thysz: The Fashion Speak Approval Matrix by Amy O’Dell — Absolutely relevant at the eve of the 2012 Fall/Winter season shows, is this fantastic article on the language of fashion criticism by Amy O’Dell. She writes, “Such pedestrian words have fallen out of fashion in favor of exaggerated language that, while expressing enthusiasm for clothes, doesn’t give us any insight into why they’re so wonderful. We have come to expect the world’s fashion authorities to “die” or “stop breathing” when they find a pair of shoes that’s especially “fierce” or “tranny,” or perhaps when they find a model “werking” a particularly “mayjor” “smize” or “lewk.” And we’re happy with this, even though precious few of the world’s most famous fashion experts truly make a habit of articulating why certain clothes can be so great.” While I greatly agree with this article, I also believe that fashion, and fashion discourse, relies heavily on emotion (and, at the end of the day, abstraction) and less on scientific analysis - especially in the world of today.We wear clothes that make us feel certain things, and often couldn’t care less if they fell apart tomorrow. As with the words of celebrity stylists that barely hold water in the long run (I mean how meaningful is “I die,” really?) it’s all about living, and loving, in the moment.Which could, conversely, be translated into a result of the hegemony of these companies anyway - because what would make you want to buy more than that fleeting feeling of perfection?In sum, I think this article is fierce. Werq it.

Feb 9 -

thysz:

The Fashion Speak Approval Matrix by Amy O’Dell

—

Absolutely relevant at the eve of the 2012 Fall/Winter season shows, is this fantastic article on the language of fashion criticism by Amy O’Dell.

She writes, “Such pedestrian words have fallen out of fashion in favor of exaggerated language that, while expressing enthusiasm for clothes, doesn’t give us any insight into why they’re so wonderful. We have come to expect the world’s fashion authorities to “die” or “stop breathing” when they find a pair of shoes that’s especially “fierce” or “tranny,” or perhaps when they find a model “werking” a particularly “mayjor” “smize” or “lewk.” And we’re happy with this, even though precious few of the world’s most famous fashion experts truly make a habit of articulating why certain clothes can be so great.”

While I greatly agree with this article, I also believe that fashion, and fashion discourse, relies heavily on emotion (and, at the end of the day, abstraction) and less on scientific analysis - especially in the world of today.

We wear clothes that make us feel certain things, and often couldn’t care less if they fell apart tomorrow. As with the words of celebrity stylists that barely hold water in the long run (I mean how meaningful is “I die,” really?) it’s all about living, and loving, in the moment.

Which could, conversely, be translated into a result of the hegemony of these companies anyway - because what would make you want to buy more than that fleeting feeling of perfection?

In sum, I think this article is fierce. Werq it.

A style blog by @stateofjoe filled with inspiration, commentary, and straight-up fly shit.