Is it more stylish to wear something with a specific intention or to wear something out of natural desire?
The point of that inquiry was to get people thinking: what is the motivation behind what we, and anyone else, wear? Naturally when comments of style come up, a series of names and major impacts come to mind: from Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Madonna to flappers, Dior's New Look, and mini-skirts.
What it got me thinking about was why some people get a place in our history books of style, whereas others are swept under the rug and may or may not receive a single line blurb about their kooky looks.
Often in today's modern culture, however, we revere people who reflect a certain shock value influence on style. Lady Gaga leads the pack for modern line-pushing, but plenty of iconic people led the pack before her.
Isabella Blow
Who of course brings up a discussion of Philip Treacy, or rather, his hats!
Grace Jones
My point is, though I love her, Lady Gaga's eccentricity is hardly a new idea. She gets a great deal of attention for sampling music, but what about sampling style? The lack of exposure generations as of late have had to icons who think outside the back is somewhat stunning. Part of it is a result of our society not particularly valuing what is removed from our concepts of aesthetically pleasing, or rather, what is pretty. Following the grunge era-- which in truth, was merely a brief vacation from the images of style = beauty in the '80s-- we have been bombarded with images of women who don't necessarily look like the every day girl, but certainly look like someone we would not have a problem running into. I suppose that description is especially accurate in terms of men desiring to have a casual rendezvous with a teenage Britney Spears clad in her pink tube tops or Shakira and her glittering belly chains.
Currently, though immersed in the neverending media parade of bathing beauties a la Victoria's Secret's swimsuit catalogue, we are experiencing a culture of ugly. I do consider the works of art Lady Gaga wears to be beautiful, but that is out of respect for the garments. It also is likely a direct result of my imagination working overdrive: while other people may have found pearls attached to her face to look like a skin disorder, I thought of a sea princess arising from an oyster shell.
I now ask you to consider other such artists as Ke$ha (and yes, I realize in this case I am using the term "artist" loosely).
Ke$ha in all her blue lipstick glory.
The funny thing is, I actually chose the most flattering image I could find. Some of Ke$ha's trademark look is revered. For example, her perpetually messy hair could be associated with the much sought after look of bed head, aka The Sexed Look. Ke$ha's mane, however, is more on par with what I can best describe as being the I've-Been-In-Many-Beds head. It's not what our culture generally considers attractive, yet all over the place people are emulating her. Blue lipstick has made a mild comeback, something I never expected when I tossed out my tube of it from Bath & Body Works back in the '90s (and to think, mine was actually dual-sided in both blue and green!).
Though not ranked on the same influence level as Gaga, Ke$ha has had an impact. Why? Her shock value! In and of itself, it is a surprise anytime we see a woman doing something other than making herself pretty-- or dying trying. Our traditional references for style are and remain people like Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot not because they were such shocking innovators, but rather, because it's what we like to remember. Isabella Blow's influence on modern style reaches far beyond her personal appearance. She is the woman who put Alexander McQueen on the map and brought Sophie Dahl to the forefront. Everyone knows who Alexaner McQueen is and you may not realize it, but you know Sophie Dahl, too.
Who can forget her infamous YSL Opium ads?
I'm pretty sure that shocked more than just my 13 year old self. Isabella Blow made an enormous dent in our modern style and brought new innovators to the forefront. Her contribution to the fashion world as we know it today is undeniable, yet she receives little attention. Lately, however, we are seeing people who are obviously inspired by her work end up as major icons of today. The real question is, will today's new "out there" stylistas end up in the history books themselves? I hope so, and I have faith in that possibility.
I believe today's concepts of style and fashion have been blurred far past the ability to select a well-fit blouse and style it with a beautifully tailored skirt. We demand more. We want lights, camera, action! "Action" being the most important part of that bit. Women in particular have an opportunity right now that was seemingly inconceivable in the past; it's okay to be a little ugly. The idea of moving away from sexualized beauty being the only option has come to the forefront. Women no longer need to be pretty all the time; just look at Heidi Klum's Halloween costumes and you will see just how much we have moved away from that expectation!
While mainstream dressing remains dictated by the hallmarks of beauty, we are seeing movement in the upper ranks. I don't expect us to all start prancing down the street in six inch heels and our heads topped in exquisite hats resembling sea creatures. Nonetheless, a quick glance down any number of runways will reveal our interests and values shifting. It's as much about comfort and beauty as it is about statement. The trickle-down theory means inevitably we may see some new proclamations in fashion being made.
So ask yourself:
Why are you wearing what you wear? Is it to please someone other than yourself? Are you eliminating looks from your wardrobe because your significant other does not care for them? And more importantly, is satisfying someone else's opinion of your apparel more important than keeping with your own?
You don't have to wear a latex body suit or create a headdress orb of beads to surround yourself to make a statement. You also don't have to stifle your expression by suiting it to fit someone else's beliefs. Look to the people making "worst dressed" lists for their wacky ensembles a inspiration to style yourself for every shade of your personality-- from the neutral shades of calm to the experimental tones of neon.
After all, aren't we always saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Sometimes I wonder if I missed the addendum to that adage stating, "except when your boyfriend/husband/significant other says otherwise."
But hey, give yourself a break sometimes... I mean, there's a reason we go shopping before a first date and it isn't because our closets were ransacked by wardrobe thieves. Think about it.
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