Originally posted November 3, 2015 on the now defunct Glamourtunist.com website I wrote about masks and living behind the mask. I believe this Op-Ed column is as relevant today as it was in 2015. I would like to forever thank Dr. Eric Darnell Pritchard for giving me a start in releasing my thought and providing me the encouragement and freedom to speak and write my peace.
So, with the thought of rebirth and the Phoenix rising from the ashes, I re-release the article to Flocked Features.
“…I walk the streets and camouflage my identity…”
~Fugees, The Mask
“These lyrics from the Fugees prompt gnawing thoughts of a curious fashion fiend, and invites me to consider questions like: How does your outward appearance reflect who you are? And How does clothing mask our identities?
The previous released article included a photo of Alexander McQueen’s “Red Lace Dress”
I think we all believe that we are making conscious choices about the garments and labels that we purchase as consumers. However, I have to consider Miranda Priestly from the Devil Wears Prada when she stated, “…that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.” Let us consider this for a moment. I argue that our outward appearance is not a true reflection of who we are, simply because the garments have been preselected and predetermined for us. So how do we truly become individualist in our fashion?
In the 19th century, Charles Frederick Worth was the first designer to have his label sewn into garments he created. Although Worth set the stage for implementing a democratic process for designers to get credit for their work, it nonetheless added to the elitism perpetuating social constructs of class. Take a huge step forward for artists developing a profitable niche market. While this allowed tailors to gain artistic control of their designs, it also created a competition within the market, giving way to the best designer to be dressmaker for the social elite. I guess some things still haven’t changed, although we see new labels such as BySonyaMarie, whose mission is to bring “Hollywood to the Middle Class.” This is one individual choosing to start a long journey of making the fashion industry as an art form more equitable for all to enjoy. I thank this artist and entrepreneur for giving me an opportunity to learn and work for her while earning my Masters of Education from DePaul University.
The roots of contemporary couture offer some details that are conversant with my interests here in deciphering the camouflaged identities of artistic expression from fashion elitism. In the beginning, fashion, if I dare to declare it as such was as basic as hardware of gold and tribal markings, evolving into a multibillion-dollar industry. One may argue this can perpetuate narcissistic behaviors of using labels as a way to distinguish class. No judgement in that last statement. I enjoy designer labels as well. I appreciate pieces by the likes of Lois London, Charles Elliott Harbison and Barbara Bates to name a few.
Although I have a background in consumer science, I’m just becoming more conscious of implementing how to question the motives behind my behavior. This leads me to further my knowledge of consumer markets and read more about Marx Theory and John Locke in regards to class and consciousness. I consider how my dollar is impacting the world…and my wallet; making me more aware of the purchasing power of the consumer. As this related to fashion, I am more concerned with the quality of the garment and consider for example; the price? How long will this [garment] last? How am I feeling about my purchase? And lastly, am I using this purchase as a way to mask emotions and avoid dealing with difficult situations? The last two questions can be great to avoid the slippery slope of developing a process addition, a debilitation habit of using processes to avoid feeling pain. On the flip side, internally there is a multitude of conflicting emotions occurring simultaneously within each of us. As a way for us to express ourselves, we buy [clothing] or insert whatever your guilty pleasure may be, that suits our individual taste.
Fashion is what you determine. Labels or no labels, however you choose to present yourself is up to you. I challenge us to be more aware and conscious about what drives you internally, and what role fashion can play in a greater effort to express [individual identity] outwardly. We owe it to ourselves, and to those who are watching and can learn from us, to become more conscious about our adornment beyond labels. My purpose is to use the arts – including fashion and style – to promote social consciousness, [or at the very least to encourage dialogue, understanding and a commonality in human existence]. This is how I choose to express myself and make a positive impact of the world today and for the generations to come. It would be great if we had a relationship to fashion and style that breaks down labels and lets us get to know one another genuinely, and not the mask we adorn ourselves with day to day. “