They say that before summer lots of couples break-up so they can experience the summer in it’s full flirtatious glory. I don’t have any statistical evidence to back this up but if this rumor is remotely true, then the Love Hurts survival kit couldn’t have come at a better time. Containing everything one would need to mend a broken heart, the Love Hurts survival kit includes vodka, tissues, a candle with matches, bubble bath, a mixtape, “painkillers” (heart candy with funny sayings on them) and most importantly, dark chocolate.

I’m hoping you won’t need this - Melanie Chernock created this kit as an assignment and the kit is not currently in production.  I’m hoping someone will produce this clever kit - the packaging alone makes me happy!

LOVE HURTS from Melanie Chernock on Vimeo.

Summer, Summer, Summertime is upon us and that means we need to get our music in order so that we can lounge with maximum efficiency. Here are some new tunes and a playlist that I came across that will keep our ears entertained as we relax poolside.

Diplo’s Summer Playlist - 102 songs and over 6 hours long. It’s like having Diplo with you. Need I say more?

Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood have been getting the remix treatment lately - remember Lana Del Rey and Barrie-James O’Neil covering Summer Wine? Well now Gold & Youth and Trust have made a remix of Sinatra and Hazelwood’s Lady Bird - hear it below…

And here’s some new music from Talib Kweli complete with an animated video …

Enjoy!

A few months ago I went on a little rant about the use of the word “bitch” by “feminists.” You can read the full article “Why Do We Call Ourselves Bitches” but the gist of it is - how do you “reclaim” a word that was never yours to begin with?

If you’ve spent any time online in the past month then you probably heard about Supreme suing MOB over the Supreme Bitch trademark. In the counterclaim MOB claims that Supreme is misogynistic and touts MOB products as “unapologetically feminist”.  Now, just because someone alleges something in a counterclaim doesn’t make it true - it’s just that person’s version of the facts.  But I just find it difficult to listen to this bullshit any longer.  MOB has no business calling anyone misognynist - it’s like the pot calling the kettle black.

In the MOB answer and counterclaim, MOB states:

Central to MOB’s message is the reclamation of the word “bitch,” a term used to denigrate women, particularly those who spoke and acted counter to “conventional” feminine characteristics of passivity and acquiescence. MOB - which stands for “Most Official Bitches” - embraced and celebrated these so-called undesirable characteristics of strength and assertiveness, and in the tradition of other historically oppressed minorities, re-appropriated the epithet from its abusers.

MOB Answer and Counterclaim #122, p.14.

I don’t agree with that. But ok, MOB says they are reclaiming the use of the word “bitch” as an expression of power. So WHY did MOB create designs that use the word “bitch” as an insult directed toward other people?? It’s clear in the following designs that the intention is to INSULT not EMPOWER.

That’s not all. MOB further denigrates itself by basically calling the wearer a prostitute, simulating sex with a gorilla and labeling the wearer a cunt - probably the worst insult you could call a woman.

And let’s not forget my all time favorite. “Men Are the New Women.” I remember when this first came out and I was completely dumbfounded. I could not comprehend how the statement “Men Are the New Women” was feminist in any way. Perhaps (if you are not completely coherent) it may seem as an empowering statement. But, please ladies, lets think about the actual words and what they mean. You are basically insulting men - by calling them WOMEN. HOW IS THAT EMPOWERING TO WOMEN? {microphone drops}

Some may say I’m being really harsh. Perhaps I am. But this hypocrisy has been going on for far too long. I don’t doubt that MOB’s intentions are good - I just don’t think there’s enough thought going into the messages being perpetuated in the spirit of “empowerment.”

Here’s a look at works by other designers that are actually positive and about empowering women - what I define as feminist…

StopObjectification Charms by Norma Kamali

Standout pieces from DIMEPIECE

And we all know I’m a fan of Herstory - here’s a great one from HELLZ.

You don’t need to insult other people to make yourself stronger. If you do, then you’re no better than your “oppressors”. I realize that there are many types of feminism and that all feminists are not the same. I just don’t think it’s ok to spew hatred toward women and call yourself a feminist. Just my two cents.

HELLZ has a new collection out now chock full of oldies but goodies. Featuring some of the most popular graphics from seasons past pieces are breathed new life with fresh interpretations. Always pushing the envelope, Lanie also has some great new cut & sew pieces featuring leopard prints, sheer panels, cut outs and crops. My favorite is the “pro top” football-stlyle jersey. Get it quick, I’m sure it’s going fast! You can cop it online on the HELLZ online shop.

The ladies of DIMEPIECE have just released their new collection WOMANHOOD which you can find online now on Dimepiece.com. These ladies keep putting out great product and I love their riffs on feminism. I’m loving their “versus” collection of graphic tees showing designers going at each others’ throats. And their cut & sew styles always bring something fresh to the table. Get it soon because I’m sure it will be gone with the quickness!