Friends Friday: What does feminism mean to a fashion blogger?

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion? No, feminism and fashion are separate entities to me. I do not consider myself a feminist and because of this I don't see any conflicting interest. As a blogger it is fun to point out the fluffy inconsistencies in the fashion industry. Some of those inconsistencies include model size, adspace manipulation, and the fashion blogger: all but the first deal in other subject matter than feminism.

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog? As I am working on the layout for my new blog (theunsewn.com) it is difficult to narrow down my projected interests. On this blog however I haven't put much attention into tailoring my interests, you see them all! For the new blog I will focus on critical attention to fashion film, fashion magazines, independent designers, and vintage/historical fashion. The blog will bring out the nerdy side in both you (The reader) and me. I think it is great when a blogger has a tailored interest on their blog. My favorite blogs that do this are Arash Minazini, Park and Cube, and Business of Fashion. Each are distinct and share something special with fashion enthusiasts and the blogging community.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role? I think there would be more of a free-for-all creatively. This would be a healthy thing because it would be a huge shift socially and economically. This is all purely subjective, who knows what would happen. If it did happen I would be right there at the front lines talking about it. The fact that fashion, which has an overwhelming female consumer percentage, is dominated by men isn't surprising but it does tell an interesting story about what the consumer really wants.

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?  None of my beliefs reflect how I dress. However, I take strong stances on issues but have had a problem in the past with, uh, running my mouth? It does help that I am prone to argue my point on occasion. These are all things I am working on because I realize while Feminism and other hot button topics are important not everyone wants to talk about them.

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons? To be honest addons can be superfluous or make a statement about who you are. I have dreadlocks and it is because I was tired of spending all my money on hair products. I was also tired of spending so much time worrying about it getting messy. Now I have lots of freedom to do with it what I want. My friends really seem to like my hair and that is kind of cool that my seemingly offbeat decision is accepted.

My love of menswear is not absent from this blog and it does influence the way I dress. This is part functionality and practicality and part aesthetic I guess. I wear a larger dress size and sometimes men's shirts and pants fit better than women's. Also fast fashion hasn't caught on to menswear yet so most of the men's clothing I find in thrift stores are better made.

Life is beautiful, let's share a little.

Joy D.

Friend Friday: What is authentic blogging?

The idea of authentic blogging gets thrown around as much as organic food. What makes a blog authentic? I think having your own ideas makes it as authentic as it possibly can. So let's dig a little deeper than that. So many bloggers want to be famous and profitable these days there is growing the attention to authenticity. Ok, fair enough. You want to do well in journalism of any sort you have to approach your writing with integrity and ethics. Also roped into this notion of authenticity is original content. Original content is not just "What I Wore" or "This SS11 collection is totally inspiring" type of posts, it goes a little further. Why not take pictures at a show or create a mood board or collage? I would have to say that the first option is the most fun for me but maybe not for everyone. So, as you can see, everyone throws around the word authenticity in blogging but it is really an umbrella term that inhabits quite a bit of work, effort, and creativity. Because fashion week in New York is nearly at our doorsteps and the bloggers will be rallying in NY I thought it apt that Katy Rose posted these questions to answer.

Jil Sander pictured above is a fashion house that always sticks to what they know making them a pretty authentic brand. I would also like to include Celine and Acne.

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity? It is strange to describe authenticity. I would call my blog very authentic as I work with and write about what I know. Recently it has been important to myself to feature local artists and interview them as well as fashion editors. My approach to blogging is to discuss fashion blogging, the fashion industry, and the fashion media. It is a more difficult approach but I think it is quite authentic.

2. When it comes to your blog how to you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling? Since September it has been important as a blogger and a documenter to start photographing things I find interesting. That might seem elementary but it helps in both respects differently. With blogging I am able to take street style photos in my home town or when I travel. Being able to give your audience a first hand glimpse of what you are seeing as a blogger is a big way to provide an authentic feeling.

