Blogs By Alana

“The color, the shape, and the texture—none of it is accidental. Every item we wear has a glorious (or sometimes not so glorious) history, and that history extends back years—centuries”.

-Tim Gunn

In Egypt and the Roman Empire, where clothing distinguished the wealthy from the poor, the first hints of fashion may be seen. The idea evolves and changes over time, eventually leading to the fashion design we are familiar with today. These were just the start, as the 20th century saw a sea change in society. The general public accepted modern fashion, which had been imposed by the growth of the entertainment industry. The public received fresh ideas thanks to the movies and music. Because of the new synthetic fibers, clothing became more affordable.

Roman and Egyptian Era

The clothing served as a means of displaying a person’s position and wealth.  A stola, a long dress worn by women in the Roman era, is strikingly similar to the attire worn now. Men covered their bodies with a sleeved garment known as a toga. Egyptians dressed in linen, a material that was ideal for hot climates.  Men wore kilts, whereas upper-class women wore pleated gowns. Whatever their social standing, women wore dresses that reached their ankles.

Middle Ages

Both men’s and women’s attire included buckled ankle-length tunics. Higher class women had necklines and hemlines of the beautiful linen, wool, and even silk garments worn by nobility were frequently adorned with elaborate embroidery and even precious stones. Men might own exquisite jewelry, usually brooches to fasten their cloaks. Most people dressed in undyed wool or linen, hide, or fur from animals that were hunted nearby.

Renaissance

Women wore gowns with longer skirts that hung to their ankles and tight-fitting bodice. Dresses with necklines that exposed a lot of skin were appropriate and stylish. The upper classes wore bulky, heavy clothing that limited their freedom of movement. Lower-class women wore considerably looser clothing to allow for more flexibility of mobility and since they did not have servants to assist them with their attire. A lower-class woman’s choice of clothing would include a corset that is much looser or none at all. A man’s attire would begin with a shirt, comparable to a dress shirt nowadays, but without the collar and cuffs, we are accustomed to seeing. Lace collars and cuffs were occasionally used instead. A doublet, or fitted top, would be worn over this, followed by a jerkin, or tight-fitting jacket. Lower-class men tend to dress casually and comfortably, just like their female counterparts do.

Modern Fashion’s Beginnings

Charles Frederick Worth laid the groundwork for what would eventually become a lucrative vocation in 1826, marking the beginning of fashion design. He was regarded as the world’s first fashion designer as a result of his efforts. Up until that point, attire was seen as a means of displaying one’s status. Nobody thought of it as displaying their individual flair, as is the norm in modern society. This was the turning point that brought about the popular fashion design we are familiar with today. Charles worked as a draper and eventually owned a fashion store in Paris. He was advising his client on what attire complemented their physical features. Design companies began looking for artists who would use their inventive talents to create designs for sewing clothing. Potential buyers were then shown them to gauge their interest. They used to just display the finished items, thus this represented a significant change in the production process.

Work Cited:

Bone, Emily. “A History of Fashion.” Bookworm Hanoi, Usborne, 2017, https://www.bookwormhanoi.com/fashion-china.

no author. “Clothing in Ancient Rome.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Sept. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing_in_ancient_Rome.

no author. “Ancient Egyptian Costume and Fashion History. Decoration & Coloring.” World4, 22 July 2022, https://world4.eu/ancient-egyptian-costumes/.

no author. “Women of the Middle Ages in Historical Clothes Stock Vector – Illustration of Gown, Female: 60192338.” Dreamstime, Stockfirefly, 2 Oct. 2015, https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-women-middle-ages-historical-clothes-silhouette-two-young-medieval-dress-costumes-ladies-ancient-clothing-image60192338.

Morgan, Keira. “Clothing French Renaissance Noblewomen.” Keira Morgan, 29 Sept. 2021, https://keiramorgan.com/clothing-french-renaissance-noblewomen/.

Source 1: Revolution Grrrl and Lady Style, Now! from Peace Review– A Journal for Social Justice 

I will use this scholarly journal to help me give background on the paradigm shift and how this movement created social change in the empowerment of women in the male-dominated rock scene. The journal discussed the methods women took to have their voices heard through the art and music they created.

