Who wore it better? Within the last three months, the white pantsuit has been the focus of not one but two nationally broadcasted exclusive interviews.
Naturally, I got curious. Two high profile women pick a white pantsuit for a decisive interview where they promise to tell their story. A coincidence? No, in the world of Fashion PR, none is left to chance.
Let’s set the scene
HARPO PRODUCTIONS/JOE PUGLIESE
For Adele, it was for a sit down with Oprah to discuss her long-awaited album and mark her first press tour in 7 years. The Christopher John Rogers number harmoniously complemented the greenery and white roses in the background. It felt calming and somewhat cleansing to the eyes. I think that it made the interview feel more intimate, like a conversation with old friends. Getting the tailoring right on a suit was vital to the success of the look. The white hue also worked in favor of creating that whiff of elegance. While the 30-year-old singer looks effortless in this white combination, it remains to the trained eye, a strategic move by her Team to style her in pieces and silhouettes reminiscent of the 1930s Hollywood Glamour. The look is as timeless as her music. Even now, she never strays away from black and cream color. It’s as if she just escaped from an old black-and-white movie.
@Adele Instagram
Why white (or any of its adjacent hues)?
Well, the color holds manyconnotations.
White has since the early 20th Century been a symbol of western feminism. It was one of the three colors of the Women’s social and political union credited as the force behind the suffrage movement. It has since evolved into a symbol of female solidarity (Anothermag).
Besides, the choice of the white or any adjacent hues symbolizes purity and cleanliness. It also indirectly projects a sentiment of trust over its wearer. Fun fact: the Latin word for white, candidus, is etymologically related to candid which means to be frank and honest. White also stands for elegance.
In addition, studies have shown a strong link between menswear and respectability. Women have used suits to convey seriousness and a will to be in full control of their power. (want to learn more, click here).
And for Jamie Lynn Spears?
CREDIT : ABC
For Jamie Lynn Spears it was for an exclusive GMA interview to discuss her controversial new book about her experience as the sister of America’s beloved pop star. To no one surprise, Jamie Lynn Spears’s sit-down had very high stakes. Last year, Britney Spears’s very public legal battle to end her conservatorship was met with firm public support, and Jaimie Lynn’s involvement was heavily discussed. As per her book, Jamie Lynn aims to control her narrative. She was styled in a broad shoulder cream pantsuit, loosely fitted on her frame. While the broad shoulder detail is a current runaway favorite, it could have benefited from better tailoring. As a result, the look felt “off” and impersonal.
Based on the reactions on social media, most folks weren’t swayed by what was perceived as a “classic PR tactic”.
Nevertheless, it is impressive how much thought can go into a celebrity look. Visuals are the first point of impression, and while they certainly hold power, they cannot shield you from the outcome of your actions.
I won’t lie, at first glance, even in the dreamiest of knits, the balaclava still reminds me of a robber mask.
Granted, with its thermal properties and fact that it can double as a protective gear, I can see the commercial appeal. The likes of Givenchy, Balenciaga, Prada and Marni have introduced their own model with retail prices going up to 725 USD.
Raf Simons
A long standing tradition of face covering
Looking past its negative connotation, the balaclava is part of a rich world tradition of face coverings. The Tuareg of Libya, the Bedouins (Egypt) and the Berbers (Morocco) are few of the African tribes that have adapted to the harsh desert weather through the use of cotton headdresses and face veils. It’s known by various name : litham, kufiya or hatta. The donning of the niqab, a full face veil, is also practiced among a fraction of Muslim women for religious purposes.
Man from the Tuareg Tribe (Algeria) wearing a full face veil.
The current face gear bracing the runaway is inspired by a common Russian winter staple, the balaclava. Why is it called balaclava ? Well, unlike the bright knits that make up its composition, the origin of the name is much darker. In 1854, as British troops fought in the Battle of balaclava as part of the Crimean war, they were gifted handmade garments to protect themselves from the bitter cold weather. Impressive enough the garment continued to be worn by east Europeans for hundred of winter seasons.
Down South in the region of Kolkotta (India), the familiar item has been adopted as a winter must-have. Bhowmick, the Assistant Editor of Times of India recalls how locals would not step outside without a “Monkey cap” also known as “Bengali topi”.