However I disagree with the idea of an authentic feeling of a blog. It almost seems like it should be forced and as a result fake and unauthentic. Ethically speaking it is miserable to see bloggers writing about what they get for free. I think most prominent bloggers have now shied away from this advertorial writing but lesser known bloggers are following suit. It makes it difficult for the blogging community to receive compensation for their work. And that is just unacceptable.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest? Yes, I follow blogs almost instantly after finding them. It is similar to impulse buying without buyers remorse. Often I read through a few weeks of posts before adding so I guess it isn't too much of an impulse. Recently I see that a lot of the blogs I follow post about the same things and look the same. That isn't to say that they are unauthentic but that I was feeling uninspired. Also, my own ideas about art, fashion, media, were not being challenged and that is a big deal to me. I like blogs to challenge me a bit while still being aesthetically pleasing. It is a lot to ask.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life, what are some ways you try to live an authentic life? I guess I start out by telling the truth and being a civil human being regardless of whether that is in style. I am also aware that I make mistakes and try to be humbled by them. It isn't easy being apart of a scope (fashion blogging) that promotes vanity and materialism but having a transparent understanding of it all keeps it fun!

5. Give a shout-out: Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why? I would like to give a shout to the following lesser known bloggers who always remain amazingly true to themselves despite the trends.

Arash Mazinani

He loves womenswear and continues to write about what he loves. He also gives great advice on dressing for both women and men. His talents reach beyond these few things but they stand out to me because most men won't step up to the plate.

Muireann of Bangs and A Bun

She had such an amazing 2010 that lead her to carry on a major discussion about blogger compensation with big business. I am glad that we are Twitter friends as she also gives the best advice about life and blogging. She is a big sis of sorts.

The FVNCY Girls

Why don't you know about these ladies?! They are a power pack duo that loves food and San Francisco as much as I do. They have made an impact with always dressing the way they want and posting about what they genuinely love and that, to me, speaks volumes of authenticity. They also have a great relationship with their readers which seems to be lacking with bigger bloggers these days.

Life is beautiful, let's share a little. 

Joy D.

Is this ironic or something? I still like it.

I am in and out at IPF hence the once every 3 days posting. I wanted to get on a good schedule. Didn't I tell you?! IM MOVING! And somehow it manages to be stressful (even though I am moving "down the hall"). I do have a lot of stuff to move which is something everyone likes to point out over and over. That is not why I am posting this for you today. This is about a certain Elle Italia editorial that I adore but....well...

Just look. At first I was attracted to the editorial by the picture you see above. They are just so joyful I had to explore the rest.

Posing in front of a fake landscape is one thing. Showing the audience it is a fake background makes me uncomfortable. Is this an attempt to be ironic or artistic? Maybe. I love the scenery and the models. The clothes are bright, like the backgrounds. But the "behind the scenes" angle is somewhat of a turn off.

I am not familiar with Marcelo Krasilcic who shot this editorial. But over all but it is a capital F-U-N. The model's look like they are having fun and the creases in the backdrop make me giggle. Although I am a little over the "behind the lens" editorials I like the bright colors and a good relationship between the clothing and the background. By the way, all photos are from Fashion Gone Rogue!

Life is beautiful, let's share a little.

Joy D.

You go girl (#3)

ph: 2008 Tavi picture, fake LOVE cover, real POP cover (all TFs)

MISS TAVI WIlliams you may now brush your shoulders off. Haha just kidding. I am overwhelming happy for her. I am not however excited about all the flamin being done on this version of the cover of POP, except the critques against Hirst because he deserves it. I am not sure how credible the LOVE cover is so I am calling its bluff.

Now, now high and mighty fashionistas I have a few things to say. Tavi is a girl doing what she loves. She managed to start her hobby, blogging, when everyone is watching. Not to say she could have ever planned such a thing, that is her luck. She has been blogging feverishly for a while now and some of us know how hard that actually is. I dressed like a clotheshorse hit me head on at that age but I had no clue why, I just liked colors. Tavi does have articulate reasons for the way she dresses. I am also aware of the immense controversy about these young bloggers and how they probably don't write their own material for their sites. I think that is BS, I know several young people who articulate themselves as well or better than Tavi. Although most of them wouldn't know Givenchy from Betsey Johnson. What surprises me the most about the POP cover is the red wordiness but I am happy about the awesome content inside.

I am worried that POP made the wrong move in putting her on the cover. They knew how controversial it might be, maybe this is the reason for the Hirst collaboration as well. I like Damien Hirst but I thought his MO was to stay away from marketing his art. I am totally confused now. All this nonsense will probably take away from the promising content inside. Either way people will buy it. I will buy it, even on my meager pension, and enjoy every page because I am truly happy for the M/M Paris bookzine and the stem-cell research celebration by Rodarte.
JOY D.

