Photo by: Rachel Hopkins @rachel_hopkinshair
“I always wanted to project my woman as a little fragile, someone who is not that confident and might be struggling.”
In the most recent bibliography I posted a link to a feature about a young designer who is also a finalist for the LMVH prize, Rok Kwang. I was taken by his clothes as well as the gentleness and humility he conveyed in his interview. I was also very much drawn to the garments: a modern and subversive take on traditional pieces, the combination of fragility and strength, suburb tailoring, beautiful draping and the option of hiding ones vulnerabilities if one chooses to do so. The quote from his interview that I have highlighted above really captured how I have been feeling lately. The photo, taken by a hairstylist on a magazine shoot last week, shows and evokes my little bit fragile yet yearning young self. Well, the woman inside, as we have been discussing. I want to kiss and hug this young designer and the hairstylist for “seeing” me and expressing what I was having trouble finding the words for. Fashion always comes through for me.
Just like creativity, confidence sometimes has ebbs and flows and one struggles to find their way. Those of you who know me know about my bit of shyness and feelings of vulnerability which through the use of sunglasses and a photographer who is my life partner I manage to overcome enough to fling myself out into the digital world. At times I feel really right about it all, at others not so much. Like this designer I have been thinking about how to do something disruptive yet keep the essential, traditional core of the project I started almost four years ago. I must confess I have been “struggling” or “fretting”, to continue the dialog.
On the set of the photoshoot the other day there was delicious conversation, inspiration and experimentation. Some of you may know that recently Iris Apfel published a book entitled Accidental Icon. Many of my followers took umbrage at this. For some reason I was not so annoyed because I do not own the copyright or trademark to the name. I was only annoyed when someone left a comment on Facebook saying I was a fraud who was trying to make money by using Iris Apfel’s name, Accidental Icon. Despite having no legal recourse I was urged by many to fight this and “do” something. Now here is why i love young people. When the topic came up at the photoshoot the team decided that the best approach would be to change my name and they thought”Accidentally Iconic.” was more active and a better fit. The rest of the day became about creating her. I brought one of the wigs I told you about to the photoshoot and the hairstylist cut it up, making bangs and giving it a choppy cut. I love it! They even came up with a sub-heading given my more recent writing and the projects I have been taking on: Accidentally Iconic: Chronicles of Real Beauty. Like the piece below from Rokh’s AW2018 collection, it keeps the tradition yet somehow disrupts enough to keep things interesting.
I kind of like the new name, what do you think?
I do love the "active voice" approach it evokes a sense of reality about how we are experiencing the aging process – actively not passively!
Thanks for being you.
I like your original name.
I think you should keep it.
You can prove (i think) that you’ve been using it long before the book, and the book is a one time thing that will fade from the spotlight.
I think it’s better! You lose some of the recognition gained from the Accidental Icon name but it is more descriptive of what and who you are! Good luck deciding!
When I saw your lead-in photo I thought, Oh, Lyn has put a 20-something model on there. Then I read your piece. Stunning photo and it does convey the feelings you have voiced. Clothes speak all, and you know how to play with the volume. And wigs, well, they are just magic.
As for the name, I was alarmed when I saw the Apfel title and miffed that the publisher would choose that name. I thought, really?!
Whatever you go with, you’ll make it work. If you keep this name, you could consider a note as a footer that says you had this name before the book to deflect criticism. A book is static, titles fade. This forum is dynamic and your URL is top in the Google searches.
My thoughts…what if someone decides to use Accidentally Iconic in a book title or other project – work…then would you change the name you use again?
I understand someone picked the name Accidental Icon for you to use and now a team picks Accidentally Iconic. Time for you to pick the name that you want to reflect who you are in your fashion statement to the world.
I like the new name.
Whatever you name it, trademark it. ❤️
I like the new name! Very much!
Quedamos las personas como otras no respetan , da lugar a pensar si vale la penas esa lucha . Si se puede demostrar , con " pelos y señales", como se dice por aqui, España.
Me gusta " el sucesor del otro".
Ahora empezamos un nuevo ciclo. !ADELANTE!.
I do like the new name but you really need to take the steps necessary to own it – otherwise I can see the same thing happening again.
Iris has been called The Accidental Icon for many many years. She will be leaving a legacy, an attitude, not a moniker. How wonderful for women of any level (aka age)to have role models and champions to cheer on. Wear your badge with pride. What you do is more important than what you are called.
The best thing about this is your willingness to fight in a growing way. Meaning, you don’t have to pitch a fit, you can simply flow in another direction. A self empowering, dynamic motion that has inspired me deeply!