If you ever visit a Bengali home in Kolkata, you will be greeted by the sight of everyone walking around wearing a monkey cap, means you will be greeted by people looking somewhat akin to bank robbers.
Bhowmick
Seems like once again the objects of our everyday lives become an inspiration ground for designers. Anyone else recalls the Balenciaga Barbes shopping bag ?
The appeal of anonymity
Before turning into a fashion statement, the balaclava was used by law enforcement agencies as a form of thermal protection for the long hours spent in the cold weather. It covers 60% of the face. And the upside to that is that its wearer is also in turn unrecognizable.
This fortunate double feature benefitted armed forces and organized crime groups alike who, could keep their anonymity during excursions and special missions from well, each other.
wikicommons. Rapper Badd Wolf has made the balaklava one of his signature look. He even sell it as merch on his website.
It’s that very feature that attracted the UK Drill Music Scene as well as the broader hip hop scene. For the Hip Hop community, the masked gear has become a fashion statement and a way to protect its identity. They can now enjoy their fame and avoid unwanted attention to themselves. It also further intensify the cloud of mystery surrounding the artist.
A dangerous symbol
Etsy Iknithandmade
Yet, for a long time there has been a stigma with full or partial covering of the face. UK Prime Minister Boris compared niqabis to “bank robbers”. Even more so when it comes to visible minorities. A study by Washington Post on a group of non-Black respondents showed that Black men are more likely to be seen as threatening and untrustworthy when wearing a form of face covering as opposed to their white counterparts.
In 2018, Nike introduced his version of the balaclava only to be met with criticism. It was accused of profiting from gang culture and inciting the youth. The styling of the balaclava with a harness felt like a caricature of gang culture, at a time where the UK faced a major knife crime crisis.
2018 Nike x Matthew Williams
Givenchy FW21 (by Matthew Williams)
In 2021, this knitted version styled with a voluminous puffer is more tasteful. It clearly fulfills its original purpose as a winter accessory and no longer calls back to gangwear.
Yet, two years into the pandemic, the mask which covers half of our faces has become paramount to our lives. There has been a realization that face covering can hold another purpose outside of facilitating crime. It can be a mean of protection or a fashion statement.
Under the helm of Matthew Williams, Givenchy released a knitted balaclava as part of their 2021 Winter/Fall Collection. The garment was met with a positive response.
Now, that luxury houses have adopted the look into mainstream. Can we assume that the stigma will evaporate ? Or will the balaclava be simply another trend, one where only the privileged can safely experiment with ?
The potential to dress your inner child
Etsy Anotherhatbag
Still there is much potential to this trend. I love seeing the renditions of the knitted garments in colorful patterns and the ones replicating plush animals. It instantly brings out a homely vibe and takes me back to my sweet childhood.
Moreover many critics of the balaclava call out the garment for being “unflattering”. During these anxious ridden times, I ask can fashion be simply comforting ?
The Blazer is by all means one of the most versatile item in your wardrobe. Once one part of the traditional woman suit attire, it has been granted an amicable divorce from its coordinated pantsuit. The blazer is now another piece of outwear to chose from. It has as much place worn to your stakeholder’s meeting than at your grocery run. Still you know that regardless of the place and time, once it lays on your shoulder, your whole look will be elevated by its structure. It automatically gives off an aura of formality and confidence.
Ever wondered how did this attribute became linked to the blazer ?
Street Style
BBC America – Killing Eve
I find people-watching a great way to get a dose of fashion inspiration and for a broader perspective, I turn to the virtual streets Instagram scrolling through endless street styles accounts. Often, a look will caught my attention. Here I came across the most unexpected pairing of the Blazer on no other that Miss Tracee, skillfully blurring the lines of class and gender through clothing.
SPOTTED
Pre-pandemic, Tracee Ellis Ross was spotted on the street wearing a structured black blazer with grey hoodie, khaki construction pants and what appears to be thick soled white boots. The whole look is casual and comfortable (on par with our pandemic dress code) but the addition of the dark blazer injects structure and formality. The intersectionality of workwear with streetwear and corporate pieces leaves us puzzled as to where the actress is ultimately headed.
