I just wanted to let you all know that my new and improved site is available at tamarapridgett.com
this is where i will be doing all my post!
xoxoo
tam
HEY THERE!
I just wanted to let you all know that my new and improved site is available at tamarapridgett.com this is where i will be doing all my post! xoxoo tam
0 Comments
Today for "Throwback Thursday" I posted a picture on Instagram of my dad and I at Disneyland in 1998. I didn't expect to have the emotional reaction I did and felt the need to share it with you all. I've always had the ability to look at a picture and remember exactly how I felt when that moment was captured.
When I look at this particular picture I can't help but get emotional. Today, it made me cry (and I'm crying as I write this). For those of you who were Disney obsessed like i was you know that Mulan came out in 1998. My objective for this trip: GET A MULAN COSTUME. My dad had taken me to every gift shop at Disneyland in search of this costume, and every sales associate told him that they didn't carry it. The more shops we went to the more my heart broke leading up to the emotional breakdown you see most children have at Disneyland when their parents won't buy them every overpriced item they won't care about in three days. My breakdown was serious. It was a mature breakdown. I'll never forget screaming, "I hate Disneyland! They don't have any black princesses! I'm going to write them a letter telling them they need a black princess!" This was the moment I became a culture critic/image activist. This was the moment I became another black girl facing the injustices of our society. This was the moment I realized that I was just that: A. BLACK. GIRL. This was the moment I realized that society didn't care about brown girls like me. Most importantly, this moment marked the beginning of how the rest of my life would be. I share this with you because this journey I've embarked on is healing. It's helped me understand my experiences such as this and put words to them. It's given me a voice. & I hope that my voice can gives others a voice. I go so hard for Women of Color, for People of Color because I know how it feels to be broken. I know how it feels to be broken and to try to put yourself together when the rest of the world continues to break you. But, I also know how liberating becoming whole is. I can recall being 8-years-old and feeling like I had to battle the hardships of the world, my world, my reality.. on my own. I always felt like I saw the world differently than others my age. I remember asking God, "why me?" But I am so thankful for EVERY moment because I know I wouldn't be at this beautiful place in my life without them. I embarked on this journey for me. For healing. For answers. But, I've realized that this isn't about ME. This is about those brown faces that I always see a hint of myself in. This is for those ambitious, determined, relentless young girls and women who are the epitome of fighters. This is for my future daughter, my niece, and all the other brown girls of the world. I dedicate this journey of self-acceptance, self-awareness and self-definition to all the women of color who have been broken and who have put themselves back together. May we raise our daughters to be whole. With allllllll the love in the world. Tam. Dressing up is one of my favorite things to do! Being that i'm in gym clothes 95% of the time I never pass up an opportunity to dress to the nines. This particular look was inspired by the Balmain Fall 2014 collection.
My top is Marciano. It's really a long top I decided was better as a dress, tucked in. Leather Joggers: Nordstrom Rack ($10!) Shoes: Rachel Zoe 'Daria' (snagged at Nordstrom rack for superdupercheap) My favorite item is the leather joggers! They're so versatile. I'm going to introduce a new section I will be incorporating on every post. What to wear next? When I'm in the store my purchasing decision is based on: 1. price 2. overall quality 3. versatlily/functionality Since Kanye started rocking the joggers I wanted a pair! I was hesitant to purchase them because the last thing I need in my closet is a pair of bottoms I've only worn once. You can rock these joggers dressed up, or casual with a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt or in between, try pairing it with a Chambray and a statement pair of strappy sandals! (For more inspiration google Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna in leather joggers) What would you pair these with? Comment below! I love Balmain. I love Balmain because the look is sexy. It's edgy. It's boldstrongconfident and all the other things I love about being a woman. If I had to choose one haute couture brand that describes me it would be Balmain. Olivier is know for his attention to detail and for extravagant embellishments. Leather and fur are two of my favorite things, especially when worn together, and that's what this collection encompasses. What I admired about the Fall 2014 collection is that Olivier gives us sexy, but it's presented in a new way: covered up. I loved this because the older I get (I know I'm only 21) the more I'm comfortable with covering up. I no longer feel the need to wear the $8.25 bodycon dress from Forever21 every time I want to "dress up". My favorite items in this collection were the leather combat/track pants. My latest obsession is wearing mens clothing and adding my own feminine touch to the outfit. Olivier is KING of masculinity meets femininity. I think what I love the most about Balmain is the fact that the Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing