I'm back!

Okay, so I think I need to re-introduce myself; I'm Emma and i've dedicated this blog to the study of 'what is style?' I've been away from the 'blog scene' for the past year. When I started this blog It was in aid of supporting my degree studies. I came away from here predominantly because of the pressures of the final year which consequently left me with no spare time whatsoever. 

I concluded with a satisfying view on what style is for my dissertation. It isn't black and white. It isn't like fashion, there are no set rules to follow, instead, I think, it comes down to each individual, it's what works for each person, it's natural and isn't forced. It's a visual expression of our soul - there are argumentatively two parts to our existence: our body and our soul. The latter you can't see directly, but it is expressed in how we present ourselves. 

My dissertation went into much more depth obviously, and whilst I came to an almost complete conclusion/ opinion of what I felt style consisted of, I still feel there is much more out there to analyse and further my knowledge in this subjective field of study. 

I'd like to start by sharing with you aspects of what i've found so far, including dissection of interviews i've conducted; other relevant findings, and also keep you in the loop in further research and discussions.

I'll be back soon with what i've found, in the meantime, take a look at my graduation show 'identity' below: 

Also, take a look at my page: 

https://www.facebook.com/EmmaRhodesFashionDesign

Lots of love,

Miss E xxx

Style/ Label

Okay, so I'm probably going to contradict myself here against my previous posts in terms of how I began to define 'style'. I've been attempting to un-pick what we class as style, how we define it and how it is perceived. I alienate the term and put it on a pedestal, considering it to have much more value than other collective groups because I believe it is the depiction of individuality. And while I'm not quite ready to dismiss this view just yet, the more I put 'style' into perspective, the more I see it from another angle. It isn't much different from all these other collective groups, in order to define style we have to compare and analyse what it means to be stylish. We 'label' someone for having style? 


DM: If I said 'What are you?' how would you describe yourself?
D (Duncan): Punk.
DM: You're a punk, right. Definitely, yeah?
D: Through and fucking through.
DM: Yeah, right, good, OK.
D: Fourteen year...um, no, about twelve years.
DM: What's - OK, this is a big question, right - what's punk mean to you?
D: Punk is basically being yourself, freedom, doing what you wanna do, looking like you wanna, like, look like; and then if you look like a punk, well you don't even have to look like a punk, 'cos there's a lot that don't have mohicans or nothing.

(Interview taken from David Muggleton's, 'Inside Subculture, The Postmodern Meaning of Style)


In Duncan's definition of punk above he makes a point of the most important assets being beliefs, attitudes and values moreover the actual exterior which is interesting as this is usually how we would tend to label someone as punk. But more importantly, the assets he states; 'being yourself, freedom, doing what you wanna do, looking like you wanna', pretty much coincides with those values of someone we would associate with as having 'style'. 

So, in actual fact, any group that can be identified and defined is surely yet another label? Another Individual, socio-political drive and focus to belong within a certain group. And while this group might not necessarily be prominently collective, it's still apparent, admittedly more ominous but they're still categorised as being part of a group. Being stylish isn't really as individual and different from the rest of the world as I first thought? In order to define and describe someone as stylish we draw both visual and behavioural qualities from them which fall within the criteria of having style. Therefore by having distinctive individuality, what these stylish loners are actually doing; subconsciously perhaps; is affiliating to yet another definitive organisation of 'Individualism'?

Lightworks 2012

   So obviously my opinion and view is going to be biased, and my optimism about the event tainted because I'm all for Lightworks 'and that'. But if you attended you'll more than likely (hopefully) back me on how successful it was. Grimsby tends to be re-known for and negatively stigmatised by it's lack of enthusiasm. Our town thrived back in the day so it's a shame how it has turned out, almost like it has been forgotten about. Lightworks is an annual event which is hosted mid-March, the last Friday before the clocks go forward ready for summer. The event is an astounding opportunity for local contributors to showcase their talent. 

