- Playing
- Fashion Obsession
- From
- Radio Rookies
Since she was little, Shakima has been dressing in style. She is proud of her fashion sense, but finds that as her family's finances have changed, it's been harder to keep up with the name brands she adores.
More from Radio Rookies
Gamun-Pyul
(00:08:27)
From: Radio Rookies
18 year old Caribbean American, Rayon Wright, sets out to be a K-Pop producer.
Hip Hop Dedication
(00:06:07)
From: Radio Rookies
A lot of teenagers want to make it big as artists--whether acting in movies, singing ballads on American Idol, or making it in the hip hop world. That's what Radio Rookie ...
Nothing's Ever Permanent in Foster Care
(00:08:34)
From: Radio Rookies
When I first went into foster care, I just felt lost. My friends kept saying, “Yo, you’re changing. You’re acting like you’re depressed.” I used to bug out and say, ...
Mental Illness
(00:09:16)
From: Radio Rookies
I remember going to my first rock show, the Alkaline Trio, I was 12, a tall 12-year-old. I left there a mess. I had been hit in the face, my shirt was ripped. I was ...
Coming Out in The Age of Lady Gaga
(00:05:05)
From: Radio Rookies
Last year a couple of kids at my lunch table were talking smack about gay people. So I got angry and said “what if I’m gay?” I couldn’t believe I just said that out loud. ...
Facebook Drama
(00:06:54)
From: Radio Rookies
Ok, truthfully, if it weren’t for my mom I’d go wild on Facebook. But my mom would never let that happen. She tells me “You guys think it’s fun and games and all cutesy, ...
Half My Family Is Illegal
(00:07:19)
From: Radio Rookies
"At some point when I was growing up I admit I was mad at my parents for coming here. I was mad that they had to work so hard, that we had to wait in line to get free food, ...
Best Couple
(00:04:48)
From: Radio Rookies
When seniors at a small public high school in the Bronx cast their votes for "Best Couple" they chose a pair they admire but who definitely defy the stereotype of best couple.
Someone to Tuck Me In
(00:09:54)
From: Radio Rookies
Last year at a routine check-up, 15-year-old Raymond Henderson decided to tell the truth. When his doctor noticed bruises on his neck, Raymond admitted that his stepfather ...
Stuck
(00:08:55)
From: Radio Rookies
Kaddeem Wright enjoys reading philosophy and arguing with his friends about history and politics. With his smarts and innate curiosity about the world, Kaddeem seems like a ...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Since she was little, Shakima has been dressing in style. She is proud of her fashion sense, but finds that as her family's finances have changed, it's been harder to keep up with the name brands she adores.
5 Comments
|
Review of Fashion ObsessionI love coordinating my colors, and I love dressing up, those are the factors that drew me to the piece Fashion Obsession. In this piece a young lady, talks about not only her obsession, with fashion, but the people that caused her obsession, which includes her mother and stepfather, who she interviews. There was a time in her life that she had everything she wanted, including brand name clothing. As time progressed, they had to make adjustments, because of financial difficulties. Even though she is poor, she dresses like if she has a lot of money. The piece was loaded with skillfully placed elements. The narration was excellent. The narrator sounds so natural, being playful helps to place the listener into the story. The thing that made the piece genuine was, including everyday school life, for example passing through the metal detectors and also creating a visual scenario, by getting the description of some fellow students outfits. Overall a brilliant piece, I have absolutely no complaints. |
|
Review of Fashion ObsessionBrilliant. The rich and nuanced way this story is told is both captivating and engaging. I hope this young lady continues to receive the guidance she needs to fulfill a promising career. |
Transcript
HOST INTRO:
Teenager Shakima Swain loves clothes so much that she once lost a job, because she went shopping for a sweater instead of showing up for her first day of work. Shakima wonders though if the expense of clothes she loves are worth it. This story was originally produced by WNYC's Radio Rookies program. A note of caution, this story contains some strong language:
SHAKIMA, NARRATION: When I used to live on 91st Street in Brooklyn with my mother's boyfriend Steve, I was the poster girl for Guess. Everything matched. One day, I'd be decked out in a guess skirt, guess jumper and yes, guess sneakers...or another day I'd be Ms Jordache. I remember this neighbor thinking I was too dressed up just to be sitting on the porch. But my mom wanted us to stand out. She stood out all the time too.
SHAKIMA?S MOTHER: I had to be the bomb...I had to turn the niggers on, nah (chuckles)...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please use the suggested host intro and outro. If you would like to re-write the intro, please email radiorookies@wnyc.org.
HOST INTRO:
Teenager Shakima Swain loves clothes so much that she once lost a job, because she went shopping for a sweater instead of showing up for her first day of work. Shakima wonders though if the expense of clothes she loves are worth it. This story was originally produced by WNYC's Radio Rookies program. A note of caution, this story contains some strong language:
HOST OUTRO:
This story was produced by Czerina Patel and Marianne McCune of WNYC's Radio Rookies. To learn more, go to WNYC.ORG.
Related Website
Of 4 purchasers of this piece...
- 3 also bought:
Thrift Town (00:04:15) - 3 also bought:
Translating (00:03:45) - 3 also bought:
A Prohibition (00:04:27) - 3 also bought:Off to the Army (00:09:23)
- 3 also bought:Hopeless in High School (00:02:21)
Libby Donovan
Posted on May 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink
Review of Fashion Obsession
Fashion Obsession takes a look at the world of a high school girl where fashion means identity. This feature is a really great story about Shakima, who is what I would a fashion snob. After listening to the piece, which explains her reasons for seeing fashion as a status symbol, I could perhaps think of her more as really obsessed with fashion and the attention it brings her.
The narration is really engaging and has plenty of genuine attitude.
It felt like she was talking to me one-on-one and not just reading a script. The piece uses interviews with her family to help give the background of her story and peer interviews to emphasize her point that clothes do matter. This piece would be a good addition to a show about fashion or teen issues.