By D. Kevin McNeir
GBMNews Sr. Correspondent

Grace, elegance and a keen sense of responsibility to her people are words that many use when describing Eunice Johnson, the widow of Ebony magazine founder John H. Johnson, who died at her Chicago home on Sunday from renal failure.

Johnson, 93, who gave the magazine its name, ran the business beside her husband since Johnson Publishing was founded in 1942 and despite her age was the company's secretary-treasurer at the time of her death. She also penned fashion features on a monthly basis for many years in Ebony.

 

Johnson's husband, John, began to publish Ebony, which would become the company's bread and butter, as an African-American alternative to Life and with its more pop culture-oriented Jet magazine, the magazines have collectively become two of the longest-running black-oriented magazines in the United States. But she was more than just her husband's helpmate and mother to their only daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, who now heads the publishing company. She was also a shrewd businesswoman whose flair and appreciation for fashion led her to organize a fashion show featuring African-Americans of all shapes, sizes and skin tones.

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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

An article was forwarded to me in which there was a celebrity allegation that Kanye West was " dressing gay". I was astounded, so fans I really felt that I should comment on this.

 

In London, Rapper Kanye West has lashed out at people claiming that he dresses like a 'gay', insisting that it is just his creative mind that is responsible for his bizarre outfits. Lashed out? I'm sure it was more of his getting the media's attention. Also he is correct, not all male designers are gay. But probably most. (smile) The 'Good Life' hitmaker, who will soon be launching his own jeans label, claims that he is immensely creative, and that is the reason why his dressing statement is likened to gay men. I agree with Kanye. Not every black male wants dress like Puff Daddy or L. L. Cool J. Kanye's designs will also change what is considered dressing straight and dressing gay. And at the same time it might be that much needed connection through fashion that will unite society.

"I really think it's because society tries to dictate the way a guy is supposed to dress and the way a guy is supposed to act, and I refuse to conform," The Sun quoted him as saying during an interview for American magazine Complex.

Amen to Kanye. "A lot of these dudes would never be accused of being gay just because they all look exactly alike. If people could just realize the amount of madness and followers that lack creativity… I think people's mentality is like, 'Only gay people are that creative," he added.

There's a lot of truth in regard what society has pigeon-holed what's considered gay. Many of us claim to know who's gay, sometimes by profession.

But the truth being, we don't have a pattern gay related professions, if you are comfortable with your sexuality, it shouldn't matter your preference sexually. Kanye stressed that people should have a little broader outlook towards fashion, as each man his own style of dressing.

Mr. West could start a fashion revolution where straight men and women will learn to express the gentler and stronger self through fashion. A time when men can dress like Prince and feel comfortable. Yes, I said it! It's great for Prince, but for the neighbor construction worker, it ain't gonna happen.

Or dress like K.D. Lang and not automatically have people think that you've lesbian. Perhaps this will be the start of a Grace Jones lyric, "Feeling like a woman, looking like a man" from her song, "Walking In the Rain". "And it's true there are a lot of gay people who are incredible creative minds, but there are straight people who are incredible creative minds - and there's gay people who can't dress or create at all, too. Closed-minded gay people probably say they dress 'straight," he said. I totally agree and funny too, Mr. West. You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Fashion Correspondent, Rudy Reed

It is no secret that trends come…then go, only to be reborn again. On many occasions we have seen designers be motivated by various periods of time… Although the years are gone, that most certainly doesn't mean that the looks are forgotten, and if you live long enough, you will see them time and time again.


 

For those of you who couldn't part with your huge rope chains, Gazelle glasses and cotton twill tuxedo pants, now is the time to dig in the back of those closets and bring them back out. If you need to refresh some of your key 80's pieces don't worry… The twin dynamic duo Dean and Dan Caten of D-Squared already took care of it for you. Sure, for most it shouldn't come as a complete surprise that this will be a big trend for Spring being that the "kids" have already began rocking the Run DMC-with-twist type garb.

D-squared however has decided to take a more polished approach to the look by adding tailored fitted blazers and vest with contrasting lapels to their collection. The collection is also sprinkled with trucker hats, bow ties, and argyle.

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By Rudy Reed, Fashion Correspondent

As a child I can recall a conversation I overheard my mother having with a dear friend of hers. "You can tell a lot about a man by looking at his shoes," she boasted. I never knew what she meant until she almost knocked my head off one day after seeing me bump the back of my church shoes on a wall I sat on. "I didn't spend all that money on those things for you to scuff them up!!! Now get down!!!" she yelled. 

