Rags & Chit Chat: We Fly High!

Its one thing to be fly independently but double the flyness is always hotter. Like Fashion needs its Culture every fly gentleman and lady needs their swagful counterpart. I'm sure that my independent girls and guys are definitely disagreeing with me right now, but hear me out. As an advocate of amour and fashion, I must say that the flyest you can be is next to your equally well dressed partner. There's nothing like walking down a sunny street in your Leopard flats, skinnies and Stunnas accompanied by your Argyle clad Suga as he adores you through his aviators. In honor of the love affair of fashion and culture, this edition of Rags & Chit Chat chronicles some of the most fashionable couples of the past, present and your future.

There have been countless precedents of stylish twosomes in time. In 1975 Berry Gordy brought one of those amazing duos to life in his film, Mahogany. The movie starred Diana Ross as a struggling designer turned supermodel and Billy Dee Williams as an aspiring politician in search of opportunities for his community. Their Ying Yang existence in combination with their amazing chemistry and the iconic amount of style in the film undoubtedly makes them one of the flyest couples on screen ever. They exemplified the glamour of the 1970s and were one of the first depictions of black love at its best.

Another astonishingly dynamic duo were revolutionaries John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The Beatles' John Lennon and avante-garde artist Yoko Ono were a pair that packed a political and artistic punch. They outwardly spoke out against the Vietnam War and created some of the best art of their time. Along the way they put down the groundwork for the marriage of political thought and awesome style. They stood together for freedom and expression in every way.

In the sea of celebrity couples very few stand out like lyricist Nas and genre breaking vocalist Kelis. Both of these New York natives are living legends. Nas, son of Jazz musician Olu Dara, established himself as one the best MC's of our time with his poetic album Ilmatic in 1994. He has continued to impress us with his bold lyrics that simultaneously educates and exposes street life and of the history and existence of African people in America and globally. His bossy sidekick Kelis is not the woman behind the man but is instead the one right beside him in all ways. Mrs. Jones, the daughter of a Jazz musician father and Asian Puerto Rican fashion designer mother, was born to create a world as diverse as the one that she grew up in. Since her colorful debut album, Kaleidoscope in 1999, she has jumped in and out of genres such as punk, R&B, funk and hip hop all while establishing herself as a style icon in her always fashion forward get ups. Nas and Kelis are definitely a treat for the eyes and ears.

What happens when a trendy California girl hooks up with uncomfortably handsome British boy? You get the lovely couple that is Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale. The former front woman of ska band, No Doubt and the former front man of British rock band, Bush were married in 2002. Stefani has been impressing the world with her refreshingly unique style and music for over ten years. Rossdale has been crooning the ladies with his amazing voice, stunning appearance and high above average artistry on the guitar for just as long as his misses. Together they represent the ultimate rock couple that we love to watch.

I've mentioned some of the flyest couples ever but have not yet mentioned the most important of all these. This set is really impressive. They're stylish, caliente and most important their up and coming. I'm talking about you and yours. Yes, that includes you single women and men; because the reality is (in my rose colored glasses at least) that one of these days most of us are going to meet our match. As for those that have already met theirs, congratulations, and for those that are still looking keep your heart and minds open to the possibilities.

In any case, I encourage everyone to always keep not only yourself fly but your mate as well. Ladies that might mean dragging your Honey to Little 5 here in Atlanta, where you can respect his personal style, but polish it up where necessary. Guys that might mean showing your sweetheart your knowledge of a Jimmy Choo shoe design and encouraging her in her fly ambitions. In any event, style is just another place where you can find a common ground and show your love for your partner.

Always remember that flyness starts within so any duo that keeps the love and support of one another in tact are sure to keep their flyness in tact as well. With that being said, remember to always dress to impress because looking a mess is not an option.

Rags & Chit Chat: Fashion Speaks Louder Than Words

The effortlessly elegant bride graces the aisle as her Vera Wang gown dances across the flowered tile. The groom’s Armani suit awkwardly accented with a DSquared ascot is a perfect description of his classic yet modern demeanor. He stands confident and strong as a vulnerable tear falls from his jagged chin. Witness the marriage of fashion and culture.Honestly it’s not the most surprising union, after all they have co existed since their birth. In fact, anyone that loves either one would surely attest that they can not exist without one another. The fruit of their union brings us here today, an eclectic child that they appropriately named- Rags & Chit Chat.



Rags & Chit Chat is a cultural voice of fashion everywhere that it lives. The fashion and culture column is based out of Atlanta, GA and was birthed from The Urbanite Magazine of Georgia State University. Consider it your culture and style GPS helping you to navigate through the diverse jungle that is the culture and fashion. Look here for the latest news about upcoming trends, fashion events, classic style and the culture that simultaneously feeds and breathes life from its own art.



Fashion has existed for as long as there has been any form of society. In every civilization fashion has been an indicator of various things, most notably your social status and the social group that you identify with. So, I ask you, my dear reader, what does your style say about you? The previously naked Adam and Eve’s new found style revealed their knowledge of good and evil. Similarly, a $7 T-shirt paired with $300 True Religion skinnies accented by an $800 pair of Christian Louboutan ankle boots says volumes about a particular young lady’s appreciation for the simpler and much finer things in life. The idea is that what you have to say isn’t just coming out of your mouth; your appearance speaks too.



So, I hit the streets to find out what GSU students were talking about.The population at Georgia State University is refreshingly diverse. On any given day you can be sure to find a reflection of all life styles; amongst the many you can easily spot your punk rockers, cross dressers, preps, b- boys and girls and of course the many divas that roam the GSU streets from Courtland to Gilmer. When asked how to describe her personal style, senior Denitra Gober expresses it as “eclectic”. She further explains how her personal look changes from day to day “one day Geisha doll, the next Keisha from around the way and the next Heather with my books”. It’s that very idea of what you wear as a reflection of the character you want to play that day, that is at the heart of personal style. Fashion is the freedom to be whomever you please for as long as you have on your favorite Jackie O’s or Parisian beret. It is the ability to maneuver easier within those characters that makes certain individuals so unique.



Even with that being said, and acknowledging that we all love to believe that we are truly unique (this is possible but very rare in our culture) the reality is no matter what you wear, it undoubtedly puts you in a category. Consider racial profiling towards young black men. Black men categorized as urban are more victimized than their conservative counterparts. Unfortunately, a young Black man wearing a white tee and Jordan’s has more of a chance of being discriminated against than his brother wearing a Polo sweater and loafers. We have digressed from a culture whose view of clothing was rooted in functionality to a culture that views fashion and style as an extension of an individuals’ personality.



In this highly aesthetic world that we exist in we must constantly evaluate our self image and the assumptions that go along with that image daily. So, remember always dress for success because looking a mess is just not an option.