"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."
Fashion and music intertwine in my journey of self-discovery, guided by icons like Alexa Chung and musical legends, shaping my evolving sense of style and identity.
When the calling comes, you tend to it. I found myself dozing off in my workplace cafeteria during the lunch hour when a sudden epiphany struck regarding this newsletter. Over the past week, I've meticulously crafted an entire post detailing my personal picks from Fashion Week. That, my friends, will come with lots of feelings and thoughts because for today, I want to specifically analyze my own psyche, style, and where it comes from.
As the Pisces energy swirls around and with the lingering high of my birthday weekend, I am embracing the artistic and transformational energy to delve deeper into my personal style. I recently came across a quote in November Magazine from Rachel Tashjian, a writer for the Washington Post, that resonated with me:
“Style, to me, means there’s something happening on the exterior that suggests an interesting interior.”
In the midst of this introspection, I've come to realize that striving for a single definition is a futile pursuit, particularly as it constantly evolves, mirroring the changes within myself. The intricacies of 'me' extend far beyond a simple label, encompassing a multitude of elements that can be overwhelming, as superficial it might sound.
Throughout my life, I've sought inspiration from individuals who effortlessly embody the coveted 'cool girl factor.' Whether I'm curating an outfit or making a fashion purchase, this concept guides my choices. I've long believed that this inclination is intertwined with music, observing how musicians over the years have not only expressed themselves through their melodies but also through their distinctive fashion statements. Echoing the sentiments of Alexa Chung, it's about admiring those who dress with a profound sense of self-assurance, as if their attire is an extension of their innermost being.
Introduced to the image of Alexa Chung back in 2008, my fascination lay entirely in British Pop Culture at the time. This passion stemmed from my profound admiration for what I consider the greatest brand of all time: The Beatles. The band intricately expressed each era of their music through their portrayed personas, ranging from quintessentially dapper in "Please, Please Me," to avant-garde in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and finally to their psychedelic aesthetic in "Magical Mystery Tour", always reflecting the changes within themselves and their music.
I've always loved The Beatles, The Stones, and other British bands of the time. When you're drawn to this era of music, it's hard to resist diving into a rabbit hole of British culture. As I delved into the world of 1960s counterculture, known as the First British Invasion, it organically lead me to the present day at the time (cough *2008*) and I discovered the emergence of a Retro-Infused Garage Sound or like, the fifth British wave.
Through this journey, I encountered bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines (Pete Doherty to Kate Moss), and The Kooks, which sparked a lifelong love for what we know call indie sleaze. It just so happened that this period coincided with Alex Turner, the lead singer of Arctic Monkeys, dating fashion icon Alexa Chung. Today, I cannot separate Alexa and music from my evolution because they played a pivotal role in my development of self.
In my quest to discover who I was, I found a profound connection with Alexa Chung's distinctive character, her unapologetic authenticity, and the essence of "Chunginess" she exuded. She embraced her true self and reflected it in her clothing choices. From that point onward, my appreciation for "pretty clothes" evolved into a journey to comprehend fashion and, by extension, understand my character and personality.
Inspired primarily by her, alongside a diverse array of dapper British gentlemen spanning every decade since the 1960s, and a multitude of burgeoning bloggers such as Leandra Medine from The Man Repeller, Jane Aldridge from Sea of Shoes, and others, I embarked on a quest to uncover the elements that could shape me into the woman I aspired to be. While there are numerous paths to self-discovery, for me, fashion emerged as the perfect thread that seamlessly intertwined all of my interests and aided me on this transformative journey.
From this moment on, personal style ceased to be a mere accessory; it evolved into a byproduct of a captivating personality. And then, interesting choices were made. Chelsea boots, socks and sandals, blending childlike femininity with masculine silhouettes, emerged as enduring staples in my wardrobe—or rather, in my ongoing pursuit of them. I've always sought to infuse a touch of unexpected flair into what might otherwise appear as a simplistic ensemble, thereby keeping myself perpetually intrigued, and my style an ever-evolving canvas for creativity, confidence, and comfort.
Much like Alexa, there are other inspiring women who have captured my fascination over the years—icons such as Francoise Hardy, Jane Birkin, Sade, and Suki Waterhouse, along with the Camilles (Rowe and Cherriere). They effortlessly blend femininity with an undeniable coolness, each embodying a unique authenticity that resonates deeply within me.
I suppose one could say that my evolution stemmed from music initially, as I attribute it as the conduit that guided me towards fashion. I perpetually find myself aspiring to emulate the likes of Rolling Stone, Bowie, or Elton John, while simultaneously striving for a sense of individuality. Thus, I extend my gratitude to music for this inspiration. And to fashion, I express my outmost gratitude for serving as a pivotal platform—a nexus of opinion, cultural relevance, and self-expression in my life.
Till next post!
Maria Irene