Thursday, March 4, 2010
A not so free Republic
Posted by Lauren LaBorde on Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 12:18 AM
A recent move by Republic programming director Nick Thomas to ban attire inspired by MTV's "Jersey Shore" is gaining traction among blogs. FAIL Blog declared the rule, posted outside the club, a "Sign Win," and other blogs such as Racked and New York Magazine's Vulture have blogged about it. The Huffington Post stole posted this interview with Thomas from NewOrleans.com.
- While waiting behind a velvet rope in anticipation of 90s kitsch and special couches (V.I.P. sections), you may have noticed the sign: "If it's on Jersey Shore, it's not coming through the door." For those unsure about what "Jersey Shore" attire encompasses, the sign singles out designers Affliction, Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier. The sign, however, fails to mention if boob slings are permitted.
- There are two reactions to the club's new dress code:
- 1. Guidos (and guidettes): who needs `em! I am an affluent white person, and therefore find the mere sight of tattoo jeans offensive (the majority of bloggers have embraced this reaction).
- 2. Seriously? Not that I am in any way advocating the kind of wardrobe the Republic seeks to ban, but how can Republic deny anyone the right to spend $9 on a Jack and Coke based on the dumb trends they follow? It's essentially one silly, consumer-based subculture — Urban Outfitters-clad PYTs — seeking to exclude another. And while a wardrobe of True Religion jeans and a metallic, skin-tight graphic tee may be considered offensive for its crimes against fashion and society, it is certainly "appropriate" attire and nothing that any club has any real reason banning.
Absolutely [not] ... if Snooki is wearing anything that Snooki wears, the same Jersey Shore-esque clothing she is known for and [is] rocking a pouf. If Snooki has a life changing event and starts dressing like a normal human being, by all means — come and see Spoon.
- First, what if Snooki sincerely wants to see fist-pump her way through the crowds to hear Britt Daniel sing "I Summon You"? What now, Nick Thomas? And second, since when is Republic an authority on how "normal human beings" dress? Not all people would agree that wearing, say, a see-through lace body suit (slightly NSFW), outfits made entirely of lamé or ironic eyeglasses is how a "normal human being" dresses.
This was probably inevitable, since Republic has expressly stated its mission to hand-pick its ideal crowds since its inception. From the Lifestyle Revolution Group Web site:
Republic is a hub of creativity and entertainment for the progressive group of people living in and visiting New Orleans intent on revolutionizing the city’s professional and artistic landscapes, providing first-class social experiences and constantly evolving entertainment through music, fashion, philanthropy, film and the arts. Republic caters to a diverse, interesting and eclectic clientele, and its guests’ experiences are paramount to everything created there.
Diversity, however, is limited to the extent to which you are not a guido.
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Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
Clubs often have dress codes. And, yes, those dress codes are often enforced to keep certain type of people away from the club. It's not the nicest thing in the world, but it's hardly a first. They simply made a reference to a popular TV show to define their dress code.
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One more thing: you don't have to be an affluent white person to find guidos offensive: http://www.tmz.com/2010/02/15/ronnie-magro-jersey-shore-homophobic-tirade-mtv-video/
Ai yi yi. Don't they know that the best bars and clubs are the ones anyone can get into - wearing anything - but most people are too nervous to enter?
they should also add a "no gelled spiked hair" policy which is what a lot of these people wear.
but...but... i thought NOLA was all about costume. it is certainly not about fashion.
This banal feces is getting more coverage here on this "Best" of New Orleans blog... why again? Why don't y'all bring back that Goat Fakir who ran away to Austin because the music here just wasn't MTV hip enough?
I'm gonna open a bar. Where I ban self-obsessed hipster twats wearing purple skinny jeans.
I ban people wearing bandannas/kerchiefs around their necks who are not cowboys or train robbers.
