Adarius Bell’s Post

🔥 OMG! Nike's Controversial Flag on Shirts 😱 - A Playful Update or Insult? 🤔 Get ready for a heated debate as we dive into Nike's new collar flag design controversy. Is it a playful twist on the St. George's cross or an insulting move? Find out why people are demanding a change and join the conversation! #NikeFlagControversy #FlagDesignDebate #IdentityRepresentation #NationalPride #OutrageousUpdate #FashionControversy #CulturalSensitivity #NikeBacklash #FlagSymbolism #DesignDilemma

Retail can truly influence lives in both blatant and subtle ways. Whilst I was searching for winter coat sales, I came across @northface page of men's coats...what was unusual was that they were all men of color, mostly Black! Not sure if this is their Black History Month effort but, I am here for it! Here's a few reasons why: 1. Demonstrated a commitment to belonging. 2. Hired and Compensated Black models. 3. Likely hired Black barbers, hairstylists, and/or esthetician. 3. Subconsciously encouraged Black winter sports to combat historical exclusion. 4. Normalized Black people in winter recreation scenes. 5. Increase market share and bottom line (I bought a jacket off GP). I haven't seen this much winter brand melanin since Harlem urbanized Timberlands in the '90s. SN: Then Timberland CEO retracted his "target audience" statement after Black clientele improved profit margins from $80M in 1991 to $1B by 2000... #northface #wintercoat #blackskiiers #retaildollars #blackdollarsmatter #marketingwithintention #blackhistorymonth #explorepage

Is Nike's Flag Update Insulting? 🚩 In this video, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding Nike's flag update on their shirts and its potential implications. Discover why flag representation and colors are important and how this update has sparked discussions about national identity. #NikeFlagUpdate #Controversy #NationalIdentity #FlagRepresentation #ColorsMatter #FashionIndustry #CulturalSensitivity #InclusiveFashion #FlagSignificance #GlobalDiscussions #stgeorgescross

So, we've reached The Optional in my successful wardrobe. 🕴 First up, the shades! 😎 Choose them wisely, considering how they complement your head shape. 😃 You've got two paths to take here: the subtle "to cool for school" or the "here I am" statement. 😉 Which one suits you best? 🤔 I know that Nike Lindberg has great insights! 😎 #styleperformance #dressforsuccess #capsulewardrobe #professionalexcellence #personalbrand #shades #sunglasses

C O N T R O V E R S Y What do these Trump sneakers say from a personal branding perspective? I'm not the first to weigh in on the gold high tops. People in legal and fashion circles have already said so much: ^ Does shoemaker Christian Louboutin have a trademark infringement case? ^ Are the shoes a copy of the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker style? ^ Could you not think of Corey "Never Surrender" Hart, given that's the name of the sneakers? Anyone who wears one of the 1000 pairs of these sneakers ascribes to the Trump brand. What I find of interest is the use of these sneakers to advance Trump's personal brand as a political figure. This sneaker can generate only so much cash through a licensing deal. So, if this isn't much of a money-making scheme, then what's the scheme? He is using the high top sneaker, a symbolic cultural prop, to suit his personal brand narrative. On a deeper level, what he's doing is attempting to rebrand the United States as his own. This is the core of the sneaker C O N T R O V E R S Y. Consider these facts: ^ High-top sneakers are deeply rooted in sports culture, particularly basketball. Basketball is very symbolic of American athleticism. ^ High-top sneakers gained popularity in streetwear and fashion. They became a symbol of American urban style and self-expression. ^ Some high-top sneaker styles have been adopted by countercultural American movements. They represent a form of rebellion against traditional norms, fashion and otherwise. ^ High-top sneakers have been prominently featured in music and entertainment, especially in quintessentially American hip-hop culture. To put a fine point on this, one must acknowledge the high top sneaker's vital relevance to Black American culture. So, what did the former president do during Black History Month at SneakerCon? He got booed for far more than differences in politics. He got booed for co-opting a significant symbol of Black American culture. SneakerCon attendees know his racist history against Black people and Mexicans, Muslims, Jews, and more. After he made racist statements to Black conservatives last weekend... ^ He claimed that 'the Black people' like him because he's been 'discriminated against' in the legal system. ^ And he went even further: "I’m being indicted for you, the American people. I’m being indicted for you, the Black population. I am being indicted for a lot of different groups..." ...the C O N T R O V E R S Y of the high top sneakers became clear to me. He is trying to take disparate parts of American culture and subsume them into his brand. So, what's his brand? For his finite number of supporters, he is their cultural representative. For everyone else, it's countercultural. He's using the high top sneaker for an intended purpose to be countercultural. But he's co-opted it. He's doing it in subversive way exactly as he is attempting to subvert democracy. The sneaker is so off-brand for him, though. He wouldn't be caught dead wearing them.

