Spike Lee is one of those seemingly rare artists who uses their platform to critically analyze the injustices of our society.
I’ve admired his works for years, so was more than excited when I was invited to his 40 acres and a Mule work space yesterday for a breakfast.
The focus of the meeting was fashion, namely two backpacks Mr. Lee created in collaboration with Sprayground. But after we got through the details of colors, zips, velour compartments, and price points, we were all able to have a pretty rigorous discussion about current events.
We obviously don’t live in a bubble. Incidents such as the deaths of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and Mike Brown are top of mind in our national discourse about race and what it means to be a black man and person of color in America. Sometimes I feel stunted or silenced, as my website is all about style. How does one address political uprisings while pondering on the waning popularity of peplums?
Spike said to protest and report on uprisings anyway, even if readers or followers don’t fall in line (my way of addressing it was to report on ServedFresh’s I Can’t Breathe tees). Stay true to yourself. Do what you can with what you have!
At any rate, it was raining torrentially that day, so I kept warm in a Christopher Fischer Mohair Sweater I first spied in a Style Inspiration on the site (I shop a lot of the looks we blog. I can’t help it!).
I kept the gray tones going with Frame Denim Jeans and a Rag & Bone Fedora (true story, my hair was up when I bought it, so I wasn’t sure it would fit with my hair down. It’s a bit snug, but does it work?).
My Gianvito Rossi thigh highs are working overtime (trying to get the MOST out of my investment), and I threw my Issa pink sample sale score over everything for a cool pop of color.
Meeting and chatting with Spike was the highlight of my week. If you want to meet him as well, he’s having a pop up store at 75 South Elliott Place on Friday, from 5-8.
Tell ’em I sent ya!
Images: Karl Pierre
