Fashion for a Cause: A Night of Victory

My lovely and always present friend Abdu celebrated his one year anniversary on Friday. I felt privileged to attend as it was also a fundraiser for TransUnited which are great at throwing benefits and helping transgendered individuals. Everyone was decked out in their finest attire. It was like NYFW with sequins, are they back right now? I totally missed that trend but I love that it is making its rounds again around Baltimore. This event made me truly realize the potential for creative people in this town. The after party was lots of fun too, but I was really glad that a lot of money was raised for a good cause that is often neglected. 

Life is beautiful, let's share a little. 

Joy D.

Do I need to be this to be that?: A study on the visual nature of the blogger

The woman who got this conversation started: CeCe of Love Brown Sugar

I have been reading a lot recently that has prompted me to write. I guess that is how blogging should work on a minimal scale. Now, I take my blog very seriously but that was not always the case. I spent a year getting my footing. Being a outfit poster wasn't my thing. It was, and still is, difficult to push myself to post a picture of myself. One reason being that I would rather focus on finishing the rest of my schooling and posting about other people that are doing amazing work. The other reason: I feel it to be a tad narcissistic to post pictures of yourself. This is completely contradictory to my role as a reader of blogs. I love and appreciate the time and effort other bloggers take posting outfits on their blog. Not only does it take a lot of time and energy it takes a great deal of creativity. But I have always been uncomfortable with taking a picture of myself for you, the reader. 

Andrea and Sandy of Paris Most Wanted

Digging a little deeper I realize there could be a third reason I don't post my face once or twice or three times a week to the blog. Will it make a difference? In a world where thin and fair skin will always be "in", where do I fit? If not in that box, then where? Often I have the pleasure of meeting a plus size model or blogger and I am instantly inspired. Why? Because they don't give a damn what you think they have a strong powerful voice. But I don't feel very convinced that their voices are the same as my own. So where am I in this microcosm of silk and lace? 

 Christina of Profresh Style

The lovely ProfreshStyle recently wrote a poignant article about why she does not post often to Lookbook.nu, Chictopia, or the other social fashion networks out there. She made a good point: if you are not thin and fair skinned you will not receive a big response. And, my friends, that is often the point of posting! Blogs and bloggers garner attention in order to attain readers. I think that is a beautiful thing because I love to engage readers and vice versa! Let's back track a bit.

Clare of Tweet

This is not a platform to slander skinny and fair skinned bloggers. They are doing their thing (and some know of this stigma and use it to their advantage).It is called business as usual. What I propose is that readers look more into the content and knowledge they receive from bloggers and less about how they look. Because someone's style is fun and exciting but I encourage you to look a little deeper. Do they have anything to say? Would they prefer you to look at their pretty face or are they also great writers with intelligent talking points? If you would like to read more about what women of curves are into check out the ladies pictured above. They have lots to say and look great doing it!

I would love to here what you have to say so please let me know via the comment section below.

Life is beautiful, let's share a little. 

Joy D.

Blogger Alert!: Divinitus

If you haven't heard of the Divinitus you better ask somebody! She is beyond the typical blogger and usually dresses in black. This is where the genius comes in: her use of draping and proportion is amazing. I say this as a fan of her blog but it was very evident when I interviewed her.

1. What is your name? 

Dorota.

2. Where are you from? 

East Coast.

3. When did you decide to start blogging?

Almost 3 yrs ago during the Sundance Film Festival. It was very sporadic and not really fashion focused at first.

4. What inspires you to dress?

The search for interesting form and structure. I believe it comes from my strong background in the visual arts.

5. Do you have any strategies on the way you dress?

De-clutter. Healthy-looking hair and skin is the winning accessory.

6. Who are your favorite designers?

At the moment Rick Owens, Clayton Evans of Complexgeometries, Nicole and Michael Colovos of Helmut Lang. 

I'm curiously peeking at Gareth Pugh, and really liking dark, organic characteristics of men's collections from Obscur, Julius, and Chronicles of Never. I recently inventoried my closet and the majority is still Marni.

 7. If you could collaborate with any designer who would it be?

Rick Owens. He seems to comprehend leather's natural beauty.

8. What do you think of fashion blogging as a whole?

Shy exhibitionism. Cheap marketing tool. A fashion editor’s annoyance.

9. Do you believe fashion magazines still have relevance? (Do you have any favorites?)

Depends which one and for whom. I believe there are still some good ones. The indie, cult-oriented for a narrow audience. Not filled with false advertising, shallow content addressed to everyone and no one. Personally I don't really read about fashion so much, I prefer design or architecture. The closest thing to fashion I subscribe to is The Gentlewoman.

10. How do you feel/what do you think about having a dialogue with your readers?

I have the best readers.

If you want to see more of Dorota please check out The Divinitus. Her most recent post features, quite shockingly , color! And hopefully she will bring more great dialogue.

Life is beautiful, let's share a little.

Joy D.

Why I don't like lace bellbottoms

I know I am getting on a negative foot with these longer posts I am doing but I just opened my inbox and click on the Shopbop "Brand New something or other"and the model is wearing white lace bell bottoms. First I will cover the obvious.

Oh yea, EVERY blogger wears those right?
Hell no! Well, I tell ya, that is exactly what Shopbop thinks. They been using this concept to sell their clothes. I will contradict myself by saying that I like some of what they carry. That doesn't excuse their marketing campaign. It makes me uncomfortable, why the gimmick? Because it is what they are known for. Before bloggers it was socialites like Paris Hilton.
Oh yes, I would not tell a lie. The whole thing bothers me yet I keep going to their site to peruse. I wish there were catalogs of substance to skim through instead of e-shops to fumble through.*

Secondly, how are these pants flattering on anyone with ass? I'm convinced they aren't. There are always exceptions and Vanessa of The Hot Pursuit, who is pictured above, is the lucky candidate. She even wrote a DIY tutorial on them just in case you completely disagree with me and are looking for a cheaper alternative.

Life is beautiful, let's share a little.

Joy D.

*Endnote: Remember catalogs? Yea, I don't either but I have been reading up on how cool they were/are. I am currently searching for some reliable catalogs. If you know about clothing catalogs email me or put it in the comments!

U know what sucks?

Wares: http://annark.carbonmade.com
Blog: http://ankacookie.blogspot.com/

I cannot not get my hands on Annarks stuff. I need it just like I need the whole Beau Coops shoe collection. Imagine me with a closet full of Annark's wares and Beau Coop? I would be the luckiest girl.

Joy D.