Contradict
As you may have already guessed from Spring 2010 Runways,Fashion’s got a recession of its own — to a beautifully safe game. As I see it, it’s got three tricks under its belt.
Trick #1: Fire the real visionary (like Olivier Theyskens), and hire the one that will consistently produce adorable salable frocks. Fail-proof novelty? No longer an oxymoron.
Trick #2: Take the stuff the streets are made of and lift it up onto the Runway. Erin Wasson’s latest collection was a parade of denim cut-offs, booties, and leather. Groundbreaking… 3 years ago!
These tricks guarantee that we’ll be able to swallow Fashion’s new offerings without choking.
Ready for Trick #3?
Ah, you already know it. You are hyper-aware that Contrast is the game to play these days. A delicate lace dress paired with a military jacket? Check. Sequins on Converses? Check. Gap khakis with scary, towering Alaia heels? Absolutely. A crisp white shirt worn with a severe black bra underneath? Yep! - we went as far as that (on this very website!)
The trick works because you get to shop your mom’s closet for that incongruent 80’s blazer AND buy Balmain’s 2K pants to go with it. Style-clashing is IT. The more clashing, the more raging.
Here is the upshot. Once the rage turns into the recipe, it gets melancholic. As much as I love contrasts (and recipes), the clashing game is verging on the annoying. Unpredictable style combinations are now just as predictable as wearing florals in the spring.
So I found myself in a funny state. I don’t want to let go of contradictions, but I need a new game to play. How do I break the ground? It hit me — I should contradict my own self.
Here is the truth.
Something in me is fundamentally incompatible with sequins. Even a small amount of them drives me nuts. Needless to say, if the whole product is covered with sequins, I will run to the opposite side of the store (street, city). Yes, EVEN this creation I can only admire from afar.
Guess what? I will wear sequins. Why? Because I’m tired of being me. Style-clashing? Yawn. Self-clashing? Interesting, and possibly worth the effort.
So, I shall wear, out of all things, a sequin bra. I spotted the victim over at Shopbop, and was inspired enough to find a more austere one here. It will look great under a crisp white shirt or a plaid flannel shirt (another no-no for me).
The point is, I won’t be cloning combos from Bazaar’s “Rocker chic” page that itself is magically re-cloned each fall under new guises. This contrast is deeper, and that’s a new feeling.
Fashion is transformation. And, I think, some transformations really do break the new ground — the one of the self! 
Comments:
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06/22/10 @ 07:53
Nothing kills the moment more than having to readjust a teeny tiny sequin out of some ones hair.
Bras should be a welcoming garment not covered in pretty barbed wire.
They just seem a little too dance recital-ish for me.
Its a shame too, because I really like that black balconette demi-cup bras. I think the cleavage they create is more than enough decoration.
Cheers,
Maggie
http://www.swimwearandlingerie.com
Permalink
06/22/10 @ 11:47
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