Onee-Kei, another wonderful Japanese expression of style !

I can see why Gwen Stefani is so obsessed with the Japanese fashion scene. The Japanese have a way of interpreting and reinventing things that could be considered everyday and giving them an aura of mystique. Subtlety is considered an art in Japan, socially as well as stylistically, and clearly this form of discipline has honed the skills of Japanese designers and artists to a high degree. Sometimes creativity blossoms within even rigid limitations, sometimes it can even be reinvigorated by those limits and provide a stimulus to new growth.

I recieved my latest e-mail update from Jezebel.com. I saw this great article on Onee-kei, which means "older sister " in Japanese. A lot of people have seen Harajuku style and other well covered forms of Japanese fashion , but check this link to see the cute style pages of Onee-kei.

http://jezebel.com/5419239/fun-with-fashion-onee%20kei-is-cute-not-costumey/gallery/

The Fox is officially watching the Hen House

I happened upon an excellent blog and a great post recently. The title asked whether or not the gender gap exists in fashion.

http://www.teacup.topstitched.com.au/2009/11/the-gender-gap-does-it-exist-in-fashion/


I pounced on the opportunity to get something out in the open that has been nagging my mind for awhile, sometimes it takes the right person or set of circumstances to bring up what is in someone's heart.
The author was talking about how in the fashion industry, men have so many more of the higher paying jobs, and that fashion design has been dominated especially in recent years, primarily by gay male designers and that because those who dole out opportunities for exposure to the media and advancement in the fields of fashion, give preferential treatment to gay male designers because there is a persistent belief that gay men know better what women want from thier apparel than women designers do.

I believe that this is  propaganda that has been viciously aggrandized by male fashion designers and the mainstream has accepted it wholeheartedly, because it's easy to get people to agree on the subject of women being inferior at something.

It is unfortunate that an industry supposedly made for women ( and one that is so lucrative ) is so good at oppressing them.

I remember watching one particular episode of Project Runway  a few years back, where the contestant Wendy Pepper was torn apart by judge Michael Kors. He looked at her with what was clearly a jealous outrage in his eyes and said  " Is this supposed to be about you as a woman?!"  Well, clearly the fact that she is a woman and the fact that the clothes are going to be worn by a woman might have some value? I couldn't believe that he was that angry. I questioned then and there the real purpose of this show and the motives and intentions of Michael Kors. I at least question his ability to judge that show if he is so misogynistic and  threatened by the unique perspective that women will always be able to bring to being a women's clothing designer.

I think that the chase for prominence and market power is the excuse for this woman hating behavior to parade itself so shamelessly in all of our publications, tv shows and other media. I am tired of hearing this confidence eroding lie spouted by people in fashion, women deserve respect, not to be marginalized and silenced  yet again by the industry that is supposed to serve our whims and desires. Where is the outrage by women leaders in the fashion industry against such degradation?

Of course if you ask some gay male designers what they think, they will say that they think they are better at it, and come up with elaborate philosophies as to why,  none of which are particularly well thought out.

I hope that women out there who are struggling with their creative aspirations and endeavors will not allow this  type of thinking to chip away at thier confidence. Women need reasons to feel good about themselves and their intrinsic value. I know I certainly could have used a "shot in the arm" when I was younger and if I had not believed myself that women were not as artistically apt as men I would have started my own career with much more gusto and ambition.

I hope this link and article reach female artists to give confidence.

On style sans riches

I found this jacket at the thrift store for 4 dollars

I  have always been the type of person to be very aware of and concerned with my physical  surroundings, not just how safe and clean they are but how delightful  and aesthetically pleasing they are or could be. I even fussed over these thoughts as a young child and often I used art to bring into my life what I felt it lacked. We were never a wealthy family but I grew up living close by to a wealthy area and I was able to enjoy some of the finer things that life has to offer from time to time, maybe because of the kindness of relatives or just taking a walk through these beautiful areas and window shopping for the life I aspired to.

Now that I am an adult woman with much more perspective and now that I have gotten to know my likes and dislikes quite well, more than ever I always want to tell people to feel good about themselves regardless of wealth because from what I have experienced, money does not buy taste or style.

To be more concrete with my example, Clothing. I love, like most gals to look at fashion and the magazines and aspire to be fashionable too. But fashion can be ridiculous in it's expectations  and can also be influenced by the viewpoints of people that may have unreal ideas about women and what women want.( Think of some of the ridiculous S+M fashions that come and go ).  I have found that with a few dollars you can go down to the local thrift store and find a gorgeous vintage blazer made with excellent craftship and 100 % wool. I put it on with a comfortable thin tee, a cool necklace and my most flattering pair of twenty dollar jeans I found at Marshalls and I feel like a million bucks because 1. it's comfortable 2. it's my individual expression and 3. fit is everything! I remember reading somewhere that even a 3000 dollar Chanel suit can look terrible or cheap if it doesn't fit right.

How do you feel about fashion, luxury and money? Tell me your thoughts.

Karl Lagerfeld insults his largest audience

I saw the recent reports on Karl Lagerfeld and his comments defending the use of underweight models and how noone wants to see curvy women. I felt I must stick up for my gals, because I love fashion and beauty and I have admired Karl Lagerfeld's work in the past.  I guess it isn't entirely shocking because he has an obvious arrogance. But it is foolish of Karl to disrespect women in general, does he really not realize that women are one of the largest consumer demographics and that a large part of that demographic are women who would be considered  "curvy", especially by his unrealistic standards? As for noone wanting to see curvy women, I long for the days of the nineties " supers "Cindy, Linda,Christy,Claudia and Naomi, when the most popular cover girls held my interest because they represented something I actually wanted to aspire to, CURVES! As a teen I couldn't wait to develop womanly curves, and I was behind the crowd for a long time. I also know that most of the women I know, whether they are single, dating or married, their boyfriends and husbands love their curves.
I also feel that what I saw of his collection this season was less than great. It's my personal opinion that men dominate too much of the taste making in womens fashion today and Karl's recent faux pas is a perfect example of why. Male designers should temper their ambitions with a little humility, after all they may know what women like but they are not women, they will never have a first hand experience.

So a big thumbs down to you Karl Lagerfeld, for insulting women everywhere and being thoroughly unstylish.
I hope to see more thoughtful fashion from you in the future, because maybe Anna Wintour doesn't want to see curvy women but we the people do!