According to J.P. Morgan, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs and there’s no end in sight. If you know me, you know I love supporting Black businesses and brands. Vontélle is a luxury bespoke eyewear brand with an ethnic flair using unique African, Caribbean, and Latin print designs and textiles created by women of color. The luxury eyewear market is dominated by European brands, so it’s been refreshing to don a pair of Vontélle eyewear that are handcrafted and made for diverse faces. Their eyewear includes wider bridges for the nose, longer temples so there’s no pain behind the ears, and larger lenses for high cheekbones so every pair fits comfortably on the face. Even better, Vontélle is the first Black women-owned and operated eyewear company to obtain a licensing agreement from Nickelodeon. This brand is changing the narrative of who stylish eyewear is made for and putting Black and brown people’s unique physical characteristics and culture front and center in their designs. #blackbrands #blackhistorymonth #womanownedbrands #DEI #NikaWhiteConsulting

According to J.P. Morgan, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs and there’s no end in sight. If you know me, you know I love supporting Black businesses and brands. VONTELLE is a luxury bespoke eyewear brand with an ethnic flair using unique African, Caribbean, and Latin print designs and textiles created by women of color. The luxury eyewear market is dominated by European brands, so it’s been refreshing to don a pair of Vontélle eyewear that are handcrafted and made for diverse faces. Their eyewear includes wider bridges for the nose, longer temples so there’s no pain behind the ears, and larger lenses for high cheekbones so every pair fits comfortably on the face. Even better, Vontélle is the first Black women-owned and operated eyewear company to obtain a licensing agreement from Nickelodeon. This brand is changing the narrative of who stylish eyewear is made for and putting Black and brown people’s unique physical characteristics and culture front and center in their designs. #blackbrands #blackhistorymonth #womanownedbrands #DEI #NikaWhiteConsulting

👟 Nike doesn't want you to know that their iconic "Just Do It" tagline is inspired by a murderer. There was a person named 'Gary Gilmore' who murdered 2 people in the US, and he was then sentenced to death. When the firing squad was in front of him asking what his last wish was, he said, "Let's do it." Dan Wieden, who made the tagline for Nike, when he heard about this, liked the 'do it' part of Gilmore's line. And then he made "Just Do It" from "Let's do It." Nike launched this tagline in 1988, totally unaware that they have created an iconic tagline inspired by a criminal, which will be remembered for decades. 🚀🕰️🔥 #business #nike #marketing #businessadvertising #viral

JORDANS AND JURIES: SNEAKERS PART 3   🏀 Recently I watched “Air” a film is based on true events about the origin of Nike’s Air Jordan sneaker. 🏀 In 1984, Nike is on the verge of shutting their basketball shoe division due to low sales. In response, basketball talent scout must come up with a new spokesperson for Nike basketball shoes.   🏀 While Nike's executives think Michael Jordan is off limits, as he is a fan of Adidas and too expensive, Nike uses some strategy to change sneaker history.   🏀 ⚖ Defense lawyers! We can take these lessons from COURTSIDE TO COURTROOM!   🏀 LESSON #1 DO THE SITE VISIT   🏀 In Air, Nike talent scout is told by third-party agent (um tripartite relationship. . .Amiright?) not to bother calling the Jordan family. He doesn’t. HE GOES IN PERSON. WHY? TO GET TO KNOW THEM! TO BUILD RAPPORT! Not to tell them what he wants. . .to find out what THEY WANT!   🏀 Get to know your client! DO THE SITE VISIT. DO THE SITE VISIT. DO THE SITE VISIT.    🏀 LESSON #2 KNOW THY ENEMY (or at least thy adversary)   🏀 In Air, Nike talent scout can predict EXACTLY how Converse and Adidas will pitch. HE KNOWS THY ENEMY!   🏀 Defense Lawyers. . .get OUT of your ECHO CHAMBER! Have you seen Keith Mitnick’s article on damages? Have you read any of David Ball’s books?   🏀 LESSON #3 SPEAK TO YOUR AUDIENCES NEEDS, NOT YOUR OWN   🏀 In Air Nike talent scout extracts a DREAM THEME after meeting the Jordans. Then he SELLS IT BROAD! “A shoe is just a shoe until someone steps into it”   🏀 Defense lawyers. Listen to your jurors' concerns in voir dire. Then PITCH them a THEME to address it! Make it broad. Make it universal. Make it about the human condition. Then make each fact, each witness, each chapter of the case advance it.   👟 JUST DO IT!   #lawyers #psychology #AirJordans #clearasabelitz

If you read one thing today, please make it this raw and insightful opinion piece. It’s from Nyaluak Leth one of the initial 13 models boycotting Melbourne Fashion Week to put the broader fashion and advertising industry on notice. There are now dozens more who opted out MFW for the same reasons including Modest Fashion Runways. “What happens to us does not happen to white models. It’s impossible to imagine a white model being asked to shave her head because a hair stylist doesn’t know how to style their hair. The fact that this occurred shows that in the mind of many within the Australian fashion industry, white is still the default. The reality is that many designers draw inspiration from the creative contributions of Black and other diverse cultures. But outside their Fashion Week catwalks, there is little diversity to be found within the offices, staff, look books or campaigns. There needs to be genuine efforts from the outside and in to improve this. Employ Black models and pay them equally, yes, but also employ Black creative directors, stylists, photographers, campaign managers, hair and makeup artists. It’s time for the industry to turn the lens on itself. If you saw what we see, you would boycott too. Racism is far from glamorous.” The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Fashion Council (AFC) City of Melbourne Australian Fashion Labels (part of IFG) Fashion Journal Mumbrella Adweek Ragtrader Modest Fashion Runways bandt #fashion #modelling #equity #racism #inclusion #tokenism #mfw #fashion