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https://www.blackenterprise.com/ikea-trolls-balenciaga-when-the-brand-releases-925-towel-skirt/

The internet was ablaze when Balenciaga released its latest product, and Swedish retailer IKEA got in on the action. 

The luxury brand recently debuted a beige, terry-cotton towel skirt with a price tag of $925. The towel-skirt buttons at the waistline and is embroidered with the Balenciaga logo in the front.  According to the designer’s website,  the knee-length unisex garment comes in small and medium sizes.  

In response, IKEA took to their Instagram  page to display their version of the exorbitantly priced towel-skirt. The retailer posted a  photo  of a male model wearing  the VINARN bath towel which, according to its website, retails at $9.99 USD.  The man appeared to be mimicking the Balenciaga model’s post while wearing a similar black hoodie and sunglasses while holding a blue Ikea shopping bag.  

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by IKEA UK (@ikeauk)

Social media commented on the retailer’s tongue-in-cheek “advertisement.”  

“I actually cannot cope. This is ICONIC,” wrote one follower. 

One commenter offered some words of advice for Balenciaga.

“Lol, @balenciaga Ikea could teach you a lot. Towel skirts don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars ” 

This is not the first time the Swedish brand has made fun of Balenciaga’s pricey fashions. In 2017, the Italian brand released a blue tote that costing $2,145 that looked similar to IKEA’s reusable shopping bag, which costs 99 cents.  The home goods retailer released a print ad entitled “How to identify an original Ikea Frakta bag.”

“How to identify an original Ikea Frakta bag:

1) Shake it. If it rustles, it’s the real deal. 

2) Multifunctional. It can carry hockey gear, bricks, and even water. 

3) Throw it in the dirt. A true Frakta is simply rinsed off with a garden hose when dirty. 

4) Fold it. Are you able to fold it to the size of a small purse? If the answer is yes, congratulations. 

5) Look inside. The original has an authentic Ikea tag.

6) Price tag. Only $0.99.”

When it comes to trolling, Ikea doesn’t discriminate. When rapper Kanye West expressed interest in working with the retailer  in 2016, Ikea Australia responded via Facebook with an unserious collaboration “idea.” 

https://www.blackenterprise.com/jay-z-oprah-tiger-woods-lebron-magic-no-forbes-400/

A billion dollars is a great deal of money, but being labeled a billionaire doesn’t mean you’ll make it onto the 2023 Forbes 400 list.

In October, Forbes revealed the 400 people on its annual list of wealthiest people based on net worth as of September 8, 2023, as well as other factors listed here.

The person with the lowest net worth is listed at $2.9 billion, which is slightly higher than last year’s, whose net worth was $2.7 billion. According to Forbes, you can still be among the 350 billionaires in the United States on the outside looking in.

There are some notable names that you would expected to be on the list, but who did not qualify.

One is Oprah Winfrey. Having built her empire after starring on The Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 seasons (from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011), she is worth “just” $2.8 billion. After being on the top 400 list for 25 straight years, she hasn’t made enough in the past three years to make the cut.

The richest and first hip-hop recording artist (and fifth Black American) to have a net worth of a billion dollars, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter missed the list by having a net worth of $2.7 billion. The most nominated male artist in Grammy history started building his empire after taking himself out of the streets and making records.

Tiger Woods, perhaps one of the most celebrated golfers in history, although worth $1 billion, also missed the list. So did the NBA’s only active billionaire, LeBron James. Coincidentally, they are the only two active-playing athletes who are billionaires. Magic Johnson, who didn’t make the billionaires list until it was official on October 29, also didn’t make the top 400.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/psychohairapy-therapist-hairdresser-hybrids/

Afiya Mbilishaka is a hairdresser who also happens to be a clinical psychologist, a role that many hairdressers (and barbers) have informally served, particularly in the Black community. Mbilishaka told Well And Good that what sparked her interest in exploring the connection was a bout of indecisiveness before she left for college. Her aunt encouraged her to do both, referring to Mbilishaka’s conflict between studying hair and psychology, and the result was her own company, PsychoHairapy. 

Mbilishaka says that Black women’s mental health can be assisted through conversations with hairdressers, telling Well And Good, “To engage Black women on a cultural level, mental health providers must acknowledge the significance of hair and make use of the existing social support of hairstylists, the natural helpers in the community.”

She earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and was a full-time therapist at Columbia University. Then, she was a professor at the University of the District of Columbia. Mbilishaka is a natural hairstylist and partners with N Natural Hair Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mbilishaka also explained the purpose of her company, saying, “The purpose (of) PsychoHairapy is to direct attention to treatment modalities that culturally and spiritually fit within the lives of Black women. To reach large numbers of this population, PsychoHairapy is centered on addressing the psychological needs of people who are often neglected by offering accessible options in the safe space of the hair salon.”

We need new strategies to address mental health…OR perhaps we need old strategies, repackaged for our use today! Check this article I wrote about one of my favs, Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka!

