My thing has always been fashion. I was always moved by couture editorials and celebrity lives. I am a die- hard Kardashian follower. (not proud of that.. it's a guilty pleasure). However, the pictures of giraffe-esque ladies with their graceful limbs and their pronounced cheekbones were always a fantasy. I am 5ft tall, with a couple pounds I would love to donate to the less fortunate. I've always had frizzy hair and crooked teeth-- among many other shortcomings. Perhaps I subconsciously felt I could never be like the beautiful fashion models and the insecurities set in. My teenage years were spent with me thinking I was hideous. I'm 25 now and still have my moments where I feel like a whale and don't want to be seen.
A wonderful show started airing on television years ago- "What not to wear" on TLC. I had seen tonnes of makeover shows before, but none were like this one. For starters, the participants actually looked better after the makeover. However what stood out was the underlying message, that the clothing made the people feel different. They felt more confident and refreshed! They looked younger and happier and said things about wanting to be seen for a change. It was very inspiring to say the least. I saw how fashion could be used to boost one's morale. Clothing is in no way superficial! You cannot say that you don't feel a tingle when you purchase a new dress!
I have been surrounded by women my entire life. I grew up living with my mother and sister, and I attended an all girl high school. My two degrees are in the Arts , so again, women (and fabulous gays!). I have seen so many self esteem issues and complaints about inadequacy. Being able to relate, I have decided to do something about it. I want to commit my life plan to making women feel special. I want to do it through fashion and encouragement. I teamed up with a wonderful performance and relationship coach to host a workshop that is aimed to inspiring women to be the extraordinary them! It is step one in my mission to make women realise that what we have inside is far more powerful than those 5 lbs that won't go away.
I read somewhere that "fashion is all about the alter ego. Who do you want to be today, without the why. It is that instant 30 seconds in front of the wardrobe, the mental picture of the occasion and mood, which makes a woman, reach into her heart and choose the garment that will define her person for that day. It is about buying, contriving or creating an identity" or mood even. So clothes express peoples’ attitudes towards themselves and their society, both what they wear and how they wear it. There is a definite relationship between fashion and psychology. In my humble view, many women out there escape dealing with their inner issues and insecurities by assuming a façade. They put on a mask of: make up, over done hair, screaming clothes or neutral everything or brand name everything. This gives them the confidence they lack so that they can face the world when truth and in fact they can barely face their own mirrors. In this regard, I look forward to your women's empowerment event. It certainly shows that you understand the root of fashion - which to me is the beauty within that spills over on the outside and gives each person that unique style and air of confidence. It is not about hiding and you have clearly shown this by revealing some of your own insecurities in this well articulated but simple blog. Looking forward to the endless possibilities!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words :)
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