   As a student specialising in Fashion Design here at the Grimsby Institute, I collaborated with a friend; photography student; in putting together an art/fashion film which was entered and shown at Lightworks. Watch my film HERE. The garments I constructed from shirts and alike materials which were styled as appropriate to portray the themes and undertones. The shirts ironically representing authority, or lack thereof. The film is about not knowing yourself which is taken to the extreme of having amnesia, therefore turning to religion for guidance. But religion is just a metaphor, it's not a given thing that you would turn to religion, but where do you turn? This applies to our place in society too, it's a strong representation of fitting in in general, about society, discovery, re-discovery, fashion extremism even? (Fashion can be followed almost religiously, a NEED, magazines replacing bibles almost like for like). But interperet as you will!

   This years event; for the first time; also included a brilliant performance by a talented bunch called 'I' to which I designed and constructed the costumes for. Likewise this piece was about religion vs science, so the use of shirts within the designs was again used, but this time as more of an asylum, institutionalised portrayal. 

Watch the performance HERE.

   Also, many students were given the opportunity to self brand and promote themselves via designing a postcard which were sold in random packs on the evening. This here is the illustrated design I put forward...

   I had an amazing time working under the pressures of contributing to the event and worked with some amazing people. Stay on the look out for the promotion of the next Lightworks and come along it was very interesting!

Lots of love,

Miss E xxx

'...and the logical way to express ourselves is in the clothes we wear.'

   Here in England we are all compartmentalised into what seems a pre-determined, compact class in society. On the surface there are three groups; upper, middle or lower. I say pre-determined because it all comes down to societal tradition but it's us creatives that break out and stand out from the rest. We're the ones that don't really give a damn about social position and how we're 'supposed to behave' because if we did, we would conform to the boring internal and external social expectations of society which expects us to be normal. Normal being inexpressive and as corpse like as possible. Where's the fun in that? We push boundaries, contrary rebellions and whilst we look to the irony of tradition as inspiration, we're much more turned on by being cool than we are classy.

   So just to confuse the uncomplicated system of English classes a bit more I'll elaborate on the 'Art School Class'. Art school is an uncompromisable contribution to a creative England. An invaluable and necessary experience in one's life. Creativity in the majority of schools seems to be almost frowned upon which is absurd because the world thrives on it. And what's more special about it is that money cannot buy talent. So whatever 'class' you were sectioned into, if you're creative you're an individual in your own right, and when it comes to attending art school, you're enticed by like-minded enthusiasts...it's exciting! Oh wait no, class = normal which ultimately = boring clones. Pfft we're not programmed that way. Let's face it, the majority of old school traditions have been binned so you'd think in this day in age we'd have broken away from this insecure hierarchy of 'social class' and just accepted everyone as equals. This is how it works in the 'Art School Class' system. From all walks of life, like-minded creative thinkers come together, they discuss music, art, politics, fashion, film etc, they collaborate and they make the world a much more visually interesting place to live in. Here it's not about where you came from, it's about what drives you, what makes you tick. Art school gives you the absolute freedom to be whoever you want to be and to have the courage to get out there and show the world exactly how much you couldn't care less about society's suffocating 'rules' and 'guidelines'. Which makes it all the more appealing because in such mundane and stressful times, it's our creative thinkers that lighten up the atmosphere!

    Talking of lightening up! Here in Grimsby, our Art School tribe has collaborated on putting together an exciting event which I recommend you attend! A festival which will celebrate our local talent including film, projection, audio and performance. Come and see what Grimsby has to offer! You won't be disappointed.

Lightworks 2012

Date: Friday 16th March

Location: Grimsby Minster

Click here to find out more on Facebook

Or here to follow Lightworks 2012 on Twitter 

Lots of Love for now,

(And we hope to see you Friday)

Miss E xxx

 

'...It is an arrow, pointing down to our manhood.' Glenn O' Brien

Evening!

