So, I try not to rant on the overt consumerism that has America in its strong hold. But when I do get riled up about anything vaguely political, that would be it. (Can you even call consumerism “vaguely political”?)
As many of you know I’m leaving the world of medication and casting my net into fashion retail with Macy’s. So I figured I’d up my collection of magazine subscriptions in the industry to help “research” what my daily life will consist of. So now I get Glamour, Self, Vogue, W, and Allure. I figure that is a nice array.
The risk I run is overloading my life with articles about clothing I never will, nor want, to afford.
But that’s cool. I can live with that.
However, there are times when the fashion world crosses a line that pisses me off. For example: the June 2008 issue of Vogue has an article called from here to timbuktu… And, yes, they did not use capitol letters.
First, I did a little Googling on Mali (where you can find Timbuktu) and would like to share a few fun facts about the country before I tell you what my issue is.
Mali is the seventh largest country in Africa (think California AND Texas, combined). Despite, and maybe even because, of its size it ranks among the 10 poorest nations in the world.
According to the state department, Mali’s average skilled worker makes an annual salary of $1,560. Annually.
Half the population is over 15 and half under. Of the half that is over (since “literacy” is considered only in people over the age of 15) only 31% are literate.
The infant mortality rate is about 10%, and if you are lucky enough to be in the 90% that survived, the life expectancy is 50 years.
Now don’t get me started on the fact that 2/3rds of the girls there undergo female genital mutilation before the turn 10.
Okay. Now that you have those facts in your noggin, time for my rant.
Doesn’t this country, where over 60% of the population are living below the poverty line, sound like the ideal place to photograph the latest selections from the new spring lines?
Isn’t that what the impoverished need, an advanced peek of Dolce and Gabana’s Spring 2008 ruffled dress and multifloral strapless maxi?
I hate to say something like this, because it sounds so liberal and that’s not really me, but it really irks me that people in the fashion industry would exploit the poor for a funky, yet colorful background for a photo shoot.
I did the math on the outfits featured in the article. Of the 12 shots, it would run a girl about $48,000 to stock her closet. This is NOT including some of the jewelry that did not have prices listed or tax. The opening picture alone is worth over $10,000.
That is sick.
Did you know you could employ 30 skilled Malian citizens for a year for that kind of cash?
Forget that. Using an organization like Christian Children’s Fund you could feed, vaccinate, and educate 167 kids for a year. Not that I would ever recommend donating to them. I’d rather see your money go to UNICEF.
But you know. Thinking about it. Besides the clothes, the model fits right in. I’m sure she hasn’t eaten in months either.