Vampires+ Lady Gaga

equals two things I am against at the moment.

I was totally into Buffy, Charmed, and Interview with a Vampire but the vampire craze has come back in hideous abundance. I am reminded of a South park episode (2 seasons ago?) where all the popular kids dress "goth" and drink tomato juice and call themselves vampires. I am sure this is happening....somewhere but it is an extreme example of my distaste of the subject. I have also not given the REAL reason that I don't like Lady G. First her pros: She has an exceptional voice and can rock any item of clothing she wants. Her cons: She uses all her, aforementioned, talents for evil to induce everyone into this excess that is so over, in my mind. To inundate the public with how obnoxious you are is doing a disservice to your profession and everything else. I also have to comment on my comment by saying it is just my opinion.

I am obviously in the majority because she is in every magazine and in every city touring and playing music. Another thing that you might not know. She looks great without the loads of designer make-up she piles on her face. I am going to put one more contradiction out there. NICOLA FORMICHETTI is one of my favorite stylists therefore I am in love with this shoot he did for Out Magazine. Also, Ellen von Unwerth snapped all the shots.
JOY D.

I woke up tossing and turning....

My midterm is today. I still have to cram more words into my vocabulary by 1pm. I am now procrasinating and looking at my favorite thing online. Here is some inspo for you lovely folks this morning.

Cult Party (store) in Japan. I have a confession: I used to be a big fan of Gothic Lolita. I was once among the American freaks that thought that I could do what the little ladies of Japan could do. I then realized that I was #1 getting too old and #2 nearly 6 foot tall. I learned a lot from my brief (3 year long) obsession. One of them was collecting snapshots of Japanese stores. They seemed crammed but full to the brim with lovely frills and oozing with pastels.


This is Jowy, she has the blog ISEEJANEMARY. In this picture she looks incredibly iconic. She got to attend a fashion event that I, and the rest of her readers, are pretty jealous of. Her style is on point, enough said. Check out her blog pronto unless you are the jealous type.


Susie Bubble I think I will have to stop reading your blog. You infiltrate every ounce of my pyche and make me want to BUY BUY BUY. I then look at my bank account and realize I have no funds to reciprocate my yearning. Damn you Susie! Ok, so I am not that worked up over some designer duds that I would have to work years to pay for. So...I will attempt to make it. While the knitted sweater has not been completed (more info later, I cheated) I think I can easily make these panels and sew them together. This blog has yet to see any of my creations. The foremost reason being that I am scared I suck, there I said it. The dress is originally from Fanny and Jess.


ph: Satorialist
Oh guy in match maroon, show me the way to pair cotton and linen effortlessly while looking effortlessly into the distance. How cool.


Barely there shorts from BO VAN MELSKENS. Super cute and see through. As I am posting the captain says I should make a set like these shorts instead of that "lame dress". He is such a dude. :/


Paul Klee, he inspires me to do just about everything, He uses colors the way I like it. Klee hits the spot. And between Klee and the Mcqueen Spring collection I might have to throw out my dark colors and pastels and switch to patchwork. Hah, just kidding.


Boys who dress like they don't give a f**K: I like guys fashion over women's. Why? Because it has more room to evolve and I love seeing how editorials are evolving. I also happen to like this picture because it reminds me of the Warriors. I found this picture at UMAG. It is my favorite online magazine I haven't told anyone about yet.
Joy D.

Enamored by the Disturbing Nature of: US Maple

Ask an average music lover who US Maple is and they they will have no clue. No they are not from my home town but me and the captain were watching you tube videos of them the other night and I had to spread the noise. If, at the very least, to give awareness about how amazing they are and the fact that their documentary seems to have been shelved. This band, amongst others, is an example of a chunk of time in music I haven't explored. In the 90s I was only interested in MTV. This was followed by an obsession to find "new" and "different" music. So in my quest some bands I rarely listened to, US Maple was one of them. I remember some of their songs but have never seen them live. At the time of their hey day I was less interested in live shows and more interested in zine writing (aka staying in my room working on things).

