When most people examine the elements of culture, they tend to navigate towards the things they love. The things that make their lives more fun. That's where I differ from most. I prefer to criticise. I probably shouldn't, but it's what I gravitate towards. I know what I like. I know these things. It doesn't provide me any substance to think about what I like when I can just do them. I don't have to think to know what I like. I have to think about what I don't like. I have to think to discover why I don't like it. I have to actually think to criticise. It's more of a challenge. I love challenges.
So I have to think rather hard to decide what in our society makes me the most angry. I've come to a simple conclusion: fashion. When most girls think of fashion, all they can think about is "that cute little jacket I found at the mall this Saturday." I am not most girls. Anyone who knows me will tell you this. So, unlike most girls, when I think about fashion, I am able to look at what the fashion world does to our society. I am able to think about how many problems come up because of a girl's most simple obsessions: clothes and beauty.
We generally want to be accepted. We want it more than anything. So when a new line of clothes come out, girls can be expected to want a piece of it. It has nothing to do with whether or not they actually like the clothing. It has nothing to do with whether or not they're comfortable in the clothing. It has everything to do with if the other girls they know want it. And they usually do. The idea of a new line of clothes is enough to make most girls run a mile to get to the mall. But like I said, I'm not like most girls. I take the time to examine whether a piece of clothing appeals to me. I take the time to examine whether I'm comfortable in it or whether it's not worth buying. Clothes shouldn't be about fitting in like most girls make it. They should be about your comfort. They should be about you.
Again, we want to be accepted. Even more, we want to be admired. Beauty. It's what every girl wants. Even I am partially guilty there, although I won't cover up the real me to get at it. Here's the problem I run into for beauty: again, the fashion industry controls it. They decide what's beautiful. In my opinion, you should never change who you are for such a simple and shallow wish. The fashion industry has their own idea. Make-up. Cover up what you really look like so you can fit in with the stereotypes you want to fit under. Cover up yourself for someone more beautiful. And diets. Revolve your entire life around being thin. If your ribs are showing, you're the perfect weight.
People always wonder why make-up sales are going through the roofs. Why girls are covering up pretty much every blemish that makes them unique. Why girls are developing eating disorders more than ever. It's because the fashion industry is in control now more than ever. Of course, the fashion industry doesn't tell us outstraight that we're not beutiful enough. That would probably qualm everyone's doubts as to who's to blame. That would probably force the fashion industry to back up a bit. No, no. They are many things, but they're not stupid. no. They just show us. They don't say anything. They show us what they want us to look like. And we follow like the trained puppies most of us are. It's difficult to break such a tradition. Following instead of leading. Showing instead of watching. It's difficult not to stand on the sidelines and listen to what they tell us. It's difficult to doubt.
And that's why I chose to write this. It's difficult. It's difficult to write this, knowing it will probably offend a lot of the people who read it. It's difficult to write this, knowing I'm only completing my isolation from the idea of normality. Just like anyone else, I want to accepted. I want to be adored. And so, it takes a lot of work to break down all of those wishes. To give up those simplistic, shallow wishes and follow my deeper, more substantial desires. It's difficult to give up on the short-term wishes in order to follow the long-term ones. It's difficult to speak the truth. It's a challenge. A great, big challenge. And I love challenges.
Kira Painter
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38 comments:
Not to be rude, but I could not disagree more. I'm sorry, but you are making rather large generalizations about the heart and soul of a majority of individuals. I wear makeup because I want to and I wear the clothes I wear because they are in style and I happen to really, truly like that. I know we all have opinions, but calling something as deep as fashion "shallow" shows a large amount of disrespect for a serious artform. I can see your side, but I'm just sharing my opinions too. You write very well and in no means was this poorly written. Your points are very relavent and convincing and you seemed to go at this with a lot of thought. I commend you for that, but please don't think that clothes are shallow.
I am not a girl. So I don't have these informed opinions like you do. However, I think Kira's right. I don't think she was exactly calling clothes shallow. I think that she was saying that she thinks they're shallow. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I think that there are people who are obsessive with clothing. I don't know anyone like that at ASA, but I have known girls who only where he clothes to fit in. And that's what I think Kira was saying. If you honestly just like it, then what she is saying doesn't apply to you. It's only if you just want to make others jealous or something.
I think clothing is basically art you put on your body. Therefore, some serious thought should probably go into it. I agree with someenlightenedperson, but I also agree with you. Because of today's advertising etc. girls feel that they need to comply with an impossible face/ body image. Both of you have some really good points. I think you should definitely put some thought into what you wear. Not because you are trying to "fit in", but because you want to. It makes a statement about who you are.
