WAR.WORN.FASHION

A Little #Fashion Public Service Announcement

The more you know…

This week has been a hectic one so far. IFB Conference was yesterday and the beginning of fashion week in New York City.

Today was the official start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and all around, fashionistas were scattering to runway shows across town. Between New York Fashion Week shows (aka the presentations outside of Lincoln Center and the Tents), Nolcha Fashion Week, MADE (aka all the presentations held at Milk Studios in the Meatpacking District), and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (aka the actual shows that occur at Lincoln Center), it’s a wonder how fashion bloggers, editors, stylists, and other fashion hopefuls are still alive by the next week. Biannually, this event is the highlight of our years as fashionistas: we say “Happy Fashion Week,” like it’s a holiday. In fact, I’m tempted to petition so that fashion school students have these weeks off during the semester (I know I hold my composure but wow oh wow oh wow is it hard to manage my personal life’s responsibilities with my scholarly studies AND my blogging objectives). Case and point: it’s that serious to me.

And still, in spite of the happy frenzy, I can’t help but be incredibly underwhelmed by my experiences during fashion events like those that occur during fashion week. Though to be perfectly honest, it has nothing to do with the actual event itself.

It is at this point that I continue with an honest truth that may or may not be applicable to some but is definitely evident. An honest truth that some may or may not want to hear or acknowledge.

I have been ranting now about these sentiments on Facebook for a while but I felt like I needed to bring it to fashion community. That, and the following is the perfect motivation for the #OccupyFashion movement (one I am a part more and more, each and every day):

• Fashion people are very pretentious individuals. Before, it was just the editors who had this “holier than thou” likeness – partially in their own right because they had paid their dues to the industry and finally got to call the shots. It’s like the real life The Devil Wears Prada. As fashion and style authorities, I respect that they may have an air to them. Do I like it? No (we’re all humans) but I respect it.     
  
• However, when fellow fashion bloggers are snubbing me, that’s when I have a problem. It doesn’t matter how many followers you have on [insert social media platform here] or who you know. We all know people, we all have insight, we all have exclusives. There is absolutely no need to flaunt, exaggerate, undermine, or be obnoxious about the experiences you’ve had or your connections. The funny part is that there are people that think so highly of themselves for being at a certain event. 
• Newsflash: you weren’t the only one invited AND you’re in standing room – so get over yourself.

Besides this realization (or rather re-actualization that I come to each and every fashion week after mingling with the throngs that show up at these things – some how I forget and then, BAMN, I realize why I hate the fashion scene), fashion week reminds me of how fickle and trivial fashion (and fashion people) can be. It all comes down to the social scene. It’s all about networking. That should be good but there is a difference between good networking and schmoozing. It suddenly becomes all about cocktails, seating assignments, and gift bags.

The goal: evolve the influence we have on each other and create a more harmonious atmosphere. We all have one thing in common. No matter what background we have or where we come from, we all share a mutual interest in fashion. Let us remember what was preached at the last panel of the IFB Conference – the art of working together as a community and not competing but rather joining forces to create new opportunities for us. Not rejecting but embracing. Not perpetuating the stereotype that fashion is superficial but creating a new image. Let’s forget about the photo ops and cameras. We’re not going to these shows to be photographed, we’re going to see clothes. Not our clothes. Not the clothes already in the market. No, new clothes - we go to fashion shows to celebrate newness and creativity. 

I just hope people can remember that. THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF FASHION WEEK. And as I always say, “It’s all about the clothes.”

With that, I cannot wait to start sharing…

Lite Bright for #NYFW and #MBFW

With fashion week upon us, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ll be wearing (actually, a lot is an understatement - I’ve been obsessing about it day and night, deciding what items in my limited wardrobe are worthy of being worn at the Tents). Still, it’s never until I step out of the house and make my way to Lincoln Center that I realize that I always forget the one thing that seals the deal.

STYLING.

I can be wearing the best dress ever but if I’m not wearing the right shoes and accessories and am not painted the right way (yes, I used the word “painted”), then…

Lately, I’ve been OBSESSING over the use of neon to highlight and compliment an outfit. As my friends and family can tell you, my wardrobe is mostly black (because black is the new black, of course, and you can never go wrong with that). Thus, I really like amplifying my look by experimenting with a splash of colour (or as Brad Goreski would call it, P.O.C.).

So this fashion week, no matter what colour you’re rocking, try a little something new.

Be bold, be brave, be beautiful.

For your eyes and lips

For your nails - I am definitely partial to some sparkle though…

For your shoulder (and these are all the perfect size for all your fashion week needs)

–

@SophieTheallet

• Just remember this editors, writers, bloggers, celebrities, and stylists… we witness beauty for a mere twenty minutes; the designers and their teams deal with potential ugliness.