Beware: The 'Condemned' Damsel

It is not in the mere curve of her waist or the fullness of her breasts that femininity resides, it is in her presence and manner and the effortless grace exuded in her movement. She has been stepped on and is accustomed to working as an integral figure but is always unnoticed, she is the intricate machinery in a watch, she is historically unseen.

These thoughts have crossed each of our minds at some point, this battle between the male presence and the objectified woman, but more so in the mindset of feminism and more recently, eco-feminism. Excuse me while i digress from my poetic path; for this is a fashion blog, not a soapbox.

On a comparatively lighter note, which ‘modern’ woman can deny the assertive qualities of fashion? Some men (and women) choose to assure their masculinity (or femininity) through the degradation of the opposite sex:

Chris Brown beats Rihanna and Rihanna writes about bondage, a curious example indeed.

But let’s cut to the chase, Rihanna also adopted one bad-ass wardrobe. Which ties up with my last point: women’s fashion for many, promotes empowerment and independence, all the while appreciating the feminine form.

It’s that unexplained pout when your lips are freshly ‘rouged’. It’s that previously non-existent posture that emerged when you wore that dress.

And here’s the best example (a personal revelation I’ll admit):
It’s that strut you never knew you had before you bought those heels. That dear reader, is the power of fashion to a woman.

But ladies, let’s not get our French lace knickers in a knot over this, fashion is but a mere symptom of the empowered woman and I know many other ‘alternatively’- for the lack of a better word- empowered women who disagree with my stance, immensely.

They argue- and to a certain point, I have to agree- that a woman is not defined by her curves or her beauty and that the fashion which we gravitate to is perpetuated by men so that we become objects which they expressed a desire for in the first place.

Regardless of the side you choose, and whether it’s a golf shirt that puts a sparkle in your smile or a pencil skirt, being a women, and being proud of what makes us women is the essence of ‘gender equality’ for me. Women are not equal to men, because women are not men, but the same applies to the little boys.

Red lips vs. nude lips; body-con vs. drapery, here’s to the little things that we assert ourselves with. We may fight like girls, but when we’re dressed to kill, hell, we pack quite a punch.

The Rise of Journo Fashion

The world is in a state of social and political transition, and while lots of change is good, a lot of it is violent on the way there.Fashionably violent might I add.

We are indeed in global limbo...

So trust a bunch of fashion genii to catch on.

The Tottenham riots and student protests in Chile are two of the most recent events that have grabbed the world by their lapels, throw in the chaos of the earthquake in Japan and you have a troubling set of circumstances.

It is at this point that I would like to highlight the common denominators in the aforementioned events: poverty (before and/or after) and journalists.

Allow me to paint you a picture of the average 'hard-hitting' male journalist:
Combat pants, desert boots, safari hat/beanie, distressed jeans and the all important stubble and grease.

Does that sound familiar? Do i hear Spring 2012? why, yes, yes I do.

Balmain showed desert boots in distressed suede, bomber jackets and faded denim button downs, sounds like an Al Jazeerah correspondent possessed Christophe Decarnin to me.



nevertheless, I quite like this 'idolisation' of the new-age explorers.

besides, its Bottega Veneta's Arab Spring rationale that I find most interesting.



Imagine an entire fashion show, inspired by what I would think was utter turmoil. Well I can assure you that Tomas Maier, is one hell of an artist in interpreting the rebellion into checked suits and bad-ass shades. Not OTT, but most certainly not mediocre, Muammar Gaddafi, eat your heart out.

So dear Sirs, put away your tailored silks and cravats, and embrace your inner, hobo, if put lazily. Grab a satchel and your Docs and head out.

Even if you write with the intellect of George Bush, at least you can dress like the journo muses who have no idea that this trend even exists.

Forget sophisticated, rebel is the new black.

The Alter-Ego Fashion Blog, a Brief Introduction

Before we begin, I feel that it’s only fair to introduce myself. By that I mean, let’s get a few things straight. I am hardly a fashion veteran, or a fashion Nazi. I go to work in sneakers sometimes and wear grey hoodies when the weather is bad, yes, I know, I can also imagine your pretty face puckered up in disgust.

So I understand if after this erm, overview, you simply kill my page on the basis of inexperience but if you may, take quick peek over those Chanel specs and hear me out. I am not that ignorant to the workings of the fashion world. I may be better at dissecting political statements, but I reckon it would be interesting to see what sprouts from here.

So here it goes, one aspiring fashion writer on a whirlwind adventure fighting the dragons of Ill-Fitting Pants and False Eyelashes…

Cue the theme music; this is going to be one hell of a blog.