Tribeca, 2019 Getty
(Readers – If you had to take a guess, where do you think she is headed ? )
SPOTTED
Next, Fashion Blogger Aimee Song plays with length and texture in a black and beige color palette. However odd is the mixing of athletic bike short with snakeskin boots, the addition of the boxy blazer creates adhesion to the look. Almost instantly, the blazer brings out an air of formality. She means business.
@SongofStyle
Ever wondered how that connation came about ? Let us dive into a quick history lesson
A traditional men clothing ? Maybe not at first…
The Blazer as we know it was originally a rowing jacket. In 1889, the London Daily News reported about the “bright red blazers” worn by the Lady Margaret Boat Club. Not long after, the look was adopted by many other upper class establishments as well as the Royal Navy. Slowly it positioned itself as a casual menswear jacket, an alternative to the stuffy suit jacket.
Menswear for Woman – a sign of Liberation
Since the sixties, many designers reimagined traditional menswear with women in mind. In 1967, Yves St-Laurent designed his first lady pantsuit, one full year after the infamous Le Smoking. Featuring a double breasted striped jacket, it adapted the proportion of the traditional menswear garment to fit on women’s body. As a creative, he explored gender norms through clothing and pushed to introduce a new silhouette that would empower woman to feel confident and beautiful. True to his vision, Mr. Saint Laurent said in his own words : “I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful, but also to reassure them, give them confidence.”. Soon, many woman began to embrace the Saint Laurent suit as a way to channel their sexiness and confidence. It became the power suit of upper-class ladies.
Getty Image Bianca Jagger in Yves Saint Laurent Suit (1979)
Getty Image Bianca Jagger in her Yves Saint Laurent Bridal Suit (1971)
Yet, it remained prohibited to wear to outside functions, relegated to the confines of one’s home. Only in 1973, did President Nixon decreed the pantsuit acceptable for woman in the workplace.
While Mr. Saint Laurent was enhancing the woman figure and channeling their femininity, Mr. Armani was concealing it to project respectability in the workplace.
The Armani Suit featured loose tailoring and strong padded shoulders meant to emulate the masculine figure. By dressing like their counterparts, working woman were attempting to secure the respect of their male peers and be afforded the same career opportunities.
The act of dressing to “express the position you have through the clothes you wear” is known as Power Dressing ( Forbes). And in the 80s, it meant a full suit and shoulders as sharp as a knife.
Giorgio Armani
“Working women should dress smartly to be taken seriously, but not so masculine they threaten male colleagues, dressing feminine enough to be appealing to men without being provocative.”
Right at the end of the decade, Designer Donna Karan had enough of woman dressing like men and went on to introduce her take on the blazer with her “soft shoulder jacket”. It channeled their femininity in the softest of fabrics. Donna’s legacy is her versatile pieces on par with the minimalism of the 90s.
1992 Presidential themed Fashion Campaign. More masculine-feminine collection (c) Vogue– Courtesy of Donna Karan
The Pacuchos : Challenging Gender norms and racial identity
“For those without other forms of cultural capital, fashion can be a way of claiming space for yourself.”
Cab Calloway in a zoot suit in the musical ‘Stormy Weather’ (20th Century Fox), 1943. (Photo by John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time, woman deliberately experimented with traditional menswear. Back in the 1930-40s, a new suit emerged from the dancehalls of Harlem : the Zoot Suit. With its high waisted oversize pants and matching blazer, the suit was initially designed to allow dancers fluidity in their movement. Soon after, it unlocked a counterculture where the people of color rejected assimilation to White American society and could show off their garments in its unusual oversize silhouette. Fashion gave them a platform to express themselves in a way society had not. This particularly appealed to young Mexican-American woman who toyed around the menswear pieces injecting touches of femininity into their outfits. One would style the suit with heels and flamboyant hairstyles. Often, they paired the oversize blazer falling to their knees with shorter skirts.
For Mexican-American woman, wearing the menswear garment represented a rebellion against traditional gender norms. It was also a way to claim their allegiance to the Mexican American youth subculture.
