Aside from the obvious art, music and history influences of fashion and design that make those of with a passionate interest on the matter truly feel something, once those top level concepts trickling down to the individual (and regardless of how vehemently my brother will deny the need for variation in day-to-day attire), clothes have a fairly profound effect on how we behave, just as much as they are an extension of our personalities – or at least, a branding tool. The simple fact that something as minor as a shade, size or hardware can so immediately impact the way you walk, what you feel like eating for breakfast, or how aggressively you react to road rage, is surely a measure of that.
On set of a shoot at the end of last week, the journalist dispatched to question me about my style, my style, my style and my style, asked after each look: “So where would you wear this outfit?”.
“To buy groceries.” I said each time.
To which said journalist responded with nervous laughter and offered an alternate scenario. Date night, perhaps? Or brunch with girlfriends?
No. Probably just Wholefoods, I said.
My point was not only that I have neither boyfriend nor social life (which is probably what they gleaned from the conversation), but also that clothing doesn’t necessarily need to attach so desperately to some particular occasion, as every publication and e-commerce newsletter’s half-baked trend reports tend to indicate. While I’ll admit that justifying a purchase with some momentous social event where you are sure to be seen seems logical, I put to you that investing in clothes that extend an aesthetic handshake as to your personality for the most menial of day-to-night tasks is much more compelling. And much better soul food. And a much faster route to buying those Proenza slides you wanted.
All that, just to give you a day-to-night I shot on my self in the freeze in Milan with the Gucci team for ELLE Singapore.
Wearing:
Gucci Embroidered Organdy Flower Silk Dress – Dionysus GG Supreme Canvas Shoulder Bag – Crossover Leather Sandal in Beige Leather – Georgia Alice Cropped Flare Pants
Gucci Green Bomber – Silk Organza Top – Sea Map Print Silk Skirt
Gucci Embroidered Cotton Jacket – Embroidered Ankle Flare Pant – Silk ButtonDown Shirt – Finnlay Leather High Boot – Sylvie Leather Shoulder Bag