PsychoHairapy: Healing Through Hair https://t.co/X8XW1pdGCb via @PsychCentral

— jameta nicole barlow (aka dr. j) (@allaboutafya) February 26, 2022

Mbilishaka offers her students a 12-hour, skills-based training program that goes over the history of Black hair, how to see, understand, and empathize with mental illness signs, and how to respond to client concerns of the mental health variety. Mbilishaka says that the program is unique, often leading to breakthroughs once hairstylists realize how vital they are to their communities.

“Hairstylists who have taken the course have become emotional over realizing their work could have such a far-reaching impact,” Mbilishaka said. “There is no mental health training in cosmetology school. Therefore, hairstylists appreciate getting the language to process the emotions that come up in their chair. Hairstylists [also] love learning about the history of our hair in particular, and enjoy practicing techniques of…reframing some of the concerns coming up in their clients’ lives.”

Dr. Afiya Mangum Mbilishaka is a #BlackPsychologist & professor. She developed PsychoHairapy, a therapeutic approach based on over 10 yrs of research w/African diasporic women. Her work focuses on the relationship between hair care & self-care. #BlackHistoryMonth #citeblackwomen pic.twitter.com/gwK4ixWBPK

— Jonathan Mathias Lassiter (@lassiterhealth) February 9, 2020

This type of mental healthcare is not only growing in the U.S. but also in parts of Africa. Though not associated with Mbilishaka’s practice, Tele da Silveira is one of 150 women trained in mental healthcare in West and Central African cities. Hairdressers like da Silveira, who has a salon in Lomé, Togo’s capital, are being trained to ask open-ended questions to their clients during hairdressing sessions, identify signs of distress, and offer emotional support in areas where mental health counseling is scarce and expensive.

“People need attention in this world,” da Silveira told The New York Times. “They need to talk.”

This initiative aims to address the mental health gap in developing countries and has been particularly effective in West and Central Africa, where hair salons serve as community hubs.

RELATED CONTENT: Morace Landy’s Mission: Foster Lasting Careers And Holistic Wellness In The Music Industry

https://www.thenerdelement.com/2023/11/20/the-nerd-elements-holiday-gift-guide-for-2023/

I know it seems like the Christmas holiday shopping season starts earlier and earlier every year, but let’s be honest: The sooner we can knock out getting those special items for our loved ones, the sooner we can go back to reading comics, or watching movies and TV, or whatever our preferred nerdy pursuits are.

We’re here to help you gear up for the holidays ahead of Black Friday to suggest some presents your fellow nerds may like. This list will grow as we get closer to the holidays, so check back periodically to see what else gets added!

Movies & TV on Blu-Ray/4KUltraHD/DVD

For the film and/or television buff in the family, Blu-Ray/4KUltraHD/DVDs are a good buy. In addition to never having to worry if your preferred streaming service removes the film/series you want to see from existence (because let’s face it–it’s happening far too often lately!), you get lots of extras, whether it’s director or cast commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes featurettes, or even exclusive posters! Okay, you also get a code for a digital copy, but that’s besides the point! Program your own festival in the comfort of your own home without having to worry if your wi-fi connection is strong! Here’s some ideas to get you gifting:

1. The Barbenheimer Bundle

Barbie (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures)

Okay, this doesn’t actually exist, but there’s no stopping you from making your own! Treat yourself or a loved one to the best double feature of the summer. Our recommendation is to start with Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan’s triumphant film about the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, played brilliantly by Cillian Murphy. The film traverses time as it shows a young Oppenheimer listening to the “music” in his head as he develops his theories, through the Manhattan Project and Trinity nuclear test and beyond. The implications for humanity were and continue to be devastating. Nolan doesn’t let anyone off the hook as he takes a deep dive into one of the most complex minds of our time.

Finish your Barbenheimer double feature with the bubbly Barbie, co-written and directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera as Barbie, Ken, and Gloria, respectively. Everything in Barbie Land is perfect until one day, Robbie’s Barbie starts thinking about death. One doll’s existential crisis leads to major changes and a journey of self-discovery. It’s fun, it’s weird, and it’s thoughtful. Beneath the shiny pink veneer beats a heart full of intelligence and emotion and horses. Yes, horses.

You can find Oppenheimer at the links here starting at $19.95 and up: https://watch.oppenheimermovie.com/ (click on “Disc” for physical media)  Bonus content includes: The Story of Our Time: The Making of Oppenheimer, Trailers, Innovations in Film: 65mm Black and White Film in Oppenheimer, 

Meet the Press Q&A Panel: Oppenheimer, and To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb.

You can find Barbie at the links here starting at $19.95 and up: https://www.barbie-themovie.com/ownitnow/ (scroll down for retailers that carry physical media). Bonus content includes It’s a Weird World, All-Star Barbie Party, Musical Make-Believe, Becoming Barbie, Welcome to Barbie Land, and Playing Dress-Up: An Extended Look at the Costumes of Barbie.