But, they were misunderstood as being provocative and sexual. And, to the eyes of authority, the excessive use of fabric was seen as a direct defiance of wartime effort (it was the 30s-40s after all) and was to be severely punished. Wearing the zoot suits or its oversize blazer was deemed un-American.
The influence of the Zoot Suits and the Pacuchas can be found these days in our love for blending gender norms and oversize clothing trends.
The boxy oversize shape of the blazer (Jacquemus FW20) is a direct reference to the Pacuchas style.
NOWFASHION/IVAN MARIANELLI
Legacy of the Blazer
Eighty years later, Lady Gaga’s reiteration of the zoot suit at the Woman in Hollywood Gala is just as politically charged. As we know, celebrities and their styling team are very intentional with the looks they put forward on the red carpet. Lady Gaga handpicked an oversized Marc Jacob’s suit that conceals her curves and in a golden beige color nonetheless that is gentle on the eyes. Through Fashion, she signals that the attention should be given to her words and not her appearance. She is claiming ownership of her power and the respect of her peers.
“In this suit, I felt like me today,”Gaga said, getting choked up. “In this suit, I felt the truth of who I am well up in my gut, and then wondering what I wanted to say tonight became very clear to me.”
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ELLE Magazine)
Lady Gaga in a reimagined zoot suit at the 2018 Woman in Hollywood Gala. Peek the sharp padded shoulder and the oversize suit draping on her. It oozes of presence. While her message is different than the Pachuca’s who aimed to standout, both groups uses the oversized Blazer/Suit as a tool to claim their space.
(c) Giphy, Global BC
Girlboss Blazer – Ultra feminine take on the menswear item
(C) Getty Images. 2019 Girlboss Rally Sophia Amuroso, the original girlboss wearing none other than a blazer. Notice how it contrasts with the tone down palette of the 80s powersuits
“Masculinity has been traditionally equated with men, so this implies that women need to ‘dress like men’ in order to be taken seriously, get ahead, and neutralize the male gaze
Dr. Lauren Gurrieri
In 2011, Sophia Amuroso, founder of Nastygal introduced the world to a new term, Girlboss, also the title of her newly released memoir. The Girlboss is a promise that through one’s hard work and confidence, one can ascend to the highest corporate ranks as well as resolve gender disparity in the workplace. The movement was rooted in capitalist values such as the myth of meritocracy and in defining success through material and monetary gains, targeting specifically young educated women. Image played a pivotal role in its popularity. It relied heavily on uplifting quotes in pink fonts and double breasted blazers. They embraced the blazer along with other menswear looks in their corporate wardrobe. However, their version was a hyper feminine one, favoring garments in pink and pastels over neutral shades.
(c) GirlBoss Entrepreneur
Photo from Gage Skidmore. Edited by Jiana Nicole.
A few decades ago, career women embraced menswear to project respectability while the Girlboss today, do so by adopting an ultra feminine take of menswear, leaning into an almost infantile version of themselves. It might seem odd to associate an empowerment movement with the infantilization of women. But, Solomon explains :
(…) the girlboss label allowed women to assert power or lean in without threatening or alienating people around them.
(Umm, heard this before ? )
Is there hope for the Blazer to find a new place in the echelons of Fashion?
One group whose sole survival relies on aesthetic have rescued the Blazer. The new IT girl in town is the self-employed content creator. She scavenges the internet for style inspiration pulling from different eras and genders in the hopes that her new look will propel her onto the good side of the algorithm. She taunts the idea of masculinity and femininity with an editorial attention to details and accessories. There is no hidden political agenda outside of making a fashion statement. In this virtual game of keeping up appearance, the blazer has positioned itself as the symbol of (the main character) in (living) its perfect fun polished life.
“It is a badge of honour, a membership card of the high-profile fashion tribe who used to be found squished next to each other in the catwalk front row and who now jostle for position at the top of your algorithm-curated social media feed.”
The GUARDIAN
Inspiration : possibly 70s
She deliberatly brings focal point to her waist with the gold metal belt. Complete her look with gold accessories, sleek updo and sunglasses. Challenges status quo of the blazer as a jacket. Instead wears it as a dress.