Fashion is meant to enhance one's appearance. Clothing is also a way people express themselves. You do have a point that some girls do get overly obsessed about fashion. However, I feel like you don't even appreciate the art of fashion. I disagree when you say we should not cover up blemishes with make up. HELLO! There is a reason they are called blemishes, because they are ugly. I feel that balance is the key when it comes to fashion.
I think clothing is made for the obvious superficial reason of looking good, and face it, everyone wants to look good. Everyone wants to look beautiful, whatever that may be. Whether these companies put negative images into young girls heads is simply in the eye of the beholder. Only you can judge what is right and wrong, and what you choose to believe. Fashion is more than a trend to many people- it's a lifestyle, an occupation, a passion. I am one who lives and breathes it. Honestly, I take pride in what I wear and I believe many others do. Fashion is a superficial lifestyle. Everyone LOVES being superficial every once in a while, eh?(:
-kacyanne(:
I agree with Kacy!
I think your outlook is very negative. Seriously, how can you not care about how you look? Does it not feel good to look beautiful? Does it not mean anything to you to take pride in how you look? I think maybe you should consider fashion on more than a superficial level. And who is to define fashion as superficial? Look at fashion as an expression of an emotion, of a living breathing person. It's an outer view of yourself. Fashion assists beauty and amplifies it. Pride in clothing shows pride in oneself and pride in oneself tells a lot about a person. Fashion is art. And art is deep and powerful on so many different levels. Fashion is the same way; designers showing their own personal outlook through their designs. Don't hat on something you may have never given a chance. Fashion is a wonderful and powerful thing. Give it a chance.
You did not write about how fashion has impacted YOUR life. Instead, you decided to do a bit on "fashion bashing."
Kira, your essay was really mean. I see that you put hard work into it, but I thought you were very blunt.
This shows alot of arrogance.
Sorry, I needed to add one more thing:
The fashion industry is full of so much versatility. There is such a growing number of plus size models and "normal" bodies out there. Though, often, I find that people make too many generalizations about weight and body type. The MASS MAJORITY of smaller models do NOT starve themselves. They are born with very very petite body types and uber fast metabolisms. Being born with the same body type, I can vouch for them. NOT EVERYONE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS "SKINNY".
Also, what's so wrong about feeling beautiful? What is so offensive about covering up a part of you that you personally feel self concious about? It's not like you're trying to hide who you are. How much you care about yourself on the outside is a key part of developing yourself as a person. People wear what defines them as a person. That's what fashion is. That's what art is.
kira, you paper was written beautifully, almost as if it should be placed in seventeen magizine its self.
but your ideas compared to mine couldn't be more different.
but the way you worded your essay was very mature. :)
but i love fashion and i myself am a pro beauty, and believe that it is up to the person to look how they want to look. I myself want to look the very best i can. You can choose different.
Also real fashion does not come from rushing to the mall everytime a new cloting lne comes out in your favorite store. It comes form the ability to match and compromise clothing.
This is post just upsets me so much. I don't understand how you can feel so terribly towards something so great. It's really a big let down.
Good job, Kira. I think it's cool how you created so much controversy. Don't let it get you down....I think it's a good thing.
This was very well-written, but I think you ARE being a bit harsh on fashion. Your clothes SHOULD be comfortable and functional. But they should look nice too.
It's like a house - you want it to be a shelter, but you paint it and decorate it and remodel it, etc, because it's a statement about who you are. It's a way to express yourself. It's art.
I, personally, try to wear clothes that I actually like, but are still fashionable. You can't follow trends blindly, a lot of things are popular for a reason.
On the subject of makeup. I choose not to wear it because it takes time and effort, I hate the way it feels on my face, and I don't like feeling that what people see when they look at me is goops and powders. But many girls like makeup, and that's fine. I have makeup issues, but I'm abnormal, so don't listen to me on that topic.
Fashion is art. It's more that trends. You make a good point, but look at both sides.
Wow that was long.
I meant to say "you can't follow trends lightly, but a lot of things are popular for a reason"
I just can't type. Oh well.
Have you all noticed that I'm a big fan of using a lot of words? Well, this comment is no exception...
Here's the thing everybody. If you guys even examined my paragraph about the whole "beauty" idea, you would understand this. I like feeling beautiful, too. I just have a different view on what beautiful is.
The idea of beautiful is mostly attributed with the idea of flawless. Flawlessness. In order to get it, there's one thing we most definitely have to do: cover up our flaws.