Make it a true gift bundle and add an “I am Kenough” T-shirt to the mix: https://creations.mattel.com/products/barbie-the-movie-i-am-kenough-unisex-shirt (or check Etsy, Tee Public, or one of numerous shirt outlets with their own Barbenheimer designs), or even a copy of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-prometheus-kai-bird/1008414292?ean=9780375726262

2. Blue Beetle

(DC/Warner Bros.)

Xolo Maridueña starts as Jaime Reyes, just your normal college graduate hoping to get a good job to help out his loving family. When an ancient scarab “chooses” him and transforms him into the Blue Beetle, Jaime’s life becomes chaotic and dangerous. Maridueña is completely charming as the reluctant superhero who has to navigate his new reality while protecting his family. The movie is big, brash, and full of humor and warmth. Plus some epic superhero fights! There’s also some very specific humor Latine audiences may love (especially if, like me, you had a Nana like Jaime’s). 

You can find Blue Beetle at the links here starting at $19.95 and up: https://www.dc.com/bluebeetle. Bonus content includes: Blue Beetle Generations: Origins, Blue Beetle Generations: Production Begins, Blue Beetle Generations: In Full Flight, Blue Beetle Generations: A Hero’s World, Scarab Vision: Episode 1: Initiation, Scarab Vision: Episode 2: Mastery, and Blue Beetle’s Nana Knows Best.

3. Rick and Morty – The Complete Seasons 1 – 6 

(Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment)

Seven seasons in and Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty” is still going strong. In advance of the new season, the first six seasons are collected on a nice box set for your favorite Rick, Morty, Summer, Beth, or yes, even Jerry. The six-disc set includes all 61 episodes and an extensive and impressive set of extras, plus an exclusive poster. Animation nerds will especially appreciate the animatics (including deleted scene animatics). The total viewing time tops out at a whopping 1,342 minutes of OOH! WEE! and a little wubba-lubba-dub-dub. NOTE: The extra features include uncensored content with mature themes and explicit and vulgar language.

The set is pricey ($114.99 retail for DVD and $124.99 for Blu-Ray), so for nerds on a budget, we recommend checking out sites such as DeepDiscount.

4. Succession: The Complete Series

(HBO)

HBO’s original series, Succession, gets the box set treatment. The 12-disc set includes all four seasons of Roy Family treachery, power, and avarice, and over two hours of special features that have appeared on the individual season sets. The series stars Brian Cox as Logan Roy, whose health issues trigger his four children into jockeying for position as the heir apparent to the Roy media and entertainment conglomerate. Succession won several awards, including multiple Emmy® awards for Outstanding Drama Series.

The set retails for $89.99. You can find the set on sale at DeepDiscount.

5. Other ideas: We highly recommend the Blu-Ray/DVDs of Venture Bros: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart and Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (click the links to read our reviews of both films), as well as the DVD set of Adult Swim’s Smiling Friends.

Figures/Toys

For Godzilla fans, 2023 has brought many blessings, including the new Toho film, Godzilla: Minus One, and an Apple TV+ series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” So what do you get the Godzilla fan who has everything? More Godzilla, of course! Head to the Godzilla store at https://godzilla.com/pages/store for your favorite kaiju collectibles. While there are plenty of items to choose from, we recommend shopping the exclusive collectibles straight from Japan (available for pickup in-store if you happen to live somewhere like Los Angeles where that’s possible, too). Our top picks:

1. The Movie Monster Series Hibiya Square Godzilla Statue ($20) from Bandai: https://godzilla.com/collections/exclusives/products/movie-monster-series-hibiya-godzilla-square-statue  Godzilla is fearsome and frozen and here to guard your square (until he thaws out!). Stands 170mm tall and comes with poseable arms and legs.

2. The Shin Godzilla Second Form Keychain ($8):

https://godzilla.com/collections/exclusives/products/godzilla-2016-second-form-key-ring  Known as Kamata-kun in Japan, Shin’s second form is a cute, viscera-spewing monstrosity with big soulful eyes. Made of PVC resin.

Themed Fun

Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans are also having a happy 2023, what with more MST3K in the Gizmoplex, MST3K and Rifftrax channels on Twitch, and 14th season of MST3K getting kickstarted. But wait, there’s more, and it’s at Dumb Industries, home of shows such as The Mads Strike Back, The Mary Jo Pehl Show, and new horror host Ichabod yelling at movies during The Witching Hour. Whether you’re signing up to watch live events with Q&As, or showing your pride with a swanky Dumb Industries t-shirt, you have plenty of choices for gifts. 

We recommend getting a Clubhouse subscription to The Mary Jo Pehl Show: 

https://dumb-industries.com/store/the-mary-jo-pehl-show  Known to many MSTies as Dr. Pearl Forrester and Magic Voice, Pehl is an accomplished writer, comedian, and actress. 

You can also pick up this awesome t-shirt and book bundle on sale for the Pehlie (Pehling? We fans have many names for ourselves!) in your life: https://dumb-industries.com/store/p/mary-jo-pehl-t-shirt-book-bundle The book, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb: My Mother’s Book Reviews, celebrates Mary Jo’s relationship with her mother and is a joy to read.

The post The Nerd Element’s Holiday Gift Guide for 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Element.