mekka okereke Jul 31, 2025

Once you get past the silly short-sightedness of American Eagle having a eugenics adjacent, dog-whistley "Is it? Isn't it? Nod nod, wink wink!" campaign...

You notice that the clothes just aren't good.🤷🏿‍♂️

Sydney Sweeney has really accomplished something by finding clothes that make her look bad.

They really tried though. "Start by zooming in on her chest! Then her butt! And bare feet! The kids like feet these days!🤡" Clothes still look bad.

But fair play to American Eagle. They have the attention they want.

Not the Sydney Sweeney attention. The 4chan/jan 6/pro ICE attention.

If the campaign increases sales, they can say, "It worked!"

If it doesn't increase sales, they can say, "I'm being boycotted! I'm being attacked by the left! They hate our freedom!"

When the reality is that the clothes are basic, and only fashy people want to be associated with fashy brands.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AK8s3iqL99c

Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans | American Eagle

YouTube
Show threadDiligence Jones

@mekkaokereke

So did you see on *the same day* the fash jeans collection dropped Ralph Lauren dropped his #OakBluffs collection -- a campaign built and based on the history and style of Black folks on Martha's Vineyard?

The collection has already sold out.

The Black interwebs have been on fire about it for days.

It's an interesting counter-narrative.

Jul 31, 2025 at 2:52pmWeb
Show threadRachel RawlingsJul 31, 2025
@DeliaChristina @mekkaokereke TIL. https://hellobeautiful.com/4428746/ralph-laurens-spelman-morehouse/
Ralph Lauren’s Oak Bluffs Collection Is Giving Coastal Prep, Black Legacy, And Big SpelHouse Energy

The Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs collection just dropped—and it’s full of Morehouse pride, Spelman style, and summer-in-Martha’s Vineyard vibes.

Hello Beautiful - Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Hair Care for Black Women
Show threadAdvanced Persistent TeapotJul 31, 2025
@LinuxAndYarn @DeliaChristina @mekkaokereke damn that stuff is gorgeous
Show threadmekka okereke Jul 31, 2025

@http_error_418 @LinuxAndYarn @DeliaChristina

🤯

And yes, I know Ralph Lauren has made mistakes in the past! I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about this gorgeous HNCU inspired collection!

https://www.tiktok.com/@ralphlauren/video/7530635066263751949

TikTok - Make Your Day

Show threadDiligence JonesJul 31, 2025

@mekkaokereke

I didn't even go to a HBCU and I want to snap up some stuff.

BUT! There is a different convo also being had about class solidarity and Black wealth that this collection is also prompting.

AND! I heard that the process RL engaged in to create this collection was one steeped in a lot of deep research and listening with actual folks from Oak Bluffs, the recorded history, the traditions. It seems very thoughtful.

Show threadDiligence JonesJul 31, 2025

@mekkaokereke

Here's the short film they made about it.

#OakBluffs #BlackHistory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOT8CUBpERE

RALPH LAUREN | Polo Ralph Lauren | A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs

YouTube
Show threadyour auntifa liza 🇵🇷 🦛 🦦Jul 31, 2025

you gotta respect Ralph Lauren’s hustle. try as he may to ingratiate himself with the leftovers of the 400 elite, it was African Americans who embraced his brand since way back when in the 1980s. and what did he do? he went hard marketing to them. Tommy Hilfiger is another one. they never tried to de-negrofy their clientele unlike Calvin Klein and the OG fashy Chanel.

@LinuxAndYarn @DeliaChristina @mekkaokereke

Show threadVenitaJul 31, 2025
@DeliaChristina @mekkaokereke It looks like all of his other collections.
Show threadDiligence JonesJul 31, 2025

@venitamathias
It does. RL does Americana Preppy really well.

In this case, IMO, the difference is the inspiration and the models.

Show threadVenitaJul 31, 2025
@DeliaChristina OK. I get that.