User Comments

1. 

   9/02/08

   kdawg68

   I see your point, but are they saying that "poverty is cute" or that even the impoverished can look good in fancy schmancy clothing? that's nothing new really, after all, look at Cinderella.
   
   Where I would be concerned is how younger girls would internalize this from a self-esteem standpoint (i.e., "you're only cool if you have this $10,000 bag").

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2. 

   9/02/08

   dlowe

   You expect decency from the fashion world? Seriously?
   
   This reminds me of those "Bum Fights" videos that were big a while back. Remember? When those guys would pay bums to pull out their own teeth or fight each other?

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   1. 

      9/02/08

      lotusb

      Oh yea I remember that. Equally unsavory.
3. 

   9/02/08

   Shiley

   From a poverty standpoint coming from someone who has no money to waste on stuff like that, I want to know if they got to keep the stuff they were getting pictured with. I'm not trying to be funny. I would be irate if you pictured me in a Vera Wang gown for a public photo and I couldn't keep it. When you're poor you don't purchase stuff like that. You go to a thrift store where they do have things like that. It's just a matter of time before you find the item.

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   1. 

      9/02/08

      dlowe

      "I'm not trying to be funny"
      No, that was an excellent question. It wouldn't be practical for them. I hope they got paid though.
   2. 

      9/02/08

      Shiley

      dlowe when you're poor you're grateful for everything you have. Counting it as a blessing that someone was so kind to give it to you.
   3. 

      9/02/08

      dlowe

      Well, if you live in a shack on the street, once people find out you have a $10,000 hand bag, it ain't gonna feel like a blessing.
   4. 

      9/02/08

      lotusb

      I've never been poverty stricken, but I know people who are and have been. India's version of poverty is a lot different than yours Shiley. The fact that you even have access to a computer and can purchase clothes from a thrift store is a statement of wealth compared to the poverty of India. I'm pretty sure they would prefer money or food to a useless fendi bib for their starving baby.
   5. 

      9/02/08

      lotusb

      oops, double-post
   6. 

      9/02/08

      Shiley

      See this is what's funny my computer is a second hand computer. I have clothes and this is gross because someone died. I'm not grateful she died but I am grateful for the clothes. We are more privledged than a lot of countries and that's a portion of the reason I started Proof Positivity. As far as brand name goes I once purchased Tommy pants for my husband for $1.00. I have no clue how much they originally cost but that is how my family lives. My 5 year old is the only one that get's brand new clothes for school from, I hate to say, Wal-Mart but that's the most we can manage. Poverty anywhere isn't easy. Yes, I have a computer. I do not have cable, dish, or whatever. We just finally began to make enough to run internet. There was a time when we had so little we were living off of Ramen noodles and getting a Job at Wendy's was rough because they expect you to purchase your uniform. During this time I was not on a computer not even at the local library. We have a TV given to us most everything we have was given to us or purchased second hand. My husband was homeless at one point in time. I know for a fact he was grateful for the things given him.
   7. 

      9/02/08

      Anniepooh

      Shirley, I know where you're coming from -- completely. I used to use up free AOL for 3 months time after time and had Free email (Juno) that I could hook up to the phone line, download and then disconnect. I did that for YEARS until I could afford a connection. Our first computer was given to us second-hand and had less than 3GB space on BOTH hard drives. Oh yeah - been there, done that.
   8. 

      9/02/08

      Shiley

      I have no clue how fast our computer is. I know it loads my pages fairly fast. Well, fast compared to the early 90's.
   9. 

      9/03/08

      lotusb

      Shiley and Annie, I'm not at all trying to say that the both of you aren't on very tight budgets. Growing up I never went through severe poverty. But I just want to say, that the fact that your both talking about how under priveleged you are because your internet connection isn't very fast, and the best clothing you can afford to buy is from Wal*Mart is exactly what I mean. Riding on the train this morning a woman stepped on the train with dirty fingernails, ripped clothes and a Duane Reade bag and announced to the entire train that she and her husband are homeless. She asked for change and her face lit up when a man offered a crumpled dollar. By all means, I can respect a tight budget. But in comparison America's vesion of "poor" is extremely rich in that larger scheme of things. Both of you are very lucky in that respect. We all are.
   10. 

       9/03/08

       Anniepooh

       @lotus - Believe me, I wasn't comparing myself to the poverty in thrid world countries. I was identifying with Shirley only.
       
       Our landlords are missionaries in Uganda and I've heard all kinds of stories. I think what Vogue did was beyond distasteful. It's downright shameful. I You have to wonder how they compensated their "models".
   11. 