Here's where I break apart from everyone else. Flaws, believe it or not, are what make you beautfil. They don't make you flawless, and flawlessness is most people's ideas of beauty, but flawlessness is fruitless. If you want flawlessness, you have to cover up yourself. Your flaws are beautfil. Beauty has nothing to do with flawlessness. UIt has to do with what you think of yourself. It doesn't really matter to me as much as most of you people have pointed out whether or not other people think I'm beautiful. It would be nice, sure. But it is most definitely not my goal.
My goal is to be myself. Completely and only myself. I am beautiful. The idea of covering my flaws and blemishes up for the sake of what others think disgusts me. You're unique, people. Get used to it. Embrace it. Don't cover it up.
Now for the eating disorder idea. Did I ever mention models having eating disorders? Did I ever mention any specific case with eating disorders? No. I simply mentioned that they were there. They are there. And they shouldn't be. The reason they are there is because of our wish to look like a model. I never said that models have eating disorders- but one way or another, they are the cause.
Not really, though. We are the cause. We fantisize in the idea of being skinny. Being healthy is enough for most of us. I'm not going to argue with the fact that eating disorders are still the exception. But you also can't deny that they exist. They wouldn't exist if people didn't feel bautiful. they would feel beautiful if they cared less about being accepted. They want to be flawless. They develope physical diseases. They develope a disease because WE don't make them feel beautiful enough. That was the one thing I neglected to mention. the fashion industry puts things in motion, oh boy do they, but we're truly to blame. WE don't feel beautiful, WE don't make others feel beautiful, WE decide what trends to follow and what ones we shouldn't. It's up to us. And most of us look to someone to follow as an answer to all of this. True responsibility for ourselves is too much for us. True independence isn't realistic. Dependance makes usfeel closer. We deny it, but we want to be dependent as much as we want to be independent.
We humans have such a capacity for an ego, it amazes me. So egotistical. And yet so fragile. If we notice something that hurts our egos, we don't want anyone else to see it. We hide it as best we could. What hurts our egos, that's different. We all have it. I'm not going to deny it. I have a fragile ego, too. It can most definitely break. But how I look has no hope of doing that. How I look is not something that concerns me. Others can look at me all they want. If they've got a problem with the fact that I'm not afraid to show my flaws - if they have a problem with the fact that I undertsand what true beauty is - then they can leave me alone. If you don't want to hear about what true beauty is, than you shouldn't pretend with me. I want you to be blunt, voice your opinions, and walk away. That's what I do.
So that's my pep talk on beauty. Now about the clothes comment.
Of course I care what I wear. here's what I was trying to say. People follow trends. They follow them easily. We want to fit in with everyone else. Standing out is just too difficult. Even the people who supposedly want to seperate themselves from the crowd tend to find people who share their same wish and yet the same people who don't want a crowd are suddenly the people in it.
So, trends. I have no problem with anything about clothes. Clothes are great. They have potential for expressing ourselves to others. They also have the potential to do the opposite. People love haveing common interests. Even if they aren't as real as we say. Clothes fall under that category. Someone could hate a piece of clothing with every fiber of their being, it would still be theeasiest thing in the world to say "I love that top so much" if they were in a crowd that loved that top. We want to be accepted. We want to have friends. So some people dothe easiest thing to get to this: they lie.
I'm not accusing anyone I know of doing this. I'm not attacking anyone. I am simply observing. This is how fashion affects me. I never stated it completely. I just hid it in there. I do that a lot. My words are like codes. You have to delve into my mind to really understand what I'm saying. Fashion affects me in the simplest way. It makes me angry, it makes me sad, it makes me feel good about myself all in one. But, most of all, it just makes me observe. I observe a lot of things. And when I observe something, I usually gravitate towards a controversal conclusion. People don't like it when other people point out what they don't want to know. They don;t like it much at all. So they disagree with it. So many people disagree. We are not big fans of flaws.
Back to the idea of clothes. I love clothes in general. I have a problem with trends. When people give up wearing exactly what they want and feeling like their clothes are completely theirs in order to feel like their clothes make them accepted. Make them flawless. I hate that idea. I hate anything that includes giving up yourself. Hiding who you are. We live in a free country. And yet, some of us are more imprisoned than they would be under any other circumstances. We imprison ourselves. Acceptance is too strong a pull to resist. Everyone gives into it in someway or another. Clothes are the easiest way for most. That's why I feel fashion as a menace. because fashion is no longer about being yourself and expressing who you are. It no longer cares whether or not you're competely comfortable. You have to suffer to be beutiful, right? Wrong. You have to suffer to be flawless. You're already beutiful. No matter who you are, you are absolutely beautiful. But you aren't flawless. So it isn't enough.
