Black Girl Magic
This is a review and commentary about the importance of seeing successful women of color, doing things out of the ordinary, extraordinarily well. Representation is so incredibly important.
On Valentine's Day, I attended a fashion fireside chat at Columbia University, the school at which I am a graduate student. And can I just take a quick moment to appreciate the amount of events, talks, and screenings I have become aware of because of that remarkable institution of learning? Because despite the politics concerning the school itself, I truly have become aware of so much more because of the exposure I’ve received there.
Back to business... this talk was between Shiona Turini and Aimee Song, black by way of Bermuda and Asian-American respectively. Both women are very distinguished in their own lanes within the fashion industry. Posted up on a stage with a cute vase full of white flowers, the friends were able to immediately jump into a riveting conversation. What I appreciated most was even though it was presented as Shiona asking Aimee about her new book, both women got to explain their backgrounds and experience in the great enterprise of fashion.
While at this talk, the topic of representation was addressed both directly and indirectly almost throughout and I am so glad it was. Aimee talked about how she didn't see anyone who looked like her in magazines when she was younger apart from the picture-perfect, “typical” Asian-American you could happen to stumble across. Shiona later referred to herself as vocal and outspoken "Black Panther Princess" and her pride for being black which I am SO here for. It is so incredibly important that girls of color specifically see themselves reflected in media for a multiplicity of reasons. Shiona's story especially struck a cord with me. After moving from her native Bermuda to New York, doing her research and showing up daily at Tom Ford until she received an internship, she has risen through the ranks to become a top stylist and fashion influencer with so many titles to juggle it's a wonder she can keep up with them all.
What was most beautiful about the evening was Turini’s realness. Thanks to my more-outgoing-than-I-am friends, I was able to meet and take some photos with Turini. She was so down-to-earth and authentic, not to mention gorgeous. Her repping black femininity and being recognized as an authority and influencer is so inspiring. It's so powerful to see black women excel, especially in an industry known for appropriating other cultures just to be labeled as trendsetting. The realness and blackness are what stuck with me most. Her story of going out there and making a name for herself should inspire all girls and young women of color who want to break into fashion to go out and give it a shot. Young girls of color need to see more people in the world who look like them. They need to know we too can be authorities in our chosen fields and be an all-around "boss" (i.e. Kelis circa 2006) but you do have to work for it. Vanessa Grigoriadis had an issue in this 2015 interview with Nicki Minaj being called a “boss bitch,” but I have no problem with the moniker as it stands. Being a fierce and fabulous woman of color who can handle herself in any situation, conduct her business with an iron fist and garner results is nothing to be ashamed of.** Little black girls need to know and be constantly reminded, they too can succeed, they too can make it in this world. They are kind. They are smart. They are important. There are others who have paved the way and they are not alone.
So go on little mama, let your black girl magic shine through.
xx
**careful if you read that entire article/interview on Minaj, it’s disastrous to say the least
This is an awkward photo of the stupendous Turini and myself. I fan-girled so much I look atrocious in literally all of the photos
On Valentine's Day, I attended a fashion fireside chat at Columbia University, the school at which I am a graduate student. And can I just take a quick moment to appreciate the amount of events, talks, and screenings I have become aware of because of that remarkable institution of learning? Because despite the politics concerning the school itself, I truly have become aware of so much more because of the exposure I’ve received there.
Back to business... this talk was between Shiona Turini and Aimee Song, black by way of Bermuda and Asian-American respectively. Both women are very distinguished in their own lanes within the fashion industry. Posted up on a stage with a cute vase full of white flowers, the friends were able to immediately jump into a riveting conversation. What I appreciated most was even though it was presented as Shiona asking Aimee about her new book, both women got to explain their backgrounds and experience in the great enterprise of fashion.
While at this talk, the topic of representation was addressed both directly and indirectly almost throughout and I am so glad it was. Aimee talked about how she didn't see anyone who looked like her in magazines when she was younger apart from the picture-perfect, “typical” Asian-American you could happen to stumble across. Shiona later referred to herself as vocal and outspoken "Black Panther Princess" and her pride for being black which I am SO here for. It is so incredibly important that girls of color specifically see themselves reflected in media for a multiplicity of reasons. Shiona's story especially struck a cord with me. After moving from her native Bermuda to New York, doing her research and showing up daily at Tom Ford until she received an internship, she has risen through the ranks to become a top stylist and fashion influencer with so many titles to juggle it's a wonder she can keep up with them all.
What was most beautiful about the evening was Turini’s realness. Thanks to my more-outgoing-than-I-am friends, I was able to meet and take some photos with Turini. She was so down-to-earth and authentic, not to mention gorgeous. Her repping black femininity and being recognized as an authority and influencer is so inspiring. It's so powerful to see black women excel, especially in an industry known for appropriating other cultures just to be labeled as trendsetting. The realness and blackness are what stuck with me most. Her story of going out there and making a name for herself should inspire all girls and young women of color who want to break into fashion to go out and give it a shot. Young girls of color need to see more people in the world who look like them. They need to know we too can be authorities in our chosen fields and be an all-around "boss" (i.e. Kelis circa 2006) but you do have to work for it. Vanessa Grigoriadis had an issue in this 2015 interview with Nicki Minaj being called a “boss bitch,” but I have no problem with the moniker as it stands. Being a fierce and fabulous woman of color who can handle herself in any situation, conduct her business with an iron fist and garner results is nothing to be ashamed of.** Little black girls need to know and be constantly reminded, they too can succeed, they too can make it in this world. They are kind. They are smart. They are important. There are others who have paved the way and they are not alone.
So go on little mama, let your black girl magic shine through.
xx
**careful if you read that entire article/interview on Minaj, it’s disastrous to say the least
This is an awkward photo of the stupendous Turini and myself. I fan-girled so much I look atrocious in literally all of the photos
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