6* BENNETT BANNER* APRIL 12, 1996
NEWS & FEATURES
st^ Brumfield, 1 St ftecd Uw», 2nd ptaw Or. Naetinette SmftK, 3rd place
Campus day care
creating 'water babies'
The winners are...
The results of the Bennett Banner's first African Garb day on March 22 were announced
April 14. Students, faculty and staff participated and were judged by other faculty and staff.
Prizes were awarded to participates for their African outfits. First place prize a, $50 gift
certificate from Lucky 32 restaurant, was awarded to Star Brumfield, a freshwoman
undecided major from California. Second place prize, a set of sterling silver bracelets, was
awarded to Valerie Lewis, a freshwoman English major from Atlanta. Third place prize, a
collection of soaps and lotions from the Body Shop was awarded to Dr. Nannette Smith,
director of the Science Division. The prizes were donated by Lucky 32, Dillairds Depart
ment Store and Cynthia Pulliam, director of the Center for Women and Family.
Photos by Tahja McVay
African iiistory.. .As told tiirougli fashion
NAPS)—African-Americans have always been
style trend-setters. From Josephine Baker’s feath
ers in the 20s and 30s, to Cab Calloway’s “zoot
suits” of the 40s, to the “street” styles of MTV
rappers, B lack men and women have always known
how to make a statement through fashion.
But where did it all begin? Well, according id a
new booklet created by e style, the catalog for
African-Americans, the roots of contemporary
styles reach back as far as ancient Egypt. Egyptians
used their native flax to fashion linen loincloths for
men and rectangular sheaths for women. The weav
ing process used by the ancient Egyptians led to the
development of the horizontal loom, which is used
to weave many of the cloths found throughout
Western Africa.
The practice of draping beautiful lengths of
uncut cloth around the body was the basis for
traditional African dress throughout much of the
continent. By the 10th and 11th centuries, when
traders and scholars began to venture south of the
Sahara, sarongs were dyed in vibrant shades of red,
yeUow and blue. White paint or ivory bangles also
were worn to provide a brilliant contrast to deep
black skin.
In much of Africa, clothing came to symbolize
different life stages. Babies were naked until they
received the “skin apron” of childhood. Adoles
cence was marked with a smaill loincloth. With
marriage, women wore large skirts. And, as an
individual climbed in status, he or she wore more
layers of cloth and more jewehy. As time went on,
Africans embellished their simple garments by
adding beautiful sashes, fringe and beads.
While traditional African dress is fading into
folk costume, many African-Americans are drawn
to those same bold colors, geometric patterns and
flowing shapes, which today are re-interpreted into
modem silhouettes.
For many, wearing these styles is a way of showing
pride in their African heritage.
Today, AMcan-American women are finding
great fashion options in the e style catalog, a joint
venture between Ebony magazine and Spiegel. Lori
Scott, co-creator of the catalog, reports, “the whole
idea behind e style was, to offer African-American
^ "WtSnefJlMhions ‘that speak their body’s language.’
That means fashions that meet their style prefer
ences and fit needs, as well as incorporating some
traditional African motifs.”
For Spring ’ 96, e style offers lots of great colors,
particularly in the warm, earthy, sun-kissed range.
The newest pale is periwinkle, which looks espe
cially sophisticated in tailored suits and dresses for
day or evening. Black-and-white combinations ap
pear in modem geometric patterns or in African-
inspired batik and wood-cut prints.
e style uses lots of new and luxurious fabrics in its
Spring ’ 96 collection. Look for shimmery iridescent
tunics, pants and decorated jackets. Textured fabrics
with a handcrafted feel, such as washed linens,
textured rayons, crinkle and crochet, add a warm
“human touch.” Decorated fabrics feature gold-
embroidered African symbols, beading and appli
ques.
Twists on fashion classics give e style fashions
afresh edge this season. Examples include a pea coat
done in white leather and cropped or a basic trench
coat rendered in iridescent ivory nylon. And since
the e style customer loves hats, the newest catalog
offers iridescent straw hats in brilliant colors as well
as funky hats for the younger customer.
This season, e style offers all the newest looks
for African-American women who wantto celebrate
their cultural history with fashions that are right for
today. For a free copy of the new e style booklet,
which contains information on hair-care and skin-
care, makeup tips and fashion for African-American
women, and a copy of the e style catalog for Spring
’96, call 1-800-2-e-style, and ask for offer #F5260.
Monique Edwards
Lab Reporter
Swimming lessons are the lat
est addition to the itinerary at the
Children’s House Day Care Cen
ter on campus. Approximately 25,
4 and 5-year-olds are receiving
lessons about how to adjust to be
ing in the water.
Sharon Bibbs, director.
Children’s House said the goal of
the lessons is for students to be able
to swim before they go off to kin
dergarten.
According to Bibbs, the pre
vailing stereotype that most Afri
can Americans can not swim is not
tme.
"Some of them make excellent
swinmiers,” Bibbs said.
“All children should be water
safe.”
The students are taught in the
indoor, heated pool on campus.
The lessons, which began March
18 are given by Coach Carl Bibbs,
head track coach for the Belles and
Sharon Bibbs’ husband.
Coach Bibbs said that he is
using the American Red Cross com
munity and water safety instrac-
tions, the method that teaches the
children how to become comfort
able in the water by doing exer
cises like arm strokes, kicking and
r'
coupon
putting their face in the water. The
children also leam breathing and
floating techniques and how to
jump into the water.
“They aren’t really strong
enough to do what we call swim
ming,” Bibbs said.
“The goal is to assure that all
the students will be at that level or
higher so that they won’t have any
accidents.”
The program will put the stu
dents at an ad vantage to leam more
difficult swimming procedures in
the future. The students seem ex
cited about learning how to swim.
"It was fun," said Joilee Havner,
a 5-year-old student "I like blow
ing bubbles in the water."
Coach Bibbs said that he wants to
set up a similar program for 3-
year-olds and have their parents to
participate. ‘That program will
get the parents involved in teach
ing the children about water aware
ness ,” Bibbs said.
He said that he would also like
to see more Bennett students in
volved in a swimming lesson pro
gram.
‘There is no excuse for not learn
ing to swim. Don’t look for a rea
son not to, look for a reason to,” he
added.
—Story was contributed to by
Banner Staff.
1
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Owners- I
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Talk to a doctor, your healtti department, or other local
AIDS res()urc(^s. ()r call your State or local AIDS hotline, or
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R K S P () N 11 S
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