Summer is here and everywhere you look there are roses and florals. Given that I am someone who rarely, if ever, wears florals or prints for that matter, the question becomes how can I participate in this summer ritual and stay true to me? So I gave myself that challenge and have to say the shirt I found is sheer, somewhat transparent and a delight to wear. Along with some pants given to me by Eileen Fisher, which I have been wearing all the time because of the high level of comfort and ease, I think this falls within the minimalist criteria that makes me still feel like me.
These days I am always on the lookout for new independent fashion magazines, especially because of my in-between time, and found Lone Wolf tucked away under several others. I decided to purchase the magazine for three reasons: the cover, the fact that it is published in Canada (Calvin and I will be visiting Toronto soon) and the quote on the back, “Wolves don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep”.
Interestingly the theme of this issue is authenticity. What makes you feel like you. There is a selection of wonderful essays; including one by Simone de Beauvoir on the intersection of power, love and authenticity and clever photos and graphics. What I found especially compelling was the editor’s letter. She suggests that the experience of authenticity is a very personal one, different for different people. However, the essence is that one becomes transparent in their emotions, they present as simple and unadorned and that it is enough to be “just you”. She then goes on to confess that despite calling herself Editor-in-Chief, that she actually does almost all of the tasks that make the magazine happen but did not want to reveal it for fear it would make her magazine not look “big” enough. In making this confession she in fact reveals herself to be an exceptionally multi-talented, hard-working and creative person.
So here’s my authenticity confession. Even though I was inspired by a feature in WSJ Magazine on summer florals and started this post by referencing that theme, this picture is not really about fashion. After a weekend of being the “responsible adults” in a house full of my teenaged nephews, niece and many of their friends, Calvin and I were too tired to go out shooting and I was not feeling up to being iconic. So not bothering to get changed or dressed up, I threw on some lipstick and sunglasses and we crossed the hall to our stairway to get “something”. So here you have me: simple, almost unadorned, transparent, just me.
What’s your personal version of authenticity?
Not having to pretend to be someone else in order to be acceptable whether it be in a workplace or social situation. Sometimes circumstances demand that we do this for a period of time to earn a living or maintain family relationships and I think we all slide up and down an authenticity spectrum. However if you live at the wrong end of the spectrum for too long it starts to be corrosive.
Leaving behind work in a more corporate (albeit public sector) environment has enabled me to feel like "myself" a great deal more of the time. I returned to acting part time some time ago and ironically my first film part was playing a public sector CEO, one evening very tired after a long day filming I realised that in felt more like myself acting this part than I had for years doing the "real" thing and realised that something had to change. It took six months to make the break and now two years later it’s still work in progress but I recognise the person in the mirror more often these days!
Your story is an inspiration! It also speaks to the notion of performativity. Authenticity becomes a hard state to achieve when there are so many social scripts. We will follow your return to acting eagerly.
Not having to pretend to be someone else in order to be acceptable whether it be in a workplace or social situation. Sometimes circumstances demand that we do this for a period of time to earn a living or maintain family relationships and I think we all slide up and down an authenticity spectrum. However if you live at the wrong end of the spectrum for too long it starts to be corrosive.
Leaving behind work in a more corporate (albeit public sector) environment has enabled me to feel like "myself" a great deal more of the time. I returned to acting part time some time ago and ironically my first film part was playing a public sector CEO, one evening very tired after a long day filming I realised that in felt more like myself acting this part than I had for years doing the "real" thing and realised that something had to change. It took six months to make the break and now two years later it’s still work in progress but I recognise the person in the mirror more often these days!
Your story is an inspiration! It also speaks to the notion of performativity. Authenticity becomes a hard state to achieve when there are so many social scripts. We will follow your return to acting eagerly.
I love that top – I too avoid florals and anything but a monochrome palette, but this top is very tempting. The magazine looks really interesting too – visiting Canada in the summer so I will look out for it.
I have been wearing that top all the time. The droopy sleeves and sheer make it the perfect summer cover.
I love that top – I too avoid florals and anything but a monochrome palette, but this top is very tempting. The magazine looks really interesting too – visiting Canada in the summer so I will look out for it.
I have been wearing that top all the time. The droopy sleeves and sheer make it the perfect summer cover.
Your photo – a study in being true to yourself…beautiful.
From the time I was about 12 my mother encouraged me to "be an individual, don’t follow the crowd" … that defines my authenticity, being true to my unique spirit and character regardless of what fashion dictates or what others may think.
A lovely definition and a very wise mother.
Or perhaps the styling challenge is how to creat something new that reflects both the old and new and is not either/or. Who knows what you can come up with!
Your photo – a study in being true to yourself…beautiful.
From the time I was about 12 my mother encouraged me to "be an individual, don’t follow the crowd" … that defines my authenticity, being true to my unique spirit and character regardless of what fashion dictates or what others may think.
A lovely definition and a very wise mother.
I struggle a bit with authenticity in my clothes.Like Maureen I thought as soon as I retired from my office job that I would only wear those garments that reflect my new creative life,but I am having problems letting some of my more corporate clothes go-this has surprised me!It may be because I make most of my clothes so I am attached to them more than I would be If they were others creations.Perhaps I have to ease into this new "me" and the clothes will follow.
