#Ben Davis Clothing Brand

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

LOOK FOR THE BUILT "PLENTY TOUGH" DESIGN MONKEY LOGO -- AN AMERICAN CLASSIC.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on assorted vintage Ben Davis clothing tags, undated, c. mid to late 20th century, USA.

Sources: www.pinterest.com/pin/182255116161772601, various, etc...

[wavypack]

Cholo - The Sartorial Identity of Los Angeles.

Often affiliated with the Hispanic gangs of Los Angeles, the Cholo style is now represented all over the world. Dickies, Cortez and Pendleton shirts ... this is how we could summarize this aesthetic. However, the Cholo style is governed by codes that have evolved alongside the Mexican community in the USA.The contemporary Cholo style has its roots in the "Pachuco" style. The "Pachuco" was embodied by an active Latino community in Los Angeles in the 1930s. They met to dance swing and wore suits with very large pants: the "Zoot Suit". Reinterpreted in our time via workwear, the cholos use "Khakis" Dickies or Ben Davies 1 or 2 sizes too big to wear them high on the waist with a belt. The folds on the middle of the leg reproduce the aesthetics of the Zoot Suit pants. For some gangs, the standard is 1 pleat in the front and 3 pleats in the back, to form the number 13 in reference to MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha). The jeans are starched so that they sit on the leg and do not wrinkle at the knees. Pleats similar to khakis are also ironed in.The Cholos place great importance on cleanliness in their clothing. An immaculate white shirt and an ironed chino are among the outward markers needed to be respected on the street. As in the 1930s, this respect is achieved through clean, well-cut clothes. This Cholo aesthetic has inspired other movements even beyond California's borders.In the 1970s, skateboarders like Tony Alva wore Dickies with Pendleton shirts and bandanas inspired by the West Coast Hispanic community. However, the Cholo style really took off in the world thanks to the explosion of California Rap in the late 80s. The members of N.W.A and in particular Eazy E took these codes and applied them to Gangsta Rap. Their imagery has largely contributed to the diffusion of this style in the world and in Japan where a Cholo community is concentrated today.Nowadays, independent brands continue to keep this Cholo clothing heritage alive. Born x Raised and Willy Chavaria each in their own way evolve the classic Los Angeles style by incorporating elements of sportswear.

[beardedmrbean]

DALLAS — A woman and her daughter are suing Taco Bell after employees at one of the restaurants in Dallas allegedly dumped a bucket of boiling water on them, causing severe burns and brain function damage. 

Lawyers for the victims are asking for more than $1 million in damages from the defendants: Yum! Brands, Taco Bell Corp., Taco Bell of America, North Texas Bells and the two unidentified employees allegedly involved, who are named in the suit as John Doe and Jane Doe. The victims are being represented by Ben Crump and Paul Grinke.

The incident allegedly occurred June 17 when Brittany Davis and her daughter, a minor child identified in the lawsuit only as C.T., entered the Taco Bell at 11829 Abrams Road. 

"Our hearts break for these two victims whose lives are forever changed because of the horrific and damaging actions by the Taco Bell manager and the larger entities that failed to protect the safety of their customers," Crump and Grinke wrote in a news release. "Not only did Brittany and C.T. suffer physical trauma because of the burns, but they will now live with the psychological trauma that comes with an attack like this. Corporations have a duty to employ quality and stable employees who hold safety as the highest priority."

After their $31 order had been prepared twice incorrectly in the drive-thru, the two customers entered the Taco Bell with their receipt and food bag, with an employee letting them into a dining room and locking the door behind them, according to the lawsuit.

After discussing the order with these two customers for nearly 10 minutes, the lawsuit claims that the employees refused to prepare the food they had paid for and became "combative." 

"Inexplicably, the Taco Bell manager, a Hispanic female, (Jane Doe) who had not been involved in any of the conversations in the dining room, came from behind the counter with a scalding bucket of water and poured it onto C.T. and Brittany," the suit reads. "This water hit C.T. in the face and chest with the boiling water running down her body and soaking into her clothes. Ms. Davis was also hit by the water in the chest."

The two victims claim they then tried to run out of the Taco Bell, screaming -- but the door had been locked. While they were trying to unlock the door, the suit states, the manager came back with a second bucket of boiling water to throw on them, but the two were able to escape beforehand.

The suit says the two victims ran to their car and C.T. began taking off her clothes to try and minimize the burning, while her mother began having seizures due to the trauma. 

"As this family was leaving the parking lot, a Taco Bell employee came outside the front door, laughing, clapping, and taunting the family—adding insult to horrific injury," the suit states. 

According to the suit, C.T. then ran into the emergency room naked to get help for her mother, who was still suffering seizures and burns from not being able to take her clothes off. Davis's clothes had to be cut off with the skin still attached by hospital staff, the suit claims, and she was then care-flighted to an ICU burn unit in Dallas. 

"Brittany suffered deep burns on her chest and stomach with significant damage to her brain function due to the seizures causing her to lose some of her memory," the suit reads. 

Between the time of having the boiling water poured on her and making it to the ICU burn unit, Davis had suffered at least 10 seizures, the suit says. 

"C.T. suffered severe burns to her face, chest, legs, arms, and stomach. The burns on her face will cause discoloring and scarring that will forever impact her self-image," the suit states. "When C.T. was released home from the hospital, her mother had to remove all mirrors from the walls, as C.T. could not bear to see her own face. The burns to the rest of her body caused her skin to bubble the size of softballs."

Charges against the defendants include negligence on the part of the two employees, who the suit states had a duty to exercise ordinary care and breached that by failing to protect or consider the well-being of their customers. 

The suit also charges negligent hiring, training, retention and supervision on the part of the corporations named in the suit, who the suit says had a duty to hire safe and competent employees, enforce safety policies and procedures, and take action to control their employees to prevent injuries to customers.

This Taco Bell and the surrounding block have a history of criminal activity causing bodily harm to patrons, according to the suit.

"Defendants [North Texas Bells] and [Taco Bell of America] knew or should have known about the criminal history both on their premises and in the surrounding area including criminal activity that resulted in bodily harm," the suit states. "In fact, this same address had multiple reported criminal incidents in the weeks prior to the incident that are in the public record."

In a statement to WFAA, Taco Bell said it was in contact with the franchise owner and operator. 

“We take the safety and wellbeing of team members and customers seriously. Taco Bell is in contact with the franchise owner and operator of this restaurant on this matter and cannot comment on specifics of pending litigation," the company said. 

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

VOTE "TOUGH MADE" IN 2024 -- "PLENTY TOUGH" AMERICAN STYLE.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on Ben Davis [streetwear/ workwear] decal/sticker designs, unlicensed.

Source: www.amazon.com/-/es/m87525618396/dp/B0CMD4PTLT.

[ohtheseboysilove]

Sexy panties to dirty nappies I/? [ Ben Hardy x F!Reader ]

Words : 3,100 K +

Warnings : language, surprise pregnancy

Summary : Reader is eight months pregnant. The only problem ? She just find out. Yep, pregancy denial. Now they only got a month to be ready for the baby. Ready...steady...go !

Note : I get this little idea popping in my head and I couldn’t take it off so, here is it. It’s not an angst fic this time, rather cute, fluff and fun. Ben and Reader gonna be freaking out about an upcoming baby that wasn’t planned at all. Enjoy and tell me what you think lovies !! (If you don’t know what a pregnancy denial is, basically you’re pregant but don’t know that, some women don’t notice until they are literally giving birth !! This is some scary shits, uurk) xx

Masterlist & Requests

@/ none of these gifs are mine xx

“Shit Ben, you’re such a dork” You snorted ridiculously as your boyfriend tried on your brand new pink panties, thigh and way too short on him. “Gimme that I need to get dress” You made grabby hands toward his muscular bottom on practically full display.

