The appreciation of beauty

It is a truth universally acknowledged that true beauty lies beneath the exterior, whether that exterior be male, female, black, white, conventional or interesting.

With over 7 billion people in the world, it would be reasonable to assume that this huge number of people should equal an immeasurable quantity of beauty. 

Interesting beauty too - muted rainbows of colours, a plethora of shapes, infinite structures and sizes. 

And yet, so often is the value of true beauty marred by our narrow-mindedness and the inescapable influence of the big ugly media monster. The monster whose fiery destructive breath taints the words we read; its vision, seen through the creature's devilish, haunting eyes, mirrored in pap-photos in grubby celeb magazines.

Have we really been so far marred by the spite and jealousy of celebrity magazines that we can no longer appreciate and congratulate beauty of all diversity and richness?

My reason for this post comes from reading countless sickening comments written by Mr or Mrs Joe Bloggs in the section of one particular online daily newspaper; a stark reminder of just how cruel people can be about the appearances of the rich and famous. I do wonder what gives us the right to mock and ridicule others - and for the way they look?! A question that will probably forever remain elusive.

Must we hound our brains with these negative thoughts? And why burden our eyes with the cruel words of others that snap and bite at our own confidence and contentedness in ourselves? Is that what we are now?

I for one like to see wobbly bits, crooked noses and patchy skin - it’s a reminder that we're human beings and heck reminds me that I'm not the only one with these 'flaws'. We're moulded by nature into the form of humankind that by definition is far from perfect and I love that.

Of course I adore seeing a red-carpet starlet, tweaked and refined into the image of wondrous beauty (an image seemingly unattainable to us lesser mortals).

But actually, aren't we all beautiful?
 
Beauty to me is difference, variety and actually, something beyond mere Hollywood. Beauty can't be contained to just one flower - often it’s the whole meadow in its wonderful calm chaos which is the most attractive.

As Richard Tisci quoted in October's Vogue, 'It doesn't matter whether a person is skinny or fat, black or white. We live in the twenty-first century and it's not about blue eyes, blonde hair. I love that too, but for me it's about personality'.

And whilst that is true - isn't living in the 21st century also about embracing and challenging what we originally thought? Finding new images of which to aspire to and feeling all the more powerful and content by doing so?

So if the fashion world prides itself on such diversity, so often challenging our perceptions and exploring new visions of creative beauty, then surely it makes sense for that same astute attitude to extend to us as human beings and our physical make-up.

Often designers want to find the 'alternative' look; interesting faces swathed in interesting clothes and daring make-up. Even if pretty much all models share the similar 'perfect' figure; lithe, toned, tall and seemingly flawless bodies, I do believe fashion believes in embracing difference. Plus, I understand the need for a certain level of model uniformity.

Models are mannequins - they are captured and paraded as canvases to show off the artist's work - not a representation of human diversification and heterogeneity. Plus, there is a kind of beautiful in similarity or things that match isn't there? Our search for 'the one' often boils down to finding someone 'similar' to us; a kindred spirit.

Whatever your idea of beauty is, I'm pretty certain it will be different from mine and actually that's what makes beauty so wonderfully ambiguous and unattainable. Beauty can mean whatever you want it to mean, and for now, as I write this, beauty for me is nude skin, fluffy, just-washed hair and big, ginormous warming smiles.

Little pots I like lots

 v

Hats off?

I was inspired to write this after reading a piece about hats in last month's British Vogue.

Image: Pinterest

This particular piece of writing struck a chord with me for several reasons. Firstly, because I adore hats - of all shapes and sizes - and secondly, because despite my love for hats, I don't believe I wear them enough and I definitely think I should.

Oh boy do I love the quirkiness of a pork-pie, the whimsy of a straw boater and the sartorial elegance of a bowler.

A hat wearer is always the most suave, the most divine, the most charismatic character in the room whether they know it or not. And most likely they do.

Hats to me are perfectly formed markers of ones personality, balancing so nonchalantly atop the head for all to see. They can show off sophistication, elegance or edgyness with ease. 

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule - namely fluffy animal-imitation hats (ears and all) and those God-awful dangler woollies, made infamous by a certain pop-star of perhaps questionable style panache (that's rather naughty, maybe I shouldn't have said that).

