BEING ANTI-SOCIAL AND HOW FASHION TRENDS CAN HELP

Are you Anti-Social? If you said, "Yes", how do you feel about fashion trends? 

Most likely, if you are anything like my anti-social self, you will detest any inclination of following any type of "popular" idea. I value individualism and have always pushed the importance of remaining pure to your thoughts and creativity, despite the popular pull of the majority.  

However, lately I catch myself getting more and more reclusive, and deeper into my isolated ideology, and it made me think. 

How beneficial can you be, without a decent understanding of popular social instincts?

Anti-social people, often feel like they don't belong anywhere, and the natural response is to isolate. Instead of living in a comfortable cave, why not use fashion trends for a bit of help. Think of it as extending an olive branch back into society. 

Anti-Social: 

Antagonistic to sociable instincts. 

  Fashion Trends: 

   A popular social habit found in the practice of what people wear at a given time. 

The thing is, fashion trends represent the "popular" mindset of society and its reaction to the current state of the world. Just as Art is the most honest description of all historical time periods, there is no denying fashion trends are equally representative to the expressive summary of its given moment. 

This does not mean you should copy a fashion trend like a brainless zombie and start looking like everyone else.  It simply means to be "inspired" by a fashion trend and make it your  own. For example, chokers have made a huge come back as one of the biggest fashion trends of 2016. Everyone was rocking them 90's style with ripped boyfriends jean, white Tee, and Dior sunnies. Instead of picking the same fashion algorithm, keep a LOT of you while adding a bit of everyone else. 

Take care and much Love.

Maya

#NYFW: LOVE IT OR HATE IT? (KANYE WEST "YEEZY" SEASON 4 COLLECTION)

"I wanted to make pieces that can be timeless." "Pieces that you can pick out in a vintage store in 20 years and say, " Wow, I'm happy to have this." 

-Kanye West , VOGUE

Kanye West's 'Yeezy' Season 4, was showcased on Roosevelt Island, featuring an army of models that were casted via twitter. Attracting nearly 10,000 responses, a requirement for strictly "multi-racial" models, led to a careful planned controversy, that created just the right amount of buzz leading up to his show.

The Yeezy Show, was a rather disorganized mess and the blistering heat did not help anyone. Models were wilting one by one, streaming sweat, and fogging up their clear vinyl thigh high boots. Viewers of the show could not help but feel an uncomfortable wave of absurdity. Are the models okay? How long would this last? Why are we here and how is this part of fashion week?

Unfortunately, all the social media in the world could not spice up this rather bland collection inspired by "Calabasas". The pieces were redundant from his last collection and rather basic, in structure and form. Resembling undergarments like spanx, one should never spend so much money to look so under dressed. 

The whole situation reminded me of the childrens' story, The Emperor's New Clothes, where two swindler's convince an Emperor of creating the smartest outfit out of special thread that only intelligent people could see. Of course, the whole spectacle was a lie, but only the innocence of a small child could break the silence of absurdity. 

Unfortunately, no such child existed on this day, and the Kardashian maufia, were spotted all over social media and fashion week, wearing Yeezy's spanx and spreading a regrettable new trend. 

xo,

Maya

Are Fashionable Headphones a Ripoff?

Now a days, everyone owns a smart phone, and with it, a much needed pair of headphones. Music provides an escape, and a much needed break from the excess noise of "life". It is no surprise fashion has taken full advantage of this growing tech trend and the birth of the 'head phone accessory' was born. However, how much fashion power covers a plain old rip off? 

Beats head phones recently partnered with Alexander Wang launching a sleek and modern design of gold accented black headphones and accessories, for a staggering $450.

FRENDS headphones range from $149-$249 and  they are a brand based entirely on making fashionable headphones. Having partnered with such designers as Rebecca Minkoff their designs are often seen worn by celebrities and fashion lovers. 

Frends has also recently launched removable covers that allow you to swap the exterior design of the headphone and swap it for another. However, the covers don't come cheap, ranging from $39-$49 each. 

FASHION or RIP OFF? 

             

There is no doubt FRENDS headphones are gorgeous!  The Bauble Bar, 'Layla' rose gold collaboration is perhaps the most beautiful headphone I have ever seen, and extremely tempting to buy. 

What stops me? At a high price of $179 it is a total rip off. Mind you, a "beautiful" rip off, but still a rip off. The quality as a headphone is extremely low, verses the price tag which is horribly over priced. Think of it like a standard nice Hyundai, embellished in beautiful fake rhinestones and charging the price tag of a Ferrari. Would you buy it? Surely, I would hope not. Fashion has a way of blinding you, and this can be dangerous when your money is involved. It makes you a very easy target, and selling ridiculously overpriced items a piece of cake. 

The beats headphones in collaboration with Alexander Wang, is a very good quality headphone, but the price of $450 is a bit ridiculous. Even fashionably speaking, it is not that much different from the standard black sony headphones, but at least the quality is good. 

 In the name of "FASHION", don't be ripped off. Honestly, the FRENDS headphones are beautiful and I would have no problem with their product if they charged a reasonable price (as in cut the price in half). All I am saying is, either they lower the price or raise the quality. Yes, I know fashion brands in general are highly over priced but at least, there is a level of superior quality.

