It’s a question I see thrown around a lot at the moment – how can you
claim to be a feminist whilst still devoting your time and your passions to
aesthetics, to fashion and beauty? As a strong and intelligent woman, how can
you waste your life by devoting it to such ‘trivial’ means?
I
was faced with these questions at 16, when my Chemistry teacher singled me out
and asked, rather accusingly, why I’d chosen such ’fluffy’ subjects such as
textiles, languages and history for my A-levels, when my academic ability meant
that I could make a ‘real difference in this world’. I almost cried. It’s a
typical view nowadays that in order to live a meaningful life, it must be
dedicated to the sciences or the law…you know, ‘proper jobs’. I resented that.
It seems we have forgotten the impact that arts: that poetry and language and creativity,
have had on this world, and fashion is exactly that – an art form, a language
and a display of creativity.
The
way we look, whether we like it or not, communicates to others a sense of who
we are. The clothes we wear and our personal style is a form of art – a visual representation of our personality,
whether that says ‘I’m very much into fashion’ or ‘I dress simply to cover my
body, as is necessary in modern society’ is regardless, the communication is
still there. In the same way, fashion is a language, with garments acting as
words that mean different things when placed in different locations: wearing
jeans on a trip to the cinema for example, can say something entirely different
to wearing them at a funeral– both communicate different messages depending on
the context.
As
many have pointed out, I do not think it is a coincidence that fashion and
beauty are the only art forms and means of self-expression in which women are
granted more freedom in society than men, and yet they are the ones branded as
the most trivial, even ‘dumb’, and to be honest I’m getting pretty sick of it. I’m
fed up of telling people I’m a fashion journalist and receiving comments such
as “awww” or (in a high-pitched girly voice, whilst doing whimsical arm
movements) “ooo fashion”, I’m fed up of being patronized or being thought of as
less intelligent or strong because of my specialism. I’m also fed up of people,
mostly men, assuming that women do their hair and their make-up, and dress well
for the appreciation of the male population, when we absolutely do not. If we
did, we would just strut around naked and never even think of touching a pair
of Birkenstocks, culottes or other ‘man repelling’ style staples. I dress for
myself, and more often than not, the approval and admiration of other women,
and if my boyfriend doesn’t like my outfit, then tough shit.
The same view goes for beauty and make-up;
women are undoubtedly granted more freedoms than men in this area, and yet it
is derided as shallow and frivolous. I have a great amount of respect for
make-up artists, or even just the girls I follow on Instagram who have an
insane talent for ‘doing their face’, and so would a lot of others, if only
they weren’t applying their artistry to their faces… If the same skill and
talent were applied to a canvas and placed in a gallery, it’d be an entirely
different story; there could be international acclaim, lots of nods and murmurs
of approval and maybe it would even sell for some ridiculous sum at auction…But
no, because it’s a predominantly female art form that revolves around
aesthetics.
It would
appear that neither industry can muster any amount of respect from anyone who
moves outside of their (most often intertwined) circles. Whilst I do agree that
both the fashion and beauty industries are still quite backward in their
representation of women, there is a whole new generation of young and inspired women
(and men) emerging, who are ready to break into the business and incite real
change.
For
me, neither fashion nor beauty are trivial, or dumb or shallow. Both are
inspiring, empowering and ever-changing art forms that have the ability to
communicate powerful messages. And I’m not standing for it any longer, (repeats
to self) I am a strong, intelligent woman; I am a feminist and I just bloody
love fashion… and with that, Dave the Chemistry Teacher, I will change the
world in my own way.
This is fucking incredible. I agree with every point and would probably tattoo the entire thing on my body. You're an exceptional writer, I wish you all the luck in the world for whatever you want to do x
ReplyDeleteI have never been more proud!
ReplyDeleteIn Spain we say: Ole!
ReplyDeleteVery well said :)
such an amazing topic and very well written!
ReplyDeleteRachel // Style Soup
LOVE THIS!
ReplyDeleteBest thing I've read all day <3
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOU.
ReplyDelete