Photo: Calvin Lom, Wearing Schai
The summer remains slow and easy. One part of me is glad as I have the time and leisure to do whatever I want. Another part of me is anxious as there have been some big changes in my new professional life that require me to live with a great deal of uncertainty. I have come to the conclusion that in this time in history, and for the purpose of this project, fashion history, one must learn to live with a kind of chronic uncertainty. In speaking with a friend yesterday about her emerging brand, she lamented about never being able to get “there”. What I realized is that right now in the world of fashion we really do not know what “there” is. It has yet to be defined, it is emerging (just like her). As old structures go away, like department stores and retail, new structures are rising up to take their place and whether or not they will be successful is still an experiment.
In a wonderful essay in BOF, Tim Blanks expressed this sentiment so beautifully in his thoughts about the recent couture show in Paris. He put into words far more eloquently than I ever could my feeling while watching: confusion. Is couture RTW, haute couture, resort, past or future, experimentation or purposeful commercialization? In other words the couture show was the perfect metaphor for what seems to be happening in fashion. No one quite knows how to fill this gaping space of the unknown and are throwing in everything we can to see what will stick or perhaps rise to the top.
The challenge of holding uncertainty and being thoughtful about how one might stretch beyond their current boundaries and parameters to create something that is modern and fits with the time we live in seems to be something I and fashion are have in common right now. I have come to the understanding that because of technology and the pace of it there will never be a “there” for any substantial length of time. Three or five year plans, so dependable in the past, are no longer relevant because in this age things can change in a minute and I cannot predict what will be in the next 6 months, much less a year.
The potential disruption in my trajectory made me once again realize that the only thing I can control is my product and I return to the place I always come back to: focusing on creating.. Whether that means learning more about video editing, pitching to independent magazines, helping others tell their unique stories or writing a book, it is all in the creation. In meeting and talking with a range of creative people over the last two weeks I have the makings of a mind map. with tentacles that can reach near or far. They are ideas, not goals and substitute for a linear business plan. They are organic like the clothes and earrings I am wearing in this post. They map desire which at the end of the day is what I believe fashion is really about.
What is in your creative mind map?
The world of fashion is SO uncertain and fickle which is why I no longer make clothes for retail and concentrate on creating garments for a few individuals who understand my style and are prepared to experiment with me. Now that I am older I have the luxury of not needing to make a living from my work ,for which I am grateful as it allows me to be much more free to express myself and take risks.
These are all the characteristics I have been reading about in those who are going to be successful in this new space. Everything is experimentations risk failure and experiment again. You should teach a workshop!
I think it transcends everything, fashion, art, education, government etc. today because of the speed of technology, change and communication.
Great post . Do you think the state of "there" so to speak transcends all mediums of art? or just fashion and why ?
I think it transcends everything, fashion, art, education, government etc. today because of the speed of technology, change and communication.
Genial. Beautifull suit, absolutly great stylization and photo. Best regards.
Thank you we had fun shooting it. My friend Suk the designer uses beautiful organic material and I love her lines and so the clothes led me to where they needed to be photographed.
Genial. Beautifull suit, absolutly great stylization and photo. Best regards.
Thank you we had fun shooting it. My friend Suk the designer uses beautiful organic material and I love her lines and so the clothes led me to where they needed to be photographed.
Just love visiting your blog….elegant, eloquent. extraordinary blog. Beautiful words in this essay. Thank you. Kathleen
Thank you for the kind words, they serve as my inspiration
Just love visiting your blog….elegant, eloquent. extraordinary blog. Beautiful words in this essay. Thank you. Kathleen
Thank you for the kind words, they serve as my inspiration
These are uncertain times, not only in fashion but the world at large. I have this feeling that although the uncertainty we live with is unnerving, there is great opportunity for businesses and individuals to make more creative choices in their life and work. You are a perfect example of this. I don’t pretend that it will be easy, but I do think it’s good that the status quo is challenged. http://www.primadarling.com
We are in perfect agreement! What are you doing to be creative?
These are uncertain times, not only in fashion but the world at large. I have this feeling that although the uncertainty we live with is unnerving, there is great opportunity for businesses and individuals to make more creative choices in their life and work. You are a perfect example of this. I don’t pretend that it will be easy, but I do think it’s good that the status quo is challenged. http://www.primadarling.com
We are in perfect agreement! What are you doing to be creative?