The results : This look inject sensuality and feminity through traditionally men clothing. It’s daring and authoritative
(c) Photo credit : Tumblr
So you’re not an influencer, what does the Blazer mean to you?
Along with a generational sentiment of refusing to be bound by societal rules, we are witnessing a renewed interest in self-expression through Fashion. The blazer doesn’t abide to archaic fashion rules, it is now one of the most versatile item in your wardrobe. It can be paired with pants, skirts, dresses, sweatpants and each time it projects a different mood. It goes as far as simplifying the process of looking put-together. Even after all these transformation, the blazer is still symbol of power, structure, and seriousness.
One popular crossover is the pairing of blazer with streetwear styles :
PHOTO: TIME LIFE PICTURES/DMI/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES
@SophiaRoe
Fashion is cyclic. As Stylist Amanda Murray have said in I-D, ” “We are residing in a deeply referential age in fashion,” she adds, noting that “each year it’s heightened by this industry’s increasing dependence on the archives for inspiration” (i-D). Our generation interest in vintage only reaffirms that fact. Ultimately, dressing up a blazer in 2021 is carrying bits and pieces of the political and socially charged history of the garment.
I hope we can confidently slay in our outfits with a new appreciation of all it represents.
Welcome to Day five of Black Fashion History Serie . The purpose of this serie is to Highlight Black Creatives and their contribution to Fashion in the past and present.
(L to R) AOC, Dua Lipa, Selah Marley, Promotional Photos courtesy of Telfar ( Fair use )
In the last couple of years, these soft colourful tote bag embossed with the Telfar logo have graced both the streets and the virtual playground of Instagram making it the IT bag of the moment.
What is an IT Bag ?
The term first appeared in the nineties to characterize a luxury designer bag with high selling power, worn on the shoulder of influential women of the time.
Because of it’s high popularity, the IT bag regularly sells out and is regarded as an exclusive good. To stand out in the accessory market, the IT bag has to have a fresh elevated design who will seduce the fashion girls.
The Majority of IT bags are coming from big heritage brands (FENDI,CHANEL and HERMÈS). Telfar is one of few rising brands who produced their own IT bag, the Shopper.
Such accessory is an opportunity for consumers with thick wallets to buy into a very exclusive group of stylish people, to share space with their favorite models and actresses. But for others, it is to remain relevant in the fashion sphere, to show they are in the loop of the forever changing trends. And for all, it is a Status symbol.
2020 IT Bag : The Shopper (Telfar)
Courtesy of Telfar
Made with synthetic materials and embossed with the sleek Telfar logo, the Shopper bag is designed for everyday use. If the shape is familiar, it’s because it is modeled directly after retail shopping bags (more precisely Bloomingdales). The designer Telfar Clemens wished to reenact the warm exciting feeling one has after shopping.
“The Shopping Bag first dropped in 2014 — meaning: our bag ain’t new — it’s the world that changes. Let’s keep changing.”
Telfar Clemens
Contrary to popular belief, the Telfar bag did not become the hottest accessory overnight. Understandibly so, since the rising brand didn’t have the traditional support of retail stores or the deep pockets of heritage brands. Over the course of three years, the bag slowly won the interest and hearts of its consumers. And when Clemens won the CFDA Fashion Fund in 2017, the bag’s future was secured… with new sizes and colors.
The price point of $150 to $300 makes it one of the most affordable IT bags in history. It’s a clear move by Clemens to make the good accessible to all. Only the bag would sell out in mere minutes at each drop, and as it often the case with exclusive items, it ended up on resale website selling for twice its retail price.
(Photo Credit : Andrew Morales/ WWD)
On August 19 2020, Telfar broke the unwritten fashion rule of exclusivity with the Bag Security Program.
Courtesy of Telfar
In a historic 1 day sale, customers were given the opportunity to buy any Telfar bags with the guarantee to receive it by Jan 2021. Just like that, Clemens removed the exclusivity long associated with IT bags.
