Politiks of Fashion

I just had quite the intense intelligent discussion with one of my best buds Audrey..as opposed to the hot-air bitching we usually do with respects to people's fashion and style choices, or rather, lack thereof.

It was defined, rather than inferred, that we are "pro-fashion". Not to sound shallow though, although why so serious, making it sound all political? Because I rate it is; well, I'm no politics major, but I consider politics to be something inevitable in whatever situation involves people/society..because politics arises from the differences in perspectives, and everyone has a perspective.

Our problem, or grievance rather, initially, was the racial profiling when it comes to black girls and style,sparked from Audrey overhearing white girls talk about her,saying  "she dresses well for a black girl". However,it turned into a discussion on the discovery of the fact that,people (whatever race actually) are without the guts to express their perspective..or have a misguided perspective on fashion and style. Racial profiling aside, the main explanation for either a horrendous or a non-descript look-book are lack of resources, but this is just an excuse. Indeed clothes take an increasingly larger chuck out of the monthly budget, but money and fashion, to a true fashionista, are minimally correlated. For example, there exist rich people who should rather spend their money on fuel to burn those awful but awfully expensive clothes they wear! As well as the other extreme, chicas with meagre finances means it only spurs resourcefulness, to create and innovate inspired and beautiful closets..so money or availability of great fashion has nothing to do with the price of the proverbial sugar here.

As aforementioned, the issue is a fashion faux-pas' perception of herself. Fashion is the material items that facilitate the expression of a certain point of view- which is what style is, a point of view. Some people see themselves as other people, and try emulate another's style. I feel bad for all Rihanna wannabe's out there, they will STAY looking off the mark because there is only ONE Rihanna, who has too much a unique talent for pulling off things no-one else can. In trying to be someone else, you can only expect disappointment. Idolizing celebrities is something everyone does to one degree or another but we should all be conscious of the fact that celebrities have resources and vices that we don't- stylists, photoshoppers(lol) etc...therefore, the radical red weaves should be left alone.

Furthermore, some people don't know who they are..they just know they want to be liked, translated by wearing the generic skinny jean and non-descript tshirt combo. Not as to say they do not care for style, but individuality always comes at a huge social risk, a risk they would rather not take. It's much easier, to just strive for mediocrity, an easy swim in the normal stream of things..it is the fear of ostracism that holds them from exploring the pleasures of indulging in the cultivation of one's image. Which is just sad, really.

In conclusion, whether black or white, the prevalence of great style has nothing to do with concrete or practical factors..but on a more abstract note, the schools of thought applied by girls and boys alike. You are who you think you are, and that is translated in your clothes, consciously, or subconsciously. And when it comes to fashion consciousness, there will always be for and against, for whatever reason, but there should always be a reason. Viva le dope fashion!!!

-Fenix