I think fashion is also a declaration of freedom. As you said in a post following this one, I believe, true creativity is a breaking out of a structure and redefining oneself. I relate very much to your desire to be unique and to create the language of your own expression.
You have really gotten what I hope to do here: not suggest you should dress like I do but encourage others to feel free and empowered to wear what allows you to express the authentic you not what others are wearing.
I think fashion is also a declaration of freedom. As you said in a post following this one, I believe, true creativity is a breaking out of a structure and redefining oneself. I relate very much to your desire to be unique and to create the language of your own expression.
You have really gotten what I hope to do here: not suggest you should dress like I do but encourage others to feel free and empowered to wear what allows you to express the authentic you not what others are wearing.
I live with a chronic illness and live as you so appropriately say with "chronic uncertainty !"In the beginning anxiety of this uncertainty was difficult, but attacking my anxiety head on and observing this very fast changing and confusing world of ours, my anxiety of uncertainty quickly changed into inventiveness and creativity . As your friend observed: "never being able to get there" is I think what life is. My creative mind map would be to be still better enjoying handling uncertainty in a creative way. Ruth, London
What an inspiration! Any other lessons to share with us about creativity and inventiveness?
I live with a chronic illness and live as you so appropriately say with "chronic uncertainty !"In the beginning anxiety of this uncertainty was difficult, but attacking my anxiety head on and observing this very fast changing and confusing world of ours, my anxiety of uncertainty quickly changed into inventiveness and creativity . As your friend observed: "never being able to get there" is I think what life is. My creative mind map would be to be still better enjoying handling uncertainty in a creative way. Ruth, London
What an inspiration! Any other lessons to share with us about creativity and inventiveness?
I love the feel to the creative mind map, with desires reaching into the known and the unfamiliar, intriguing areas. I temporarily left academia to help with a tech start-up. That was five years ago, and chronic uncertainty is the name of the game. Now that it is coming to fruition, I can leave it in more capable hands. I am reaching back into teaching. It is where I am most comfortable, have a stronger skill set. Yet, at the same time, when I’m supposed to be practicing at articulating my teaching skills for interviews, I find myself swallowing, greedily, articles, blog posts, and instagram galleries of fashion. I know my anchor point, whether in teaching or fashion, has certainly changed. In my mid-fifties, I’ve experienced heavy doses of life that have made me a much stronger woman. For a while I had difficulty rediscovering my evolved self, let alone trying to cultivate it among the niveous transitions from moving to a new state, starting a new business, and continuing to come of age in my own sense of style. At times felt I had nothing to bring to the table in any area, nothing definitive. And it is not uncommon to field resistence from those who would prefer you not to act on internal changes. It’s a multilateral trajectory. I dream beautiful fashion. Then I wake up, saddened that these items are not in my closet, do not exist, yet amazed at what the dark of night creates. I know I must stay grounded in teaching until business and further fashion goals can be met. Perhaps that is why I take so much joy in my little gardening projects, each plant a new life coming into existence…just like my dreams…if I don’t lose the map.
Carmen
Aritotilean Style and a Big Dog (Instagram)
I love the feel to the creative mind map, with desires reaching into the known and the unfamiliar, intriguing areas. I temporarily left academia to help with a tech start-up. That was five years ago, and chronic uncertainty is the name of the game. Now that it is coming to fruition, I can leave it in more capable hands. I am reaching back into teaching. It is where I am most comfortable, have a stronger skill set. Yet, at the same time, when I’m supposed to be practicing at articulating my teaching skills for interviews, I find myself swallowing, greedily, articles, blog posts, and instagram galleries of fashion. I know my anchor point, whether in teaching or fashion, has certainly changed. In my mid-fifties, I’ve experienced heavy doses of life that have made me a much stronger woman. For a while I had difficulty rediscovering my evolved self, let alone trying to cultivate it among the niveous transitions from moving to a new state, starting a new business, and continuing to come of age in my own sense of style. At times felt I had nothing to bring to the table in any area, nothing definitive. And it is not uncommon to field resistence from those who would prefer you not to act on internal changes. It’s a multilateral trajectory. I dream beautiful fashion. Then I wake up, saddened that these items are not in my closet, do not exist, yet amazed at what the dark of night creates. I know I must stay grounded in teaching until business and further fashion goals can be met. Perhaps that is why I take so much joy in my little gardening projects, each plant a new life coming into existence…just like my dreams…if I don’t lose the map.
Carmen
Aritotilean Style and a Big Dog (Instagram)