 

Once I arrived home, I took off my black leather loafers to see all the scratches I created. She suddenly appeared in my room with newspaper, and shoe polish and had me to fix the damage I had done. "The way you treat your shoes tells a lot about you, and no child of mine is going to be ripping and running in dress shoes, now clean them up, and don't get any polish on the rug." Hell, I was just happy I didn't get the beat down.
We didn't have Dfax back then (lol). From that point, I realized just how important shoes were and what they meant to various types of people.
		Zuriick's  Jack Jack Aqua high Top
Almost instantly I became obsessed with them... Looking down to see all the different types and styles people were wearing, then trying to figure out what line of work they were in. And let's no forget the most important…to see if they actually matched. I quickly grew out of it because I was bumping into too many people. I did however pick up another hobby…Shopping for them. Whether it's basics, something with a little zip, or just down right flashy Zuriick is a Utah based American brand that offers just about all. These affordable kicks come in an array of colors, both high and low tops and are extremely comfortable. The Jack Jack is one of the newest designs and is priced around $79. Average shoe sizes are 8-13.
For those of you who like to own shoes that you may not see on many others, lines such as Premiata or Fessura may be ones you would like to consider.
		Fessura

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By Rudy Reed, Fashion Correspondent

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that most magazines rarely feature minorities in fashion editorials. I find it somewhat amazing that the likes of Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Alek Wek, and the ever so gorgeous Liya Kebede has been blessed which such staying power. And let us not forget the fellas… Aside from Tyson Beckford, how many of you can seriously name any other black male super models? 

We have heard stories about this time and time again, and yet nothing has really been done about it. True, Sean Combs featured all men of color in his fall/winter collection, and though I was very proud to see this, I was slightly disappointed as well. What is the message that he, or his caucasian counterparts sending to the masses? Sure, I am well aware that some fashion shows have particular themes, but come on!!!! Is this ever going to end? Will designers ever widen their variety of casting calls when they book models for shows? As I sit and have a glass of wine, I begin to flip through on of my favorite magazines, Flaunt (issue97). I gasp as I see a dark chocolate brother wearing an edgy outfit with the bold word PRADA across his mid-section. I recognized the face as new and upcoming model Courtney Taylor. On the next page was the cocky posed Shawn Sutton, who had his crew dressed just as sharply behind him on what appeared to be the stoop of a Harlem brownstone. I held the page and flipped to see how many more delightful images were to come, and to my surprise, there were a number of them. A chess cat grin spread across my face as I heard the words of our new president, "It's time for a change."

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Sexy Trend or Train Wreck?

By Rudy Reed, Fashion Correspondent

I have always been one to admire a person who has the courage to display their individuality, especially when it comes to their attire. Sometimes it allows us to get to know a little about the person without having to say a word. But what happens when a trend or person's free choice of expression is compromised?

Though the origins of this trend- that many now see as a lifestyle can't fully be determined, Saggin is a look that is raising many eyebrows(some good/some bad) in some areas, while causing uproars in others. One of the first environments that this look was to appear was in our prison systems.

 

Gay men wore their pants low as a code to let other inmates know that they were "down." A source who chose not to be named responded by saying, " I am a slim dude, and when I went to jail they took my belt and my laces cause they didn't want nobody hanging themselves or using them as weapons and sometimes those pants they give us were just too big.
There is a different way that the gay dudes wore theirs though." When asked to clarify, the former inmate said, "the gay dudes have there whole ass out on purpose. Yeah they have on drawls but the pants are right below their cheeks. The straight bros' pants just look baggy. Nobody in jail want to walk around with they ass all out unless they want something else back there," he concluded smiling. As the conversation progressed, I couldn't help but notice that this gentleman before me was still slim and yet he appeared to be wearing pants that were twice his size. This led me to ask him why he continued wearing pants that would be considered sagged even after his release.

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By Rudy Reed, Fashion Correspondent

Not to put all of my business in the street, but yes it is true, I have been known to have a smidget of an underwear fetish. How can I
not? Although I don't walk around showing mine off, I consider them to be a great accessory.

While on the subject of speaking of the truth, I must go on the record by saying "YES, YES, YES!!!" Rapper Nelly is the new spokesmodel for Sean John underwear. Although this isn't new news, it isn't all that old either. The deal was confirmed on July 28th of this year, and what an interesting birthday treat it was for me I must say.

I had the chance to see some of the pictures of Nelly taken by photographer Randee St Nicholas and loved what I saw. No, I am not a fan of sagging jeans, but in this instance this "trend" made sense. I believe the pictures were very tastful, and the rapper looked great. Whether the pictures were enhanced, I dont know, but I am sure that some cleaning up was done before they actually went to press. When asked why Nelly was chosen to be the new face for the line, Mr. Combs responded by saying," to me Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man. He has the physique and the attitude."

