-according to the new york times, ugly is the new beautiful. evidently, a recent rash of articles, books and papers have been penned on the subject of ugliness. long a neglected subject of study and interest, pondering ugliness and at times, celebrating the less than perfect/beautiful is now de rigeur.
which got me thinking...
-can ugly be fashionable?
-or, is ugly (already) fashionable?
-in what ways is ugly now fashionable?
(i immediately think of the old/outdated/"ugly" coming back into fashion again, i.e., the ironic, hipster-favored trends of the last couple years...)
-is ugliness, like beauty, merely in the eye of the beholder?
-or, can one argue that are there specific, solid, irrefutable standards that define beauty, and it's allegedly less attractive stepsister, ugliness?
-what does this alleged fascination with ugliness say about our culture? has something significantly shifted? or is the passing fancy with "ugly" just that, a passing fancy?
***
-some speculate that the long coveted size zero figure is perhaps trending towards going the way of the dodo (at least for a little while) (via the times online). a culture-wide fascination with a more voluptuous figure is now on the rise, in some fashion and fame circles, anyway. as to what is exactly meant by "curvy" to these fashion folks is up for debate, but some say the bony girls that have dominated the runways in past years have been told, by some fashion designers and editors, to take off, in order to make room for women with a "bigger" presence. how long this ("new") obsession with curves will last is anyone's guess, but if it's true, it's certainly worth noting.
my questions:
-could this new fascination with curves (and "realness") in fashion be a reflection of the turn our culture is taking in a general sense? are people craving "realness" in aesthetics at the same time they are asking for "realness" in economics, politics, and beyond? in times of leanness, do we sometimes value that which looks even a little bit excessive? i put this idea forward in light of how the impossibly skinny reigned so long in the inflated, excessive years most recently past. i also think of how even further back in history, "rubenesque" women were celebrated in leaner times, as their shape suggested wealth and easy access to resources...
see also: even in a reeling economy, the rich spoiled brat is a fashion and cultural heroine (via the new york times)
***
-psfk, in a recent post, posited that the DIY lifestyle will become culturally mainstream as the economy slides ever downward. i've suggested this many times here on bits and bobbins over the past few years (and feel like they are thus a little behind the times in suggesting this, but nonetheless)...
i wonder:
-IS the DIY lifestyle indeed becoming more mainstream? in what ways? posit, if you please.
-are more people taking classes, and consulting books, the internet and other resources in order to educate themselves on ways to DI(y/themselves) instead of buy, buy, buying or employing the services of others (things they may have done in a bull market)? can (or has) this increase be(en) quantified? surely, someone has done research in this area...?
***
the quick and dirty stuffs:
-i am sure you street fashion fan girls (and guys) will be glad to hear that the sartorialist's scott schuman has allegedly scored himself a book deal (via farpitz, via fashionista). a nice coffee table coup for someone who doesn't even consider himself a street fashion photog. not my cup o' tea (i rather loathe the guy and all he stands for), but i'm passing on the word to you anyway.
-treehugger has crafted a huge, multi-part guide to greening your wardrobe, chocked full of suggestions, stats, and sources. well worth a major peruse on your part.
-word of the elder-focused street-style blog advanced style has been making the rounds...i'm mentioning it here with the intention of giving it another spin. genius idea...sartorially sassy and snazzy grandmas and grandpas duly deserve recognition and accolades.
-LOVE this idea for shredding a tee (really, it's just knits "laddering", but anyway!) from childhood flames. someday i'd love to give it a go.
-these scarves made by spool sewing using quilt/knit master kaffe fassett's shot cotton fabrics are stunning...they feel utterly modern with their deconstructed looks. and oh my, the colors...luscious.
-a fab idea to fashion a few decopage decorated bangle bracelets, here, on one pearl button (via whip up)