2008 Woodie Awards
En Vogue Inspiration: Where do you get your dose?
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Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Fashion and Style
Inspiration is garnered from a plethora of sources, as well as an assortment of diverse experiences; the most profound of which come from within. A stimulating encounter evokes an inner sense of motivation, an impetus which ought to induce us to ask ourselves how that encounter makes us feel. What does it force us to think about? How will we react and contend with it? What have we done or accomplished thus far in that realm? What challenges have we faced? Once we have assessed our passions, preferences, capabilities, strengths, talents, triumphs and failures, our newfound insight and appreciation is absorbed within our individual personas.
When it comes to our personal style, whether consciously or not, we all go through this process. We are inspired by art, music, nature, dance, literature, philosophy, and the list goes on, ad infinitum. We then integrate those ideas and ideals, which specifically speak to us, into our own sartorial personas. We dare to try something new on for size and then gauge our gut reactions.
We have all experienced our share of fashion sensations and fiascos, the notable OMG moments which compel us to exclaim, "OMG- that dress was tailor made for me!" or contrarily, "OMG! That is so not flattering, what was I thinking?!" We assess these moments, and from each occasion we edit that sartorial persona. Sometimes those incidents elicit vows never to be caught dead in a certain outfit again, while others induce shopping sprees of vast proportions to overhaul our wardrobes.
In each case we are reacting to an emotion, as we consider how that garment affected us in our attempts at self-expression and improvement. Did we feel attractive or just plain ugly? Glamorous or dowdy? Sophisticated or unkempt? Classic or trendy? In answering these questions we try to remain true to ourselves, and in a certain sense it seems we literally wear our hearts on our sleeves. In some way we strive to convey our values, assets, affinities, aversions, and various other qualities with our taste in clothes.
It may seem outlandish to assert that what we wear really speaks that much about our interests. Yet, whether it is intentional or not, we are all somewhat engaged in this process. Our thoughts, opinions, and feelings inspire the creation of our individual characters, and while it may prove more overt in some than in others, we all convey our individuality with our mode of dress.
So the challenge that remains is to find, and avail ourselves of our personal wells of inspiration. Remain in tune to your personal and distinct feelings and celebrate them with a worthy wardrobe.
When it comes to our personal style, whether consciously or not, we all go through this process. We are inspired by art, music, nature, dance, literature, philosophy, and the list goes on, ad infinitum. We then integrate those ideas and ideals, which specifically speak to us, into our own sartorial personas. We dare to try something new on for size and then gauge our gut reactions.
We have all experienced our share of fashion sensations and fiascos, the notable OMG moments which compel us to exclaim, "OMG- that dress was tailor made for me!" or contrarily, "OMG! That is so not flattering, what was I thinking?!" We assess these moments, and from each occasion we edit that sartorial persona. Sometimes those incidents elicit vows never to be caught dead in a certain outfit again, while others induce shopping sprees of vast proportions to overhaul our wardrobes.
In each case we are reacting to an emotion, as we consider how that garment affected us in our attempts at self-expression and improvement. Did we feel attractive or just plain ugly? Glamorous or dowdy? Sophisticated or unkempt? Classic or trendy? In answering these questions we try to remain true to ourselves, and in a certain sense it seems we literally wear our hearts on our sleeves. In some way we strive to convey our values, assets, affinities, aversions, and various other qualities with our taste in clothes.
It may seem outlandish to assert that what we wear really speaks that much about our interests. Yet, whether it is intentional or not, we are all somewhat engaged in this process. Our thoughts, opinions, and feelings inspire the creation of our individual characters, and while it may prove more overt in some than in others, we all convey our individuality with our mode of dress.
So the challenge that remains is to find, and avail ourselves of our personal wells of inspiration. Remain in tune to your personal and distinct feelings and celebrate them with a worthy wardrobe.
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