The Black List, Vol. 1: Suzan-Lori Parks

The Black List, Vol. 1: Suzan-Lori Parks (HBO)

Snacks- SHFT update

Plastic Bag Ban

Passed in L.A. County

When the effort to ban plastic bags across California failed this past August, we were bummed. But we also knew that it would open the door for local governments to do what the state legislature could not. Lo and behold, it was announced today that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has stepped up and passed a ban on plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores.

Since the ban only covers unincorporated areas of L.A. County, it's not a perfect solution. Cities like L.A. would still have to enact their own bans to help end the plastic plague. But it affects about 1.1 million people, so it's a significant win. Also, other cities that are incorporated in the county will have the option to also adopt the plastic bag ban or not.

Under the new law, "No store shall provide to any customer a plastic carryout bag," although exceptions can be made for plastic bags that hold fruit, vegetables, or raw meat in order to prevent contamination. Establishments will have the option to sell paper bags, which they will be required to sell for 10 cents each.

To us SHFTers, this is big news, not only because it takes an important step in addressing the prickly problem of plastic pollution, but also because it shows how lower levels of government can take action on the environment when the governments above them fail. Ahem, state legislators, let's move forward on climate change.

yes...i guess, dr. martens

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Jam of the week

Asian Models Are

 ‘Redefining Traditional Concepts of Beauty’

L–R: Du Juan, Tao Okamoto, Lee Hyun, Hyoni Kang, Liu Wen, Bonnie Chen, So Young Kang, and Lily Zhi.

December's American Vogue features eight Asian models who are, according to the magazine, "redefining traditional concepts of beauty." The Steven Meisel–lensed two-page spread features: China's Du Juan, Liu Wen, Bonnie Chen, and Lily Zhi; South Korea's Hyoni Kang, So Young Kang, and Lee Hyun; and Japan's Tao Okamoto. With Asia's significance to luxury brands becoming increasingly visible, it seems only natural for Asian faces to become more prominent in the industry as well.

They've been landing plenty of high-profile work lately: Earlier this year, Liu Wen became Estée Lauder's first Asian spokesmodel. Later, Maybelline announced fellow Chinese modelShu Pei as the face of the brand. One can even look at Marc Jacobs's cheongsam-infusedspring 2011 collection for Louis Vuitton, in which eight out of 53 models were Asian (Lanvin cast three Asian girls, and Valentino cast one). Meanwhile, Miuccia Prada shot her spring 2010 menswear campaign in Shanghai, featuring relatively unknown Chinese models (at the same time, her past two major women's shows have included no Asian faces). Yet while major fashion and beauty brands are hiring more Asian models, Vogue's proclamation comes off as dubious at best.

While it's refreshing to see the magazine acknowledge the importance of Asian models in the industry, especially since Vogue has largely ignored Asian models in the past, it always seems easier for magazines to lump the girls in a feature like this, feel like the acknowledgment has been made, and then revert back to their usual ultra-white mix of models in subsequent issues. It will be interesting to see if and how Vogue will support these statements in forthcoming issues. Can we expect to see more of newcomers So Young Kang and Bonnie Chen? Or perhaps newly minted runway fixtures Ming Xi and Fei Fei Sun will actually have a chance at longevity? Maybe, maybe not. But hey, baby steps?