People often refer to me as a fashionista. I’ll be the first to tell you that simply isn’t true!!
A fashionista is someone who is REALLY into fashion and all that implies: being the first to try trends, knowing all the latest designer collections, watching runway shows…I’d rather have my eyes picked at by a bird than endure the stress of Fashion Week!!
I prefer to think of myself as stylish.
I don’t live for trends, but I do pick and choose trends to incorporate into my wardrobe. I know most of the hot designers and like to add the occasional designer piece (hello Jimmy Choo!) to my collection, but I also enjoy finding stylish products in unexpected places (and not paying designer prices!). And lastly, I am inspired by girl-on-the-street style so much more than what comes off the runways and “fashion” magazines. I think everyday women putting together outfits that suit their personality and celebrate their uniqueness are so much more interesting than what magazine editors push as the latest gotta have look.
Don’t get me wrong, I love looking through InStyle, Marie Claire, Lucky, People Stylewatch, Elle, W, Glamour, etc. And I’m notorious for ripping out pages for ideas. But when it comes right down to it, style is something deeply personal and I simply cannot follow fashion and feel like I’m being true to myself.
Fashion is what you’re offered by someone else. Style is what you choose. And I choose style!
Please don’t call me the “f” word any more! I’d so much rather be a stylish chick!!
{ 3 comments }
Girl, I hear that! Fashion comes and goes. Some of it is fabulous and some of it is ridiculous. I have always done my own thing, but same as you, add my own twist to current trends. I’ve always loved to take classic pieces, then add something unexpected. It reminds me of my fashion guru, whom I met when I was only 19 and working in visual at Neiman Marcus. Her name was Naida Perlman, who at the time, was Bal Harbour, Florida asst store manager. She later went on to manage Bergdorf in NYC, and actually, I have no clue what she is doing now. She always looked amazing, even when she was there casually, on inventory night. She wore Chanel with old Levis, and always did great style contrasts. I did a couple mannequins once, in front of the designer sportswear dept. I remember they were Issi Miyaki from head to toe. I then did Asian looking bobs, and I really thought I had outdone myself. She looked over my work, and seemed underwhelmed, which was ever so upsetting to me. I asked her what I could do to “my girls” (what I always called my mannequins) to blow her away. She said to me, with her German accent, “Jennifer, do something unexpected. Don’t give me what I expect, but force me to expect something fresh and extraordinary from all your work. Don’t copy Issi, give me Jennifer’s interpretation of Issi.” I changed my girls, mixed in some other pieces, changed their hair, and took them from being mundane and expected to exciting, and my stamp on his look.
I don’t dress my girls any longer. I am my only girl now whom I dress, and I still try to follow her sage style advice. I never want to be something from the pages of some fashion mag, but me, my style, my own aesthetic, and expressing who I am, what I am, and how I feel. I always do a mirror check before walking out, and think, “What would Naida think?” Hey! I need to fashion a bracelet with the acronym, WWNT? Naida Perlman, thanks for teaching this girl never to give people what they expect, but always have them expect to be surprised!
WWNT is a fabulous acronym…hope you don’t mind if I use it myself!!
I think all of us have had a style icon or hero in our lives that has helped to shape how we see fashion and style. For me it was/is my Grandma Betty who at 89 still dresses to go get the groceries!!
Thanks for sharing your story. Sure wish I could have met Naida!!
I found this article useful in a paper I am writing at university. Hopefully, I get an A+ now!
Thanks
Bernice Franklin
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