Now hear me out, By no means am I saying that fashion is all old and nothing new but, rather, a recycle of old ideas into present fresh runway turn outs. Personally I find it challenging to define today’s iconic style, something that is truly rooted from our times! We have taken all the past influences and future ones to create what we call a ‘Modern Look’ if not ‘Modern Twist’. Who can steal or even claim ownership to the 1920’s flapper or the 1950’s Glamour? What exactly can we say rightfully belongs to the 2000’s? In as much as our designers are bursting at the seams with talent and ideas, how long will we continue to look back in-order to move forward? Are we running out of NEW? When will we exhaust the recycling fashion process and begin a new one? Or are we still going to play it safe with titles like “Bringing back the…”and ‘Vintage’. I have never really believed much in Fashion like I do in Style, and every time I hype at a range by a renowned fashion designer I stop and re-think…“Fashion fades but only style remains the same”- Coco Chanel. Not to drag you to church but she must have somehow understood Ecclesiastes 1:9 “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Though I doubt she was ever a religious woman. lol.
I didn’t believe in wearing vintage (but loved it when worn by others), today I stand as a proud owner of about 6 high waist pleated maxi-skirts and colourful brogues; not forgetting bags which are by far my treasured vintage totes borrowed-forever-from mums closet! I’ve given vintage a new out-look and realised that it doesn’t exempt me in any way. Vintage had many times proved to be my nemesis as I failed to pull the look off in my size 36 booty that made me look vintage in age rather than in fashion senses! But oh how I love thee, now that I’ve learnt to make work what back then may not have worked so well for me, I can now along with many others celebrate those true fashion eras in style!
Below is Nongcebo Khumalo, a journalism student at D.U.T and model who really shows us that it’s really a matter of having fun with the old and making it work for you! I love her take on Vintage glam, print on print and colour blocking.
 |
 |
| The above photo is work from/by mindmap SA magazinefeaturing Amava Kamana, Thola Mhlongo, Nongcebo Khumalo & Nomfundo Mgabadeli. |
 |
 |
I absolutely agree with you though. A lot of the current trends do stem from yesteryear. It's funny you should write this article because not long ago a friend of mine wrote a similar post about invention.
ReplyDeleteIn the same token, I too believe in style as opposed to fashion; classic items can be carried through various trends. I also believe that we can all take what is considered fashionable at a point in time and incorporate it into our personal style.
There are designers who've looked more to the future than the past. Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga being a couple of examples of designers who have. But ultimately, we'll always look to the past because the wheel has already been invented and all we can do is try put our twist on it. But perhaps my view is a bit clouded because I have always held previous times with a slight sense of awe - for instance I love how women of Ancient Greece dressed (the types of gowns they wore have inspired many a gorgeous jaw-dropper.
And finally, I love your friend's style. Very well-put-together and definitely sassy vintage :)
Not clouded at all! I understand your point as far as the wheel and i'm loving your take on it and 'looking back'. The wheel is afterall one of the greatest inventions in history! THANK YOU! It's good to hear from a smart thinker! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! I think you have a knack for bringing up interesting topics so I'm always keem to see what you have going on here :)
ReplyDeleteDankie hun!
ReplyDeletelOVE YOUR BLOG...GREAT INSIGHT ON VINTAGE.
ReplyDelete