“Come and get it” He wiggled his eyebrows funnily, a cheeky grin covering his face.

“Ben...” You warned as you stood up, walking to this idiot, your idiot from the last three years with the firm attention to have back your knickers. “I’m already late Benny, come on” You pouted as he shook cockily his head, grabbing your waist and connecting your mouths together.

You sighed in the kiss, you could never be bored of the softest and sweet taste of his lips. His warm hands squeezed gently your covered butt but you pulled away, knowing where he was going with this not-at-all action.

“I wasn’t done with you yet” He grimaced as you tried to escape his strong arms, his lips travelling on your neck and hips rocking slightly against you, you could feel his bugle poking through your panties. “Stay with me today, I just come back from months away, need you” He whispered with a needy voice to your ear.

“Love, you know I would rather stay with you but I have this fucking important presentation today, I can’t miss work” You whined, his soft caresses making you weak on your knees. He definitively didn't make it easier for you.

Ben groaned against you but let you go eventually, taking off the panties and putting in it your hands, now fully naked. You bit your lips at this incredible sight, Ben was truly pleasant to look at. He caught your flushed cheeks and winked at you before going lazily back in bed. The blond lay down, sliding an arm under his head, showing a muscular biceps and his hard shaft was mocking you, god, you really wanted to stay here.

“Aren’t you suppose to get dress, doll ?” He teased you with a big smile, lazily scrolling on his phone as you stood there, thinking if you really needed this job after all. You sighed and showed him your middle finger before bending to slid your underwear on. A sharp pain hit you roughly in the back and you whined loudly, hand flying to the aching part of your body, jaw clenched harshly. “Your back is still hurting baby ?”

He crawled to you and gently cupped your face, his eyes full of concern.

“I’m fine Benny” You murmured through your teeth and slowly straightened your spine, a low whimper escaping your throat. “It’s nothing”

“You should really go to the doctor (Y/N), I’m serious, it’s been weeks” Ben rubbed softly your back as you slid – not without difficulties – your work pants. “I can take you when I pick you up tonight”

You walked painfully to your closet and picked a white blouse, cursing quietly at every of your movements.

“We not gonna miss our tuesday night for a sore back” You smiled through your pain and Ben rolled his eyes but grinned anyway. “I’m gonna kick your ass tonight love, be ready”

You both chuckled and the blond sighed deeply, coming to you and closing himself your buttons, his noses brushing softly with yours.

“You’re gonna lose tonight, like always baby” He smirked and pecked your pouty lips. “See you later, loser”

He closed the bathroom door as you put your shoes on, the clock ticking as you were running late.

“Don’t forget the shopping list I left on the table !” You shouted. “Love you Benny”

“Love you too !” You closed the front door and left for work. Finally.

You spent the whole drive to work thinking about your evening, tuesday night was the best when Ben was around. Basically both of you eat greasy food – burger or pizza – played video games, fucked then played again, beers and eventually some weed to go through the evening. It was a tradition, you and Ben used to do that when you were just friends – the fucking part aside – and nothing changed after you get together. You were still the same two dorks, but in love now. You really loved the life you had with Ben, you were twenty five and living your best life with someone as cool as Ben. Sometime your mom told you that you needed to grow up but honestly you were still young and wanted to have fun.

You didn’t know yet but your life was about to change brutally within few hours.

Everything was fine, Ben had send you a good luck text for your presentation and until now, you were killing it. It was only nine-something in the morning when the pain in your back came back, more violently than before. You tried to forget it and continued your job but the aching was brutal, tears were flowing down your cheeks and before someone could react you passed out.

When you woke up you were laying in a hospital bed, the annoying sound of a monitor buzzing in your ears. You blinked few times to adapt your eyes to the bright luminosity of the room and rubbed your temples, a headache muddling your brain.

“Good to see you awake miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N), I am doctor Davis” A middle age man with big and round glasses was facing you, his eyes going from the paper in is hands to the screen of the monitor.

“What I’m doing here ?” You mumbled, your throat dry and sore. You could have killed for a glass of water.

“Well, you fainted at your work, not long ago. Do you remember what happened Miss ?” You frowned, trying to clear your mind.

“I was doing my presentation then...my back...yeah my back was really painful then nothing”

The doctor cleared his throat and came closer to you, rubbing his chin slightly. “We found the reason for this pain in your back but it’s going to be...surprising for you”

“What do you mean surprising ? Am I going to die ?” You asked with a panicked voice.

The doctor chuckled softly and put a reassuring hand on your forearm, squeezed it lightly.

“(Y/N), you’re not going to die, I can assure you that.” You sighed deeply but you were still agitated, what was going on ? “Miss, your backache is nothing else than normal...because you’re pregnant”

Your eyes widened and you stared blankly at him.

“I’m pregnant ? But I’m taking the pill since like...forever, it’s–“You closed your mouth and internally freaked out, a baby ? You weren’t ready for that. “I can’t have a kid, I’m– we can’t...”

“I’m afraid, miss, that you have no other choice than to carry this baby until the due date” You frowned and for a second you were sure he was one of these doctor who were against abortion but the truth was even worth. “You did what we call a denial of pregnancy miss, you’re eight months pregnant”

Seeing a pig flying in the sky would have been less shocking than his words. And even making more sense, you know with the science’s progress, why not ? You shook your head and chuckled nervously, there were no chance you were carrying a child for eight months without noticing it.

“No, no, you...it’s impossible” You rubbed your flat stomach to prove your point. “I lost three pounds last month, I’m certainly not pregnant doc. I’m sorry but you’re probably not in the good room” You felt a bit better, yeah he was wrong, periods.

The man smiled softly and pinched his lips together, his voice was gentle like if he was talking to a kid :

“I know it must be a shocking new (Y/N), it’s the first time in my career that I personally work on a denial of pregnancy, I can’t imagined how you’re feeling right now but I promise, it’s real” Your confident smile faded at his very serious tone. “Now that you know about your condition, your body will react to it and probably in few days you will have an eight-months look and all the things which come with pregancy (Y/N). Morning sickness, swollen feet, sudden craving...”

You didn’t listen any other words he said. You eyes were glued to your bare clothed stomach, afraid that it will swollen in a minute. He showed you an ultrasound scan as a proof but your brain couldn’t simply process the information. Eight months pregnant. In less than a month you will be a mom. Hell, you already were a mom, the baby could pop up any time soon. What the fuck were you going to tell Ben ? And your parents ? Friends ? Work ? Fucking hell.

The rest of your morning was completely blurred, only doing tests and analyses, all the checking you were supposed to do during these eight months of pregnancy. And god you felt awful for this kid, you drank, you smoked and not only cigarette, you ate sushi and al these things you were not suppose to do as a pregnant woman...but could you be blamed for that ? No. But you still felt guilty. Most of your analyses came back positives and some others took few more days to have the results but apparently you and the baby were fine. Baby...still so unreal.

When they finally let you go, you found Ben in the waiting room, his face pale like he was about to pass out. But he didn’t know. The doctor swore that they didn’t say anything as it was a complicated situation, so it was your job now to tell him he is gonna be a father well sooner than expected. Sooner as less than a month.

“Baby, jesus christ, are you all right ? These fucking assholes didn’t tell me anything ! I was worrying sick !” He shoved you in his arms, his hands examining every inches of your face to make sure you were alright.”Your boss called me, telling me you passed out during your presentation, what happened ?”