   Just a quick post tonight really. I wanted to share my thoughts on the underrated tie! A random topic, expect nothing less on here. I've been thinking about certain staples and their function, and when I came to probably one of the most important elements of the man's/ woman's wardrobe; the tie; I realized that actually, there is no specific 'job' for the tie? Which is ironic because the tie, in terms of style, is extremely useful in all its usefulness. I'll use businessmen as my prime example... They stride around looking all important in their suits, all pretty much identical from a distance. But, it's the tie that sets them apart. Everything from the size; width & length, colours, patterns, material all tells us a lot about the man beneath. The wearer's personality (or lack thereof) is illustrated in his choice of accessory.

   I don't want to get too into a drab, business related post (I'm too flamboyant for all that), so I'll move onto a more artistic example. Back in the day, ties were handpainted by the artist that wore them. As you can probably imagine there were some very interesting and beautiful ties knocking about back then, it was literally there personality on a tie.

I love this little number. A cubist silk tie by Pierre Cardin.

This is more like it...A leather studded tie! Now this might not be appropriate for the business sort but for us creatives that like to wear ties, appreciative of what they are - a beauty accessory, it's up there on my 'top ties'!

Anyway, I did say this would be a short one, but I'll leave on the note - Don't underestimate the uselessness of the tie.

Lots of Love,

Miss E xx

"People have never looked so ugly..."

"...as they do today regarding their dress." Quite a statement from Dame Vivienne Westwood at the recent LFW. Some would probably argue she's in the position to slate today's society in such a manner, given her contribution to British style.

   She seems to think today's fashion is predominantly uninspiring and unflattering, and whether or not she's right to say so - bloody hell, it is! I agree with her that our age is full of clones and that nobody is 'thinking', she even goes as far as saying that it is usually 70 year olds that she tends to notice as having 'style'. And whilst these inspiring characters aren't given nearly half as much the recognition and appreciation they deserve, the minority of us do give this 'think' lark a damn good go! 

   However, what I can't bring myself round to agreeing with is the absurd reference/comparison she makes to Queen Elizabeth's style. What Vivienne fails to mention/consider is as stunning as this woman's dress was, the majority of her people lived in poverty as a consequence of. By 'eck what an unjustified, strong statement to make, and what a time to compare us with? Variety was a massive priviledge back then...

'But Queen Elizabeth had the finest dress-makers and tailors in the country. She would have had her choice of the finest materials, the softest silks – the shiniest satins and the most voluminous velvets known to man. With all the money in the world, looking good is easy.' ('Vivienne Westwood's comments begar belief', Gammie, J.)

  

   Variety nowadays if anything is too available, it's too easy...what happened to that item you desperately want/need being ridiculously hard to get your hands on, but once you did, you treasured and appreciated it a damn site more than the ungrateful lot about today. Back in the 80s, the suit was a 'made-to-order' jobby which men took weeks/months to pay off, week by week. Nowadays they're much too easy to pick up off the shelf, made using a standard retail size guide. Whilst this benefits a larger proportion of society, the majority just don't understand and/or appreciate good old fashioned workmanship. So why on earth should this spoon fed society be arsed to 'think' about being individual when they're given so many; easily accesible; ways to dress to 'fit in' on a massive silver plate? Trained consumers who consume, wear probably a few times, then thrown into last seasons pile. So yes, Westwood may have been a tad harsh in her absurd comparison, but she is on to a winning statement if you take the following into consideration - In her heyday she was surrounded by sociopolitical stylists whose clothes depicted who they were (or thought they were). People during the Eighties looked for ways to express their creativity and Individuality through their appearance; an identity. C'mon England, sort it out!

Much Love, 

Miss E xx

'The Hoxtonite'

I love the looks John puts together. You can check out his look book here. This is a lovely smart, modern take on the stylish phenomenon that is the Hoxtonite. Just a quick update on the Hoxtonian post!

Miss E xx