What
Framing Britney Spears fails to contend with, however, is the Britney of now, the Britney living in the future that the media of the past helped to shape. Almost a full hour of the documentary’s 75-minute runtime is dedicated to reminding us all how Miss American Dream bet on herself – her talent, her drive, her passion – and lost. The media loves to tell this story about Britney, over and over again. The one they scripted and directed for her themselves. They are like serial killers, in this way, confessing not out of sincere contrition, but because it keeps them in control of the narrative.
From bantu knots and baby hairs, to disco and techno, the dab, the whoa, and every major TikTok dance trend you can bring to mind, Black people drive contemporary culture. But very rarely do we see Black creatives receive proper recognition – or compensation – for their work.
, Black Art is Black Money is a short film exploring some of the many examples around the world where Black culture has been the catalyst for global trends.
The film is directed by Akin Adebowale andOusman Sahko Sow, who are the co-founders of Blacktag – the Issa Rae-approved, Black-owned creative company that houses independent Black creatives and provides a platform for them to showcase their work.
9February 2021
Fashion is eating itself.
Yesterday, Brooklyn collective MSCHF dropped its latest fashion mash-up/ hype-chase/comment on consumer culture – the Birkinstock. Modelled after the Arizona sandal, the hybrid style is made from an official Birkenstock cork-and-rubber sole, with chopped-up Hermès Birkin bags creating the leather straps.
The Birkinstocks come in four versions – ostrich, two shades of porosus crocodile, and taurillon clemence – for prices starting from $34,000. They are made to order and available while supplies last. According to the
New York Times, MSCHF bought only four Birkin bags to destroy and three pairs of the shoes have already been sold: to Future, Kehlani, and an unnamed art collector. The collective is also planning to keep a pair for itself.