He barely let you anytime to answer, his lips already kissing yours. Ben always been a touchy guy, he loved contact, holding hands, arms around your shoulders, fingers drumming on your thigh when he drive...And when he was worried, he won’t let go of you. Everytime you were sick, he was literally glued to your side, cooing at you like a mother hen or like this time you broke your ankle, he was ready to carry you all around the flat if you would let him. You loved this side of Ben so much but today you were so afraid to scaring him off with this unexpected pregnancy.

“I’m alright, love” You gently caressed his cheek, his face relaxing a bit at your gesture. “But...I have something very important to tell you” He frowned his eyebrows and his worries came back even quicker than before.

“What–“

You put a finger on his mouth, cutting short to his rambling and grabbed his hand.

“Not here, let’s talk in the car” He reluctantly followed you, his eyes burning hole in your head as he stared intensely at you, like you were about to fall dead at his feet in any second.

He opened the car and both of you jumped inside. You looked at your flat stomach, he wouldn’t believe you, how could he ?

“Baby, please tell me what’s going on ? You’re scaring me” He looked at you with pleading eyes and you felt guilty to make him worry like that.

“The doctor found why my back hurt me so much”

 Smooth beginning (Y/N).

As expected Ben’s face lit up with a relieved smile. “That’s awesome baby ! You’re gonna be alright then ?”

“I’m fine, it’s just...I...I’m pregnant Ben” You dropped – only half – of the bomb and watched your very interesting blue nails polish, all chipped. You really needed a good manicure.

“Alright...” Ben shook his head, his eyes wides and almost popping out of his head, doing his best to not completely freaked out. “We...have different options, I– what do you want to do ?” He grabbed your hands and you slowly looked at him, lower lip roughly pinched between your teeth. “If...abortion is still a option but...if you want to keep the baby, I can call my agent and...ask for more free time for you and the baby until–“

“Ben the baby is coming in a month” You stated bluntly. He tilted his head and then gazed at your flat belly before chuckling.

“Yeah sure (Y/N). If all of this it’s a joke I don’t–“

“It’s not a joke Ben !” You shouted, tears gathering in your eyes. You didn’t cry easily , both of you and your boyfriend seemed rather surprise. “Fucking pregnancy hormones” The blond kept his mouth shut, waiting for a rational explanation. “The doctor said I did a...a denial of pregnancy” He scratched his chin, nodding slowly and pretending he understood. You knew him like the back of your hand and his eyes were screaming that he had no clue about all of this. “Basically, my body completely ignored the fact that I was pregnant, still get my periods like everything was normal but in fact, I had a baby inside me for the past eight months, I’m not even a mother yet but I’m already the worst possible mom”

You hid your face in your hands, you felt so guilty about this tiny human, maybe already fucked up because of your actions. Ben’s hands slowly rubbed your shoulder but he didn’t say a word. The shock and fear painting all over his features. He drove both of you, or rather the three of you back home in a thick silence. Your and his mind were blinded with oppressing thoughts, most of people had time to prepare a baby arrival or could even decided about if they wanted a kid or not but you didn’t have this chance.

Ben held your hand as you walked to your shared flat but stayed in a deafening silence.

“Here, it’s the...the picture of the baby. He also gave me an envelope with the sex of the baby inside, if we want to know before the birth” You placed the ultrasound photo in his hands and locked yourself in the bathroom, you couldn’t bear his silence much longer.

He stayed mute. You felt the fear inside you growing even bigger. What if he left you ? A baby-bomb could be a good reason to run away but it was Ben...he would never do that to you or the...your baby. He won’t. He just needed time to process the information. After a long and hot shower, you looked at yourself in the mirror, more precisely to your belly. It didn’t look bigger than before. Or maybe yes. You turned on your side and softly touched it, definitively bigger. It also could be your mind tricking your eyes. It was only few hours since you knew about your pregnancy...but the doctor did say you will have a swollen belly around four days from today, probably. It was fucking scary and your emotional support also know as Ben, was actually out of service. Awesome. You still get your emergency emotional support and this one was always working, get four paws and soft fur, answering at the sweet name of Frankie.

You quietly reached for your room and put a comfy pyjama on then spotted the little fur ball on the bed, chilling like the princess she was. You grabbed her and cuddled her in your arms, her adorable scent of dog comforting you as you made your way to the living-room. To Ben.

He was in the sofa, his eyes glued to the ultrasound you gave him.

“Benny ?” You asked with a soft tone. “Please, can you say something ?” You sat next to him, keeping few centimetres between your two bodies. Something you didn’t do since your first date and all the doubts that go with.

He put the image on the coffee table and stood up brutally.

“I...I’m going to do some shopping. I can use some fresh air” He rubbed awkwardly his neck, looking everywhere rather than to you.

Your felt your heart race speeding up at these words. That was the cue, he was leaving you.

“Ben, please don’t do that” You grabbed his forearm, eyes watering at the though of ending all alone with this baby. “Don’t leave me, I can’t do that all by myself. I need you.”

His eyes widened at your words and his features immediately soften, his warm hands rubbing your wet cheeks.

“(Y/N), my sweet silly girl, I’m not going anywhere” He chuckled softly, his hands shaking slightly against your skin. “Well, I do need to buy some food for tonight, didn’t have the time this morning. Need more beer than I thought and soft drink for you, babe” You sniffled, wiping away your eyes and nodded slowly. “Sorry for my...lack of answer to this hum big new, I’m still processing the whole thing. But we are in this...uncommon situation together alright ?” He pecked gently your mouth before grabbing his keys car and jacket.

“’kay. You promise you will come back ?” You hated your weak voice, that wasn’t you at all but right now all you needed was to be reassured.

“I will” His tone sufficed to convince you. “Any food craving or is it too early ?” Both of your gazes fell on your flat stomach, waiting like the baby will answering by himself to his dad’s question.

“Don’t know for this baby but I wouldn’t object to a veggie pizza tonight” You shrugged. You didn’t fully understand you were pregnant, it was so unreal.

“Alright, I see you later” He smiled softly and disappeared behind the main door.

You slouched down in the couch, sighing deeply.

“Jesus fucking Christ” You rubbed your face roughly, this situation was the craziest that ever happened to you. You couldn’t believe your own body hid from you that you were carrying a tiny human. For eight fucking months.

Your mom gonna laugh so hard. You and Ben, a baby ? You weren’t ready for that, in few years of course but right now ? Not when your biggest achievement of your saturday night was too finish a bottle wine all by yourself without throwing up.

You and Ben had roughly more or less four weeks to be ready for a baby. Easy peasy, right ?

[amandajoyce118]

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 Easter Eggs And References

I finally finished watching this set of episodes last week, and finally got to type out all of Easter eggs and references this weekend. There will, of course, be spoilers for the episodes here, but I have a feeling anyone interested in Easter eggs has probably already watched the episodes by now.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: The Epiphany

The Spinning Clothes Change

Well, this is straight out of the Melissa Joan Hart era of Sabrina Spellman, isn’t it?

Sister Shirley Jackson

Shirley is one of the members of the coven. Shirley Jackson, however, isn’t a fictional character. That name belongs to the woman who wrote The Haunting Of Hill House, now adapted into its own Netflix series. Brother Lovecraft is also mentioned, which is probably a nod to HP Lovecraft.

Dorian’s Grayroom

If you don’t understand that Dorian here is the title character from Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Grey, I’m going to guess you haven’t had any classic lit in your English classes yet. You will, don’t worry.

Salome

The entertainment at Dorian’s is actually a woman straight out of the Bible. She’s also the subject of an Oscar Wilde play, so someone’s a Wilde fan.

“They go low, we go high.”

Roz is a Michelle Obama fan. Another reason to like her.

“The half-witch must not ascend…”

This word choice seems purposeful considering Sabrina is from the same showrunner as Riverdale where we have a bunch of kids running around Riverdale trying to “ascend” with the Gargoyle King.