But why reject a business strategy which worked so successfully for heritage brands like Hermès or Chanel? Because Telfar is all about accessibility, about breaking the link between luxury and exclusivity. When Clemens founded his brand in 2009, he had to carve his own space in the still predominantly White Industry. His work is directly inspired by Black Culture and his middle class New York upbringing. It features reimagined every day items such as denim jackets or sport uniforms. It wouldn’t make sense for him to cater to the Elite and exlude the very own marginalized black community he draw inspiration from.
Additionally, Telfar designs unisex clothing making their bag truly inclusive of all genders. What other IT bag on the market do that ?
Telfar is about fostering a fashion community and giving all access to luxury goods. All of these elements couldn’t be more on par with the brand’s message: It’s not for you, it’s for everyone.
Luxury without scarcity — you could just call that freedom.
You might be wondering : Can the Telfar bag retain it’s IT factor with the loss of exclusitivity ?
Essentially, an IT Bag selling power is limited. But for Telfar, the public love for the Bushwick Birkin is still going strong. Remember the bag security program we mentionned earlier ? The revenue in that 24 hours sale alone surpassed the previous year bag revenue. For small independant brands that often live from the revenue of the previous season, having a pre-order is a smart move that will help them secure funds for production and invest in new creative venues.
As matter of fact, Telfar recently announced their upcoming 2021 Ugg collaboration. Along with several products, they teased the reimagined version of the IT bag in wool sherling last available for preorder on November 2020. And yes, the precious item is sold out.
(Photo Credit: Torso/ Courtesy of Telfar)
Remember when we said that the appeal of IT Bag was its Status Symbol?
If it’s accessible to everyone, what motivates consumers to buy the Bushwick Birkin ?
Remember when we said that the appeal of IT Bag was its Status Symbol?Well, the Telfar customer buys into a community of diverse individuals who dress free of labels be it genders or “sartorial rules”. For a lot of black consumers, the connection to the brand runs deeper. For one, the number of black owned luxury brand is scarce. Perhaps, it’s also due to the fact that while black men and woman have been for decades the Muses of designers and culture trendsetter , they have not felt seen by the luxury brands. And that will always keep Telfar relevant to marginalized communities, specifically black consumers.
“Fashion is really about a monopoly on beauty and the weaponization of beauty by those who hold power. I think the same night we won the CFDA Fashion Fund in 2017 we started to plot a kind of escape. In fact we used the money to start our bag program.“
Telfar Clemens
By striping away the elitism of Fashion, Telfar has opened doors to a wider consumer demographic. His recent invitation to host his Fashion Show in Paris, the numerous celebrities endorsements and his recent title of 2020 Accessory Designer awarded by CFDA are all proof that Clemens is doing things right. While being authenticly himself. If anything, the pandemic and civil right movements this year have accelerated the wind of change that is shaking the Industry. New talent is settling, inclusivity isn’t a trend but a must.
On November 27 2020, Unicef Ambassador and Supermodel Halima Aden, who rapidly rose to fame in 2016, took to Instagram to announce that she is quitting Fashion Week and will take a break from the Industry. She cites pressures to compromise her faith and beliefs as the reason behind her decision. Naturally, the news shocked her fans and the Industry. Her decision shared directly via social media bypassing her PR team is sending a clear message: Halima Aden is in full control of her story. (Boss move!)
– Short Bio –
The 23 year-old model rose to fame in 2016 following a highly publicized Miss Minnessota Pageant where she made history as the first participant to compete in a burkini. Soon after, she signed with IMG models and walked on many high profile shows (to name a few: Rihanna’s brand Fenty, Max Mara and Tommy Hilfiger), graced the cover of Vogue twice, appeared on Swimsuit Illustrated and became an Unicef Ambassador.
What pushed a young successful model to quit Runway Shows ?
Essentially, being first in the game means having to carve your own path in an Industry that has never welcomed a hijabi before. Since the begining, Halima has said that being herself and true to her values is her priority. She has set boundaries by requiring a separate changing room for all her Fashion Shows, and adding a clause in her modelling contract for her head covering.
In a 2017 Harper Barzaar Interview titled “Why Halima Aden Refuses to remove hijab for Fashion“, the Somali model explains how she felt compelled to turned down Spring season shows as they weren’t compatible with her wardrobe requirements (long sleeve, hijab, no pants unless worn under long garment-skirt). It’s important to note that within the muslim community, their interpretation of modesty differs. Even then, Halima mentions the pressure of fitting into the vision of her muslim fans, the stylist and designers who all see modesty differently.
