A Modest Proposal (that I just churned out)

This is a paper I will be writing this semester for my European Cultural and Historical studies class:

Question 5: In their book Complicated Lives, Willmott and Wilson suggest that “We have moved from a predominant belief that we should ‘fit in’ to one where we would rather be different: individualism is now a defining feature of social and consumer behaviour.” In the fashion world is this a new 21st century phenomenon or have people always tried to express their individuality?

I intend to explore this question as the subject for my essay. The different facets I want to explore include the newer “anything goes” mentality of fashion, the rising popularity of crafting culture and do-it-yourself clothing, and the fascination with vintage, one-of-a-kind clothing. I want to explore the concept of clothing as self-expression. Has the purpose of clothing evolved from adornment to an extension of ourselves? What effect will it have on future fashion trends, and therefore, the clothing industry?
I hope to find out if this is indeed a new idea, or if it is repeating another time in history when individualism influenced fashion. If it is a new phenomenon, what is influencing it? Could it be a reaction to the increasing speed at which fashion trends are turning over? Does it have to do with the increasing eco-awareness in society, in which “mass-produced” is often associated with mass waste output?
I hope to research books on fashion history, and modern fashion magazines to attempt to get to the root of this trend. In addition, I also hope to speak with people who work in or own vintage clothing shops, crafty apparel boutiques, and students in this design school on the subject of individuality in fashion. Finally, I hope to track down and speak to people who have actively pursued an individual course in their fashion choices: “thrifters”, vintage and e-bay shoppers, and those who make or alter their own clothing. I also hope to bring to the essay my own experience as someone who, for years, has pursued the crafting and construction of my own apparel in the interest of self-expression.

P.S. I know this isn’t a school blog, but I share this stuff because I know you are all curious about what I’m doing over here.

Worth Reading

If any of you have heard of or read The Secret Life of Bees, you may have picked up on the fact that the author, Sue Monk Kidd, has some feminist leanings. This book tells the story of how she began as a devout Christian, grew disillusioned with the inherent patriarchy within the church, and proceeded to go on a complicated spiritual journey. She learned of the phenomenon of the Sacred Feminine, and how it was virtually erased from modern Christianity. She traveled, learned to meditate, studied other religions, and educated herself in all ways she knew how spiritually. She reconnected with her womanhood, with nature, and eventually, her family and a faith she formed on her own.

I really appreciated this book, because for those of you who know me, know that I am not only a feminist, but quite cynical about the role of patriarchy in organized religion as well. My attitude on religion veers more towards the idea of everyone finding their own version of whatever makes the world go ’round. So much of this book had me not only nodding emphatically, but itching to study the different forms of ancient goddesses myself.

Most of all, Sue Monk Kidd just has a beautiful way of writing, a way that really makes you, the reader, connect emotionally with her struggles and her journey. Probably appropriate for a book that explores the idea of embracing the feminine side of one’s spirituality. But if you are a woman who has ever felt yourself really questioning, and perhaps doubting, whatever faith you grew up in because you felt you were shut out for simply being a woman, or even if you are any woman who has never embraced the idea of religion for the same reasons, this is totally worth a look.

This is Why I Love Being Here.

I just wanted share with you one of the classes I am taking this semester… and why it may become one of my favorites… it is quite promising.

European Independent Project:

“This unit is designed to encourage you to search for inspiration and knowledge, as well as orientate you in an ‘alternative’, undiscovered London — exploring the city’s diverse wealth of cultural resources.
You will participate in a number of guided walks through obscure parts of London (unrelated to fashion), looking behind the scenes, gathering an alternative perspective – observing the mechanics and foundations of a city steeped in complex history….
The aim of the European Independent Project is to ‘make a difference’ to the way you find, see, absorb, process & communicate information — in your own individual & personal way. We want to develop your awareness, individuality, uniqueness & confidence.
The student will be encouraged to consider originality, creativity, uniqueness - breaking the mould, possibly reconnecting with being a child again, remembering what it was like to suddenly discover new and wonderful things…”

This was copied from the syllabus I recieved for this class last night. Reading it, I could feel prickles on the back of my neck from excitement… I am looking forward to this class the most, I think.

Cheers from London!

Well, here I am… new year, new country, new school, new outlook on life. Eww, did I really just say “new outlook on life”? Well, I did, and I’m afraid it’s true guys. But I am at the appropriate phase in my life to be using phrases like that, and so that’s my excuse.

I graduated from VCU in December. I now have a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Makes me smile when I type it. So, I have a degree… why, you ask, am I across an ocean participating in a study-abroad program?

Well, it’s like this: On new year’s eve this year, my parents and I were watching a Great Performances tribute to James Taylor on PBS, and enjoying our last hours together before I left for London. One of the artists that performed was Keith Urban (whose music, I’m afraid, I know nothing about). My dad, a huge sucker for mad guitar skills, was praising Urban’s guitar solo in the middle of the song. He was improvising, “jamming”, as they say in music.

I can remember as a child, I learned to play both the harp, and later, the piano. I became rather good at the harp, and my teacher would take me around to different places to have me perform. My brother, at the same time, learned the saxophone, and he was quite talented. His teacher would end every lesson with a jam session, in which he and Alex would improvise for 5-10 minutes to a jazz beat.

I, on the other hand, learned by playing every song my teacher taught me. I would practice until I could play some songs with my eyes closed. I practiced until it became boring, even. My dad noticed this, and would ask me why I didn’t put any heart into it. “Why don’t you just jam? Like Alex?” he would ask. This was a completely foreign concept to me. I felt like I couldn’t just MAKE UP the notes as I went along. Maybe with jazz, but not on a folk harp.

Later, when I learned the piano (and never became good at it), I would try this “jamming” thing, but I just never felt comfortable with it. I even tried teaming up with my brother and his sax. But while he would play jazz riffs and melodies, spinning them right out of his head and into his fingers, I felt I was only playing… notes. Not songs. If it wasn’t written on a page, it wasn’t music to me.

It wasn’t until years later, in college, after both instruments had been abandoned, that I realized that this is something I struggle with in life. I’ve done pretty well for myself, but I’ve spent years in pursuit of this vague thing called “success”, by doing pretty much what I’ve been told to do. I follow the rules, I play the songs on the page. But I don’t “jam”. So now I’m here, studying in London, simply because I want to. I’m in love with what I do, but I’m not so sure that theatre is where I want to do it. Perhaps the path that was prescribed to me is not the path I want to go. Perhaps it will be someday. But for now, I’m jamming.

When there’s too much to love.

You should all know that I have not one, but two blog posts stuck in drafts, waiting to be completed and posted. I want to ruminate and share all the things that are happening in my life right now–travels, love, family, things I’ve been reading, hearing, learning, making… finding surprise pleasures in the most unexpected of places and learing to open my mind, revealing the sparkle of unlikely new acquaintences and the shine of old and valuable friendships.

But there is so much swirling in my head that there is a veritable traffic jam of ideas trying to make it onto this blog! But hopefully–now that I’ve got you waiting with bated breath–eventually, I’ll sort it all out and get you updated.