I'm not afraid to offend people. I'm upset over wrong assumptions. Your feelings, really, have nothing to do with this comment. I'm sorry if that seems cruel, but they don't. What makes me write this is wrong assumptions. When people interpret what I write wrongly. It drives me insane. I told you we all want to be flawless in some way or other. This is my way. I want everything I do physically to be flawless. Everything I give to the world. I don't want there to be room for wrong assumptions. that means I haven't done my job.
Flawlessness is impossible, though. Even with this. Many people will interpret this comment wrong. Interpret my post and my comment wrong. Interpretation doesn't work. Everyone thinks differently. We're different. And for once in your life, someone understands just how much that doesn't matter. And that's what scares you. You don't ant someone to point this out. You want to feel similar. United. Accepted. I'm not trying to tell you what you think. That's your job. I'm just telling you what I've observed. I observe an awful lot, if you haven't noticed. Most of us do.
Unlike most people, my wish to be accepted has no hinderance to my ability to voice what I observe out loud, though. I most definitely want to be accepted. It's an undeniable wish. But I want to be accepted for who I am. Pretending for your sake is not something I will do. I will be blunt, voice my opinion, and walk away. What's up to you, is whether or not you follow and ask for further explanation. It's up to you if you want to embark on the impossible journey that is explorng my mind. I can't make that decision for you. Because, unlike you, I am unafraid to not interfere with your decision at all. I am unafraid to only observe and not act. Which is why I'm the perfect person to open your eyes to what you really see.
The only real question running through my mind as I write this comment is this: How many people will take the time to read. But, more importantly, how many people will take the time to actually listen. They seem so similar when I'm not actually talking to you. But they're not. Many people will read this. They will read and judge. It will take that few, shining leaders who are unafraid of themselves to actually listen.
I hope you listen.
Kira Painter
I certainly agree with everyone's opinions. Kira presents a point that the fashion industry controls our society, and I couldn't agree more. And I certainly believe that clothing should be comfortable but that isn't all. Fashion is a form of expression. How a person dresses can create someone's perception to you. If someone waltzed into an interview for a teaching job in a cleavage bearing belly top, belly skirt, fishnets and electric blue pumps, chances are they ain't gonna get the job. Clothing can make or break you. This can cause problems like eating disorders, but it can also create awareness of proper clothing around certain people. I would never wear a belly shirt in front of my dad or a professional figure, but I might in front of my friends.
And I love to feel beautiful. When I'n packing for a trip to friends what goes in my bag is face wash and mascara. No one likes zits, but not everyone likes mascara. I personally feel that I look butt ugly without mascara, probably cuz of the fashion world, but I love it anyways and I see nothing wrong with wanting to feel pretty.
And I've gone on a tangnt but I think I got my point across. Fashion rules our society but that's not nessacarily bad.
I am not trying to offend you, I'm just wondering...if the clothing you liked suddenly became really in vogue, would you stop liking them? That's sort of what you imply here. It's just another art form. There are visible trends in every art form, from painting to music!
It's human nature to adorn ourselves and try to look good. It also makes you feel more confident if you like how you look that day. I don't see how makeup, unless it was really dramatic and latex-heavy, could actually "hide" who you are.
You have good points and I certainly agree with some of what you say, I'm just putting out my opinions too. But it's an awesome essay and really well written!
This was supposed to be about something that is important to you.
I think Kira makes an excellent point - and I agree with her on many things. No matter how popular they get, I WILL NOT WEAR SKINNY JEANS. And I will never wear bug-eye sunglasses except for laughs. (Some people look good in said items. Just not me.)
But people aren't being shallow mindless little idiots when they wear mascara (see post @ 7:51, which I'm kind of responding to) I don't like makeup much personally, but it's been around since pretty much recorded history began. It's not going away any time soon, NOR SHOULD IT.
And on the topic of eating disorders, I highly doubt that everyone with anorexia or bulimia is a mindless, "dependent" drone. You make valid points. Just try not to generalize too much.