But not all is grim as there has been lots of positive moments in her journey.
Halima fondly recounts that on her second Max Mara Show (2017), the designer presented her with many looks paired with custom scarves and even hired more up-and-coming hijabi models. “When MaxMara happened, I posted a photo and I said thank you for keeping my wardrobe requirements in mind. And this girl commented, “He keeps you in mind, he keeps us in mind. Now this Muslim shopper will keep MaxMara in mind.” – Halima
In her IG story, she recalls Rihanna letting her bring her own black scarf to the Show, a sweet moment she’s still grateful for.
But in a space where she is often than not, the only hijabi or muslim woman, the pressure to mold her scarf to fit the vision of the majority is rampant. Looking back at her 2017 campaign with American Eagle, the scarf is being swapped with denim jeans. The result is tone-deaf and mirror the “towel head” insult often hurdled at young hijabi girls.
From Halima IG Story
Is this really the representation we asked for ? Looking back, the model is disappointed with the styling choices the brands she worked with took, stating her hijab was becoming less and less visible. She felt that she was being pushed into editorial choices that diluted her modesty. As a result, she felt more and more uncomfortable.
She felt that she was being pushed into editorial choices that diluted her modesty
Halima states that the pandemic and going back home, discussing with her mother, gave her the opportunity to distance herself from fashion and see where she felt she had failed.
Ultimately, she blames the lack of hijabi stylists and being blinded by the glitz and glamour of Fashion at her young age as the reasons why she almost lost her hijab.
As Halima explains, her version of modesty includes a visible scarf covering her chest and skirt. Here this shoot can be an example of a compromise she made. Later, she says ” If the hijab can’t be (this) visible, I’m not showing up periodt “
Received Outpooring support from the industry : Naomi Campbell, Gigi and Bella Hadid, CFDA Director Steven Koln to name a few…
Halima story opens a whole debate on the quality of the representation given by big corporations and Fashion Houses. As for modest clothing, a concept embraced by far more than just Muslim Women, fashion has always kept the door shut. Never catering to the potential consumers who still yearn for a place in Fashion World. With clothes becoming skimpier each decade, modest dressers had to get creative and master the art of layering.
In staying, I would have lost my scarf.
Halima
As we are finally seing western brands entering modest market, it disapointing to be packaged a eurocentric “modestwear” and hijab that often contradicts the whole idea.
Sadly this isn’t anything new. Last year, retailer Banana Republic got under fired for styling their first hijabs with short sleeves and a wide leg slit dress. While there is different levels of modestwear, typically the hijab covering should be accompanied with full coverage clothes. BR later apologized and attempted to salvage the pictures with good old-fashioned “cropping” but not without shifting the blame on model stating she styled her own.
“I can guarantee you she had no say in the styling. And even if she did, knowing how these sets work — models are treated like props and their input is rarely welcome. So don’t blame her even though @bananarepublic made it seem like she styled everything. That’s just a caption”
The incident was captured by Haute Hijab founder Melania. (Screenshot by
(Note, the banana republic case is quite complex as it also highlighted tension within the muslim community and difference in modesty. It is also worth nothing that the face of the online discussion against banana republic is th owner of a global hijab brand. There has been no official comment from the model @thisgirlfatuma.)
What all these episodes hightlights is the need for a spokeperson of the consumers you’re targeting at the every step of the way. You need a hijabi or muslim woman in production, in styling, in marketing… Simply treating a hijab as an accessory will not cut it, you need to understand it’s the context and significance. Luckily there remain many muslim owned or diverse companies who understands and caters to the modest market. Morever, I beg to ask in the light of this styling mishaps and Halima’s experience – Are global western companies simply interested in a quick money grab in the estimated 283 billion dollar modestwear market ?
It is unknown if Halima is taking a break or quitting the Industry. The Somali American Model has signed a contract with one of the biggest agency IMG in 2017. What remains evident is that she fully attend to be in control of her narrative. Let Halima Aden’s story be a cautionary tale of the harm of bad representation diversity.
