Film Explains How U.S. Supports Congo Rapists

It's not news that the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be ravaged by Rwanda, Uganda, and its own armed forces under the leadership of its president, Joseph Kabila. What has not been apparent, however, is the extent of U.S. complicity in the exploitation of the country.

Friends of the Congo released a short version of a feature-length film that fully explains the reasons behind U.S. support for the forces that are systematically raping Congo's resources. As the organization explains,

It locates the Congo crisis in a historical, social and political context. It unveils analysis and prescriptions by leading experts, practitioners, activists and intellectuals that are not normally available to the general public.

While the film contains some scenes of graphic intensity, it's a reasoned, well-researched, authoritative explanation of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. Anyone with a conscience should view Crisis In The Congo: Uncovering The Truth.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Daphne Guinness: Undressed

Director Brennan Stasiewicz Captures Fashion’s Enigma At Home and On Display

Documentary filmmaker Brennan Stasiewicz infiltrates the cosseted world of Daphne Guinness in Daphne’s Window. Featuring intimate footage of the icon at her Fifth Avenue apartment, the short follows the eccentric fashion patron and socialite as she prepares for her recent installation in the windows of Barneys New York. The storefront showcased her collection of pieces by designer Lee Alexander McQueen and a selection from the archive of fashion editor Isabella Blow, which Guinness purchased in its entirety last year. The display culminated in a performance art piece in which Guinness dressed for the Met ball in one of the flagship’s windows, modeling a lilac feathered gown designed by McQueen’s Sarah Burton. “She appears to me as someone always in a window,” says Stasiewicz. “Someone you can approach and see, but you remain on the other side.” This year brings a multitude of projects for the heiress: her sculptural armored glove collaboration with jeweler Shaun Leane (pictured in today’s film) will be exhibited by Jay Jopling in a private viewing in London later this month; and in September a retrospective at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology will pay homage to her style. “Daphne is someone to take pleasure in, and in many ways, someone who incites moments of wonder,” says Stasiewicz.

Via Nowness

Daphne Guinness: Undressed on Nowness.com.

Line We Love Haute Couture By Marianna Harutunian

Designer Marianna Harutunian was born in Armenia , at the Age of 2 she moved to USA with her family in the search of a better life.That better life came in the form of a 16-hour day, truck-driving job for her Dad and a stay-at-home position for my Mom to raise both brother and her . Maria Love for beads was so extreme to the point that she skipped classes to find her way into a bead store, She was Fascinated and Inspired. Harutunian Grabbed a basket and filled it with everything She needed to create her own. She rushed home to make her first necklace within 8 minutes flat. Maria was the Phelps of beading , the flame had been ignited and she was off! The engines of creativity she had roared to life and her passion burned bright with promise.

When her dad came home that same evening, he fell in love with her necklace,he asked her to make more . Maria dad went driving around downtown LA, asking vendors if they were interested in selling them. He hit dead ends left and right, but pushed on, sacrificing his precious hours of sleep until he finally found one store that took an interest, and not just any interest, a genuine business interest.The order for more came in the hundreds!

the story of how Maria family risked everything to help her pursue her passion, and how they, in turn, became her greatest source of inspiration. Maria now have our store in Downtown LA, Which manufactures custom pieces for Disneyland, that have been featured in shows like ‘True Blood’ and ‘Dancing With The Stars’, and have even spotted celebrities like Cher and Dianna Ross sporting her jewelry. And recently The warrior Queen, Mother Monster  Lady Gaga  wore a Marianna Harutunian designs from the haute couture collection  in her latest Video “ Judas” .

You Can Contact the Designer At :

Email: mdj1999@sbcglobal.net
Showroom :
840 S. Cecilia St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Tel (213) 688-7771

Enchanted By Matvey Lykov

Enchanted By Matvey Lykov from Matvey Lykov on Vimeo.

Taylor Warren by Jason Lee Parry

Nine Til Noon from Corey Smith on Vimeo.

Ashley Smith for Topshop

New SF Rap Heat: The Jealous Guys

Check out this excellent new rap joint from the local talents of Ayinde and Biz y Casa. Grab the whole One Night Stand mixtape here and peep out their blog for more.

Heads Up: DaVinci - Montage Ep. 2 (Guys Wanna)

Big up to the Bay Area's own Sweetbreads Creative Collective - really love what they have been doing. This new Da Vinci album is dope - drops in 2 weeks! Keep an eye on these cats...

DaVinci - Montage Ep. 2 (Guys Wanna) from Sweetbreads Creative Collective on Vimeo.

Grab this!

Guys Wanna (Prod. Al Jieh) by SWTBRDS

Congo History in New Video

Kadi Kabeya, a fine filmmaker from Congo who is now living in Canada, is producing a series of documentary videos explaining the political history of the DRC. Here are the first three in what promises to be a very enlightening production:







You can see more of Kadi Kabeya's excellent work at KM Media Productions.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

A People Destroyed

Blood continues to flow despite the signing of a peace agreement intended to stop the horrendous violence in the eastern provinces of the Congo. The agreement has been largely ignored by the alphabet soup of militias, army factions, guerilla bands, and outright criminal enterprises terrorizing the region. It is a humanitarian nightmare that may never end. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.



I hope you will make a donation to help the victims of rape, terror, and violence in the Congo. Women for Women International is one organization doing great work there Any bit you can send them will be appreciated and do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

The Anguish of Rape

Terror rape is an act that humiliates the woman, destroying her self-worth and interest in living. These effects are compounded when women are rejected by their husbands. Families are destroyed, women and children turned into refugees with no resources. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.



Your donation to Women for Women International will help the victims of rape, terror, and violence in the Congo. Large or small, anything you can send them will be appreciated and do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Refugee Children

More than a million people have been driven from their homes by the endless violence in the Congo. Many of them will die, but not from bullets or blades; they’re victims instead of silent killers like malaria, pneumonia, malnutrition, and diarrhea. But they are casualties of war just as surely as if they had been hacked to death by machetes. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.



Women for Women International is one organization doing great work in this area of the Congo and elsewhere, so please consider a donation. Any bit you can send them will be appreciated and do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

The Machete

Armed militias and criminal gangs control their territories by intimidating the civilian population. Exploitation of the Congo’s natural resources is their true goal, which they achieve by using brutal violence to enforce their demands for money and supplies. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.



I hope you will consider a small donation to Women for Women Internationalto help the victims of rape, terror, and violence in the Congo. Your gift will be greatly appreciated and do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Making A Child Soldier

There have been child warriors ever since adults figured out they were cheap, expendable, and made good human shields. With modern weaponry, a four-year-old with an AK-47 is a deadly tool. In the Congo, children are recruited, kidnapped, and forced to serve as soldiers, sex slaves, and cannon fodder. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.



Please consider a small donation to help the victims of rape, terror, and violence in the Congo. Women for Women International is one organization doing great work. Anything you can send them will be appreciated and will do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

The Rape Of A Mother

Rape is an act of terrorism, not personal violation. In the Congo conflict, it is committed by an armed group, usually in public in front of parents, husbands, children or neighbors, and followed by mutilations and other corporal torture. In many cases, it turns into sexual slavery that continues for months. In others, it results in horrible death. Here is a short passage on the subject from Heart of Diamonds.


I hope you will consider a small donation to help the victims of rape, terror, and violence in the Congo. Women for Women International is one organization doing great work there Any bit you can send them will be appreciated and do a world of good for some people who really need it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.