This Blog is a'Changin: Look Good. Do Good.

Have you noticed that I've changed the description under my blog title from "All things WTF? OMG!!" to "Look good. Do good."? This is because since this blog's inception in 2008, it has transformed along with me. DMU-DMD began as a vaguely fashion related project, documenting my life and visual fashion inspirations in a fun tongue in cheek way - before, during and after my move to New York from Cleveland for fashion design studies at Parsons. Since 2008, obviously, I have changed and so has the world. Let's be clear I am still hilarious and stylish and humble. But I have also become more focused on how my love for the art of fashion, and all things visual, can somehow align with my dedication to doing good and living well.

Perhaps the inherent consumerism in fashion has started to rub me the wrong way - it is an art form but it's also a big business. I'm not jaded enough to think that fashion is all bad. I don't think we should feel guilty about wanting to look good and express ourselves through esthetics. This desire is as old as mankind. But in my opinion it's our responsibility as visitors on this planet, including businesses, to somehow give back and to live fairly and responsibly. I will now cast a wider and hopefully healthier net, focusing more on balancing aesthetic discussions with topics regarding giving back to 'from which we came' and leading healthier, more earth friendly, empowering lifestyles. 

From this point forward all posts will have not only a Look Good bent, but a DO GOOD focus. I would love to hear from readers about anything they think is relevant to the above. Submissions welcome. Art, books, music, fashion, design, people, interiors. All of this will now be included on this blog. and I'd like your input. And let's have a sense of humor about it all mmm k?

We're in this together.

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Tavi Gevinson and Iris Apfel on Why You Shouldn't Give A Shit

Yesterday afternoon Tavi Gevinson, editor of RookieMag.com (age 16), and style icon Iris Apfel (age 90) had a discussion at the Met. Moderated by New Yorker writer Judith Thurman, they rapped about what it means to be chic today. But if you came to get style tips then you came to the wrong place. The discussion instead turned inward even, dare I say, feminist  (although Apfel claimed much of feminist theory to be 'bunk', I would pin her as a feminist positively). In a refreshing change of pace from the typical fashion dialogue their discussion revolved around empowerment and the power of fantasy, highlighting the importance (and challenges) of digging deep into oneself in search of personal style. Apfel likened the process to as difficult and self revealing an experience as a session on the psychologist's couch.

In terms of her own style Iris said, "I put together everything in a gigantic rush...I am the world's oldest living teenager." She also said that since she's a self-proclaimed "accessories freak", she relies on architectural clothes that can be embellished. While Tavi described her outfit planning process as more cerebral - her pieces often selected and put together for individual significance, in a collage sort of way.  Both women expressed sadness at fashion being a form of stress and disparaged  'rules'  laid out by women's magazines. Apfel said, "Dressing is great fun and when the fun goes out of it you might as well be dead." Hear, hear! She also said that she learned a long time ago "if someone doesn't like how I put myself together it's their problem, not mine." THANK YOU IRIS!

Iris and Tavi both agreed that ageism is a horrific epidemic, seen even more in the beauty world than in fashion.  But Apfel noted the fact she was asked to speak yesterday, was recently part of a wildly successful MAC campaign, and is 90 years old and just now getting tremendous accolades, as proof of a significant cultural shift. Women are yearning to be relevant no matter what their age. (I'd even add that it is our social responsibility to fight ageism by celebrating ourselves, and our beauty, no matter our age.)

Most of all I learned something I've always kind of known but these two woman put especially well...

Photos: Me, Rachel
How to not give a shit about what other people think about you and/or how you dress:


TG: "The fact that something appeals to you and you're drawn to it. That should be enough."


IA: "The fashion police aren't going to take you away and, if they do, you might have some fun in jail."


TG: "Confidence came after I started forcing myself to wear things I was shy about."


