses! Here are just a few retro-inspired frames you can buy now. Update your look with a throw-back. And only wink at the men who deserve your attention! Fossil Betsey Johnson Gucci Bebe Calvin Klein
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Iridescent is IrresistibleBy Celina Suh QuaillBellMagazine.com We love snowflakes because they sparkle. Maybe it hasn't truly snowed yet this winter, DMV, but that doesn't mean you can bring out your favorite iridescent piece this season. Shine, fledglings, shine. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
From Love and Sequins to the FrankenstormBy Starling Root QuailBellMagazine.com When you read Gala Darling's blog, you normally expect to experience a surge of "radical self-love," as she calls it. This New Zealander turned New Yorker thrives upon fun, positivity, fashion, beauty, and life's many indulgences, from the humble to the pricey. A typical blog post may cover a shopping trip or encourage female entrepreneurs to use their passion, creativity, and smarts to chase after their dreams. Gala Darling does not normally cover current events outside of consumer/pop culture. Her news tends to study trends, whether ones related to style or business. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, however, several of Gala Darling's recent posts have veered in the direction of citizen journalism as they chronicle New Yorkers' adventures in the aftermath of the disaster. Quail Bell emailed the alternative beauty queen five questions about the infamous Frankenstorm and what it's meant for her, her friends, and her neighbors in the Lower East Side. Here's how she responded to our queries: You washed your hair in the sink and tried to go about your daily beauty routine in other ways. What are the do's and don'ts of hurricane chic?
If you're lucky enough to have a Clarisonic, good news: the battery holds a charge for ages! When you can't do anything else, it's nice to be able to exfoliate! Haha. After a day without power, I thought about writing a tongue-in-cheek article about staying beautiful during the hurricane, but that was before I had access to the news and saw just how badly some people were affected. I was so lucky to be a couple of floors up in the East Village; so many people lost everything. There isn't much time for "hurricane chic" when your entire house is underwater. How have you seen Sandy inconvenience or even devastate other members of NYC's 'creative class'? How do you think people working in the creative industry are uniquely affected by natural disasters? Thankfully, none of my friends were badly affected by Sandy, probably because the vast majority of them live in Brooklyn. But of course, people in the creative industries are often self-employed and when your power is knocked out or your supplies are destroyed, that has major repercussions. As great as NYC is, one of the downsides is that most apartments don't have a lot of closets. To remedy this, I rent a 5"x10" space where I stash clothes, odds & ends, weird things, you know. The basement of the storage facility was completely flooded during Sandy, and dozens of units--with any number of valuable belongings inside--were wiped out. Again, I was lucky and my storage unit wasn't affected. But who knows what was in that space? It's terrible to think about. And I don't think any of those people had insurance! How has Sandy affected your day-to-day as blogger and creator of digital products? What advice do you have for other folks whose livelihood depends upon a great Internet connection? People joke about that concept of "going off the grid" all the time--all of us in the East Village really were off the grid for a week! It sucked, but it wasn't life-threatening. The worst thing about it was the feeling of disconnection: the cellphone towers had been knocked out, so even if your phone had power, you really weren't able to do much with it. You'd hear the news from your neighbors, and it mostly consisted of rumors and half-truths. So weird. Really, we just had to wait it out. Also, being winter, it was dark by 5.30 p.m., and other than romantic notions (all that candlelight, oh my), there really wasn't much to do! How has Sandy changed your Eccentric Pop shopping habits lately? How long do you see these changes persisting? I think one of the major things Sandy has done is reignite my love for small businesses! Even though power has been restored to Manhattan, there are still massive swathes of businesses in Alphabet City and the East Village that don't have their credit card machines running. There are signs everywhere that say "Cash Only :(" That may seem like a small thing, but it can really hurt a business, especially these days when everyone is so swipe-happy! I'm doing my best to visit those businesses and give them my money. Hopefully we can all get each other through. How do you think Sandy will be remembered throughout history? One of the most beautiful things about it--if there can ever be anything beautiful about a disaster--is the way it brought New Yorkers together. People really pitched in, donated goods, volunteered their time, did whatever they could, and it was so incredible to see. It made me feel immensely proud to be part of this crazy, wonderful city. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Fashionistas all aflutter at the Capitol--but for what?By QB Provocateur QuailBellMagazine.com Conservative. Stodgy. Traditional. Conformist. Keep thumbing through the thesaurus and hunt for other similar and vaguely related words to capture the look of stereotypical Washingtonian fashion.
Washington, D.C.'s style has never been the thing of national worship. If anything, it's been the thing of national ridicule. (Yeah, even the urban stuff on U Street hasn't ever reached Harlem heights.) You have a choice between a navy suit and a gray one. That's part of the reason why DC Fashion Week popped up: to give the U.S. capital city fashionista cred. The other reason? Let's be real: Money. More interest in D.C. fashion means more business for local designers, boutiques, and everybody else involved in the art and retail of clothes. So has that happened? DC Fashion Week took place from September 17-23, 2012. It's been two months. The Fall/Winter collections will be paraded about from February 18-24, 2013, so we're at the perfect midpoint for examination and reflection. What sort of economic impact have you observed in D.C.'s fashion industry? Do you have any real numbers? How much of any "progress" made is purely psychological? Discuss, discuss! (Right here. Add a comment. That's how the Internet works.) The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Ga-Ga for a Leggy Peach DressBy Celina Suh QuailBellMagazine.com Show some imagination in how you show off your legs. The Breadcrumbs widget will appear here on the published site.
Bell(e) of the Week: November 5th By Tykeya O'Neil & Sidney Shuman QuailBellMagazine.com Please vote by tonight at midnight EST!
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Beau of the Week/ October 22nd By Tykeya O'Neil & Sidney Shuman QuailBellMagazine.com Cast your vote by Friday at midnight EST!
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