Lists of Things to Inspire: In Fashion

This should probably be on Pinterest, but I’m not really on the bandwagon yet on that one. Speaking of bandwagons, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I should think really hard and make a physical list of the things that really spike my curiosity or inspire me.  Normally this is  the type of  list that I stow-away in my journal. However, lucky for you concerned readers, I did toy with the idea of making some sort of list-form Friday installment on my blog.

This list idea is for two reasons:
a. I love lists.
b. I think I want to instate some sort of continuity in this blog, if only for my on sanity.

And as it turns out I can’t find my journal right now and want to write the list,  these lists will begin today!

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AHEM!

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The forewarning and background of the list:

Ladies and gentlemen, think me not shallow please, for the things I will now list before you could be considered one of shallow variety. However, I assure you, they are not. Many of you were maybe not aware, but I have a keen interest in fashion. I’ve also been pretty, shall-we-say (or shall-allofmyfriends-say), eclectic, in my sense of personal style. In fact, I have mused with changing the name of this blog to one of my favorite fashion self-coined terms, “homeless chic.” However, when it comes to my interest in fashion, I’m not one to “buy” things. I have a good amount of clothes (gasp), but many of these are actually clothes I’ve had for years and years or have accumulated by free-giveaways from friends. What I really enjoy is the art of taking pieces I already possess and reworking them in interesting ways. I do this by taking inspiration from designers that I admire with stock in the industry and by observing their impact on the world around us. Does art beget culture or culture beget art? Who knows.

With that briefly said, here’s who I learn from and what leaves me inspired:

1. Vogue Magazine

2. Coco Chanel. She was a visionary. A pants-wearin, corset-sheddin, risk-takin product of a tough childhood, Coco redefined the world of fashion and began one of the biggest fashion houses in existence today. 

4. Strong women in the current industry. These women are smart, respected, motivated, artistic, and challenging in the best way. They all have something beautiful to say, even if not audible.  They include: Kelly Cutrone of the Fashion PR Firm People’s Revolution, Anna Wintour Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Rachel Zoe stylist, Sofia Coppola director and of course, the First Lady. Other notables are the Queen, Sylvia Plath and Virgina Woolf.

4. Certain celebs. I love celeb fashionistas that express themselves authentically and artistically, because they inspire me to do the same. I always want to see more. These include most of all, Sienna Miller. Also, Michelle Williams, Carey Mulligan, recently Emma Watson, and numerous other people that I stalk on facebook. They are creative and always taking risks. They “wear” a great commentary on the world.

Noticing a theme??? I love a good pixie cut. I admire it so much. A girl wearing short hair has the confidence to celebrate her natural features without a hidden veil of lengthy locks and also is risky enough to experiment. They also always have the best style. LOVE IT!

I used to have short, short hair. Back in 7th grade. I won’t upload the picture, but I learned my lesson. I think…

Right now I am really, really loving several things in fashion:

4. Big eyebrows. Note Emma Watson’s to the left.

5. Lipstick. Like this pic of indie fashion icon Zooey for her new Rimmel Campaign to the left.

6.  Nautical themed 50s-cut clothing. I’m talking the red striped button-up I have from my grandma’s Goodwill pile that she used to wear to clean the house back in the 50s. I’m talking Ked’s white or blue sneakers. White. Red. Blue. Stripes. Some might say polka-dots, I dislike them so I just say polka. The 50s are in right now, albeit struggling to emerge against some 20s style flapper escapades (which I also like), and I’m glad of it.

7. Anthropologie. Doesn’t it inspire us all. And make us bemoan our poor existence.

8. Designer collaborations with our favorite retail stores. For example, Versace and Marni for H&M. Among many others, Isaac Mizrahi, Missoni (sister design team), and most recently Jason Wu for Target. The first day that Missoni pieces came out at Target, the website crashed and all sold out in stores. MAYHEM.

To me, it means a lot when high-end designers take time to create items that are sold at everyday prices for the common woman like me. Have I bought any of these items? No. I am poor (and reference previously stated fact that I don’t buy many clothes). But I appreciate the sentiment. And of course the art.

9. France. Like any pupil of beautiful things, I love all things French. I am not a Francophone, by any means, but that is simply by coincidence not desire.

10. Certain colors. Earth tones. Muted blues, pinks; beige. Other than my recent nautical thing, I do not like most poppy colors or patterns. I did not vote for my sorority’s color to be hot pink, let’s just put it that way.

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Well, I think I’m done with this week’s list installment. I’ll have to check in with you next week. Now I need to go to sleep because I am going with my sister to Vineyard’s “More4Orphans” Summit tomorrow starting at 8:30am. Eek! On a Saturday! But, keynote speaker is my man Wess Stafford, CEO of Compassion International (where I interned Summer ’11). I must attend.

Au Revoir!

PS What inspires you in fashion?