“I break the idea of clothes…Nothing new can come from a situation that involves being free or that doesn’t involve suffering””
Conceptual Fashion uses the body as a site for communication. Postmodern philosophers like Foucault maintain that the body is inscribed with cultural and gender meanings and becomes a text that tells the story of the social context that the body is constructed in. This process not only shapes the body but in many cases disciplines it as well, for example, what bodies are considered to be objects of beauty. Some conceptual designers have understood this and use fashion and clothes to disrupt dominant discourses and narratives about the female body. The process and designs of Rei Kawakubo most embody these ideas for me. Whether it is lipstick painted on the side of a mouth or parodies of beauty ideals manifested by sewing pillows into slips, pockets and linings creating disfiguring lumps, she disruptively writes new stories about bodies through her conceptual designs. For her the design process never starts or finishes, she is inspired through the mere act of living her daily life.
I have been spending my in-between free moments wondering where Accidental Icon might go. Increasing opportunities and solicitations offer me moments to reflect more on her developing identity. Somehow I resist having an end game and know what’s right or not. I take my cue from one of my favorite designers: let me perform my daily life and see what emerges.
For more conceptual fashion see my Pinterest Board: Accidental Icon Loves Conceptual Fashion
Accidental Icon Wears:
Coat: Nika Tang, Wool Pin Striped Dress: CDG, Boots: Marsell, Necklace: Efva Attling
It is very interesting. For me, these artists work with the idea of the grotesque body. In a way, they deconstruct the perfect body, but the perfect body is found only in art. The body itself is grotesque.
If I wear these beautiful pieces of clothing you wear, I would be confused. It would be to ekspessivt for me. It would not give me protection. And for you it gives protection, if I understand you correctly.
I love your pictures, your clothes, it makes me curious. I admire your clothes from all these designers you wear. And I am always inspired by reading your blog. Also exciting with Foucault in this context because he also speaks of power. And the clothes can just create power or just be a detail.
Thank you.
Very interesting commentary and evidences such understanding of the complexity of life. Clothing indeed has incredible power both oppressive and productive. It is a great joy for me to have such perceptive and thoughtful readers.
We did a lot of disrupting in the 60’s and 70’s which is why I think,we are disrupting now!
It is very interesting. For me, these artists work with the idea of the grotesque body. In a way, they deconstruct the perfect body, but the perfect body is found only in art. The body itself is grotesque.
If I wear these beautiful pieces of clothing you wear, I would be confused. It would be to ekspessivt for me. It would not give me protection. And for you it gives protection, if I understand you correctly.
I love your pictures, your clothes, it makes me curious. I admire your clothes from all these designers you wear. And I am always inspired by reading your blog. Also exciting with Foucault in this context because he also speaks of power. And the clothes can just create power or just be a detail.
Thank you.
Very interesting commentary and evidences such understanding of the complexity of life. Clothing indeed has incredible power both oppressive and productive. It is a great joy for me to have such perceptive and thoughtful readers.
I was never conscious of doing this. I do hope you will explore this topic more and the offers are fruitful.
In retrospect I was disrupting in the sixties with: army shirts and cowboy bandanna headbands, combat boots.
It seems more difficult to be disruptive today especially since "disrupt" is the buzzword of technology and seeps into everything.
I love that coat; it appears to have "legs" and walking on its own in the last photo.
We did a lot of disrupting in the 60’s and 70’s which is why I think,we are disrupting now!