SOCIAL CLIMES : Around Here, Tonya’s a Goddess

Lillehammer may be a distant memory for most of us, but the Tonya-bashing continues unabated. So, in the interest of balance, L.A.-based ‘zine Ben Is Dead, in its celebration of all things sassy, has come out proudly on the Harding side.

Referring to the thunder-thighed skater as a “sassy goddess,” the ‘zine saves its barbs for that “boring as a marshmallow” Nancy Kerrigan. Its answer to her existential, Zen-like “Why me?” is simple: “Why not you, you idiot.”

And speaking of ‘zines, we’ve noticed that ‘zine appeal is filtering down to younger and younger readers. Thus, the appearance of Brain, which features the twisted works of L.A. underground arts community masquerading as a coloring book with puzzles and mazes. Best wait for the kiddies to go to bed before cracking this one open. Then, pass the crayons.

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Fashion Fission?: Kiss that unisex look goodby. From now on, Boys will B-Boys and girls B-Girls. At least that’s the way it seems to be going on North Vermont Avenue, capital of L.A.’s New Bohemia. First, hip-hop outfitter X-Large spun off a new store, X-Girl. Then, suddenly, one block north, the funky boutique Half-Off opened a men’s store farther down the block. There are still a few vacant storefronts left on the strip. Anyone ready for baggy toddler wear?

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Singapore Chic: If the Singapore caning hasn’t produced much outrage here at home, it’s at least provided the opportunity to make plenty of fashion statements. The latest is a black Mercedes, tagged Fay-style, that the Social Climes staff has observed driving around town.

Don’t expect to see any local outbreaks of caning, though. That, as any L.A. club-hopping hipster knows, is-- yawn --old news.