My partner has always worn hats, caps to be precise. And quite frankly, even though he is devilishly good-looking anyway, looks even more handsome wearing one.

The truly wonderful thing about caps, and all hats in fact, is that they exist outside of trends and seasons; a cap is always a cap, and its synonymity with cool characters of the past and sub-cultures is embed in its mesh and polyester.

A hat has to be just so. Placed atop the head at just the right angle to accentuate the cheekbones or mysteriously shadow the eyes.

I've experimented with hats in the past but have never been one for everyday hats. In the winter when it’s beyond Arctic and the words of past school teachers (or perhaps it was precocious childhood friends proudly denouncing their newly-learned fact) resound in my head: '80% of a person’s heat escapes through the head'. I'm still not sure if this is true.

I love the idea of the everyday hat. The potential of a single item to add a little extra drama to any outfit, transforming the mundane into something just a little more special, more stylish.

My father likes to remind me quite often when I try countless hats during shopping outings - definitely one of my favourite small pleasures - that I suit hats, all types of hats. Perhaps I do - certainly some suit hats more than others so I'm quite smuggish about the fact I'm one of them.

Whilst trying, rather unsuccessfully, last weekend to grab a bargain at a local jumble sale, my eyes fell on a poor squashed inky-blue knitted beanie. One of those big beanies - I'm not sure of their proper names. Sure it had a few bits of dried grass nestling in its weaves and a little dust, but for 50p, I quickly nabbed it before a local Granny also saw the item's style/warmth potential and beat me to it.

Now, fully washed, my cute Rasta beanie (as I'm calling it) looks divine. Sitting atop of just-washed, blow-dried fluffy hair, it's my new favourite thing. I wear it even if it's not actually cold, just because I can.

Yep. My love for hats just keeps on growing - along with my collection. And with all the charm and character these age-old accessories yield, I think I'll leave my hat firmly on.

New direction

We all come to certain points in our lives when we need a new direction. As a blogger, this is one of mine. 

Fundamentally, the reason I first became interested in fashion and began working towards it as a career was not for money, celebrity or labels (as FYI, I can't afford a Chloe bag or Stella McCartney dress), the reason was for the utter beauty and fantasy of fashion. Creations worthy of a fairy tale, another-world or other time. For me, fashion creates a parallel world where anything is possible and where we can be whoever we so wish.

Sure fashion is made to be worn but one of the most marvellous things about this particular art is that it is also a wonder for the eyes. Fashion and all of its beauty, originality, talent and craftmanship can be appreciated just be seeing, yes? You don't need thousands of dollars or a name to appreciate fashion for what it really is.

So I've decided to focus more on my appreciation of fashion in a more poetic, literary way. Something a little more loquacious if you will.

My interest in words has been with me since I was a day-dreaming, whimsical child. My speciality aged 8 was spelling; my love, to write adventures, fairytales and magical journeys of magic carpets, fairies and meetings with giants.

Years later and after reading a thousand and one books, and finding my soul awakens at the sound of Shakespeare and T. S Eliot, I've formulated an increasing love for words that is more fervent and more insatiable than ever.

Be sure that through this love of words, a more critical and opinionated SOTC will inevitably surface. Perhaps therefore one even more worthy of criticism. But rest assured that in no way whatsoever will I assume my opinions are absolute.  As Lord Byron once said, "Opinions are made to be changed - or how is truth to be got at?"

So, whatever I write - I'll certainly be going back to my roots. 

You can have the money and pointless celeb of it all... from here on out, it's just me, the clothes and the words.

Me

 Love V

Milano

Ciao! I'm back in the UK after a two-week trip to Milan (for research purposes I'll have you know).

So what of this fashion capital?

Now, please understand I am a poor masters student and consequently, my trip did not involve ANY shopping. How boring.

 

This did not stop me however from soaking up the splendour of Gucci and Prada window displays and the super shininess of Rinascente (the city's uber fabulous department store on 8 floors). Actually, I much preferred the Gallerias for shopping spaces. It's that mix of the old and new; the drama and spectacle of the architecture against contemporary print, fabric and sparkly accessories.

Galleria Vittorio Emauelle II is worth a visit for its sheer immense size, mosaic floor and hypnotically high domed roof. And sitting proudly, as it does no doubt, in its prominent location, adjacent to the mesmerising Duomo cathedral, this is the place to be.