Chapter 13: The Passion Of Sabrina Spellman

Bye Bye Birdie

It’s funny that Sabrina starred in the Baxter High version of this play since the actress also dealt with it quite a bit when she was in Mad Men. Cute nod.

The Play’s Color Palette

Did anyone else get a Baz Luhrmann Romeo and Juliet vibe from this play? Or was it just me?

Archie Comics At Cerberus’

Both the regular Archie comics as well as Afterlife with Archie can be glimpsed on shelves in the store.

Theo’s Locker

Theo’s high school story feels very Carrie at times. His locker being filled with feminine products is one of those times. Fittingly, Riverdale did Carrie: The Musical in an episode as well. So, you know the showrunner is a big fan.

Chapter 14: Lupercalia

So Many Archie Comics

Sometimes, it seems like that’s all the comic book store in town has. But it’s not, as we will see in the next episode.

Adam

So, there is a Dr. Masters in Archie Comics. The character here, and the character in the comics, don’t share the same first name though, which is likely purposeful since another Dr. Masters appeared on Riverdale as well. While his last name is likely a nod to the comics, his first name is likely a nod to the mythology of Lilith. The story goes that Lilith was created before Eve, that she was actually Adam’s first wife, before leaving the garden, thinking for herself, and also being branded as the world’s first demon, Lucifer’s first wife, or the world’s first witch, depending on the interpretation of the story. It’s fitting that Lilith gets a chance with another Adam.

Chapter 15: Doctor Cerberus’ House Of Horrors

Mrs. McGarvey

She’s played by science fiction actress Veronica Cartwright. She was in such classics as Alien, The Birds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Witches of Eastwick. She also appeared in TV classics like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Wonder Woman And Aquaman

The long shots of the comic book store reveal images of Wonder Woman and Aquaman on the shelving, so, now we know they sell something other than Archie comics.

Arkham

The DC universe gets another shoutout when Harvey has his reading. The school he supposedly gets into is the Arkham Colony of the Arts, a nod to the asylum for Batman’s many villains.

Howard

Interestingly, also during Harvey’s reading, his roommate Howard is a familiar face for Riverdale fans. The same actor plays Dr. Curdle Jr. on Riverdale. Now, we don’t know if Curdle’s first name is Howard or not, but it would be a nice nod to the double appearance of Ben Button on the show last season and on Riverdale. I’m curious if Greendale is like and alternate reality for the Riverdale universe at this point.

Chapter 16: Blackwood

Ray Wise

He plays the Antipope here. Ray Wise loves to play devilish characters. He’s frequently a bad guy. In fact, he already played the devil for the show Reaper. Who else was on Reaper? Aunt Hilda herself, Lucy Davis.

Chapter 17: The Missionaries

Sabrina On Her Bike

The music that plays and Salem accompanying her definitely reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz, no?

Jerethiel

If anybody was paying attention to “Jerry” before the reveal that these witch hunters were angels, they would have noticed the name on his nametag. That suffix is a dead giveaway for his angelic roots. Also, cute that these angels are inspired by the Mormon religion, though I’m sure the Mormons don’t appreciate being depicted as the bad guys.

“God will forgive your original sin…”

This line confuses me since “original sin” was supposed to be eating from the tree of knowledge. Essentially, free will is original sin. But it doesn’t actually seem like that’s what the witch hunters are references, but rather just the sinful behavior of the witches in general. It’s an odd phrasing, so I threw it in here.

Sabrina The Savior

Not only does Sabrina get the crown of thorns, but she also gets pierced in the side, and holds a crucifixion pose to get things done. The imagery is clear.

Chapter 18: The Miracles Of Sabrina Spellman

(Side note: I love that Harvey made the Dark Phoenix comparison here. Anyone who has ever seen anything related to X-Men would have likely had the same thought. Sabrina not appreciating that Harvey compares her to a comic book when their entire lives are out of a comic book is also really amusing.)

Methuselah

His name is a reference to the longest living man in the Bible. But he’s played by the incomparable William B. Davis AKA the Smoking Man from the X-Files.

Chapter 19: The Mandrake

Sweetwater River

The ritual Sabrina is supposed to partake in involves making a golem and drowning your double at Sweetwater River. Sweetwater is the river that separates Greendale from Riverdale. It’s also where Jason Blossom was lost and Cheryl Blossom almost died - a set of twins, or doubles as it were. Nice symmetry.

The Ghost

The sheet thrown over Lilith’s new Adam before he tries to kill Sabrina is an homage to one of Michael Myers’ kills in Halloween.

Mandrake-Sabrina’s Scream

Okay, my first thought here was that it was a nod to the idea of mandrake roots looking like babies and how they were used in the Harry Potter series. (The Mandrake scream being fatal once mature.) But it also works as a nod to the screeching in Invasions of the Body Snatchers. We’ll call it a double egg.

Chapter 20 The Mephisto Waltz

The Episode Title

It’s taken from Mephisto, or Mephistopheles, a high ranking demon in German folklore. It’s also the name of a demon in Marvel comics, but that’s probably not related. It’s also the name for the devil in Faust, which makes another person with a name for the devil (Nick Scratch) becoming the literal embodiment of the devil rather poetic here.

“Ashes, ashes, he falls down dead…”

I like that the sisters decide to kill Blackwood using a spell to the tune of “Ring Around The Roses,” which was actually a song about a plague. Were they trying to give him a plague? Fitting.

“Not today, Satan.”

Glad to see modern pop culture makes its way into Greendale outside of horror movies and comic books.

The Archies

Sabrina still has her thermos for the fictional Archie comics band in her room. I’m sure there are tons of Easter eggs in her room if we could actually see everything. Just like Harvey still having Archie artwork on his walls.

Masquerade

The song is from Phantom of the Opera, in case anyone watching the show doesn’t love musical theater as much as the rest of us.

That’s it! That’s all I’ve got, though I’m sure I’ve missed some since I’m not as well versed in horror and probably didn’t catch all of the movie references.

[gothify1]

