A Letter From Maya...

Welcome to TALKFASHION!

Inspired by nature, art, music, and culture, TALKFASHION, covers the evolving force of self discovery. 

The  inner dialogue between you and your heart is the key essence of finding yourself and your style. 

Forever looking to what inspires you, fight the gravity of normality.

Be brave enough to make  mistakes, and have courage to walk the path alone.

What you wear is equally simplistic and complex. They say, " Never judge a book by its' cover, but how introspective to create the perfect cover for a specified book!

You are a what you wear and within that equation is art.  

The greater the art the greater the message.

What do you feel, and how will you arrange your image today?

Sincerely,

Maya Horikawa

(Creator of TALKFASHION)

How to Be Yourself in What You Wear

Everyone talks about what's currently hot, or on trend, but what about YOU? Where do you lie in the mix of it all? Chasing the confusing world of fashion is endless, exhausting, and costly.  It is only in the realization of yourself, and identity can you regain control. Would it not be great to discover who you are, and what you really want? What's your fashion trademark and how can you get one?

Firstly, let me clarify, being identified by your peers as 'fashionable', does not necessarily mean you are. If you copy someone else's style ideas, you are simply that, 'a copy'. It is easy to do, the effect is successful, but you are left completely unoriginal. Having a lot of money makes things a lot easier as well. Money allows you the finest designers, and access to the most refined fashion minds. Looking the part makes you feel the part, but let me ask you? If life is a stage, who's life are you portraying? Are you living your life or are you simply a masterful actor/actress?

Here are my 5 basic tips to finding style that is everything YOU!

1.) Start from Scratch.

Wipe your slate clean. We are starting from zero guys and fresh. Whatever, preconceived notion you may have about trends, or what you can or cannot wear, throw it out. You have no rules, and they do not own you. 

2.) It's all about instincts.

Don't look to your right, don't look to your left, and put down your i-phone. Gosh darn it what do you feel? It's time to find that basic, raw, instinct that lies deep in all of us. Do YOU like it? Do YOU think it is cool? Do YOU feel a trigger of excitement? Our instincts know who we are. It is only in our need to be accepted that we get lost.

3.) Be brave.

Doing your own thing, is a scary thing. Life is easier following a crowd, whether it be right or wrong, it feels safe. Taking a chance and being different opens you up for ridicule and failure. However, lets not be mislead, a life lived by following the choices of others in not LIVING at all. Everything in life worth experiencing is somewhat scary. 

4.) Go Vintage.

The best way to train your fashion skills is to go shopping at a vintage or thrift store. What? Even if you may not buy anything, this is a great way to figure out what you like,  free of any mind blocks. A thrift store or vintage, is unique in its HUGE variety of style, covering many decades and various genres. You are free to mix and match anything and the inspirational juices find no limits. If its your first time, don't feel bad if your instinctual reaction is unresponsive. It can be very challenging at first, and you may draw a total blank. Creativity will grow as you challenge your mind to think on its own. 

5.) It's Personal.

Like life, you have the choice to include yourself as little or as much as you want. Personalizing your fashion choices is in essence the inclusion of yourself in your clothing choices. Feel free to rip off a sleeve or two. Crop it, add fabric, bows, beads,etc. If there is something you feel that will bring it to the next level, just do it! 

Enjoy! 

xo,

Maya

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.

5 Ways to Pick a Fashion Image that Is Yours

In the Fashion Industry, it is rather easy to get swept up in a abyss of clothes. Every season is marked by new trends, and new "fashion images". They are then plastered all over magazines, and used to hypnotize viewers to buy themselves a new image.

Yes, being "trendy" and copying runway looks, is an easy way to look good and champion yourself as "stylish". However, can you really call yourself fashionable if all you really do is follow the fashion flow of others? 

How can you find your own fashion path and step out of the lane? 

Here are my 5 easy ways to keeping your style Right for You.

1.) Who are You?

Not to get too philosophical, but if you want to be fashionable you have to know who you are and what you are about. Are you a student, doctor, actress, waitress, etc.? Your occupation serves as your "practical" factor. For example, if your life requires you to be on your feet, running around, then tight mini skirts, and 3 inch heels are probably not for you. Fashion always need to be "functional". It should work with you not "you working for it". 

Separate from your occupational side, you also need to know your inner you. This is the you that represents what you like. Do you like art, sports, music, books, etc.? Start getting inspired by what you love. 

2.) Don't be afraid to be Different

The worst thing for fashion, is the need in humans to be accepted. Nothing kills creativity faster than wanting to be exactly like everyone else. Trends feed off this human weakness, and seasonally more mindless fashion minions, buy into losing themselves. 

The more "popular" a style maybe, the less original you are. Try to always think for yourself. If you have a dress or shirt that many others also have, why not spice it up by cutting off the sleeve, changing up the buttons, or adding some other fabric? 

3.) The Fit

The shape, fabric, and style, best suited for you, should be decided by how it makes you feel over how you look.

