Celebrating the AgelessEinzelganger Collection
So I earlier reported on some of my more “public” adventures during NYFW week. While I was having the experience of attending more of the “mainstream” events and widely publicized shows, I was continuing to simultaneously experience the world I have been welcomed into right from the start: that of the emerging designers. Unlike the world I had a brief glimpse into which was more about who you are, or who you are seen with rather than the clothes, the small events, market shows and showrooms scattered around the city that are often invisible in the press or coverage of fashion week, are where real conversations happened for me. And most importantly where I saw some of the most unique and exciting clothes.
I have been finding much to my chagrin, in both the world of fashion and in my own school a kind of resentment of the young or the new. The old guard seems threatened by their digital savvy and fresh and different ways to look at problems, whether that be related to design and production of garments, or the development of not-for-profits to address a social problem in a unique way. Their confidence and wish for change seems somehow threatening. Despite engaging in all of the same behaviors that they accuse fashion influencers of having, an elite group of a magazine’s editors launched a snarky attack on let’s face it, young fashion bloggers, which was intelligently and swiftly responded to by Susie Lau (Susie Bubble), one of my favorite young intellects. So as you know I do not do dichotomies so this is not about old v. young. This is about being open to new ideas, sharing your space, supporting and collaborating with other women (and men). It is also not about rejecting mainstream fashion that calls your name. It is more about changing the conversation and changing how we interact with each other.
In the world of the emerging designer I have found that you collaborate and share. That when you meet someone it is not for a three second photo op but that it results in an on-going relationship where you start thinking together about new and different ways to show your talents. Like thinking about a fashion show that is also a conference. It gets you an invite to a carefully curated event like the one pictured above, where you get to meet someone’s parents who are proud of them and where you can feel, touch and look at beautiful garments for more than a fleeting flash as they whisk by you in a big time show. Where there are lots of creative people who want to talk about the clothes, about you, about the exciting project they are working on. It’s a place where you meet other smart women (and men) who want to reinvent, to express their creativity and to “do” fashion differently. These are folks who share opportunities and get as much pleasure from promoting and supporting you as they do from their own work. So after a brief visitation into another sphere I think I know where Accidental Icon really belongs. It is here in the less visible but infinitely more welcoming and creative world of the underground. Somehow I have always known this but for me fashion week confirmed it once again.
What a breath of fresh air. Your observations are keen, and it will be very nice to hear about the world that you embrace. The old guard aren’t really serving the consumer, and do not seem to look upon her with much favor either.
Brilliant. I am in my sixties but find age no boundary to collaboration and shared excitement among other painters, makers, musicians. There is an expanding sense of wanting to be our best selves and offer into rich possibilities everything we can joyfully muster.
Brilliant. I am in my sixties but find age no boundary to collaboration and shared excitement among other painters, makers, musicians. There is an expanding sense of wanting to be our best selves and offer into rich possibilities everything we can joyfully muster.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to us that people whose vested interests are in a multi million pound/dollar industry feel threatened by younger people who wish to retain and develop their creativity precisely by not becoming part of the mainstream. It shouldn’t surprise us but it always does when we encounter the phenomenon from a different direction. A similar thing has been happening in the music industry particularly but not exclusively with younger women artists who are highly collaborative rather than competitive.
And that is the nub of the issue for me, creative industries have always had an uneasy relationship with their underground, they know they need the fresh ideas and energy but they don’t like people and things that resist the pure profit motive.
I think you’ve found your like minds age is irrelevant!!
It shouldn’t be a surprise to us that people whose vested interests are in a multi million pound/dollar industry feel threatened by younger people who wish to retain and develop their creativity precisely by not becoming part of the mainstream. It shouldn’t surprise us but it always does when we encounter the phenomenon from a different direction. A similar thing has been happening in the music industry particularly but not exclusively with younger women artists who are highly collaborative rather than competitive.