       9/03/08

       Shiley

       @lotus and I was agreeing with you that we are privlidged as "poor" here in America as well. If you go back and read every comment I have posted you will realize I was not disagreeing with you. I was merly stating that when someone who hasn't much recieves something sometimes they are just grateful for that thing not neccisarily money. For God's sake! Poor anywhere sucks! My husband was once homeless as well. I was not creating an argument simply stating poor anywhere sucks and when you are poor you take what you can get and money isn't the first thing you want. Your basic necessities are food, clothing, and shelter. I can live without everything else as long as my kids are fed, have clothes, and shelter. I am sure that the lady in the picture feels much the same. Again, I reiterate, the poverty stricken in Africa, the child slaves in Haiti, the child trafficing in India this is part of the reson for Proof Positivity's creation. I am not a self serving person or a poor me person. Do I think the story was done in poor journalism? Certainly but my original thought was did they get to keep the clothes? Sometimes that is far better than any cash to be handed. I am not saying that to be insulting. My kid's school clothes came from the government I technically didn't buy them. Yes, i am greatful because since the birth of my son this is the first time he has had brand new clothes and he was born 5 years ago. Since my original statement was did they get to keep the clothes? I think my statement applies.
4. 

   9/02/08

   freeatlast

   Very interesting article. Thanks for posting. The irony of this is that fashion thrives on stick thin models on the brink of starvation. Also, if you consider the speed at which they hopped on the grunge era, and the punk, and every other fashion genre that got it roots in honest to god poverty, it doesn't surprise me that they'd try a new take on poverty-chic.

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   1. 

      9/03/08

      lotusb

      I don't think they were going for a new look, I think it was more of a contrast piece. But I dig what you mean. The current look; referred to as effortless fashion or bo-ho chic, coined by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen is based on the bag lady look and has evolved over the past 4 years into what it is today. Exploiting poverty in the name of fashion does seem to be a trend.
5. 

   9/02/08

   friedclyde

   hello lotus,
   
   first of all the lotus is symbolic in so manyways , a neautiful flower that stands out of the dirt, buddhas lotus sutra
   
   anyway, poverty in india, iv been living here for 25 years of my life
   
   most people have role models like Sharukh Khan, who collects glares, watches cars and have a strong materialistic desire. Right outside his house on bandstand ud find hundreds of people begging for a meal.
   
   Does he not the power to set a chain of positve thoughts and actions, but he chooses to invest in things that he cannot take with him when hes gone.
   
   India needs more people like you to bridge the divide between the poor and the rich. Its a difficult job but keep up the awareness drives, humanity is of more value

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   1. 

      9/03/08

      lotusb

      Thank you! And thanks for the note on the Lotus. I studied an array of religions a few years ago and started meditation (instead of church-going) I found a strong connection with the symbolism of the Lotus and chose it as my pen name. I also had a beautiful one tattooed to my foot to represent my personal growth (ground up so to speak). I'm no Mother Teresa, but I try to understand the world's condition and appriciate what I have.
6. 

   9/02/08

   RichManofAction

   So?

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7. 

   9/02/08

   lordsomber

   They must've heard of "Derelicte."
   
   "As a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, so must you become Derelicte!" -- Mugatu

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   1. 

      9/02/08

      Anniepooh

      LOL!
   2. 

      9/03/08

      lotusb

      I love that movie, it's hilarious. It's very similar. When real life starts to copy a movie meant to make fun of fashion; that's when you know times are-a-changin and not for the good.
8. 

   9/02/08

   ranist22

   I wonder if anyone can find poverty cute in any part of the world. The fashion industry needs to get back to some basic ethics.

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   1. 

      9/02/08

      RichManofAction

      YEA! stupid fashion and their lack of ethics! Lets show em whats what!
   2. 

      9/03/08

      lotusb

      Yes! Let's all go naked until Obama is elected. Aooow!
9. 

   9/03/08

   earthlingorgeous

   I get your drift and I think this story is distasteful.
   
   Also Kdawg got a point too...
   
   However, I this kind of story just makes people become materialistic and despite having food on their plate, shelter, and other things to make their life comfortable they think they have nothing because they don't have that 10grand purse which is ridiculous.

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10. 

    9/03/08

    BlogDogW2

    Tsk, tsk cute no outrageous more like it. I agree with ranist22. I think the article is probably all the negative adjectives I could think of which are vast.

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11. 

    9/03/08

    filmasia

    if she can afford to buy that, why not?
    but let me say this there is 'Beauty in Poverty'
    only through poverty we will know the hardship in life

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    1. 

       9/12/08

       lotusb

       I dont know if poverty is the only way to understand the hardships of life. Its the only way to understand the hardships of poverty, but people with billions of dollars have hardships that are equally challenging. Look at Michael Jackson; he had all the money in the world but never had a childhood or any kind of real peace in his adult life. Britney Spears, another example.
12. 

    9/12/08

    Plsilva

    assuming you're not a billionaire's daughter,would you feel confortable wearing a 10 000 $ bag in front of ppl that won't ever even come close to buying it?

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    1. 

       9/12/08

       lotusb

       I will never come close to buying a $10,000 bag because I'm am morally against that kind of spending. But working in Manhattan I see woman every day with Birkin bags (which price around $10000) and they seem very comfortable.
13. 

    9/12/08

    acousticguitarist

    I've been to India five times and nothing will ever surprise me about India

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