Eva - this IS something that is important to Kira. She wouldn't have written something this detailed and well-thought out if she didn't care. Maybe she doesn't care by LIKING it - do you care about genocide? I think you do. (I AM NOT SAYING FASHION IS GENOCIDE, BTW. DON'T KILL ME I'm just making a point)
But it's not like she doesn't care. It obviously has had an impact on her life, which is what the assignment was about.
okay guys, i gotta say something really fast.
not ever in my three years at asa have i been more impressed with a conversation. i can't believe we took an essay, nicely written btw, and used it and our reactions to create an honest, real, but still resectful and intuitive discussion. it's crazy to say, but it's times like these that make me glad to be at asa. thanks to mr. Nic for giving us the opportunity to speak freely and creatively about things we obviously feel very strongly about. this is what asa is all about. just wanted to point that out.
as for the fashion/beauty debate, i don't understand the huge argument that is commencing as we speak, or should i say, as i type. i think it's fantastic that people feel so convinced with a point that they are willing to defend it, but i think we should all think about the big picture. people choose whether to like or dislike fashion based on their personal opinion on what is beautiful, and how important being beautiful is to them. that being a personal opinion, it is probable that one person's idea of beauty, like kira's, can differ from others, like kacy's. as the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and i think that we should take this fact into consideration as we continue this debate.
aby.
While I have nothing against your opinion or writing style, it's fundamentally hypocritical to blast the idea of fashion for objectifying people, and then go to an equal, if opposite, extreme in saying that anyone who partakes in it is shallow or superficial. Essentially, you're judging the judging of people judging what they wear based on their judgment of your judgment.
I hope that made sense.
I think we should hear from more guys on the subject (ok yes I know Scott commented and maybe some others who didn't leave their names or whom I've forgotten)
But still. What do the rest of the boys have to say about it???
Maybe you should read another viewpoint? (I swear I didn't write this, I just thought it was well done.)
http://10thgradeperiodtwo.blogspot.com/2008/08/feel-passion-of-fashion.html
Wow. I'm amazed at all the discussion this created. It's interesting to see all the viewpoints. I'm glad you wrote this essay, Kira.
Haha. I'm not.
You really should not have to write an explanation longer than your essay to get your point across.
What you said about blemishes and not covering them up is a key phrase in a ugly person's life. That's just my opinion as a male who would not date a blemished female.
Thanks! See you later, hopefully with no blemishes.
D!
Haha. That was really harsh and actually funny!
debate is cool
debate is cool
Alex was here.
Hey! Just to let everyone know, Im really sorry, when i first logged into the blog, i set up a username that i thought would just be for me personally, but i guess i set it for everyone. So this is the first actual comment that i've made...sry about that!!!!! (AKA, anything other this comment that says evatheballerina was NOT written by me...)
About your essay, i think on the one hand, you have valid points, but i think that you over-generalized too much. I mean I dont think that everyone who wears makeup and likes to look pretty is shallow. I wear some makeup, and try to wear clothes that i think will complement me, but i dont think that that makes me shallow. i do think that girls who completely change their style just to "fit in" are kinda shallow, but just wanting to look your best in your own way is just taking pride in yourself and how the world will view you.
For you comments about people wanting to be skinny, i think to a certain extent that what you said is true. But i think the larger part of it is people wanting to be healthy and fit. But that doesnt mean having your ribs poke out. It just means being as healthy as you can be for your body type. I also think that what your interested in plays a big role on your views about weight. As a ballet dancer, i see girls all the time who are rail thin or who have eating disorders, and personally, i want to be thin too, but thats just because thats how ballet is, not necasarily for cosmetic reasons.
Eva
Oh, I also want to mention that i think your essay was really well written, and I really enjoyed reading it, even if i deiagree with some of your opinions.
Holy moley, that was a super-duper long comment!!!! :]
I felt like coming back to read this after a pretty intense weekend of shopping. Now let's just put this out there: I LIKE shopping and I LIKE pretty things, but I also like things that define me too. So I thought about the stuff I bought. On Saturday I spent $15 at GoodWill on things I felt and emotional connection too, things that made me feel like myself. Later the same day I hit two little boutiques and spent $14 on a shirt and earrings. Again, I felt some sort of connection with the things I purchased. I saw myself in these things as the best and most real version of myself. I imagined the possibilities of the things I bought, the beautiful possibilies.
So I was very happy with my purchases because first, i was thrifty, second, I genuinely liked the things I bought, and third, I know I'll make use of these items to express myself and to BE myself.
Now, Kira, if you ever read this, please put yourself in my situation. Think of the purchases you made and why you made them. This is fashion: the art of the individual and the expression of that art.
I hope this makes sense, but I KNOW you have to shop sometimes and you must have personal preferances, so I thought this would help you see what everyone else was trying to say.
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