And that is the nub of the issue for me, creative industries have always had an uneasy relationship with their underground, they know they need the fresh ideas and energy but they don’t like people and things that resist the pure profit motive.
I think you’ve found your like minds age is irrelevant!!
Your openness to youthful ideas is inspiring — such a reminder that in minds and hearts as well as bones, if we calcify, we can no longer go places! Your attitudes are also civil, a word that deserves high praise these days. Thank you.
Openness to new ideas without the emphasis on dichotomies. Love that.
Where is the conversation happening? So far the mainstream media has shaped the following narrative: it’s the "young" who disrupt and dominate. The "old" are in the way and resistant to working with the young. This media driven stereotype has been repeated regularly across the internet.
Truth be told: I’m saddened when people with ideas can’t expose them due to social/cultural restrictions. I’m saddened that the real progressive discussions aren’t seen by the populace.
I hope you can facilitate broader discussions and raise this from the "underground." Please continue to share inclusive resources. Maybe there needs to be a summit or organization to bring like minded folks together.
Thanks for your post.
Lyn, I hear what you’re saying on all fronts. At a less elite level my experience with young creatives has been positive as well. I really dislike the dichotomy too, I’ll call it segregation. However it’s not at all easy being seen and heard by young people and hence the "us and them." I agree whole heartedly about the smaller, back street fashion happenings! The Susie Bubble and Bryan Boy thing was sad but they came out ahead. Let’s face it, those with power, the old guard, seldom want to give it up. xx
Lyn, I hear what you’re saying on all fronts. At a less elite level my experience with young creatives has been positive as well. I really dislike the dichotomy too, I’ll call it segregation. However it’s not at all easy being seen and heard by young people and hence the "us and them." I agree whole heartedly about the smaller, back street fashion happenings! The Susie Bubble and Bryan Boy thing was sad but they came out ahead. Let’s face it, those with power, the old guard, seldom want to give it up. xx
Lyn, thank you, I really enjoyed this and the previous post. Firstly I was moved by your grace and humility and secondly you touched on something that is a little bit of a ‘thing’ for me. Being in that space myself at the moment of having the privilege of collaborating with a couple of new, independent designers – one young and one not so young – I am finding their openness exciting, stimulating and there is a strong sense of inclusion, Part of my own passion is that fashion/style should be available to all yet in some spheres the environment can be very exclusive with an attitude that only a select few ‘belong’ there, which sadly closes the door to new and creative ideas.
Lyn, thank you, I really enjoyed this and the previous post. Firstly I was moved by your grace and humility and secondly you touched on something that is a little bit of a ‘thing’ for me. Being in that space myself at the moment of having the privilege of collaborating with a couple of new, independent designers – one young and one not so young – I am finding their openness exciting, stimulating and there is a strong sense of inclusion, Part of my own passion is that fashion/style should be available to all yet in some spheres the environment can be very exclusive with an attitude that only a select few ‘belong’ there, which sadly closes the door to new and creative ideas.
I am dreaming about a fashion week in a big city. I am dreaming about meeting those special people!
I am dreaming about a fashion week in a big city. I am dreaming about meeting those special people!
WOW, I read that linked article – I’m out of the loop and didn’t know but I’m not surprised. Where does the so-called establishment think designers get their ideas? Often from the streets. And not all of those people outside shows are wearing brands; many are young designers showcasing their own work or mashing up clothes in a whole new way. I can relate to your desire to hang out with emerging designers, full of enthusiasm and hope for the future.
WOW, I read that linked article – I’m out of the loop and didn’t know but I’m not surprised. Where does the so-called establishment think designers get their ideas? Often from the streets. And not all of those people outside shows are wearing brands; many are young designers showcasing their own work or mashing up clothes in a whole new way. I can relate to your desire to hang out with emerging designers, full of enthusiasm and hope for the future.
Love how this was written and love the hope and excitement of new designers
Love how this was written and love the hope and excitement of new designers