This week in an email to WWD, Rick Owens responded to all the controversy surrounding his interpretation of reveal and/or conceal in the clothing he presented in his AW 2015 menswear collection. Reminding us that there are countless statues and sculptures in museums and other public spaces where the male form is draped and/or revealed in all its’ glory and that women appear nude in fashion shows all the time, he suggests that along with portrayals of sensuality comes the potential for grace and freedom. Likening fashion to other artistic forms he asserts his right to use this imagery in his work in the same manner a filmmaker or sculptor might. Most importantly, Owens introduces the concepts of fear and shame into the conversation. The designer reveals that he was heavily influenced by fear and shame as a young person and because of this he wants to present a world that is free of fear and shame; a world of loving acceptance.
Used to remaining rather private, and believe it or not kind of shy, blogging has introduced me to a new world of risk taking. I have decisions to make that revolve around reveal and/or conceal and moving beyond fear and shame. Girls like me, who I call “Good and/or Bad Girls”, are compelled to risk and provoke but must simultaneously conquer the fear attached to being “good” and the shame that may happen when you are “bad”. When designers offer us opportunities to reveal and/or conceal and transgress we have access to a wardrobe that allows us to be Good and/or Bad Girls and in this case “Boys”. They give us a way to feel graceful and free while breaking rules, in most cases rules usually made for us by others.
I saw the potential for this photo but it involved transgression and being a Good and/or Bad Girl. Clearly marked as territory not to be infringed on, I wanted to climb on the pedestal and channel an image of woodland nymph in the middle of unblemished snow. Terrified though triumphant, I took a breath, hauled myself up and we were able to get this one shot off before an army of park workers started screaming and running towards us. When I look at this photo, perhaps not as glamorous as some of the others in this series, I think of the statues in parks that Rick Owens refers to and his belief that pushing through fear and shame makes you graceful and free. In this photo I am free because I took a risk for my vision. I wonder if this is how Rick Owens felt when his clothes walked down that runway?
For looks from my favorite designers, including Rick Owens, that offer possibilities to reveal and/or conceal see my Pinterest board.
Do you ever feel graceful and free because you took a risk that involved fashion?
My style risks are probably pretty low on the "daring" scale, but trying new silhouettes, or something that has been deemed "unflattering" or "not age appropriate" is how I push my own envelopes. In life, I’ve taken what some might consider big risks (moving across country, leaving bad marriage, living on a boat) and even when they didn’t work out, I’ve never regretted those choices, as they’ve provided valuable life experiences.
Isn’t it wonderful to be at a place in life where you realize there are no regrets? That every experience no matter how difficult gives us a new experience? As long a we push our envelope, no matter how small the gesture we are growing. I would love to hear about living on a boat!
Thanks Jessica for taking the time to comment.
Good for you, great picture!
Thanks Jessica for taking the time to comment.
Yes indeed I do. But the worst kind of shame comes from FAILING to take the fashion risk I want to take. I do not live in NYC. I live in a place where everyone wears jeans all the time. My heart is more attracted to the sort of outfits you yourself wear, Accidental Icon.
What would happen do you think if you wore one of these kinds of outfits? Five years ago I would have never imagined I would be wearing these clothes on a blog no less! I started with very small tweaks and kept getting more and more daring. what would be one small "rebellion" where you live?
Out here,18 miles away from N.Y.City, pants seem to be worn by women
much more often on a daily basis but I prefer to wear skirts that are
mid -calf length–because it makes me feel good. One does have
to take a risk to present to the world what one really believes is fashionable
on yourself .The internet sure does help and it is so interesting to read about
different designers and their views–like Rick Owens-thank you Lyn for your
writing.
Thank you Elizabeth for your wise words about just presenting what you believe is fashionable for you. Best advice ever.
Sounds like you are too!
Out here,18 miles away from N.Y.City, pants seem to be worn by women
much more often on a daily basis but I prefer to wear skirts that are
mid -calf length–because it makes me feel good. One does have
to take a risk to present to the world what one really believes is fashionable
on yourself .The internet sure does help and it is so interesting to read about
different designers and their views–like Rick Owens-thank you Lyn for your
writing.
Thank you Elizabeth for your wise words about just presenting what you believe is fashionable for you. Best advice ever.
Though I’m considered conservative by many. In the more seasoned specter, I find that I’m probably deemed more daring. I often step outside of the box when it comes to what others consider age appropriate. I dress for what suits me and not my age. Great shot. I’m glad you were daring.
Sounds like you are too!
Any woman who takes a risk is a heroine.
I’m a tailor and dressmaker who wears my own creations every day; there is some risk involved, every day! There is also fun, especially when I am wearing one of my wrap-around dresses. I want to inspire others, men and women and kids too to wear custom made and diy clothes. My garments are not so different as to be spectacles, but they push the boundaries and I am always a bit surprised (and delighted!) when one who dresses off-the-rack sees me and says “I think I could wear that”. Thank you, Accidental Icon, for raising great questions and for showing us your splendid outfits. You are beautiful and intriguing and fun!
Thank you Kathleen. where might I see some of your fabulous creations? I am intrigued by the wraparound dress.