                                          SONY MDR-1R

My headphones are a Sony MDR-1R and in my opinion they do not look that much different from the Beats (Alexander Wang) headphones.  These ones are $289 and they are the real deal. For those of you who say you cannot hear the difference between a good and bad pair, trust me, a quality pair of headphones will change your listening experience. At first your ear might not pick up what is different, but your emotions will feel it. Guaranteed. 

Don't be a Poser. Fashion is a philosophy. True fashion cannot exist without a foundation of true quality. 

5 Must Know Facts About Trends

Have you ever wondered where trends come from? Every season new trends pop up, claiming "x" is the new black, or "y" is the new must have. Where do these decisions come from and who makes them? It is all rather unexplained, and yet no one bothers to question it. Like baby ducks following the mama duck, we just mindlessly follow the pack. Lets take a moment to stop and question a bit the true nature of a trend. 

                              5 Facts about TRENDS

1.) What is a trend? 

Fashion -Style = Trend 

I spoke about this in my previous post, but trends have NOTHING to do with fashion. Yes, they lavish in the spotlight, and claim to be "everything fashion", but they exist only to pressure you. Trends are 100% a business tactic used to direct you to new merchandise that they want you to buy. Fashion magazines have to support trends, because they are sponsored by the brands they are supporting. If you think about it, fashion magazines now a days are literally 85% advertisement and 5% articles and 10% "trend" mapping, the essence is to SELL. 

2.)The Nature of a Trend.

As you may already know, a "trend" does not live very long. It is all about the moment and staying "current". What's in now will be out tomorrow. In fact, trends themselves are quite similar to illusions. Is it real or is it not? Like rainbows in the sky, they will disappear as quickly as they appear, but never will it stay forever, or have any real meaning.

3.) Why Trends Exist.

Have you ever wondered where color trends start? It's almost as if all the fashion designers either have a sixth sense and magically just know or they have gathered in one big room and sat around voting on a color for next season. Believe it or not, the latter is not so far from the truth. What? 

So here's the dish, when you deal with a seasonal "color trend" you are directly dealing with the business of the textile industry.

After the chaos of the Industrial Revolution, the textile industry found the need to be able to better predict and set upcoming color and style trends. The Color Association of the United States (CAUS), then the Textile Color Card Association of the United States (TCCA), was formed to issue color forecasts in the form of cards twice a year. They basically give directions in color trends to the market (designers). This then enables them to coordinate different segments of the market to the point of sales they would like. Color trends actually have nothing to do with the color itself and everything with the production and manipulation of making you want what they have prepared for you.

4.) Fashion Style vs. Trend

The difference between Fashion Style and trends is simply an issue of control. With trends, you are dealing with popularity and time. These are two factors you will never have any control over.Trends dictate what you need, and when to buy it. Fashion Style will  allow you the freedom to decide what  works for you and when. Creativity is not limited to time, or what is new, but rather what you like and how you desire to style it. Why give yourself such limited restrcitions?

5.)Trends to Love or Hate?

 Trends themselves are not a bad thing. In fact, a current trend I enjoy are cropped top/sweaters. I am rather short and cropped tops have always been a favorite of mine. The key is, I like cropped tops not because it was labeled a trend, but because I have always liked them. What makes a trend manipulative, is when they are  purchased not because you want them, but because you feel you must have it to stay current or be someone you are not.  Your opinions  and tastes must always come first. Fashion is driven by your mind. All the hype around trends is simply just hype. Don't let the noise around you drown out the best part. YOU. 

xo.

Trends gone Bad: Beanies During Heat Waves?!

I don't know about you guys, but where I live, the past couple of days have been so hot people are literally passing out from dehydration and over heating. Even massive brush fires have been popping up left and right from the heat. To my great surprise, this still did not stop several "trend" lovers from covering their burning head with a knitted beanie? What?!

This seasonal mish-mash of trends has been going around like wild fire, and it's about time some one said something. Yes, I know even Rihanna has been spotted on numerous occasions supporting this "beanie love", but does that mean you should copy it?

I am not saying that the trend is bad, but don't be crazy. If there is a heat wave and you are literally in a tiny tank with short shorts, do NOT put a heavy knitted hat on your head! Your head which contains your brain is where heat from your body escapes. Blocking it makes anyone with half a brain wonder, what happened to your logic?

       

If you must follow this trend then here are some tips to prevent you from looking crazy. 

1.) Temperature: The overall temperature should be cool enough that you need a cardigan. The heaviness of the knit and material should match the type you would wear in the given day. If you do not need a cardigan, this is a sign the weather is much too warm for a beanie.

2.) Material: Make sure the beanies you wear in Spring/Summer are lighter knit, and wider in stitch. Your head needs to breath during warmer months, and keeping it warm is counter productive.

3.) Comfort: Never forget beauty comes from how comfortable you are. Just like wobbling around in 4 inch heels is not sexy, a sweety head of hair is not fashionable either.

4.) Logic: The most important tip is ALWAYS, ALWAYS listen to your own logic. It doesn't matter who wore it which way, or how popular it is. Trust your own judgement. 

x

M