You might know Jane Levy from her comedic turn on the gem of a sitcom Suburgatory  or from that time she scared the bejesus out of you in Don’t Breathe . It could be that she caught your eye in Showtime’s Twin Peaks: The Return,  or maybe she had you on the edge of your seat binge-watching Hulu’s Castle Rock . Or perhaps it’s her latest project, Netflix’s Renée Zellweger–led suspense thriller What/If , that has you buzzing about the 29-year-old. Whatever it may be, one thing is for sure: The actress is a force on screen. Ahead of the What/If  premiere, we caught up with Levy to talk shop and all things fashion. In addition to dishing on Zellweger’s surprising car choice, Levy let us in on her affordable T-shirt secret, made a strong case for jumpsuits, and told us who she thinks nailed the Met Gala theme. Don’t miss our conversation with the actress below. How would you describe What/If  to your friends? Our show is a sexy melodrama. There are a lot of storylines, but the root of the story revolves around a young couple who, because of desperate circumstances, decide to make a deal with the devil and then have to suffer the consequences. It's the ’90s-esque thriller you've been waiting for. What surprised you most about Renée Zellweger while working together on this project? She's very low-key. She doesn't have an assistant and she drives a minivan. Renée is extremely gracious and hardworking. This part isn't necessarily a surprise, but she is a true class act. What/If is created by Mike Kelley, who was also behind the popular series Revenge . What do you think it is about his storytelling that appeals to audiences? Well for one, Mike is great at writing female villains and female rivalry. Who doesn't love Cruella De Vil? We love drama! I love drama. He puts his characters in extraordinary circumstances and watches them crawl themselves out. What I think makes Mike so good is that even in delicious, over-the-top scenarios, the characters are coming from real human need. Also, in our story, women aren't actually  fighting over a man, they are fighting for power and domination, and on a deeper level, they are fighting for acceptance and love. Each character in What/If  is complex, yearning for love, and hurting someone along the way. I think the audience will disagree over who is good or bad, right or wrong. I also just think Mike is fun, and because of that, his writing is entertaining as hell. You are no stranger to a good suspense story. What is it about these stories and your characters that speak to you as an actress? I, as a viewer, love suspense. Silence of the Lambs  might be my favorite movie. My attraction as an actress comes from my attraction as an audience member. Who are the women in this industry who inspire you? Jane Fonda, Reese Witherspoon, Melanie Lynskey, Annette Benning, Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Glenda Jackson, Viola Davis, Margot Robbie, Holly Hunter. And many more… Switching gears to fashion, how would you describe your style in a sentence or less? Classic/sometimes glamour/mixed with California beach and hill walking. What is the outfit you feel most yourself in? A T-shirt and a great pair of jeans. What are your favorite clothing brands/ stores to shop? Levi's, Wrangler, Hansel From Basel, Rachel Comey, BaBaa knits, Ganni, Celine. I shop online at Garmentory, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, and Etsy for vintage. What are the five holy-grail clothing items you own? A pair of pink Celine sunglasses I've managed to hold onto since 2012. My perfectly worn-in Dr. Martens. A pinky signet friendship ring I got made for my best friend Mae Whitman and I designed by Kate Jones of Ursa Major. AMO Demin's Babe Tee. I own it in seven colors. A pair of black vintage Yves Saint Laurent trouser pants that I found and fit perfectly without tailoring (I tailor all of my clothes). What's your favorite thing you've worn to an event or on a red carpet so far, and why? Wearing a jumpsuit to events gives me a sense of confidence. I feel like I can stomp around freely, and it often showcases the butt! What is one of the most valuable fashion lessons you've learned from your stylist Tara Swennen? That I can't dress myself—ha! Tara went to an Ivy League school and studied fashion for four years. This woman is highly trained at her art. Finally, in response to this Instagram , we're curious, who do you think got it right at the Met Ball this year? I thought Harry Styles looked fabulous. I also liked Bella Hadid, Billy Porter, Ezra Miller, Janelle Monáe and… Lavern Cox might have been my favorite of all. Shop Jane Levy’s favorite tee below. Next: Summer's breakout stars share what's on their shopping lists .

[dippedanddripped]

Throughout their active career, the Beastie Boyshave had a unique relationship with skateboarding. Despite none of them being particularly accomplished on a sponsorship level, they maintained an authentic connection to skate culture for so long that it’s hard to imagine the two not being linked. However, when their debut album Licensed to Ill was released in 1986, the synergy between skateboarding and mainstream music was tenuous at best. The idea that three Jewish rappers from New York City – a decade-plus before the entire East Coast had a thriving skate industry – known for boisterous hip-hop rock party anthems connected with the then-subculture of skateboarding was foreign, to say the least. Contextually, there were no bands charting who had any real roots in skating, and if they did, it wasn’t touted as a marketing tool. In fact, there were only a handful of pro skaters from the East Coast, let alone any who were Jewish.

Skateboarding in the mid ’80s was California; hip-hop was still finding its legs and identity in culture and the actual music industry, and the only true “skate” music being pushed was skate rock via Thrasher Magazine’s editorial and compilation albums. During this time, skateboarding still had a very Anglo-punk stigma to most, which was completely inaccurate considering how many Latino and Asian pioneers there were in the sport, and hip-hop represented urban street culture. The two seemed worlds apart. But for Adam Yauch, Mike Diamond, and Adam Horovitz, whose musical journey began in punk rock clubs and dance venues around Manhattan, cultural lines were bridged by subway stops and the explorative innocence of youth. There were no better ambassadors than a bunch of wise-asses steeped in crate digging, graffiti, DIY, and utilitarian fashion to champion skateboarding. Contrasted against INXS putting skate photography on the cover of Kick a year later, the Beastie Boys posing in photos with skateboards just seemed like how they got to the shoot rather than a prop – and it probably was.

Unlike most music autobiographies, the new Beastie Boys Book traverses more than a band’s story arc within music. While the 590 pages do detail several industry clichés – including cowboy booted A&R guys and tense relationships with major labels – the monograph is a written and visual journey of style, trend, music, fashion, culture, art, slang, and, most importantly, friendship. While the book has many characters and B-stories, the main figures are the three members of the band and the locales of New York City and Los Angeles. Written by surviving members Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz, Beastie Boys Book is also a love letter to Adam Yauch who, despite being just a year-ish older than Diamond and Horovitz, comes off as a mentor and almost stabilizing figure of the iconic band.

Unlike Diamond and Horovitz, Yauch is depicted as a the least celebrity-yearning of the Boys, never fully assimilating to fame as evidenced by his spiritual journey and immersion into Tibetan Buddhism. As the group’s constant, the images of Yauch throughout the book, save several where he’s wearing costume, are the most stylistically consistent. While his facial hair combos often fluctuate, MCA mostly looked what we identify now as a “typical skateboarder,” which is fairly accurate since he was, but there’s more significance than him being able to pump on a halfpipe. Yauch’s and his bandmates’ affinity for skateboarding not only set off a grip of style trends and influenced soundtracks and even brands (via their friendship with Spike Jonze), but it can be argued that it grounded and revitalized their careers.

The genesis of this relationship began with their 1989 sophomore effort Paul’s Boutique. Though it is now heralded as a masterpiece, it was initially a commercial disappointment and consequently thrust the band, most of whom had relocated to Los Angeles, out of the spotlight. Prior to their second album the Beastie Boys were superstars, but they not only lost their glow but, even worse, appeared kitschy to their mass audience as the funked out dance track “Hey Ladies” was their only single to chart. For many, the last images they had of the band were them dressed up in garish 1970s gear, emulating both Saturday Night Live more than rising rap crew.

Several other visuals were crafted in support of the record, but it was “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun” that proved predictive and revelatory. Directed by Yauch himself, it’s a lo-fi pastiche that mixes candid footage with clips from action sports videos, and it even shows Yauch skating on the streets of Los Angeles. In between the surf, skate, and snowboarding tricks are footage of the band recording the track, driving around stoned wearing costumes, a confused kitten, and generally staying loose without the frat bro layer. In a sense, the song and video are the secret sauce that created the loose, free blueprint that allowed their subsequent effort, Check Your Head, to hit so hard.

When the project’s lead single “Pass the Mic” was released in 1992, it was a lowkey announcement that Beastie Boys were back for the first time. They hadn’t lost the irreverence of their early “Cookie Puss”-era, there was a nod to their punk past with a Bad Brains sample and production that was both sparse and dense at the same time, as well as wealth of skate clips/B-roll in between the vocal deliveries for the video, including footage shot at the ramp they erected at their G Son studio while recording the album. During the tail end of the track they even announce that they’re going to “rock this joint in an old school way,” which was more than a stylistic declaration but the announcement of a cultural zeitgeist.

Though the group was simply wearing the clothes they had always worn, albeit without the B-Boy bravado and accoutrement, what happened in that seven-ish year stretch was that 1980s clothing had become vintage. So rather than looking slightly out of date, they stepped it up by pairing newly vintage parkas, denim, and trainers with newer yet classic workwear, specifically Carhartt and West Coast-centric Ben Davis, as well as peppering in sunglasses, beanies, and even simple Champion hoodies (which had yet to become a thing). The Beastie Boys were not only fresh, but coyly self-referential. It might be an oversell to say it was the birth of modern retro-vintage, but then again, maybe not. In fact, the only thing that really wasn’t emulated to a degree in the wake of Check Your Head was MCA’s oversized snowboarding boots, so expect those to pop off in 2020.

