Monday, June 1, 2009
Do you really have a choice?
This old Wendy's ad struck so true to me, for as I was twirling the beginnings of Wrinkle in 2003, writing up an angsty storm about fashion and societal structure, a big part of it was about choice.
Choice as we know it is related more having options in front of us, determined by someone else, than creative or truly independent choices based on an infinite number of possibilities. I am sure it would be harder to govern a population that was accustomed to using its full potential in that way.
This old Wendy's ad plays on what would be an American point of view of freedom, and its antithesis, this gray Roussky picture of Communism. There is truth in it, and comedy too, but what gets me is how it is used to play into our minds, particularly susceptible to the image of freedom as having "choice". And not only choice, but this ad makes a stab at fashion, one of THE absolute purveyors of the image of happiness and well-being.
Have you ever noticed how many designer interviews begin with the story of, "I started making clothes because I couldn't find anything I liked out there?" I think this absolutely must be true for a lot of designers, and remains true for a lot of super small fashion creators too, even if we are just doing DIY refashioning. And Threadbanger has had terrific success, because the DIY culture touches every element of our lives. And we ALL wear clothes.
It pleases me so much to see the breadth of people who would rather explore through making and remaking, than play into the old game. And those who are involved directly too, by widening the scope of choice into something full of unbridled imagination through supporting small indie designers. I don't believe we can or should make everything we need, but neither should everything we need be furnished by so few, such controlled sources. And some great things have been invented by non-experts!
I'd love to know:
In what ways does fashion contribute to your happiness?
Are there any important questions you ask yourself before making a fashion choice?
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2 comments:
In what ways does fashion contribute to your happiness?
--There is something about putting together a look and going out into the world that makes me feel complete and whole. Human beings, after all, are not truly naked creatures; our clothes and accessories are PART of what we are. When my look is in harmony with my experience and my environment, I feel to be seamlessly part of the greater existence of the cosmos.
Are there any important questions you ask yourself before making a fashion choice?
--I have quite limited financial means and similarly limited sewing skills. My choices have to be good ones because I can't afford any mistakes. This is also difficult because as I get older, I find that more expensive clothes suit my developing taste, and I have to go without them, which is painful (see answer above.
Nonetheless, regardless of how much money I have, the three main questions are:
1. Does this piece REALLY fit me?
2. Can I wear this over and over again without hating it or myself?
3. Does this develop my style in some direction or am I going with habit? (Sometimes habit is ok, but it's important to be clear whether I am trying to develop or just get some staples.)
In my opinion our clothes help us to show our personality. Many people say, we are what we are wearing, but that's not true. Perhaps you want to be fashionable, but there could be some fanancional problems.
When I buy something, I always try it on, and try to decide if I really need it. When I see one of my favourite shops I feel that I must buy something, and I always find something that I need, or just suits me. I'm trying not to become a shopaholic, but that's difficult in this consumer society.
That's also my bad habit, I sometimes buy clothes which I could wear only once in my life, very decorative, but necessary? Not sure. All in all, I encourage everyone to think twice before you buy a dress.
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