The beginning of the year is here and with it comes the always anticipated awards season.

This is the time of year I always look forward to seeing what celebrities will be wearing for Hollywood’s biggest nights. Along with the amazing gowns and ensembles comes the bad ones. I can usually expect my eyes to be assaulted with horrible looks and even worse accessories. The usual suspects have come to be known for this, however, there are those who constantly challenge your thoughts on beauty and what is acceptable for what occasion.

Billy Porter is one of those people. Every award season we know Miss Porter will turn out a look that conjoins our idea of femininity and masculinity. Now I don’t love everything he wears, however, I do applaud his efforts to change social norms. That is to say, until I saw his red carpet look from the 2020 Critics Choice Awards.

Now I don’t want the gays to flog me for this, but I have to say I’m a little over all of the pomp and pageantry. I expected to see Porter in something that would make me say “hmmm”, however, this Hogan McGlaughlin look left me saying “WTF Billy?”

First of all, as a man with a man figure, a corseted strapless dress was all the way WRONG. He goes for this silhouette all the time, however, I wish at some point he would find a sleek look. If you want to turn a look that bad, give the girls a nasty “tight to the ankle” dress. Secondly, the fact that these are actually pants makes me want to gag and not in a good way. Plus when he flared them out he looked like Gumby( Google it young girls) It made no sense for him to pull out a look that would get the girls on Pose read for filth. The only thing I can say that I actually liked was his jewelry. As a lover of Elizabeth Taylor I enjoy seeing someone fill their fingers full of rings.

In conclusion I’d like to say that I’m not opposed to him wearing fashions that make a statement or challenge the norms of masculinity. But, as a fashion guy I can’t condone just wearing any old thing. This dress/jumpsuit thing won’t stop me from admiring Billy and all he’s done in his long career, however, the next time he’s thinking of putting on a dress (which will probably be tomorrow) I want him to take extra time and consider his community and what we would be proud of seeing.

Written By: Dominique Bedell

Dominique Bedell

When I was informed I would be attending a fashion show for Me’ja Wear, I had no idea what was in store for me.

I must admit that I was unaware of the brand at the time, however, love at first sight was my immediate reaction. As we waited for the show to start, our anticipation grew by the second as we saw gorgeous male models file back and forth to the bathroom wearing next to nothing. I was caught completely by surprise, which was pleasant to say the least.

Before the show started the man of the evening, Ja’Me made his way to the DJ Booth and thanked the crowd for coming. I learned that this line of men’s and women’s lingerie had actually been 10 years in the making. I couldn’t help but think about how genius the concept was. A lingerie company that catered to men as well as women and is able to be customized to your liking. Each segment exuded a different mood and featured an array of textures. He did his thing when it came to the models. Every time one sauntered down the runway you had to first get over the shock of being near such gorgeous beings. Once you were through that, you then focused on the garment at hand.

We were given permission by the designer to touch the garments to feel the fabrics. That was something that was easier said than done. I was interested in the fabrics, however, I was afraid of feeling like a creep for touching the underwear. Aside from the gorgeous men, there were some equally as beautiful women. Modeling bra and panty sets as well as slip tops with matching thongs.

The best part of the night was seeing Ja’me take his final bow during the finale. As he walked alongside the models you couldn’t help but feel how proud he was at that moment. After 10 years to finally get to that moment must have been quite overwhelming. We briefly spoke to him later:

Ja’Me (middle)

I left the show with more knowledge about Me’ja Wear as well as a new desire to get some custom underwear made. What a perfect way to end the year.

Written By: Dominique Bedell

Dominique Bedell

Well it’s that time of year again when you can leave the past in the rear view and look forward to a bright new start.

This year, however, I find myself feeling a little more nostalgic. The end of a decade will often have one reflecting on where they were at the start and who they are in the present. For me, despite whatever stress I encountered, after every failed relationship, and in the face of every tear I cried; there was always fashion. Nothing stopped me from scrolling through Vogue.com, buying every fashion magazine, and staying abreast of all of the latest fashion news. So I couldn’t let this decade come to a close without first reflecting on fashion’s biggest moments of the 2010’s.

When I think about the start of the decade, I can’t help but think about Alexander McQueen. His suicide in February of 2010 was shocking, to say the least. The last collection he presented was thought to be his best collection to date. Those wonderful ‘Armadillo’ shoes were a sight that had never been seen before. It was a tragedy and a solemn way to start the decade.

Cut to 2013 when it was announced that Marc Jacobs would be leaving Louis Vuitton after working as creative director for 16 years. His last collection was a melancholic homage to his time there complete with looks that reminiscent of his past collections. The entire collection was predominantly black, which was unheard of for a spring collection.

There were numerous “house shake ups” during the 2010’s. It seemed like every other week the news was reporting on another fashion house parting ways with their designer, which inevitably resulted in us waiting to see who would take their place. Maria Grazia Chiuri took over Christian Dior, Sarah Burton took the reigns at Alexander McQueen, Olivier Rousteing debuted at Balmain, and Demna Gvasalia came strong at Balenciaga.

                            Christian Dior ss17                  Balenciaga FW16                     Alexander McQueen SS11

Over the years, the Met Ball has been the fashion event of the season. Everyone who’s anyone gets the exclusive invite to throw on their finest rags and mingle with the fashion elite. In 2015, the Met’s theme was China Through the Looking Glass. The guests pulled out all the stops in their over the top Asian inspired couture. The star of the night, however, was the always fashion forward, Rihanna. Her robe, which was designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei,  was all anyone could talk about and the was subject of countless memes.

The last thing that I feel is most important, would be Virgil Abloh’s debut collection for Louis Vuitton’s men’s collection. A small tear formed in my eye when it was announced that Abloh would take over Kim Jones’ position as Louis Vuitton’s men;s designer. Never before had there been an African American at a french fashion house and a streetwear designer to boot. My anticipation was almost unbearable as I patiently waited for the day when I could finally see images ftom the debut show. The collection was so wonderful, I had to watch again right away.

This list only scratches the surfaces of the fashion events that made long lasting impacts. At fear of boring you to death I tailored to these few. As this decade comes to an end we can only look to the 2020’s with as much enthusiasm and optimism as we did for this one. Hopefully the new decade will bring about positivity and prosperity for all. Happy New Year!!!

Written by Dominique Bedell

Dominique Bedell