Today, as I sit down to write, it feels like everything familiar is shifting. Today I am standing on the edge of a predictable and known world and tomorrow will be stepping into one where anything, everything or nothing can happen. Rules are being broken everyday now in ways that further inclusion, such as in fashion, and in ways that oppress, such as in politics. There is a powerful defiant energy as the world responds and it is lifting that rebellious part of me up and carrying me on its wings.
Within the midst of turbulence, creatives are inspired to offer us multiple ways to express our views, to participate in rebellious and defiant acts if we wish to and remind us through the powerful and sometimes horrible beauty of what is created that we must always have hope. Technology is the vehicle that amplifies our voices and unites us far beyond our small geographies. I find hope in the brilliant way technology is used by the designer Iris van Herpen who challenges us in her recent Couture collection to “mind the system but find the gaps”. I find hope in the collaboration between the New York City Ballet, choreographer Justin Peck and the fashion designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon called, “The Times Are Racing”. Dancers wore clothing marked “Defy” and “Protest” while supporting each individual and then assimilating them into the troupe. I experience hope in the incredible power of fashion to disrupt. I experience hope in my personal power to disrupt.
How have you used fashion to disrupt?
I can’t say that I have used fashion to disrupt but perhaps to defy people’s perceptions of what a 62 year old woman "should" wear.
In my view that is disruptive!
You have to be amazing to disrupt! It is like a statement! We dress to impress most of us!
You have to be amazing to disrupt! It is like a statement! We dress to impress most of us!
Good Morning Lyn,
Your blog rings oh so true to me this morning. I’ve marched, I’ve made calls, I’ve written letters; and yet, I am not feeling satisfied with my contribution. As a jewelry artist, I am getting signs and correspondence (your blog is one) compelling me to add another avenue to disrupt. You and many others I have never met or live across the country from me are sending the same signal (thank you technology). I am emboldened. Thank you Lyn.
Good Morning Lyn,
Your blog rings oh so true to me this morning. I’ve marched, I’ve made calls, I’ve written letters; and yet, I am not feeling satisfied with my contribution. As a jewelry artist, I am getting signs and correspondence (your blog is one) compelling me to add another avenue to disrupt. You and many others I have never met or live across the country from me are sending the same signal (thank you technology). I am emboldened. Thank you Lyn.
Lyn, Your blog is inspirational. I love your fashion style. You always look amazing. How I wish I could have fun and express myself the way you do. Olga
Lyn, Your blog is inspirational. I love your fashion style. You always look amazing. How I wish I could have fun and express myself the way you do. Olga
Why are you trying to disrupt? And what are you trying to disrupt? I have so enjoyed your blogs in the past Lyn, but now I feel bullied.
Fashion is a way of showing your personality and making an impression, a statement. Your blog inspires me… My age shouldn’t affect my style. I shouldn’t compromise to fit in!!! Thank you, Thank you! THANK YOU! You are a true icon.
I suppose that my blog, and IG could be considered somewhat disruptive as it is evidence of an alternative way of living and dressing from what society expects of a woman in her mid-fifties. I am a fan of Iris van Herpen’s designs, and would love to have the opportunity to wear one.
I suppose that my blog, and IG could be considered somewhat disruptive as it is evidence of an alternative way of living and dressing from what society expects of a woman in her mid-fifties. I am a fan of Iris van Herpen’s designs, and would love to have the opportunity to wear one.
I’ve never used fashion to disrupt. I don’t feel many women want to disrupt, rather they are no longer bending to a rusticating societal pressure that once we reach a certain age, we can no longer feel strong, sexy, and thriving. With growing frequency, we know we can keep our bodies in beautiful shape, keep our hair luxurious, our skin luminous – whether or not we choose to use the help of a plastic surgeon, use non-invasive cosmetic techniques, or use nothing at all. Nor should we condemn women in the choices they make, whether in fashion, in cosmetic preferences, or otherwise. To do so is being unkind and cruel to a diverse sisterhood; though, that sisterhood doesn’t always agree, nor should it. We are unique, independent thinkers and have the ability of respect and grace to accept our differences. The term disrupt seems to be another fad word as it origninated in corporate culture several years ago. How are CEO’s disrupting established rules by creating new ones, for example? Or how is technology disrupting old systems? Disrupt has become another word like "curating" or "editing" that have moved from their original discources to define actions in other discourses, such as editing a closet instead of a newspaper, or curating a wardrobe instead of artwork. I prefere to think that my own continuing, evolving style is not a disruptive endeavor, not a protest against someone or something, but rather my own refining process to continue to pursue what I love, love how I feel in what I choose to wear. And as I evolve in this journey of grace, the last element in my mind when I dress for the day is to disrupt, but rather to encourage and inspire through respect and illumination.
Aristotelian Style and a Big Dog
I’ve never used fashion to disrupt. I don’t feel many women want to disrupt, rather they are no longer bending to a rusticating societal pressure that once we reach a certain age, we can no longer feel strong, sexy, and thriving. With growing frequency, we know we can keep our bodies in beautiful shape, keep our hair luxurious, our skin luminous – whether or not we choose to use the help of a plastic surgeon, use non-invasive cosmetic techniques, or use nothing at all. Nor should we condemn women in the choices they make, whether in fashion, in cosmetic preferences, or otherwise. To do so is being unkind and cruel to a diverse sisterhood; though, that sisterhood doesn’t always agree, nor should it. We are unique, independent thinkers and have the ability of respect and grace to accept our differences. The term disrupt seems to be another fad word as it origninated in corporate culture several years ago. How are CEO’s disrupting established rules by creating new ones, for example? Or how is technology disrupting old systems? Disrupt has become another word like "curating" or "editing" that have moved from their original discources to define actions in other discourses, such as editing a closet instead of a newspaper, or curating a wardrobe instead of artwork. I prefere to think that my own continuing, evolving style is not a disruptive endeavor, not a protest against someone or something, but rather my own refining process to continue to pursue what I love, love how I feel in what I choose to wear. And as I evolve in this journey of grace, the last element in my mind when I dress for the day is to disrupt, but rather to encourage and inspire through respect and illumination.
Aristotelian Style and a Big Dog
So interesting to read comments about the use of language and what it can trigger in us. I clicked over to this post because the word "disrupt" intrigued me and I can see it may have rattled some. Women are learning a new language, and obviously it is a bespoke one, 🙂 as we navigate beauty, expression and aging. If I make a decisive choice to abandon the rules that my mother and grandmother adhered to and this age, then perhaps I am simply disrupting what was modeled to me. I am curious about the word from an artists perspective, can women "disrupt" their own internal ideas on femininity, aging and sexuality. Bravo for this insightful discussion.
So interesting to read comments about the use of language and what it can trigger in us. I clicked over to this post because the word "disrupt" intrigued me and I can see it may have rattled some. Women are learning a new language, and obviously it is a bespoke one, 🙂 as we navigate beauty, expression and aging. If I make a decisive choice to abandon the rules that my mother and grandmother adhered to and this age, then perhaps I am simply disrupting what was modeled to me. I am curious about the word from an artists perspective, can women "disrupt" their own internal ideas on femininity, aging and sexuality. Bravo for this insightful discussion.