The problem with the Duomo area? Tourists. I had to literally hunt around the camera wielding bunch (of which I was one of course) for the super stylish, glamourous types I inadvertently associated with Milan. As such, I left the city quite underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, glamour, shininess and fashion certainly exist in the city's numerous gallerias. But no one place which wowed me with representations of my preconceived notions of Italian grace and beauty.

Which makes me think... is fashion a myth? Or at least, are the fashion capitals: Milan, Paris, London and New York, mythological in their fashion status? Or am I being too quick to judge?

Think another trip to the Italian 'fashion haven' is needed. Luckily, that can be arranged. I'm heading back in June for some fashion conferences as part of my journey into Italian fashion. I'll let you know what I find.

V

Milan Fashion Week - day 3

I'm off to Milan in two months time for 3-months of maxed-up stress for my MA final project. Two months late for Milan fashion week. 

Bummer.

However, I am enjoying perusing from afar this week's offerings. 

Blumarine. Thank you. Autumn/winter 2012/13 and there shall be colour. The Italian label's collection for the solemn winter months began with a cascade of bright fluffy coats over virginal white trousers and stark polo necks.

We as a nation, nay, as lovers of fashion, seem only too keen to shun colour as soon as the first leaves begin to fall. This is silly. 

Now who knows how I'm to feel when summer has ended and the winter months start to draw in. But I can bet I shall be thankful for the small glimmer of sugar-coated, e-number filled colours Bluemarine have just shown as part of their autumn/winter collection 2012/13.

Screw black. Forget khaki, grey and brown. If it would be hideous as an interior paint choice, I'm wearing it.

Oh and don't forget about trusty old metallics. They're still around in a big way it seems for next autumn/winter. Blumarine, Anya Hindmarch, Maria Grachvogel, Matthew Williamson have all shown metallics during the recent big four fws.

So, zesty colour for unzesty autumn and winter... yep, I'm with the Italians on this one.

TREND UPDATE: Dreamy pastels...

Oh I'm so pleased about the pastel trend and no more so because at the time of writing this I'm standing, peering through the window at a snow-covered garden. 

Pastels - ok, so its definitely a spring trend and obviously winter still has its icy white hold on us, yet pastels would look so divine in the snow:

Pale orchid purples, the creamiest of milky whites, mellow hibiscus yellows and blush pinks - the pastel trend is so dreamy.

Remember the Louis Vuitton spring/summer show? Heavens, it made me melt.

Pastels at Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week 2011

Philip Lim - pastels done simply

LV showed the uptmost ladylike of shapes in boxy jackets and full midi-skirts with delicate cut-out collars and princess up-dos. For an extra flounce, the French fashion house also showed full-fifties skirts made of dandelion-light marabou feathers. 

If, like me, you prefer wearing trends a little understated, take some inspiration from Philip Lim. In his spring/summer 2012 collection, pastels were boxed into soft shapes; a no-nonsense, divine in its simplicity, alternative to Louis Vuitton's fairytale yet everybit as dreamy. 

My tip - let the pastels do the talking. Mix them up but keep it simple. Like pearls, pastels are so feminine that adornment and embellishment just aren't necessary.

Lovely.

TREND UPDATE: shimmer+shine+sparkle... Christmas 2011

If Christmas is anything, it is sparkly. That is why I am so pleased the fashion gods have created a plethora of glittery, gleaming and glamorous outfits for this most shimmery of seasons.

If you dare to wear all out metallic in curious, Christmas card cut-out shapes a la Stella McCartney, I applaud you. Here, coats and jumpers are objects placed onto to models, not haphazedly draped or wrapped. These items of beauty are art, the wearer, the canvas.

Gareth Pugh

Stella McCartney

I cannot encourage this look enough. It is otherworldly, stunning in the most organic sense. Gareth Pugh's morphed robotic metallics are for the more adventurous but are equally divine.

Balmain

And it doesn't have to be gold. Balmain, one of my favourite favourites also worked the metallic, shiny trend in tones of pewter and icy cold ocean blue.
There is no time better than Christmas to try out this trend.

You have permission to sparkle unashamedly.

v