#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

DO YOU HIDE BEHIND YOUR CLOTHES?

Looking in the mirror is a reflective experience (literally, and figuratively).

There is this strange psychological banter between what you see, feel, and identify with. Who is that person you see?

From quite early on, we learn the powers of fashion. It can make you look like anyone you choose to be. Just pick and idol, watch what he/she wears and copy it. This is the nature of how people dress, and it focuses primarily on how you look, regardless of the person inside. 

The question is, why do we do this? Why do we dress without considering what we represent on the inside? Do we even know who that person is?

When I look at people, I see them as books. What is their story? Each person has this mysterious past, present, and future, and it is constantly changing and shaping them into this unique being.  

What would your book cover look like? This is the question people should ask themselves when they try to find their personal style. What would be on that cover? What would represent your current lifestyle, and events? 

When you start approaching fashion with this kind of mindset you will see how strange it is to desire to look like someone else. Maybe you think Kylie Jenner is gorgeous, but your responsibility lies in representing your story. 

 Listen, I have gone through my fair share of fashion trends, and style snatching. I admit, copying beautiful people is a super easy way to look better. Their tips work, and compliment almost everyone instantly. However, the satisfaction lies only in your ability to please others. You feel better, because others view you as better. The person you actually are, is left ignored. 

For me, it was a feeling of detachment.  On the outside, I could look like this "cool, trendy" girl, but  on the inside, I was this awkward girl sitting in the corner reading a book that told a very different story. 

 Dressing to look good verses dressing to cultivate your character, may seem like a small difference but it holds two entirely different outcomes. Anyone, can look sexy, or beautiful, "physically", but to feel it from the inside out, is a different story. 

It is only when you choose to be a copy that you become boring. Who wants to read the book, The Girl Who Pretended To Be Helen Keller? (Not going to lie, that sounds pretty hilarious. I might read it.)

You might be thinking, I am not defined by what I wear, it doesn't matter. Which can be true if you live in complete seclusion on an island somewhere. However, in this fast paced world, an accurate representation of who you are, will open the right doors to the places and people suited for you.   By not putting importance on finding a true representation of your style, you  are representing a different story, and attracting a very different audience. 

Only one person in the universe can dress the person who lives inside of you. Tell your story!

Click! TALKFASHION TV

                                                                            xo,
                                                                          Maya

What Does it Mean to Be a Woman?

For the past few weeks I have been following the reality series, "I am Cait". It follows the journey of former Olympian, Bruce Jenner, and his drastic transformation from man, to a fashion loving "woman". 

As I watched this series, I couldn't help but question to myself, "What does it mean to be a woman?" Is it the pretty clothes, bouncy hair, perfect make up and augmented breasts that make you a real woman? Does this trump actual gender?  It was rather disappointing to watch Cait focus so much attention on looking like a "Kardashian" and less on the mental state of what a female mind in a man's body is like. From watching the series, one may think, shopping, slumber parties, and gossiping is all "we" women do. The show would have been much more effective if she would have opened up on a deeper, psychological level and given us a taste of what it may feel like to be transgender.

However, the show did get me thinking about the definition of what a "woman" is. I always identified it to be a strictly biological label, distinguishing the difference between male and female parts. However, transgender redefines that term by establishing the mind as separate from the actual body.  

I try to imagine, what it might have been like if I was born in a man's body with my current "female" brain. Would I have acted more "male" while still feeling quite female? How hard it must be to live in a body that does not feel like your own, and yet to be so strongly identified by it.

After much thought, I believe the definition of a woman is completely personal. For me, I feel very lucky to be a woman. Of the two genders, a woman can create another life in her body, and this gives her the closest bond to another life for 9 months.  I know every woman cannot have a baby, but in my opinion,  the qualities and characteristics of being a "mother" should be celebrated in all woman. For example, a nurturer, a lover, a kind heart, intelligent, femininity, fragility, and yet such a massive strength. 

As much as I do love fashion, and expressing myself artistically and individually through clothes,  I do not believe it has anything to do with being a woman. A woman without clothes, make up, or perfectly quaffed hair is still a woman if she understands the privilege, honor and beauty that comes from within our female identity.