With imagery shot by iconic music and skate photographer Glen E. Friedman and typography designed by Eric Haze, the cover of Check Your Head was also a visual mash up that spoke not only to the band themselves but what was happening in culture – hip-hop had become a part of mainstream America as well as the soundtrack of street skating, which was the industry defining voice at the time. Haze had also designed a promotional skateboard for Vision for the band that never made it past the prototype stage back in the Licensed to Ill days, which has since become a collectors grail. Check Your Head’s cover – a subtle take on Minor Threat’s final 7” Salad Days, also shot by Friedman – and music not only became one of the most important examples of punk, funk, hip-hop, rock, and psych music blending together into a new form, but even the clothes the band is wearing on the cover spoke to the audience. Remember, this is 1992, in the thick of an era where hair metal clichés and the B-Boy looks of the 1980s were being phased out. Grunge was starting to boom, rock stars dressing like their audience was a new thing, and even though gold ropes and chains were still in the mix, rappers in 1992 were far from dressing in the club looks of their forefathers. Here were the Beasties; wearing beanies, Ben Davis, and deadstock sneakers, well before brands knew what models to retro, let alone retro anything at all.

After a string of successful singles, the Beastie Boys made a meaningful connection while working on a promo video for “Time For Livin’.” Even though the under two-minute hardcore punk track wasn’t a proper single, it was edited and featured “out of focus” live footage shot by a young skate photographer, videographer, and writer “put on by Yauch,” named Spike Jonze, who they had previously met in 1991 while he worked at the short lived magazine Dirt. Jonze fused the black-and-white and color performance footage with raw skate footage taken from Plan B’s “Questionable” video. Heralded as a superteam, Questionable was the most innovative skate video released at the time and featured three Beasties tracks during pro Mike Carroll’s part.

“I got an advanced copy of the album from Lance Dawes at Slap Magazine,” Carroll told Highsnobiety when we discussed the video. “When it came time for the video we used the music from that advanced copy – I didn’t think anything of it, because the album wasn’t even out yet. So yeah, we didn’t get the rights and the album didn’t even come out for two weeks after Questionable. It’s pretty fucked up. [laughs] We were recently on a Lakai trip in Japan and Tony Hawk actually asked us if we got permission to use those Beasties tracks. Years ago he was snowboarding with MCA and Tony asked him if Plan B had gotten permission. MCA told him we didn’t but said it didn’t matter because he thought the video was ‘sick,’ well… he used some other words, but getting that sign off was all that mattered.”

Hailing from the Bay Area, Carroll (who would win Thrasher’s coveted Skater of the Year award two years after the video) was one of the leaders of San Francisco’s E.M.B. crew that was setting all the technical and style trends in skating in the early ’90s. Even though he was sponsored by Vans at the time, Carroll specifically had a penchant for deadstock Puma and adidas, as well as Ben Davis and beanies, making him almost appear as if he was somehow an associate with the group.

“I’ve always tried to figure out how it all started [the retro craze],” Carroll says. “It was going on before Check Your Head but that album – the cover, the videos, especially ‘So What’cha Want,’ that whole style is where it started for me, really set it off. Stop dressing like a goofy boy and get back to normal. When I first started skating I had Puma Clydes, then I saw Cab [Steve Caballero] wearing them, then a few years later this was happening. I got a pair again at a place in SF called Famous Footwear, but when we traveled to England on a Plan B tour I must have bought 10 pairs of shoes because we couldn’t get those old shoes in the US. There was a store in SF called Kaplan’s that would sometimes have Campuses or Shelltoes, but I don’t think I ever even got any there. Later on Nick Tershay [Diamond Supply Co.] met Paul Shier [Pro skater and current team manager for adidas Skateboarding] and he’d start sending shoes to him, and for me too.”

Oddly enough, Girl Skateboards, the brand Carroll formed with Jonze, Rick Howard, and Megan Baltimore in 1993, would not only release Beastie Boys decks (including a recent capsule collection), but released a video directed by Jonze in 1994 titled “Goldfish,” which featured skits that mirror and the famous “Sabotage” video Jonze had directed just a few weeks before. Much like their video for “Hey Ladies,” Jonze channeled the specific, genre satire that was central and symbolic of the group, but with much more success, nailing the references and tone perfectly. To add another layer, in 1993 Jonze was at a party with the Beastie Boys when Howard mentioned his idea to start what would later become Girl to Jonze. As he told the Nine Club, Jonze – knowing that Mike D was an investor in the original XLarge store and brand – wrangled everyone together and convinced them to distribute the conceptual brand via XLarge.

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Back to the Ben Davis for a minute. In the Beastie Boys Book, Diamond elaborates on his role as an investor in the original XLarge store in Los Angeles. He mentions the having the idea of a brick-and-mortar store that would not only carry difficult to seek out workwear but also deadstock sneakers, crediting founders Eli Bonerz and Adam Silverman with actualizing it. Originally opened in Los Feliz, on Vermont Street, Los Angeles in 1991, the store instantly clicked with skaters, hip-hop, and graffiti heads alike, even employing several skaters such as former Menace pro Billy Valdez. Not only did it start to become an underground culture enclave, but it was the go-to spot for out of town heads to cop gear. As pro skaters and musicians traveled back East or to wherever they called home, they were returning with clothes and sneakers that weren’t on the average racks, as well as X-Large gear that was initially only available at the store.

In 2012, Girl and sister brand Chocolate released Pretty Sweet, a full-length video directed by Jonze and Ty Evans which featured Carroll, Alex Olson, Rick McCrank, and Brian Anderson, skating (fittingly) to “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun.” Both Olson and Anderson have recently become fashion icons themselves. The video’s New York premiere was attended by Diamond, Leo Fitzpatrick, Michael Rapport and Kanye West who reportedly commented after the viewing that, “That shit was stylistically dope.”

Looking back specifically to the era of Check Your Head and its documentation in the Beastie Boys Book, the transformation of both the band and youth culture as a whole is striking and surprisingly understated in other monographs and media. If you experienced it, the impact was massive; so obvious that it’s just part of your DNA. At a time when a live performance was a more momentous experience, when photographs and media of artists was still rather sparse, seeing the Beastie Boys on MTV Sports skating the G Son ramp or watching them discuss vintage clothing and their perspective on fashion during a House of Style segment was a validation of underground movements from the people invested in it. While they may not be the “definitive” skate band, the Beastie Boys, through their videos, Grand Royal magazine, as well as diverse opening act choices, acted as gatekeepers – the older guys who made you the perfect mixtape and hipped you to other worlds. Whether it was skateboarding, soul, funk, rap, punk, graffiti, or fashion, they offered the perfect mix to a global audience, feeding a creative boom that pushed the ethos and aesthetics of streetwear, skateboarding, and music forward for generations.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

LOOK FOR THE BADDEST MONKEY IN THE WORKWEAR/STREETWEAR BUSINESS.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on a vintage Ben Davis jacket tag design featuring the brand's signature standing "plenty tough" monkey, c. mid to late '90s, USA.

Source: www.pinterest.de/pin/661888476459655708.

[livehealthynewsusa]

“Power Bald” Male Celebrities – How Shaved Heads Became Trendy in 2021

Shrek is an iconic power bald head. Likewise RuPaul, host of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. But at the moment they are far from alone in their glittering splendor. Travis Barker is currently Kourtney Kardashian’s bald friend. Sean Evans is the powerful bald man from Hot Ones, while Stanley Tucci’s effortless Gravitas in Searching for Italy is just hot. And don’t forget the bald domination franchise, Fast & Furious, which features the glorious hairless heads of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel. This month Gibson and Diesel shine again with F9 in theaters.