 

By Rudy Reed

For as long as I can remember, I have been called fashion forward, edgy, or stylish. Even today as I dressed for work I made myself laugh at the garments I proceeded to coordinate. Wearing a navy and white pinstripe shirt and blazer with a pair of vintage plum colored slacks and a tie composed of slate, burgandy and taupe( pinstripe of course), may seem like a bit much to be worn together, but strangely enough the look worked. The look was very dorky, especially after putting on my glasses. Nothing like having a slim body and a confident attitude. LOL.

 

The outfit caused me to think about certain aspects of fashion, its evolution, and bad stigmas past looks may have today. During the 70's and 80's and even decades before men wore fitted clothes. Very fitted clothes...Ones sexuality was never a queston. So why is it now? Why is it that when some people see men in tight jeans/slacks they automatically assume that he is gay?

Jimmy Hendrix When did this all happen? Sure, I hear some guys wearing baggier clothes saying "I need to breathe,"and I can understand that, but what makes a fitted trouser turn into something more than a fitted trouser? Its silly... Were Jimi Hendix, Sammy Davis Jr., Malcolm X, The Beatles, all closet cases? They all wore fitted pants. It steams me because these same men who have problems with a more tailored fit, are walking around with pants so big, they are falling off them exposing their butts, and showing them intentionally mind you. Now which look is more "gay?"

Are all men who wear baggy clothes thugs? Of course not. Let's get real about all of this.... Naturally, most men have bulges, and what do bulges do? They stick out, sometimes causing our focal points to be drawn to them. This of course leaves the homophobic men to call even the slightest of fitted pants gay. Why...Cause they snuck a peek at the goodies and are now embarassed, or dare I say slightly turned on? Just my thoughts...

 

A law that landed a Florida teenager in jail for having sagging jeans that exposed his underwear is unconstitutional, a judge has decided.

The 17-year-old spent a night in jail after police arrested him for exposing 4in (10cm) of boxer shorts in Riviera Beach, south-east Florida.

Town voters backed the law in March after supporters raised a petition.

However, a circuit judge ruled that the law was unconstitutional based on "the limited facts" of the case.

Carol Bickerstaff, defending teenager Julius Hart, had urged Judge Paul Moyle to throw out the law, saying: "Your honour, we now have the fashion police."

Before making his ruling, Judge Moyle said: "We're not talking about exposure of buttocks. No. We're talking about someone who has on pants whose underwear are apparently visible to a police officer who then makes an arrest, and the basis is he's then held overnight."

Gaining popularity

Moves to ban baggy or saggy jeans are gaining popularity in several parts of the US.

Dallas, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia are among the larger US cities considering similar measures.

However, civil liberties groups say such laws will unfairly target young African-Americans.

The fashion is believed to have originated in prisons, where inmates are given baggy uniform trousers and have their belts removed to prevent hangings and beatings.

The trend made it to gangster rap videos in the 1980s and then spread to skateboarders and high-school hallways.

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By Fashion Correpsondent, Rudy Reed

If you are anything like me, you are asking yourself, "Is it really September already?" That's right fall is walking up our stairs and and about to knock on our front doors. You can almost expect the season to deliver a certain chill depending on what city you may live, but not to worry. 

Fall 2008 focuses on brighter colors that will keep the warmth in all of us... Rich berry colored shirts and jeweled toned printed ties will be spotted almost everywhere you go. One of the best ways for any of us to add a little personality and our own individual stamp to our look is layering. It can be as simple as wearing a V- neck sweater with a contrasting tee underneath, but if you want to appear more in the know, I suggest investing in a few vests. They are available in pinstripes, boldpatchwork, and a multitude of other prints(let's not forget how well they work back with a pair of jeans).
Not expecting you to walk around only half dressed, be on the look out for light weight wool trousers varying in shades from light, to heather, to dark charcoal grays. A great many of these trousers from lines such as Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and Paul Smith will have more of a slimmer fit and tapered leg, more "Brit Pop" as my tailor likes to call it. Naturally not all men will feel comfortable wearing attire cut so close to the body, and by no means should they... With any article of clothing, you show buy clothing that best compliments your umm assets. Ralph Lauren, Armani, Sean John, and even Y-3 are just a few lines that gentleman will be able to find pants with more of a relaxed fit.
Naturally, outerwear will be something reappearing for the crisp season. While Diesel and G-Star will be adding hints of toughness and edge by incorporating soft leathers into their lines, soft plaids and checks made of the most amazing tweeds will be spotted in collections from Yves Saint Laurent and Loro Piana. For those who are a little more practical and choose not to spend as much money on the revamping of their wardrobes, Theory created an inexpensive trench coat that is both chic and classic. The structuring will allow you to have this particular silhouette in your closet for years- never having to worry that it will ever go out of style.