the clothes 2011

So, I have been faithfully drawing. I was drawing a work when a girl I know came in, she asked what I was doing and I explained it was a little journal I was keeping. Upon seeing my sketches she said, "Wow, those are random." And that was it. What was that? It didn't sound like a compliment. I just don't get it...

Looking at artist Bruno 9Li's work last night definitely inspired today's outfit. Isn't that the way it should be, art and fashion living together in perfect harmony?

The illycafe, also called the "push button house" and pure genius. Scheduled to be in New York City from November 28 through December 29. I feel like taking a trip up just to see it. I especially love the fact it looks like a dumpster at first and then--Wow!

I don't know where I heard it from, but for as long as I can remember I've known that "everyone has a little crazy in them, some people just hide it better." My family is quite unabashedly crazy, so I know I need to hide mine. Today I think I somewhat failed at that.
For starters, a spur of the moment decision--I decided to cut myself some bangs and managed to not only not poke out an eye, but also make them half-way decent.

Then I decided to take a walk in the woods and collect some short-needle pine branches (and ended up with various other wilderness marvels) to decorate my room. The scene: girl with freshly cut bangs wandering around in the forest in heels with a giant tote bag and large pair of scissors in hand. I frightened two joggers, who gave me wide berth and strange looks, before I learned to hide the scissors from sight whenever I heard someone approaching. Really, what is so frightening about a girl and her over-sized scissors?

I attempt to be slightly creative in the pictures I take of my outfits. Something in my latest pictures reminded me distinctly of pop art. See the connection???

From top to bottom, left to right: Tom Wesselmann, Wayne Thiebaud, Patrick Caulfield, Stuart Davis

Yesterday in my Consumer Behavior class in order to illustrate the concepts of "opinion leaders" and "innovators," among others, we chose to apply it to clothing at my college (note emphasis on clothing, not fashion since the latter is sorely lacking). Innovators are the first to try out new things, they are often into experimentation, but only sometimes what they like trickles down to the masses. One girl when describing innovators said the reason what they like doesn't always catch on is "because sometimes they're wrong" and "they like to be different." Both statements threw me quite into a tizzy, especially as she used clothing to illustrate her point.

Others might dismiss these as wrongs (from left to right; Sartorialist, Hel-looks, Oslostil, Facehunter):

I have often been told I have a granny's sense of style. So, it is no surprise that I own the queen of granny items--a pastel floral skirt. I got it for free from a thrift store I worked at in high school, but never had the guts to wear it out into the wide world. Inspired by sites like this and this, I finally wore the skirt out (and got complimented on it by two old ladies).

I haven't done a post on art lately, so I thought it high time to mention Art-o-Mat.
Started by artist Clark Whittington in 1997, he used a recently-banned steel cigarette dispensing machine and placed his artwork inside, selling each piece for $1.00. Initially, it was intended to be for a brief art show, but when the owner the cafe where he placed it asked that it remain permanently, Whittington knew this machine could be part of something greater. Nowadays the mission of art-o-mats everywhere is to make art a part of consumption; personal and approachable. Visit the website to learn more about the history and find an art-o-mat near you, or learn about the submission process.

The Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (or Hawaiian trigger fish) has long been the state fish of Hawaii and beloved by locals and tourists alike. However, as of 2006, this article explains out that the state fish has been dethroned and replaced with the Humuhumu (which is known for looking like a pig and being unpalatable). While this decision was made, the information was not generally released to the public, no doubt due to the amount of publicity and products surrounding the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa.

I feel as if John Galliano has thrown down the gauntlet, slapped me in the face with his glove and challenged me to a duel (although I'm certain I am far too insignificant to even merit his attention). Down his runway he strutted his models, forcing them into giant polka dot bows, powdered hair, bejewelled lips, blue nail polish and even making them wear stuffed animals as accessories. All these things I know I detest and would never wear (blue nail polish, do I want to appear as if I am dying of some rare disease; crystals on my lips? a choking hazard to be certain; giant polka dot bows are best reserved for Minnie Mouse and prepubescent females). However, despite all my decided opinions on these matters, I find myself intrigued, drawn against my will to stare unceasingly at detail images, while my minds races and heart flutters. A challenge to rethink everything I know as unflattering--do I make arrangements for my funeral in case of an accident, or run tail between my legs to the nearest safe refuge from all that is fashion?

I'm not really big on style icons, or rather I am really big on style icons--as in, how can you pick just one to define your style? To pick a single person as a style influencer just seems so limiting and inadequate. Nowadays who doesn't go from feminine to masculine, refined to grungy, and eccentric to relaxed in the time frame of a week? We have the opportunity to make our own style and not be influenced too strongly by current trends, so why limit ourselves to a single "look?"
However, one individual recently snapped several times by the Sartorialist is really inspiring me. She looks different every time and yet consistently herself--quirky, eccentric, and beautiful. Perhaps I admire her so much, because each of her looks is so different and yet they all work and she never looks forced (I so hate contrived outfits and style, if it isn't coming naturally, don't force it). So, my current icon, a stranger without a name:

It's time to bid farewell to floaty dresses and stomp out in old boots.

When packing for Fall Break it was of utmost importance to bring along my newish moleskine (my bag is more packed with books than clothes this time):