The Untitled work about US Maple.
Everyone gets off on saying they have an indescribable sound. BS! They deconstructed music, in turn creating a new sound that is equally listenable and unlistenable. The Captain has probably seen them live a thousand and one times. He was very much into live shows. Now there really isn't anything to replace either of our (maybe just mine) cravings. That is when we come to this awesome idea for a documentary. The you tube preview left me wanting more but the last time the director updated was on his myspace nearly a year ago. What's up with that?




Why do they inspire fashion? I guess they don't. I didn't even know what most of the band members looked like until a few days ago. They are all much older now but I still have a special place in my musical heart for them. Plus....I hear they still got it and always will.

Joy d.

1,2,3,4.

A. OK crotchet bandage dress [link]
Lusty opinion: I need this dress. Because that flouncy-colorful coat will take up all my time and I won't have the stamina to make it. It would be a great layering piece in my closet.


Extreme clothes dyeing [by Alia Penner]
Opinion: who wouldn't want to dive in a tub full of dye? I know it is silly but I know you have thought about it.


my most favorite couple of the moment.
Commentary: I know she looks a little weird but all in all she comes from one of my most favorite country's I have never been to. Oh, and she is "with" Micheal Pitt who looks better than ever.


Recession Tee [shop shabd]
My worry: This recession shirt would be cool to wear on campus or as an ice breaker, at parties, on the hideous economic situation. Of course I am joking. I really want this shirt but I don't know if it is too cheesy or not. I just found out about the guy that created this amazing t-shirt, shabd simon-alexander. He has more tie dyed creations on his site.
Joy d.

I am feeling inspired.What about you?

Today is one of those days where nothing is getting done despite your gusto to get things done. I have to get some soil for Karla and I's garden. I am very excited to get started with that. I have a bill to pay and a plane ticket to purchase tomorrow. In other words, I have a lot to do tomorrow, but what about today? I am inspired to browse the internet and draw ideas for jewelry and etc. Until 4:50pm today I have nothing to do. I guess I should clean my room and straighten up my "studio". Maybe I should take some pictures too? I am too relaxed for my own good. I am not inspired to post today but I have added some pictures that keep me going despite some setbacks.
This inspires me to:

^to get a simple tattoo


^dress like a girly who isn't ashamed of her Lisa Frank and pink wardrobe
(lookbook.nu)


^to smile a little more (unknown design blog)


^to appreciate family (Yoji Yamamoto and his mom)


^to be myself and take care of myself (unknown)

Have a beautiful day!
xoxox Joy d.

Happy B-day Mr. Brown!

Happy Birthday John Brown! Famous American crazy man and most importantly a radical abolitionist. President Abraham Lincoln said he was a "misguided fanatic". Brown has been called "the most controversial of all 19th-century Americans [citation]. He was revered, hated, and feared all at the same time, with good reason. He managed to take over a fort and massacre many but was then captured and eventually hanged. With historians now looking into the "secret" lives of Presidents and their adversaries this might be a person to look forward to reading about in a few years.

I can't deny that while I enjoy fashion and I love music even more history really captures my full attention. I can have a conversation about my favorite designers and albums of the year but history means more to me than that. You learn so much with such little information about people that were rarely mentioned in your history books. That being said, W.E.B. Dubois wrote a book on Brown, it is a little lengthy and if you are familiar with his writing you know it can sometimes be dry but I have read a few chapters of interest and it is a great way to get incite about a white abolitionist from an African American civil right's activist's point of view.

Studs and grommets vs. simple cuts and mute colors

Personally I like both but in moderation. I agree with Miss Woo and Picked Pics, there should be a definite return to the simple and clean. Where I live studs, ripped clothes, etc. are kind of a uniform. That is okay sometimes but I definitely like it when I see someone around that puts effort in making there clothes presentable.

I've decided to do a fun Pros and Cons using this cool site called picnik.com. I recommend it for the Photoshop illiterate like myself. Shoes featured can be found at F-troupe's website.

ALSO
Face Hunter Show is on now, fashionistas and blog fanatics a like tune in!

Paris part 1 from The Facehunter Show on Vimeo.

being that I am the later and not the former I am stoked. This episode he explores the change that street style snap shots and fashion blogs have caused. I mean, I love him to death, but I didn't realize the Satorialist was so short. Maybe I am just hatin' because he is in Paris talking three languages with Yvan and I am stuck inside with East Coast rain.