Feminine

People often ask me why I want to work in fashion. Is it just for the sake of saying how much I like clothes? No, it's much more than that. The power that the fashion industry holds means that it is able to incite change and spark propaganda, which is something we're seeing more of in the wake of social and political agitation. But at the same time, fashion can serve as a display of who we naturally are, and as a female, I enjoy using fashion as a mode of celebrating my femininity. When observing the recent fashion frenzy associated with feminism, it appears as though there are different ways to proclaim your gender, something that I am going to shed opinion on today.

The Woman in Black

*This piece was written for CITOYENNE.

Spring is upon us and, in adherence, the streets of London seem even more chaotic than usual as we feel overpoweringly urged to reflect the season in our wardrobes and dress according to its conventions. With explosions of bright colour and surges of dramatic print, spring sparks increased visibility of more obviously abstract fashion, which, in the age of minimalist clothing, no longer serves to be quite as impactful as it once was. Cue the Miranda Priestly reaction: “Florals? For spring? Ground-breaking.”

Enigma

I've long considered French culture to be the idealised lifestyle. My dad's deep interest in French music meant that an array of musicians from Erik Satie to Serge Gainsbourg became cultural epitomes of my childhood. I vividly remember him blasting Gainsbourg's duet with Brigitte Bardot: Comic Strip, for my amusement. It's overtly kitsch pop style triggered me to theatrically parade throughout the house, singing the only words that made some form of manic sense to my juvenile mentality: 'SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!'. Thinking back on it now, my mentality towards the song has barely changed, simply because I think it resonates with all generations. Brigitte Bardot's lyrics are solely onomatopoeic - they're basic and unembellished, but therefore bold and effortless. I would make the same claim for much of French fashion, and subsequently the ideal Parisian woman.

Transience

There's something incredibly threatening for your state of mind when trying to guess the future. Threatening may be a harsh word, but it is nonetheless applicable, as when second-guessing a future event, if the outcome doesn't satisfy your expectations, you're left feeling rather disillusioned. More so, you're left feeling melancholic, even though you don't want to be. I've long had a tendency to think too much, and I know that it's a flaw of mine. Thinking too much and devising expectations in your mind makes life that much more saddening when things don't turn out how you expect them to, and in particular, when people you think you know turn out to be rather different. You try to not be disheartened when your expectations are not met, but after all, we're all human, and regardless of reality, we will always crave the fulfilment of our personal expectations and desires.

The Observer

I've long been fond of observing people. As an only child, I grew up with an appreciation of independence, yet I think that part of the ability to accept independence derives from having an understanding of others. I believe that immersing yourself in a crowd of complete strangers who you are able to observe somewhat comforts your self-liberty. I frequently love situating myself in my own little bubble, whether it be through strolling around the city or sitting in a coffee shop. Yet despite the literal state of being alone, I find it hard to ever feel truly lonely, or lonely with the negative connotations associated with the word. For me, being alone stimulates being an observer - something which I want to share my thoughts on today.