I’m a tailor and dressmaker who wears my own creations every day; there is some risk involved, every day! There is also fun, especially when I am wearing one of my wrap-around dresses. I want to inspire others, men and women and kids too to wear custom made and diy clothes. My garments are not so different as to be spectacles, but they push the boundaries and I am always a bit surprised (and delighted!) when one who dresses off-the-rack sees me and says “I think I could wear that”. Thank you, Accidental Icon, for raising great questions and for showing us your splendid outfits. You are beautiful and intriguing and fun!
Thank you Kathleen. where might I see some of your fabulous creations? I am intrigued by the wraparound dress.
Well done for jumping on that pedestal; be a rebel now and then; I don’t think you will be jailed for it…
I am getting more daring all the time. Will you post my bail?
Well done for jumping on that pedestal; be a rebel now and then; I don’t think you will be jailed for it…
I am getting more daring all the time. Will you post my bail?
Daring! 🙂 I’ve been known to do similar "stunts", much to my friends’ and family’s embarrassment.
Yes, I feel that way a lot – graceful and free.
You sure look that way on your blog!
Daring! 🙂 I’ve been known to do similar "stunts", much to my friends’ and family’s embarrassment.
Yes, I feel that way a lot – graceful and free.
You sure look that way on your blog!
The pedestal is the perfect spot for a photo in the snow. It was worth the risk from my point of view! I find that blogging provides an ongoing venue for risk taking, but also for growth and expansion.
I think so too, my world has just exponentially expanded and the best is meeting fascinating women like you!
The pedestal is the perfect spot for a photo in the snow. It was worth the risk from my point of view! I find that blogging provides an ongoing venue for risk taking, but also for growth and expansion.
I think so too, my world has just exponentially expanded and the best is meeting fascinating women like you!
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your blog. Thank you! I have a wonderful picture in my head of the park workers heading towards you while questioning "who is this fabulous woman" 🙂 I think style blogging itself is risky business. I feel most graceful and free when I simply dress for myself with no thought of what anyone else might think.
Thank you Deborah, glad you are enjoying the blog. Isn’t it glorious to not worry about what others might think?
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your blog. Thank you! I have a wonderful picture in my head of the park workers heading towards you while questioning "who is this fabulous woman" 🙂 I think style blogging itself is risky business. I feel most graceful and free when I simply dress for myself with no thought of what anyone else might think.
Thank you Deborah, glad you are enjoying the blog. Isn’t it glorious to not worry about what others might think?
Well, I don’t think I often take big risks when I dress up because I feel myself good in cotton fabrics and organic colors… In fact, sometimes I desire that fashion would be more practical, natural and humanistic than it is nowadays (more like a big show of artificiality -for instance the Barbie collection of Moschino-).
That’s why I’m delighted with Rick Owens’s last collection. It bring up to the table all these element I just said: comfortable cuts, natural colors, sexual freedom (hurray for the hanging pennises!!!!) -almost empty from gender differences-…
I love that he talk about fear and shame, and I REALLY love that he took the risk to confront fashion industry without fear and shame…
blah blah… I don’t have any conclusion.
By the way, It is the first time I write a comment here but I want to say that I really love your existence in the blogger-sphere. I’m a big fan of you.
Kisses!
http://www.smokercaterpillar.com/
Thank you Carlotta, I agree with your critique of most fashion. That’s why I liked Rick Owens collection too. It was about total self-acceptance.
Thank you, I really felt quite free when I jumped up there. It is a wonderful place to come to…pleasing ourselves, congratulations.
Well, I don’t think I often take big risks when I dress up because I feel myself good in cotton fabrics and organic colors… In fact, sometimes I desire that fashion would be more practical, natural and humanistic than it is nowadays (more like a big show of artificiality -for instance the Barbie collection of Moschino-).
That’s why I’m delighted with Rick Owens’s last collection. It bring up to the table all these element I just said: comfortable cuts, natural colors, sexual freedom (hurray for the hanging pennises!!!!) -almost empty from gender differences-…
I love that he talk about fear and shame, and I REALLY love that he took the risk to confront fashion industry without fear and shame…
blah blah… I don’t have any conclusion.
By the way, It is the first time I write a comment here but I want to say that I really love your existence in the blogger-sphere. I’m a big fan of you.
Kisses!
http://www.smokercaterpillar.com/
Thank you Carlotta, I agree with your critique of most fashion. That’s why I liked Rick Owens collection too. It was about total self-acceptance.
I would have to say I feel most free when I dress to please myself…which I try to do every single day. I really love the photo on the pedestal, it’s truly beautiful.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Thank you, I really felt quite free when I jumped up there. It is a wonderful place to come to…pleasing ourselves, congratulations.
Hope this doesn’t offend anyone? The best compliment I received from my Daughter a few years before she passed away. She was a teacher and I had gone to a volleyball game she coached for middle school children. After the game the girls were ewing and awing over my Chinese brocade satin jacket, skinny jeans and red heels. On the way home my Girl told me " Mom, you either have to have balls or be a black woman to wear something like that, but I love it."
Isn’t it wonderful to be at a place in life where you realize there are no regrets? That every experience no matter how difficult gives us a new experience? As long a we push our envelope, no matter how small the gesture we are growing. I would love to hear about living on a boat!
Any woman who takes a risk is a heroine.