A couple of jobs ago, one of my new coworkers told me that, from the way I dressed, she assumed I was "an actor. No offense." She then backpedeled to tell me it was just that I "dressed very dramatically" and then, hopelessly, gave up.
At this same job, a different coworker at an unrelated time that I reminded her of "Denise Huxtable. No offense." Again, she mentioned that I dressed very dramatically, etc.
I am unsure what is so offensive about thespians in general and Lisa Bonet in particular, but whatever. When I'm over being baffled by the statements themselves, I look back at what I wore then and think, "How did they ever get 'dramatic' from that?" I wore black, flowy skirts (this was the neo-boho phase of 2004-2005), flats, and sweatshirts, sometimes all together. The other alternate was jeans with a t-shirt that had an owl on the front and read "Night Owl." I simply don't see what the drama in that could be. Did I walk regally? Did I drape scarfs around me just so? I don't know.
To their credit, they clearly picked up on something, because the first time I saw this jewelry, I knew it was something I'd wear. From Alexander McQueen's Fall 2008 show, these headdresses are the only jewelry I've ever seen that stopped me in my tracks and made me stare. As with handbags, I don't pay a lot of attention to jewelry on the runway or, really, anywhere else. These pieces transfixed me, though, both because they are obviously beautiful and because I can't think of any better way to wear jewelry than to ornament and frame one's face.
Though I'm generally uninterested in jewelry, I am particularly uninterested in its overreliance on femininity and good taste (or, conversely, bad taste) as its selling points. I'm uncomfortable in overtly feminine or "nice" dress and ultimately feel more comfortable encased in "drama" than in kitten heels. It may be armor, but it is no less armor than Vera Bradley bags and a sunny disposition.
While I loved all the jewelry in this show, my favorite pieces were undoubtedly the red ones. The color really pops and brings nice contrast to the gold, and I love no jewel more than red one.
Hmm. I have this theory that ppl are shocked just by the appearance of difference, like, "you mean to defy the status quo? how dare you..." or even just "wait, you mean there's another way to dress / eat / do things?" That may have been what they interpreted as drama.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress at the top (seriously, I'm not being sarcastic), the model looks like she's impersonating an ostrich. I don't know if I'd wear the thing, but who knows? I have an affinity for ostriches, and I wouldn't be alone... Bjork's done it!
And lastly... is that blue highlighter the last and first models are wearing? Or is it just the light? (I know some use lavender-colored powder as a highlighter...)
Those headdresses are stunning!
ReplyDeleteI also get commentary that I dress like an actor, which in my case I take as a compliment since I am one (amateur, but still!) :D I've always thought it was a weird comment too, though, because I certainly don't dress that dramatically. Lots of skirts, lots of single-color tops, and interesting jewelry -- but most days I barely match, so maybe that's what they mean.
I love them. It's too bad they're tens of thousands of dollars. I'd wear them otherwise.
ReplyDeletemeh. they basically took traditional desi jewellery, worn in india, pakistan, and bangladesh, and made it really big and vulgar.
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