Photo: Calvin Lom, Styling by me with clothes graciously lent and gifted by Baby & Co, Seattle
As many of you know last weekend I was invited to Washington DC to give a TED talk. The theme was Superpowers and the idea was that we all have something special about us that can help us change the world for the better. My talk deconstructed an article that went viral about me that suggests that a random event three years ago resulted in me gaining immediate fame. The article goes on to state that prior to that event, I was just an “ordinary 63 year old professor”. The article is fake news for many reasons in that it conflates the story of how I got the name for my blog (which was accidental and based on a random event) and the three year story of hard work that has gone into this endeavor everyday while also trying to maintain a full-time academic career. Essentially the essence of my talk was that it was actually me embracing my “ordinariness”; that is the process of aging and the engagement skills I have learned as a professor, that has actually resulted in whatever success I might have had. In other words your Superpower is being your best self.
For me the best part of the event was hearing the creativity and innovation in the way all the other speakers were thinking about solving problems and working towards positive change. I was inspired over and over throughout the two days not only by the speakers but the many participants with whom I engaged. Every aspect of the event was set up to encourage dialog. People were pragmatic in acknowledging there are problems but there was hope, confidence and excitement about their ability to use their “superpower” in creative ways to respond to them.
I realized now that a superpower I have gained is a social media presence. Without even intending to, I have been able to shift some people’s thinking about age, inclusion and more randomly, sustainability and the fashion system. After TED I began to think more about what could happen if I became more purposeful in developing the project of articulating and demonstrating an alternative view of fashion and beauty that considers human well-being and natural systems as what drives design, production and communication. I think I have been improvisational and unintentional these past three years because I entered a system where i did not know what the options or opportunities were so I explored almost everyone of them. Consequently i am aware of feeling very tired almost all the time. I see the wear and tear on my face and feel less strong in my body. So I am taking some time now to prepare myself by resting, exercising, eating well and most importantly saying no. Then I am getting up because I have some wonderful people to work with and some interesting ideas about this approach.
What superpower could you bring to the project of a fashion and beauty that considers human well-being and the natural environment?
And you all have one!
The power of beauty is great. We know that part of the definition of beauty is truth, goodness etc. I know from experience that the power of fashion and beauty can change us – feeling good, doing good – bring a positive attitude to the world . I find it important to respect this and try to live it as well. Dostoyevsky said: " Beauty will save the world." Perhaps that really will happen one day.
Such," superpowers" gives us ALL strength to love the ordinary and embrace extraordinary . They are both important to understand the Ying /Yang of life’s dynamic rhythm.
As mentioned , Dostoyevsky reminds us that ,"beauty will save the world", but Albert Einstein was convinced that,"imagination is more important then knowledge ".
Together, we need both to proceed!
What a special collaboration of like minded folks
loveyourtribe
XO
Jill and Baby!
I think I have a number of superpowers, some personal and some professional. But they all revolve around some aspect of creativity. I am creative in the social realm in helping people to find solutions to their problems— sometimes this truly can be a
superhuman feat. Another of my powers is dressing creatively in such a way that I am constantly finding new ways to combine old elements from my closet to be pleasing to myself, while inspiring others to find their own sartorial flair. I have fun!
Styling and reinventing what is already there is such a great activity and means of creative expression. I love it too as you can guess!
I would love to hear your TED talk. Any chance you have a link that contains the video / audio for it? (Also, if you by any chance have shared the link somewhere in this blog, I must have missed it!)
The link will be up soon. As soon as I get it I will post.
You are fabolous in this dress. Great photo. Great mood. Best regards.
The designer is really under appreciated in my opinion.
Darling I celebrate your Ted Talk , a great accomplishment! I very much enjoyed your blog . I am that rare mystical ? creature a man who writes a fashion blog for women. I am always looking for collaborations, partnerships and friendships! I’m the old fashion queen that everybody needs !
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Thank you Jandrew.