Welcome to the world of power bald heads, a hectic but hairless community in upheaval. In fact, the summer of 2021 could just be a peak balding season, with Adam Levine hugging the hairless self-care style, four times the strongest man in the world, Brian Shaw looking slick lifting a Hyundai SUV in a car commercial. and the WWE Braun Strowman alias Adam Scherr, who posts particularly intoxicating workouts on Instagram.

For the uninitiated, power balding is an emerging movement by men who have shaved off their insecurities about being bald. While baldness has always been around, a new cultural shift, both on and off screen, has shown the power of focusing on simple, sleek appearance. One that allows value and beauty to be defined by principles other than the lush mane or the uniformity of its brush cuts.

Power bald Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel look stylish.

Buda mendesGetty Images

To be clear, power baldnesses aren’t Homer Simpsons. You will happily part with these two remaining hairs to hug their sleek heads. They’re not Voldemorts either. Your baldness is not the result of too much toxic masculinity. In fact, some of the most honorable power bald people are not men at all. Dora Milaje from Black Panther embodies the term, as does Sinéad O’Connor. As is Gossip Girl’s newest queen bee, Julien Calloway, played by Jordan Alexander. A bald head has power. They are proud of that. But above all, they try to handle it responsibly.

“Somebody who is power-bald is about the self-confidence in which you carry yourself,” says Roger Bennett, co-host of the TV show and podcast Men in Blazers, along with his “smooth guy” Michael Davies Men’s Health.

The two Britons who live in the US are the unofficial architects of the term power bald, if for no other reason than that there are few documents online that are said by anyone else. They have been using the term since around 2016, which still makes it an insider term. There are few Instagram hashtags or Reddit mentions. Urban Dictionary has no related entries.

Men-in-Blazers co-host and power-bald advocate Roger Bennett.

Courtesy of Gentlemen in Blazers

But for Men in Blazers and their nearly 231,000 Twitter followers, the term is canonical. Bennett says they have received hundreds of letters related to baldness since talking about it on their platforms. They often give their favorite smooth footballers like Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane the title “Power Bald”. “It’s probably the only thing that really binds us apart from our love of football and America,” says Bennett.

As a “third generation bald guy” Bennett had no choice but to appreciate his thinning hairline. Balding had always felt inevitable to him, so he decided to accept that. By doing this and speaking openly about it, he has turned what might otherwise feel like a source of shame into something more empowering.

Soccer star Zinedine Zidane stays limber on and off the field.

GABRIEL BOUYSGetty Images

In fact, Bennett takes so much pride in being a power bald man that he questions the implications of certain sports characters battling the aftermath. In 2016, former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher appeared on billboards and in testimonials for Restore, a hair transplant company. If you’ve been driving the toll road to O’Hare Airport outside of Chicago in the past few years, you’ve likely seen an Urlacher billboard with new turf on its head. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders also became speakers for Restore along with other famous retired athletes.

Overcoming one’s insecurities is a battle that neither muscle mass nor IQ can win, and men should be able to change their looks as they please. But there is a far cheaper and bolder move. “People, actually [go bald] with incredible bragging rights, these are the characters we’ve always hailed as Power Bald, ”says Bennett.

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At the same time, too much is being invested in treating baldness to completely normalize it, even if it is normal. Hair restoration remains a cornerstone of the male beauty industry. Toupees have gone viral and have been rebranded as trendy hair replacements. Hims, a digital health startup, recently valued at $ 1.6 billion and spokespersons for ex-married couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriquez, got involved selling prescriptions for hair loss (and erectile dysfunction) Names.

It may seem easier and cheaper to simply shave everything off than the headache of finding the most appropriate hair regrowth solution, but this is a huge commitment in its own right. “The easy solution to shaving your head is not an easy solution,” said Spencer Kobren, founder of the American Hair Loss Association, a private organization committed to raising public awareness of the emotional impact of hair loss on men .

Kobren told the New York Times in 2019 that he has been using finasteride, a drug used to treat hair loss, for 25 years. (It’s worth noting that finasteride, also known under the brand name Propecia, can have notable side effects.) “I wish everyone could be confident enough to shave their hair and not worry,” Kobren told Men’s Health. “That would be incredible, but there are just so many different components that the guys are uncomfortable with.”

For many, the act of baldness proudly appears to be one of the final refusals in the body positivity movement, a crusade that men are historically reluctant to accept. No wonder: men don’t know how to talk about their bodies. “How do we create security as men?” Psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD says. “Great chest. Big arms. Nice hair. Is that what it means to be a safe, mature man? “

The answer is a resounding no, but our culture would tell us otherwise. Take bald jokes like those recently raised on Prince William and LeBron James. They are still not considered taboo. The “joke” here is the Samson complex. A fear that, like biblical character, once you lose your hair, your strength, virality, and agency will all be lost.

LeBron James, still GOAT.

Robert LabergeGetty Images

Prince William remains royal.

Max Mama / IndigoGetty Images

But one look at some of Hollywood’s biggest action stars and iconoclastic athletes proves the Samson complex is a bust. LL Cool J made balding (and fedoras and bucket hats) cool. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Mike Tyson have proven that strength is not tied to hair. Gandhi showed that strength arises in the head, not what is shown externally. And Mr. Clean has proven it can be squeaky clean.

There is even a YouTube channel called BaldCafe that produces sincere videos of guys shaving everything off that have gone viral and have millions of views. However, apart from the Fast and Furious crew, the power shift in Hollywood is not moving fast enough.

According to data compiled by media analytics firm The Streaming Graduate, the bald portrayal in narrative films and on television falls into three main categories: villains (Thanos, Darth Maul), action stars (Bruce Willis, Briton Bruce Willis aka Jason Statham), and cowards (Tobias Fünke, George Costanza). Often these archetypes intersect like the mischievous but clumsy Frank in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia or the weak and sinister Gollum from Lord of the Rings.

Jason Alexander in an episode of Seinfeld.

ABCGetty Images

Sarah-Mikal, director of analytics and strategy at Streaming Graduate, says you rarely see bald actors in romance or family films. The main exceptions are The Rock, Vin Diesel, and Dave Bautista, who have all starred in at least one kid-friendly action comedy. (Belated justice for the pacifier.)

Some pioneers of the power bald head are slowly penetrating the world of male modeling. Ben Whit is a London-based plus-size model who featured in a 2019 campaign for British men’s clothing retailer Jacamo. “I’m more of a niche market,” he says. “Since the plus-size industry is still so small at the moment, it is more difficult to find work.”

Although the market for whit has recently cooled (losing modeling due to the pandemic certainly didn’t help), it is focused on changing the perception of what baldness can look like, be it on Instagram, in interviews, or in fashion spreads. He hopes that “more men will realize, ‘I don’t really have to look like this …” [the standard model] be happy. He’s happy the way he looks and I look just like him. ‘”

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Like Whit, Bennett doesn’t view balding as a personal defect, even though it can often feel like we’re supposed to believe it. “Going bald can be a deep emotional trauma for a person,” says Bennett. But it doesn’t stay in that headspace. He refuses.

For him, it’s not his upcoming memoirs (Re) born in the USA or Men in Blazers that will be his legacy. It is co-coin and actively lives the term power bald. “Even if my own family has forgotten my name for several generations, I can look up or down… wherever I end up… and just know that if this is my contribution to the world, then it is worthwhile to approach one carve tombstone, ”he says. “I have to get myself a bigger tombstone than I imagined.” Well, this is a powerless move.

