Just read a brilliant article on Business of Fashion that I thought I’d share with you guys. It sums up my views far more eloquently than I could!
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2014/01/op-ed-happened-street-style.html
It seems that street style (and indeed some bloggers) have sold out one step too far. I have no problem with bloggers taking product gifts, or getting paid for articles – in fact I’d love to do it myself. However, the bit I take issue with is wearing head-to-toe designer (especially if it’s all ONE designer) as I don’t think it shows any creativity or flair – it’s easy to look amazing if your outfit cost £3000!
“But is anything new being said when a street style star like Anna Dello Russo, editor-at-large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan, wears a head-to-toe look from Prada or Balmain? Can this really be construed as street style any longer?”
“What’s more, when street style stars actively court the camera — dressing to be photographed instead of dressing according to one’s own wishes — with carefully planned and executed ensembles, what we get is polish and poise with none of the instinctive and idiosyncratic gestures of true personal style. “
“When was the last time you saw a street style image featuring someone who looked as though they just tossed on something they had hanging in their closet and it came together in an unexpected or surprising way that’s genuine and perhaps changed your eye a bit?”
Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject…..!
Definitely agree with this- especially when the price points are so unreachable for most people. Who’s spending over $3,000 on an outfit? Definitely not your average person, and I’ve always been a firm believe that working within a budget encourages you to be more creative!
Thanks for posting this! What an interesting read. And I couldn’t agree more. Street style has changed so much in recent years, especially with the advent and popularity of Pinterest.
So glad you liked it too. I really felt it summed up my views!
We absolutely agree with you … being stylish depends not on the outfit, but in how you wear and style it. Great post. Have a fabulous week, luv.
XOXO N & N
Totally agree. It can be new, old, plain, or bright, as long as you feel amazing in it. That’s true style.
Boy, Max Berlinger nails it with laser-like focus in this great little op-ed piece! Seems to me the main accomplishment of so-called street style stars is crashing the fashion party–garnering the attention (and money) lavished on actors and models without having to do the actual work of being actors or models. Fine if that’s what they want–but let’s just be clear that they’re leaving behind the style party. As Max points out, “… true style, at its best, says something deep and intrinsic about the wearer.” That is, style entails getting dressed from the inside out–letting your thoughts, feelings, self-explorations, and responses to the world influence what you wear. For the truly creative, the perspective of one particular designer (if you can actually afford to dress that way) may yield ideas but is unlikely, by itself, to satisfy for long. Berlinger’s right–if you want to see real street style, follow Bill Cunningham. Or have a look at Ari Seth Cohen’s photos of older ladies at Advanced Style. They may skew toward mainly wealthy white New Yorkers, but the “Who are you wearing?” question is one Arie never asks.
Totally agree – the people wearing things unpaid are the ones really creating style! And yes I do include us in that group 😉