Or perhaps the styling challenge is how to creat something new that reflects both the old and new and is not either/or. Who knows what you can come up with!
Complex nuances in dissecting any concept. You have given us all something to think about when it comes to revelation.
Uncanny. I have been thinking about authenticity and ‘realness’ a lot lately. No conclusions as yet, but I think there is something about being present in the moment, about knowing in myself what I feel and think, and that this allows me to be ‘real’, however much or little I choose to reveal. As Maureen says below, there is a spectrum for authenticity depending on circumstances – it might not always be appropriate or even safe to reveal all. I also think that authenticity in a person allows others to feel OK about being more open and real, and in that way can be incredibly powerful as part of leadership, working relationships, teaching – any human interactions. I have ordered a copy of Lone Wolf, it sounds really interesting. Thank you for your inspiring words, I love your blog.
Complex nuances in dissecting any concept. You have given us all something to think about when it comes to revelation.
The interesting question then becomes, "What is safe?" And what that means can be different for each of us.
The realization that " finding "authenticity" is a continual process. I express it most when I feel in a safe environment where I’m not judged.
That top and those earrings. Love.
Eileen Fisher pants: a staple.
The interesting question then becomes, "What is safe?" And what that means can be different for each of us.
It feels to me at least from reading your blog that I always experience a very consistent authenticity to you and the style choices you make.
Have lately been thinking a lot about authenticity and how it relates to style, and in the process of writing about it, realized that much of what informs my style is a very strong practical streak. Those EF pants are a staple of mine too! And they’re surprisingly cool in the heat. LOVE the print on that top. For me to wear florals, they either need to be "dark" or very graphic.
It feels to me at least from reading your blog that I always experience a very consistent authenticity to you and the style choices you make.
I’ve mulled over this question since I saw it posted. Even serendipitiously came across Lone Wolf on IG a few days after first reading about it on your blog. The founder’s openness is refreshing, giving enouragement and hope to individuals, such as myself, who at times, often times, in transition, too, fear goals and dreams cannot be reached on sweat equity alone. Thus, authenticity is a sharing of one’s heart, the heart’s courage despite the sometimes counterintuitive cerebral attempt to remain guarded for fear of appearing vulnerable. The heart gives impetus for dreams, the head the means to strategically and logistically select and place into position the tools to reach the pinnacle of that which lifts us, that which is lifegiving, that which serves to encourage others. Certainly discretion, prudence has its place; however, kindness, compassion, and empathy for each other often takes more courage than lifting the heavy shield to protect that sometimes awful, flailing feeling of vulnerability. And it can be through that kind of courage, in its most fragile sense, we find our greatest strength in our achievement for self and others.
C.e.
White Dog Living
So thoughtful in the way you seem to have captured the feelings I suspect many of us in our transitioning are facing. The richness and complexity of the experience, the fear and the joy are such an essential aspect. That encouraging, vulnerable yet brave voice of the editor is what I found engaging as well.
I’ve mulled over this question since I saw it posted. Even serendipitiously came across Lone Wolf on IG a few days after first reading about it on your blog. The founder’s openness is refreshing, giving enouragement and hope to individuals, such as myself, who at times, often times, in transition, too, fear goals and dreams cannot be reached on sweat equity alone. Thus, authenticity is a sharing of one’s heart, the heart’s courage despite the sometimes counterintuitive cerebral attempt to remain guarded for fear of appearing vulnerable. The heart gives impetus for dreams, the head the means to strategically and logistically select and place into position the tools to reach the pinnacle of that which lifts us, that which is lifegiving, that which serves to encourage others. Certainly discretion, prudence has its place; however, kindness, compassion, and empathy for each other often takes more courage than lifting the heavy shield to protect that sometimes awful, flailing feeling of vulnerability. And it can be through that kind of courage, in its most fragile sense, we find our greatest strength in our achievement for self and others.
C.e.
White Dog Living
So thoughtful in the way you seem to have captured the feelings I suspect many of us in our transitioning are facing. The richness and complexity of the experience, the fear and the joy are such an essential aspect. That encouraging, vulnerable yet brave voice of the editor is what I found engaging as well.
Hi AI,
Love your blog. Particularly like this post. I was struck by the circumstances behind this photo because it is the first one I’ve stopped to contemplate beyond a style statement. Just wanted to share that connection.
So glad to hear you say that because that is exactly what this blog hopes to do!
Hi AI,
Love your blog. Particularly like this post. I was struck by the circumstances behind this photo because it is the first one I’ve stopped to contemplate beyond a style statement. Just wanted to share that connection.
So glad to hear you say that because that is exactly what this blog hopes to do!
It really depends on the mood. Authenticity is a part of how we communicate so it should be a statement. Can we make it visible by what we wear or by how we feel wearing certain things? A sheer T-shirt!
Once again a new question for us to ponder is it inside or outside that is the driver and can it sometimes be either?
It really depends on the mood. Authenticity is a part of how we communicate so it should be a statement. Can we make it visible by what we wear or by how we feel wearing certain things? A sheer T-shirt!
Once again a new question for us to ponder is it inside or outside that is the driver and can it sometimes be either?