R.I.P. “Ghetto Fabulous”
WRITTEN BY: Dasheeda Dawson
With the ushering in of a new day and new presidential administration, I am hopeful our new first family will also help usher in a new outlook on urban style. The Obamas, as a whole, really do exemplify the true meaning of “urban chic”. On the historical day of inaugurating the first black president, I couldn’t help but take pride in the class and style portrayed by the Obamas through their fashion sense. No doubt, we are a culture that truly enjoys bold fashion statements, but I keep wondering when the term “Ghetto Fabulous” will become obsolete. Although the Obamas are setting a new precedent, the general urban population still has quite a long way to go before reaching the point where we can officially bury “Ghetto Fabulous” once and for all.
As make-up artist and stylista, I often look to my surroundings for inspiration. Raw urban style remains one of my most important influences. It’s always been about the attitude and the in-your-face vibrant colors. However, recently we have become more and more fixated on labels and name-brands to define our style rather than true fashion innovation. Some might argue that the choice of name-brands is nothing more than a unique expression of themselves. Frankly, I find that difficult to believe when the vast majority of the urban population seems lost in the rhinestone embellishments and ill-advised placement of labels.
During my commute each morning, I am met with a sea of horrid weaves of varying colors, “bling-bling” in places that should never see the light of day and label whorism like I could never imagine. Guess sneakers, Northface coats, Coach hand-bags and babies dressed head-to-toe in Baby Phat and Sean John. Simply put, it is ghetto fabulousness at its best. It’s not that these lines are not stylish ---it is, in fact, the way in which most people seem to live and die by the label associated.
Yes, quality of luxury clothing and accessories is very important. However, are we really looking for quality or popularity? It is no surprise that the cheapest Louis Vuitton bags are the ones donning the well-known and highly recognized monogram logo. The same holds true for Gucci, Guess, Coach and other labels of similar “status”. It is the label’s attempt at giving us urban consumers a small taste of the high-fashion lifestyle and we buy into it by purchasing those Coach monogrammed sneakers that don’t go with anything in our closets. We force the label onto our daily looks in hopes of standing out as the most fashionable or perhaps, most popular.
Little do we realize, we actually serve as the inspiration for many of these top labels. For example, Louis Vuitton’s Multicolare collection, first introduced to us in 2006, screamed urban and hip-hop. Moving forward in this new Obama era, as a typically trend-setting culture, we should be looking to redefine urban style. Quite frankly, blatant labels and over-the-top outfits as a fashion trend are becoming played---ask Jay-Z.
This spring, “bling” should more often than not be reserved for jewelry, if necessary at all. Instead of copping the black or brown jacket with the huge label on the back or rhinestone embellishments everywhere, true fashion trendsetters should be looking for more classic looks in bolder colors and prints to make their fashion statements. Further, we should all finally realize that style is not necessarily synonymous with expensive. Top labels will always have a home in our closets, but don’t overdose on items that don’t work with your current wardrobe. Every purchase, from the inexpensive to the most lavish, should always be complimentary. As we lay to rest ghetto fabulous fashion tendencies, here are some suggestions for personalizing your urban chic look.
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Top Photo: Vivienne Westwood |