IA: "In the '40's I was probably the first woman to wear jeans. I'm not a rebel. I don't do things or not because I'm trying to be rebellious. But I don't live to be trendy. You can't live to be trendy and live to have personal style. Nobody can wear everything."


TG: "I just try to stay busy so I don't have time to care about what people think..And then I ended up finding similar like-minded weirdos."

IA: "If someone doesn't like how I put myself together it's their problem, not mine."


All this said, it's still nice to get a little approval. Iris pointed at me and said she liked my outfit (goes well with the hot dog truck, right?)

I can die happy.

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I Die Friday: HJA

Hand Job Academy aka HJA

Chuck Benet Ramsey

Barbara Bushwick

Clara Bizna$$

Today's post is a homage to my favorite rap group Hand Job Academy (HJA).  They've got some bust ya shit open beats.  They've got fly steez.  And they just happen to be some of my best friends.  I'm also their stylist.  Based out of Brooklyn, they rap about pimps and hos, often from a female perspective - with Chuck Benet Ramsey countering chick attacks with a dude's point of view.  They're hilarious, they're entertaining, they're mad talented.  They're about to blow up.  So check them out before everyone else does: https://www.facebook.com/HJAcademy?sk=info

*Barbara Bushwick handcrafted that bra - putting little mirrors all over it herself.  She is my hero.  

Get Their Looks:

Clara Bizna$$ by rachelkibbe featuring a chain necklace

MOTHER summer shorts, $270
American Apparel striped socks, $18
Converse black sneaker, $40
Low Luv x Erin Wasson antique silver ring, $69
Yves Saint Laurent chain necklace, $1,595
Yves Saint Laurent chain bracelet, £510
Baseball hat
1.75 x 2" King Tut Door Knockers, Vintage 1980's, $6.99
Tommy Hilfiger Aloha short-sleeved shirt, £15

Chuck Benet Ramsey by rachelkibbe featuring tennis shoes

Converse tennis shoes, £30
Redfreckles gold plated jewelry, $75
Hugo Boss Black Brandon Black Business Suit Leather Belt 50130525, $74
Old Navy Men's Distressed Lowrise Bootcut Jeans, $30

Barbara Bushwick by rachelkibbe featuring hair bow accessories

D G sheer shirt, £295
Matthew Williamson bubble skirt, £140
Fleur of England Tease Silk Strip Bralet, $190
Converse shoes, $40
Hair bow accessory, $6
Sweet Dreams Pacifier, $30

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On Repeat: Lana Del Rey - Video Games

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Gyo-Rai-Gyo: the most adorbs Japanese duo EVER

Gyo-Rai-Gyo: Sawano Shozo and Akazawa Yuri

Shaggy from Scooby Doo: Fashion ICON

Monday night I went to Cake Shop in the Lower East Side to see my friends' band.  I'd never been to this cool music venue before so I was pretty thrilled to find that you can really watch music AND EAT CAKE at the same time. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was disappointed not to run into Maurica from the Lower East Side but I soon overcame my disappointment when I was distracted and impressed by the awesome steez of this Japanese duo Gyo-Rai-Gyo.   The male half, Sawano Shozo, on guitar and vocals, was barefoot, shagged out and absolutely swimming in his t-shirt.  Sheer fashion glory. A sort of Asian Shaggy from Scooby Doo, it looked like looked like he was wearing PJ's.  Swoon!  We all know that I adore clothes that look like PJs- bathrobes, big Ts- any sort of sleeping attire- well Sawano took this to another level. And he could rock too.

Side note, go see the movie Terri and you will see how I really want to dress everyday: main character wears PJ's ALL THE TIME.  He doesn't give a shit.  The girl, Akazawa Yuri, on drums and vocals, was equally adorable.  This chic was not only hot because she has serious drumming chops, but she also she wore the cutest shirt in the entire world and had the most adorable haircut.  I wanted to put this duo in my pocket and keep them forever.  But that would be strange and creepy and impossible if you really think about it.

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