Thank you for sharing your process!
Your shared strength and vulnerability and the wonderings between make your blog important to me. Thank you!
The evolution of my own name (Mary Suzanne), from "Mary Sue", coined by my grandad to "Sue", by my teenage boyfriend, and finally to "Suzanne" during the beginnings of a deep (and late!) exploration of self, signifies so strongly for me. My mom told me much later that I was always meant to be called Suzanne. All this to say, its great that you are flexible but you don’t need to give your name away if you don’t want to.
When do we give way and when do we stand up? The heart knows.
I like the new name. It has more movement and fluidity to it. I would trademark it, if possible.
Great new name! No need in life to waste time on fruitless battles – move on, create forward, blossom endlessly –
I have gone through many name changes and depending on what age I was when some knew me, determined what they called me. I find it rather interesting. As much as I love your original name, Accidental Icon, there is nothing like moving forward into a new and creative identity. The new title seems to be a good fit!
I like "Icon-Accidentally"…..
I think it’s very healthy and current to reinvent oneself as needed. Love "Accidentally Iconic"
Hi Lyn,
I have been following your blog for a while. You will always be the "accidental icon" to me just as Leandra will always be "man repeller." I have heard Iris referred to as a "septarian starlet" in the press. I have also seen her referred to as a "rare bird" after her exhibit at the Met. She is generally referred to as a fashion icon. (With her passion for originality and self-expression, I cannot imagine that she would have knowingly taken a blog title from someone else.)
If you have concerns about your blog title, you can look at protecting it for the future.
(You could also contact the publisher and ask for a blurb about the book and the origin of the title and refer to it on your blog.) You could always ask to do an interview with Iris and embrace the uniqueness of your self-expression. (You two might have more in common than you think.)
I like your blog and will continue to read it. If you have outgrown the title, such as Debbie of "Recovering Shopaholic", you can always create a new blog, her new blog is called "Full Life Reflections" and link it to the old.
Regards,
Margarita
Maggie
I think the publisher copied you. However, if you plan on doing a book at any time, you could copyright the name. Or you could approach that same publisher for your book.
I find it hard to believe that Iris would have taken the title
Hi Lyn
I thought you might be interested in this article :
https://problogger.com/why-bloggers-need-to-do-more-than-just-trademark-their-blog-name/
Warm Regards,
Maggie
You have a perfect right to choose a new name if it suits you, but I dig in my heels at the idea of having a change forced upon you for any reason. Please take your time and find the name that feels like the best fit — a fragile, beautifully tailored, well draped name! — and model it in the most propitious season. You have always been about refusing to be bullied or dictated to. Please don’t lose sight of that ideal!
Hi Lyn,
love the photo. And love the wig.
Unfortunately can’t find the article about "… the wigs I told you about…".
As I would like to try out a wig myself I hope to get more information on the one(s) you used.
Thanks.
And … don’t waste your precious time on worrying about the title "accidental icon". There have been people – others than you – being called that in the past. And there will be people – others than you – being called that in the future. But you are the TRUE Accidental Icon. At least for us following your beautiful blog.
Love,
Tina.
I prefer Accidental icon.. Accidentally iconic is too long and hard to pronounce. You shouldn’t have to change your name, you had it first!! Please speak to a lawyer and check your rights. Sincerely Yours
Accidentally Iconic is a better fit for your writing style and unique prespective on the artistic flare of personal fashion. ??
I’m truly shocked your name was taken. It is so lovely. I would "gently inspire" you to create a completely different name that shows your beautiful evolution and continuing stunning transformations as you, as we all are, pilgrimage through this serpentine life. A name that embraces your beautifully shared strengths and vulnerabilities, which make you so authentic, true to yourself and your audience, and relatable.
Noel & the big dog
I love your blog and I am new to it. So happy to read a less slang language and normal length paragraphs. I love your pictures, clothing style, your boldness and nerve.
I like Accidentally Iconic better because it feels more fluid and promises movement, while Accidental Icon feels more static.
Just found out about you and your blog.. You rock and inspire me at the age of 67! Would appreciate fashion advice resources for social events like a casual wedding reception, . Also, where did you get the wig with the choppy bangs? I have to wear wigs most of the time now. Will check out Rok Kwang and look forward to hearing more from you and your fans!
Do it your way. The way you want to be perceived. You have so much to offer and your time, energy, and fabulous photos are greatly appreciated! My whole attitude has changed in just the last week since I found you. I had about 7" of my hair cut off today and have embraced my grey hair for the first time in 63 1/2 years.
Thank you