a bi-racial, Black man, at age 28 is breaking down fashion barriers one by one. There has been countless blogs and news articles catered to raising awareness about the lack of diversity in the fashion industry, especially on the runway. Personally, I'm glad people are beginning to talk. But after watching the show I was left wondering why isn't anyone praising the diversity that does exist? I want Bethann Hardison to praise this Black man (if you don't know who she is please look her and the Diversity Coalition up) for what he has done, for what he is doing. Every type of woman was represented by Balmain. The runway was graced by top models Cindy Bruna, Jourdan Dunn, Malaika Firth, Karlie Kloss, Joan Smalls and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Some not so familiar but equally stunning faces were Sharam Diniz, Cora Emmanuel, Riley Montana, Senait Gidey, Chiharu Okunugi, and Binx Walton (please go look up these women. GORG). I saw a rainbow of women and was ecstatic (I counted 11 women of color)! This show was progressive and the prime example of what the industry should be like. When statistics show that the buying power of Blacks is expected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2017 it's shocking that there aren't more black women, more women of color PERIOD on the runway. It's my hope that people do not just fall in love with the military inspired jackets, the peplum tops, and all the leather. I hope that people discuss all the various forms of diversity this fashion house, this brand, and this Creative Director bring to the fashion industry. Olivier, thank you for representing myself and other women of color on the runway. And for all you casting directors, designers, and others who help with the process of shows and campaigns. Follow suite and take note. P.S. Olivier, if you ever need a stand in model just holla. Photos from Vogue & Fashion Wire Press
Three weeks ago I cut my hair. I mean I. CUT. MY. HAIR. The reactions I received were exactly what I expected. There were my "ride or dies" who loved it, and who probably love anything I do as long as I'M happy. Then there were the people who left comments on my instagram like "oh..why...noooo! *crying emoji*" & last we had the mourners. Mourning over MY hair that will grow back. 1. I cut my hair because it was something I was afraid to lose. When I think about how I've felt about my hair all these years I've realized that to a certain extent I've used it as a crutch. Who would Tamara be without that crazy afro, that "Hawaiian silky" , or that long Peruvian (when I straighten it)? I've ALWAYS had long hair. & I'm not saying that to flaunt the fact that my hair was long. I'm saying it to let you know that it was a big part of who I was. I remember the excitement I had when my Nana would hot comb our hair for Christmas. It was something about my hair flowing that even at such a young age (5 or 6) made me so confident (you all know you diva walk when your hair is straight). 2. I've been wanting to cut my hair off for the longest time (about 5 years) but I was too afraid. *refer back to point number 1* 3. I cut my hair because I was "over it" and wanted to get rid of all the damage from dyeing and frying. 4. After I cut my hair and shared my photos on my various social network sites & that's when I began to realize that this was bigger than hair (haha, get it?). I've grown up in society where we are taught to adhere to European standards of beauty. I've been accused countless times, from blacks and whites, of not being black due to the simple fact that I had "good hair". I don't know how many times my sister and I had to defend and explain our blackness to white and black people alike. I've been an object of fascination due to my curls. I've been privileged when it comes to men because I have "good hair" and a lighter complexion. After reflecting, me cutting my hair was not simply cutting my hair. It was challenging all these social constructs a majority of us believe are acceptable. I cut my hair because I want to show my sisters, my niece, my cousins, my friends, and family that our hair is not the only thing that defines us (see @charmsie and her #hairstrike2014). I cut my hair because I wanted to face my fears straight on. & guess what. I don't regret it at all. Now. Time to pay tribute to my hair. Oh & my fro is f*****awesome (fro photoshoot coming to your electronic device(s) soon). & for those of you who were wondering I donated my hair to Locks of Love. xoxoxo Hello followers..cyberspace..anyone.
I have been MIA for entirely too long. I'm back and inspired! Expect some changes to take place. I had intended for this blog to be all about fashion and it still will be, but I'm going to incorporate some other things. We're gonna discuss the politics of fashion people! The politics of beauty,image, and power in the media! We're gonna make people uncomfortable! Stay tuned. XX Bonjour!
If you didn't already know I am literally obsessed with pinterest! I've created a board dedicated to all things Paris so if you're interested go check it out! http://www.pinterest.com/xoxotamtam/pardon-my-parisian/ I know I'm late, but I am in love with Mara Hoffman. Where has she been all my life (better yet where have I been, & how did I not know about this line)?! I instantly loved that she incorporated women of color in the runway show, which has been a controversial topic for quite some time. It was love at first site
|
Hi everyone! First, a big thank you all for stopping by! Archives
May 2014
Categories
All
|