“Haute Mess” By Steven Meisel

There has been uproar over the new spread for Vouge Italia shot by Steven Meisel. While some would regard it as fabulous, over-the-top, in-your-face-fun, others see it differently.

The spread has been accused of racial stereotyping, with the set-up and styling causing many to wonder if the shoot was intentionally poking fun at African American and Latino culture.

As Vibe magazine puts it:

Many are raising an eyebrow at the photos because the women seem to be projecting some stereotypes. For example the hair styles of the models can be seen at almost every black hair show.  It is very clear that the theme of the shoot was “ghetto”, “ghetto fabulous” to be exact. However, in trying to achieve fabulous, it wandered in to ignorance.

I will give Vogue Italia the benefit of the doubt that it was not their intention to be racist or offend anyone, but let’s keep it real for a minute: How many white girls [or any other ethnic backgrounds for that matter] do you know that dress  or look like this?  Exactly.  Racist may be a little harsh of a word to describe this editorial , but it was definitely done in poor taste and judgement.

However, when looking at what Vogue Italia had to say about the shoot on it’s website, it seems that the story was based more on the Drag Queen culture:

Haute Mess might take its inspiration from messy drags: untidy, dishevelled, counter-intuitive cross-dressers.

When the queens define themselves – as well as their clothes – as “messy”, it is a queer assertion. According to the theories of Judith Halberstam, a cross-dresser initially had to pass as either a man or a woman; people often forget that the word “drag” comes from “dressed as a girl”. The great post-structuralist philosopher Judith Butler, however, has explained that gender is not so simple: it is not just a question of biology but a genuine cultural performance.

Take a look at the video above and the images below, and let us know what you think…

Free PUSSY at Girls+Zines!

Seen as I’m a girl and I run a “zine”, when I found out about an event called Girls+Zines at Tatty Devine obviously I was going to go. The event took place throughout August but I only managed to go last weekend, luckily it has been so successful that it is carrying on for the month of September as well, so girls get yourself down there! 
 
The idea is to showcase all the fantastic zines made by girls. The event was organised by Barbara Ryan of BFR Magazine. And thank god she did organise it! What a great idea. One of the walls in the Brick Lane Tatty Devine shop is decorated with tones of zines by girls. There are bean bags and benches to take a seat and read through all of them. The atmosphere in the shop is so relaxed and the staff are so friendly, that you’ll feel completely comfortable to chill there for hours (as I did!)
 
Wall of Zines:

 

Not only that, but there is a Zine Exchange box where you can take a free zine if you deposit one:
 
A great zine dedicated to drawings of Katie Price to colour in:
 
I took down a few copies of PUSSY for some lucky ladies to be able to pick up a free one!
make sure you check out this great event and follow the Facebook event page here. xx