Twenty years ago, Reese Wetherspoon brought the character of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde to life.
Recently, a cold rainy fall afternoon turned into an opportunity to re-watch the 2001’s comedy Legally Blonde. Here I thought, I would get a couple of good laughs and call it a day. Much to my surprise, I couldn’t help but notice how much I liked the professional outfits our heroine was sporting. Twenty years after the film’s release, most of the Elle Wood’s costumes remain wearable. Granted, I wouldn’t be borrowing her full fushia leather ensemble any time soon. But given how easy it is to fall in pattern of grey and black garments, my workwear could use a little touch of youthfulness and fun. (Let’s pretend we’re not in a pandemic and just living in Loungewear). As a matter of fact, from a fashion standpoint, Legally Blonde is the perfect backdrop for inspiration on young professional dressing.
Here are the four tips I learned from Legally Blonde :
Tip # 1 – Having a signature color creates continuity in your outfits.
Legally Blonde features a strong reference to pink. Twenty years later, if you wear an all pink look, chances are at least one person will reference Reese witherspoon’s character. Now you’re probably thinking : this is just a movie and I have no intention to wear an all pink look anytime soon. But here is my point. We can go on forever on all the benefits of a signature style: it saves you time, money and sets a specific image to the rest of the World. But settling down on what constitutes your own style, can take years and requires lots of experimenting. Which as you probably realize cost money.
So, how about narrowing down to a color ? You could start small by adding accents of your favorite color in the accessories (perhaps a bag, a necklace, or a belt). Going further, you could incorporate one piece of clothing in your signature color for every single of one of your looks.
Don’t believe me ? Look at the use of orange in fashion blogger Steffy’s outfits.
INSTAGRAM @STEFFY
Tip #2 : BE CONFIDENT EVEN IF UNDERDRESSED
Let’s start with a cheesy quote : “Confidence have no competition”. In this scene, Elle is invited to her first Harvard party which she had been told was a costume party. She shows up dressed as a Playboy Bunny only to realize that she is the only one in costume.
Instead of runing away defeated, Elle doesn’t let it get to her. She carries herself with a healthy dose of confidence and inhabits the same comfort as if she was simply wearing a good pair of jeans. Eventually, she almost convinces us that a bunny costume can be a regular outfit to wear to your student library.
I said almost.
Tip #3 : Shop in the men’s section
Shopping in the menswear section can be a great idea. First off, you will save money. According to CNBC, Woman clothings cost in average 6% more than men. This is in part due to the “pink tax”, a term used to define the practice of charging woman more than men for the similar services and products (data from Canadian Labour Institute). Given that male consumer tend to prioritize practicality over trendy pieces, you are more likely to find higher quality items at a lower price if you just go through the men’s section. Menswear brands will also favor classic silhouettes.
@ PhabStudio
Trend Report :
The oversized trend is ever so popular. One way to acheive the look ?
Picking a regular men’s vest which should naturally fit looser on your frame.
The trick is to balance out the proportions. If you go with an oversize on top, compliment it with a slimmer bottom piece (ex : trouser).
In the photo below, Elle balances out her necktie and blouse with a figure hugging midi black sweather.
Lastly, dressing in both men’s and woman’s section doubles the chance to find great items. Why limit yourself ?
Tip # 4 : Don’t just wear the rack. Inject your personality into each outfits
As you enter the professional world, you don’t have to mute your personnality and fall for the same grey and black garments. You can infuse your individuality in the details and wear colors. Granted, some of us have strict dress codes since the policing of woman’s body continue to exist in 2020, but you can still leave trails of your individuality through accessories such as jewellery and scarves.
@ PhabStudio
The Fashion Verdict
For me, the fashion lesson I take away from Legally Blonde is that being stylish in the workplace is a matter of utilizing the tools you have. Revisit the traditionally masculine garments ( necktie, blouse, cardigan ) and play with accessories to inject your individuality into your 9-5 outfits. Don’t be afraid to experiment as you develop your own signature look. As a matter of fact, it’s through trial and error that Elle shaped her impeccable professional dressing.
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