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source https://livehealthynews.com/power-bald-male-celebrities-how-shaved-heads-became-trendy-in-2021/

[putthison]

Heavy Inspiration from Heavy Tweed Jacket

It seems like forever ago that prep was ascendant, but many of the things that defined Ivy Style have also just been subsumed into the general American vocabulary for clothes. As Pete noted in his eulogy for prep, flat front chinos and oxford-cloth button-downs are now just innocuous staples, not a statement about your alma mater. 

At the risk of sounding cliché, even if prep has receded from the fashion scene, many of the classic pieces remain stylish. One of my favorite style blogs, Heavy Tweed Jacket, often posts outfit-of-the-day photos (the first photo above looks to be someone he caught at a bookstore, not the poster himself). And even if Neo-Nazis these days are wearing tweed jackets and corduroy -- albeit, always terribly -- it’s good to remember that classic tailored clothing is the lingua franca of menswear. Bad people shouldn’t be able to ruin good clothes. 

Some things that I think are particularly useful for fall/ winter, much of which is pictured above:

Barbour Jackets: There are a ton of brands that orbit Barbour, many from England and with deep histories, but believe me when I say a Barbour is something you can buy and wear for life. The waxed and nylon jackets are genuine classics and look terrific with everything from jeans to suits. See our Barbour buying guide. I favor the Bedale, Beaufort, and Liddesdale. 

Button Down Shirts: Originally introduced by Brooks Brothers in early 20th century, the button-down collar -- defined by how the collar flaps secure to the body -- is about as classic as American style gets. Bob Newhart named his first record album after them. Politicians have worn them while kissing babies. Style icons such as Paul Newman, Miles Davis, and Gianni Agnelli have all been photographed in the style. Over the years, button-down collars have become a symbol of all that is good: casualness, youth, education, trustworthiness, dependability, sport, and professionalism. 

The easiest-to-wear version is the oxford-cloth button-down (OCBD), which is the style made up in a tough cotton plain weave. For fall, however, tattersalls, box checks, and plaids can also be useful (and will look a touch more casual, as you can see above). Brooks still makes worthwhile button-down shirts, but Kamakura, Michael Spencer, and Proper Cloth are also worth a look. The last two allow you to get a fully unlined collar -- which gives a better expression -- made-to-measure for the same price as ready-to-wear. For a great option on a budget, check Land’s End. 

Shetland Sweaters: These lambswool sweaters are itchy, scratchy, and not the most refined, but that’s also what makes them great. They add texture underneath a coat, helping to make an outfit look more interesting. Just wear one over a dress shirt, as they can otherwise be a bit prickly. O’Connell’s sells my favorites, but you can also get them from Ben Silver, The Andover Shop, Harley, Albam, Drake’s, Jamison’s, Neighbour, and Howlin’ by Morrison. For a fuzzier, softer, brushed variety, see Shetland Woolen Company and the famous J. Press. 

Sport Coats: If you have to limit yourself, there are two jackets that will take you through all of fall and winter. The first is a navy wool sport coat in something like a hopsack wool (fancy speak for a plain weave). In a mid-weight cloth, this is something you can wear year round when you need to look shaper. The second is a heavier brown tweed for more casual occasions. Whether in a chunky herringbone, speckled Donegal, or expressive plaid, these are the sort of jackets that can be worn with either denim or tailored trousers. Which is the kind of versatility you want if you stick with just two tailored jackets. 

When shopping for a sport coat, focus on the fit and silhouette of the jacket, rather than novel details. Forgo peak lapels and contrast pick stitching for something more conservative (it’ll ensure you can wear the jacket even after your taste changes -- and it’ll change). We have a handy guide you can print out to see if a sport coat fits well when you’re shopping around. 

Tough Pants: Winter weather can be tough with its slush and rain. Denim is a great choice this time of year -- you’ll not only be OK with the wear and tear, you’ll welcome it (I wear my 3sixteen SL-100x most). For something dressier, tailored trousers in gray flannel wool will be your most versatile option (stick with mid-gray if you can only own one pair). Tan cavalry twill makes for an excellent second choice, as the color goes with everything, but the material drapes better than cotton. Unfortunately, they’re hard to find. For something a bit more common, moleskins and corduroys can also be great, particularly in tan or mid-brown. See Epaulet, Howard Yount, Rota, and our advertiser Dapper Classics for excellently made trousers. 

(photos via Heavy Tweed Jacket and Voxsartoria)

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HELEN WILLIAMS WAS THE FIRST female African American fashion model to break into the mainstream. But it was the French, rather than the Americans, that embraced her. BEAUTY PIONEER: Black beauty Helen Williams was the first African American fashion model to cross over into the mainstream, rising to fame in Paris and New York in late 1950s and early 1960s. She is one of many African American fashion models featured in Ben Arogundade's book, 'Black Beauty'. THERE WERE OTHERS before her, but none that crossed over into the mainstream. In 1950s America Helen Williams became the first black female fashion model to do just that. Born in East Riverton, New Jersey in 1937, she was obsessed with clothes from an early age, and began sewing her own garments at the age of seven. As a teenager she studied dance, drama and art before getting a job as a stylist at a New York photography studio. While there she was spotted on separate occasions by Lena Horne and Sammy Davis Jr, who happened to be in the studio doing press shots. Struck by her beauty, they urged her to take up fashion modelling. She was 17. TOO BLACK FOR FASHION With her trademark bouffant wig, sculpted eyebrows and long, giraffe-like neck, Williams worked exclusively for African American magazines such as Ebony and Jet. These early years were tough, as not only did beauty’s apartheid system exclude all non-white models from mainstream fashion, but within the African American modelling scene itself, the girls were required to be light-skinned, just like the African American chorus girls of the 1920s. “I was too dark to be accepted,” Williams recalled. PERFECT IN PARIS But that was America. The French, by contrast, held a very different view of black beauty, and by 1960 Williams had moved to Paris. “Over there I was ‘La Belle Americaine,’” she said proudly. She modelled in the famous ateliers of fashion designers Christian Dior and Jean Dessès. By the end of her tenure she was making a staggering $7,500 a year working part-time, and had received three marriage proposals from her French admirers, one of whom kissed her feet and murmured, “I worship the ground you walk on, mademoiselle.” BLACK MODEL BEHAVIOUR After Paris, Williams returned to America, where things had not changed for dark-skinned African American models. While searching for a new agent in New York City, she once waited two hours in the reception of one agency, only to be told that they had “one black model already, thanks.” But Williams never-say-die attitude meant that she would not take no for an answer. “I was pushy and positive,” she said. Undeterred at being rejected, the young beauty took her case to the press. Influential white journalists Dorothy Kilgallen and Earl Wilson took up her cause, drawing attention to beauty’s continuing exclusion of black fashion models. This opened things up for Williams, who was then booked for a flurry of ads for brands such as Budweiser, Loom Togs and Modess, which crossed over for the first time into the mainstream press, in titles such as The New York Times, Life and Redbook. By 1961 her hourly rate had shot up to $100 an hour. Fashion’s lily-white borders had finally been breached. HELEN WILLIAMS BREAKS FASHION BARRIER It was a pivotal moment in black beauty history, as Williams’s success broke the tradition for only using light-skinned models. “Elitists in our group would laugh at somebody if they were totally black,” said model-turned-agent Ophelia DeVore. “And when she [Williams] came along she was very self-conscious because she was dark. She gave people who were black the opportunity to know that if they applied themselves they could reach certain goals.” Williams was the first beauty to break the four hundred year chain that had branded dark skin as ugly. The same dark skin that was rendered second-class during slavery, that the minstrels once ridiculed, and that had relegated Hollywood’s actors to roles as servants and clowns, was suddenly beautiful. Helen Williams was amongst the first African American fashion models to feature in specialist print advertising for cigarettes, alcohol and cosmetics, aimed at America's emerging black middle class.