 What makes you feel beautiful? 

For myself, nothing puts a smile on my face quicker than a flowy, A-line, skirt. As a shorter frame, this elongates my legs and is flattering whether in flats or heels. When you feel beautiful you will move, and hold yourself in a more attractive way. Remember in life, we are not a motionless photo. How you walk, stand, all contain wrythm, flow, and attitude. If you don't feel good chances are, you are not looking so great either. 

4.) COLOR!

Color is actually a fascinating phenomena that is often overlooked in life. Each color is scientifically proven to hold a different frequency and create different moods.For example, when we see pink we think "sweet". This is largely the reason we represent little girls to "pink, and bakers add pink food coloring to their sweets. 

To be honest, there is nothing more ridiculous than, following "color trends" that are marked every season. It is a decision obviously decided by textile companies and brands contrived to sell products motivated purely on making money. 

Color evokes emotion. Just because 'orange' is the color of the moment, it means nothing if the color is not right for you. Certain colors will give you comfort, and this is a sign your aura is fluctuating  on a similar frequency as that color.

 Motivate yourself, to follow your instincts. These instincts are what will bring you to the image you should be. 

5.) VINTAGE!! 

I can not stress enough my love for Vintage. For those of you who really hold no interest in it, at list give it a try. First of all, a Vintage Store, Thrift, or antique, is a whole mish-mash of STUFF. It is an excellent way to exercise what you like, without the mind manipulation that happens in "trendy shops" that strategically pose mannequins in fashion images that they want you to be. 

At first it may look like junk, but let your eyes settle into a new mindset. You cannot imagine the treasures you will find, and how much it improves your vision on your own personal style. Whether it be an interesting belt, or a 60's pouf dress, there is something for everyone. Keep an open mind, and the ideas will flow in. 

What's Your Fashion Formula?

It is often said that fashion is what you make it, and it is all a matter of good taste verses bad. Anne Wintour is famously known for saying, "You either have Style or you Don't".  The argument between what is fashion, or style is actually all relative. How well you know yourself and what your life motivations are the basis of your fashion style. So, what exactly is this fashion formula?

It's quite simple a type of A + B = C

Fashion formula:

CLOTHES + (x) = FASHION (x)

If this is true what is the mysterious something that determines your fashion outcome? 

X is based on your own personal Motive. What is it that you want to do with your choice of clothes? What is your intent, inspiration, goal?

 

For example, here are various fashion types:

                         

                               1.) FASHION NARCISSIST

Clothing + Selfies = Fashion Narcissist

A Fashion Narcissist are those who dress with the emphasis on receiving admiration. Their fashion choices are based on showcasing outer beauty with no regard to who is inside. In other words, the intent of fashion is purely physical. The projection of inner self, is not considered relevant. Unfortunately, fashion narcissism is currently taking over the fashion world, and "Selfies" have found their way onto the pages of every cult fashion magazines.

                                2.) FASHION ARTIST

Clothing + self Expression = Fashion Artist

A Fashion Artist are those who dress with the motive to express. These are people who look at clothing as a way to share about their inner self with their outer being.  Don't mistake this as only eccentric people who look like cubist paintings. In fact often times, people try to fake their artistic ability by simply picking or wearing anything that is eccentric.  It is also considered artistic if you take inspiration from life, art, color, etc. and shape it to fit you aesthetically.  Whatever the case, it has to be true to who you are. The hardest part is knowing who that is. 

                                 3.) FASHION MATERIALIST

FASHION + Shopping = Fashion Materialist

A Fashion Materialist believes fashion is directly related to shopping. They are highly effected by what is current and on trend, and their style is usually dependent on money. The more expensive, the more stuff, equates in their brain as a higher level of fashion. 

Of course there are many more types, and the formula can be made more complex by containing multiple motivations. but my point is simple, like life, fashion is what you make of it. Whether you choose to live pursuing your own ego, finding who you are, or simply buying your way through it, the choice is yours. 

To be fashionable or to be Superficial, thats is the question.

"To be or not to be, that is the question." (Hamlet,Shakespeare)

Obviously influenced by Hamlet's infamous speech,  contemplating life verses death,  lets discuss the question, to be fashionably alive or superficially dead?

The line between fashion and superficiality is quite small and is almost always misinterpreted.

 I have dealt with this skepticism most of my life having grown up in a family of doctors, professors, and "intellectuals". My interest in fashion has always been snubbed, or brushed off as a youthful enjoyment for shopping. A shallow desire of materialism, and concentration of purely exterior qualities.

 I always took great offense to the comparison, because "superficial", I am not.

                                       TO BE SUPERFICIAL 

 When is fashion superficial?

Fashion is superficial if your motivation is purely directed by exterior qualities and if you feel you can somehow "buy" an identity.

Here are some questions to ask yourself. 

Do you dress to be better than others? 

Is your goal to be the prettiest, trendiest, coolest, etc.?

