French Elle: Obamas are the first fashionable African Americans
Fashion blogs and websites are in an uproar after an item on the French Elle website says that the Obamas are the first fashionable black family, the Daily Mail reports.
Nathalie Dolvio wrote that the president and first lady have given the black community in the United States a “chic” option other than sticking to “streetwear codes.”
Michelle Obama has been lauded for her stylish attire since Barack Obama’s rise to prominence during the 2008 campaign. She was only the second first lady (after Jackie Kennedy) to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine.
Dolvio calls the first lady’s sartorial sense, “black-geoisie,” a combination of traditional “white codes” and accents from the African heritage, such as shells, prints and African robes.
The post — which has since been removed — said that black fashion in 2012 will be more stylish due to the influence of the Obamas.
“For the first time, the chic has become a plausible option for a community so far pegged [only] to its streetwear codes,” Dolvio wrote.
Before the post was removed, a commenter on French Elle’s site said (via New York Magazine):
How, in 2012, in a France where there are at least three million blacks and mixed people, can you write such nonsense? You are too kind when you write that in 2012 we have incorporated the white codes … what do you think, in 2011, we dressed in hay and burlap bags?
This is the second time in recent months that a European publication has tried — and miserably failed — to make a conclusion about “black style.”
In the Dutch magazine, Jackie, an article referred to pop singer Rihanna as the “ultimate niggabitch” due to her rockstar style.
Rihanna was none to pleased, tweeting: “Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you…FUCK YOU.”
Editor-in-Chief Eve Hoeke resigned in the midst of the controversy. (RELATED: Rihanna slams Dutch magazine for racial slur)
Could these be instances of words getting lost in translation?
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