Cutural Attache

                     According to the most conventional definition, a Cultural Attache is someone who acts as an ambassador of the culture of their homeland to other nations. However, for Barbie purposes a cutural attache is a Barbie who invests her time and energy into immersing herself into several different cultures. Living in New York, especially, we are constantly surrounded by different cultures, the diversity is part of the city's charm; therefore, Barbies must embrace these differences. A cultural attache is genuine in her attempts to learn other cultures and not interested in critizing or judging, just in learning and respecting. No one likes a, shall we say, old world colonist attitude. In other words, no one appreciates when people come gawk at their traditions and rituals as if they are aliens or animals on the discovery channel. Your way - my oh so loveable, slightly narcissitic Barbie,- is not the only way to live. The main goal must be to listen, learn, abosorb, and most of all, if nothing else, you must respect the life style choices of others. Needless to say this week I'm gonna hip you Barbies to some of the wonderful possibilities when it comes to experienceing different cutures all over New York.
        Every year there are a myriad of cutural festivals. This weekend Ms. Erica and myself checked out the African Bazaar at BAM. For all of you who are not familiar with Brooklyn, BAM is the Brooklyn Academy of Brooklyn located downtown Brooklyn on Lafyette St. This is a wonderful place to go and see a movie, or a live performance. Yearly they host Dance Africa, the African Film Festival, and all sorts of art exhibits and other events and performances. Alvin Ailey will be performing there form June10th to June 20th with tickets starting at only $20. (Wink Wink to all the fellas looking to impress a Barbie).

      Anyways, back to the festival. It was absolutely wonderful! There were so many vendors selling their own personal creations. It was like a  breeding ground for entrepenurship, talent, and creativity. Yet, there was one stand out product that we must absolutely mention. We ran into two sisters who were in the clothing and jewelry business. The jewelry was innovative, offbeat, and spirited, and so were the clothes. Now this Barbie is packing, so i wasnt able to fit the dresses that she had there, HOWEVER, she offered to take my measurements and allow me to leave my name and number with her so I could have something tailored to my size! Their products can be found at thegiftshopbyosa.bigcartel.com. Her dresses $79 and shorts $69  are somewhat pricey but definitely worth it. You get the opportunity to support another Barbie and her burgeoning business and look amazing in the process.The fabrics are rich and the colors are vibrant! You never know what you'll find dolls. Leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding a deal or showstopping fashion! Go to all the festivals, don't just go the African festival because you're black or the Indian festival because you're Indian, go every where every culture is worth exploring and respecting. Untill next time Barbies, get out there and enjoy it all, have your own adventures and let me know how it turns out!