Do you feel people with the highest brands are some how better?

Do you believe your clothes make you a better person?

Do you shop mindlessly with no regard to what you think or feel?

Do you have a purpose, or idea of what you want to say with your look, or are you simply following the fashion band wagon?

Do you consider your style unique and a good representation of who you are?

If your goal to be attractive, outweighs your desire to be yourself then this is a life centered on your outer being, rather than your inner you. 

                                   TO BE FASHIONABLE

To be Fashionable means total acceptance of who you really are, and finding beauty in it. It is the process of bringing your inner qualities to your outer being. This is quite different from someone who places value only on appearance while neglecting the contents of who they are.

The value of fashion has nothing to do with having the most expensive clothing brands, or latest trends. Your fashion identity is purely you, and should be customized for you. In other words, everyone can be fashionable, if they understand who they are. 

Learning to use fashion as a form of expression will help you celebrate the glory that makes you irreplaceable. Finding it is a challenge, but there is nothing superficial in the pursuit of your identity. 

 Fashion  is a art form of expression. It is something that comes from within, and a process of constant creativity. It is a journey of finding yourself, and listening to your inner voice telling you who you are, and what you feel and like. The point is not to be cookie cutter and look like everyone else, or to strive to be anyone but the person dying to come out. The point is to find "YOU". 

The glory is in the process.  Create who you are, question it, pursue it and come to your own solutions. This is what character is made of.

5 Ways to Finding Your Fashion Voice

 "Fashion is a playground up until a certain age, but then you have to find your own signature and your own style." Nicolas Ghesquiere

When I was much younger, I followed magazine trends, and played around with every kind of style. I was adventurous and even had an entire year in New York wearing only black and white. However, I always felt a bit blind when I shopped in stores. It was a time in my life that I was easily manipulated by what others would tell me I should wear or buy and somehow I felt a bit lost. My voice only knew whether I liked an outfit or If I didn't. That was pretty much the extent of my non-existent fashion voice. This doesn't mean I wasn't "fashionable". In fact, I was always on trend, and by society terms, quite the fashionista. The big secret is, being fashionable is not so difficult. You can fake it quite easily by copying trends from magazines, runways, or other fashionable people. Simply "wearing" great fashion, is not the same as "being" great fashion.  When you and fashion become one, this is when you have unveiled your true fashion voice. 

5 Ways to Achieving Your Fashion Voice

"What you do for a living should not restrict your fashion voice."

1.) Get rid of Stereo-typing yourself.

 People have this misconception that finding your "signature style" is somehow restricting. They often place limiting categories on themselves  or label themselves as a mom, businesswoman, prep, goth, girly girl, jock, or whatever else and then force themselves in a "look" that society has deemed appropriate. The truth is, finding your signature style should be liberating not suffocating. Just as life has a trillion variations in color pigments, your style, can have a multitude of variation as well. 

2.) Dress in whatever excites you. 

The key is to watch out for what excites you from within. Do not follow trends or popularity. How you dress should  have nothing to do with how others accept you. Dress by what excites you.  It doesn't have to be strictly fashion, anything in life that gets your blood flowing take a mental note of it. This is the first step. You will slowly start to notice patterns and recognize certain categorizes or features that speak to you. For me, I love art, and the attention to details. I love vintage clothing simply because the craftsmanship is exquisite and there is always some kind of tiny embellishment, embroidery, or beaded design. 

I also love nature, and the colors represented by the seasons. When I walk through autumn leaves, the colors and textures speak to me, and dressing within that color palette is something that makes me feel alive and connected to Nature itself.

                                    STEPFORD WIVES

3.) Distinguish what you dislike.

Observe fashion styles, and trends, you detest. For me, I dislike the "Stepford Wives" look."Stepford Wives" is basically a robotic barbie look with creepy emotionless, botox injected smiles. The entire look is extremely fake, and very popular in the region I live. I constantly edit my look to prevent myself from going in that direction. 

Perfection is overrated, and in my opinion the ugliest one of all. 

4.) Shop Alone 

Believe it or not, shopping with friends is probably the most challenging way to find your fashion voice. When you shop with a buddy, their opinions and taste affect your opinions whether you know it or not. You are constantly talking with them and  processing your own thoughts take a back seat. 

When I shop alone, it is a date with my thoughts, and discovering myself. You can't imagine countless times I have gone shopping with friends who have forbid me to buy certain items. Sometimes fighting for what you wear, is just as important as fighting to be yourself.

5.) Observe People You Admire and Figure out Why

Observe people that you admire or fascinate you. 

This does not mean to "copy" their style, but simply use it as a tool to uncover your taste and be inspired. Ask yourself what you like about their fashion choices, figure out what is drawing you in. Take what you like from various people and start customizing your individual style.

Throughout the years, unveiling my fashion voice, was also a long process of discovering myself. With all the technological noise we surround ourselves in, our voice can easily get lost. 

Fashion is a way of life, make it as you see it. 

x

m