Source 2: The riot grrrl paradigm present on Kathleen Hanna’s life and career: a continuity of the punk feminist movement

With this article, I will be giving more specified information on the central figure of the feminist punk Riot Grrrl movement, Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill who played a monumental role in leading the movement with her involvement and music she and her band made.

Source 3: Riot Grrrl and the True Spirit of Rock n’ Roll

This blog post will come into play to describe the true meaning of the social movement and it provides a thorough and informative history of the movement, with many insights on Bikini Kill and Kathleen Hanna furthering relative information on their impactful actions.

Source 4: Asking For It: Riot Grrrl Revolution

This article will be used to provide evidence of the paradigm shift as it goes into depth on the lyrics of popular riot grrrl bands’ songs and the importance of their meaning. These songs convey the message of the based movement largely focusing on advocating for the elimination of discriminatory societal stigma and sexism towards women.

Source 5: We’re the Girls with the Bad Reputations: The Rhetoric of Riot Grrrl

With the use 0f this scholarly thesis I will be able to give more facts and figures on the historical background of the external inhibitors that downplayed women in the punk rock genre and how sexism became aggressive and hostile to many women in this music industry.

Source 6: A Feminist Riot That Still Inspires

Using this source from the Ny Times would serve its purpose of highlighting how this movement still continues today and inspires many women worldwide and encouraged them in pursuits traditionally thought of as male.

Work Cited:

1. Elke zobl (2004) Revolution Grrrl and Lady Style, Now!, Peace Review, 16:4, 445-452, DOI: 10.1080/10402659.2004.10807137   
2. Gelain, Gabriela. (2019). The riot grrrl paradigm present on Kathleen Hanna’s life and career: a continuity of the punk feminist movement (IASPM 2017).
3. Huff, Chris. “Riot Grrrl and the True Spirit of Rock n’ Roll.” Disc Makers Blog, Disc Makers Blog, 10 July 2018, https://blog.discmakers.com/2018/07/riot-grrrl-and-the-true-spirit-of-rock-n-roll/
4. Nadler, Maddy. “Asking For It: Riot Grrrl Revolution.” SPACE, SCIENCES PARTICIPATING WITH ARTS & CULTURE IN EDUCATION, 16 Feb. 2015, https://space.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/explorations/article/asking_for_it_riot_grrrl_revolution1.
5. Garrett, Brittany Tyson. “‘We’re the Girls with the Bad Reputations’: The Rhetoric of Riot Grrrl – UNCG.” https://Libres.uncg.edu/Ir/Wcu/f/Garrett2011.Pdf, e Faculty of the Graduate School of Western Carolina University, Nov. 2011, https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/wcu/f/Garrett2011.pdf.
6. Ryzik, Melena. “A Feminist Riot That Still Inspires.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 June 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/arts/music/the-riot-grrrl-movement-still-inspires.html.

Mills, Ted. “How the Riot Grrrl Movement Created a Revolution in Rock & Punk.” Open Culture, Open Culture, 14 Feb. 2022, https://www.openculture.com/2022/02/how-the-riot-grrrl-movement-created-a-revolution-in-rock-punk.html.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk:

In her account of how she came to discover her true cultural voice, Chimamanda Adichie expresses concern that we can have a serious misperception of another person or nation if we only hear one account about them. I loved this TED Talk because I related to the struggles, stereotypes, and prejudices placed on people when they are narrowed down to a single story. A time when I was reduced to a single story was going into my sophomore year of high school. Some friends I made over the Summer reduced me to the basic Mexican stereotype. To explain, I’m from California so for most of my life people have just assumed because Mexico is so close, but I’m actually half Colombian and half Bolivian. Anyways, it was always the jokes they would make that made me feel annoyed and somewhat angry because in a way they were stripping me of my identity, that my ethnical background was something to make fun of. It made me realize how there were so many single stories of immigration, racially motivated jokes/stereotypes towards Hispanics, and the underrecognition of a whole continent filled with various different countries with their own cultures and communities.

Paradigm shift #1: Music

• Music follows cycles. Styles for musical aspects change with time. New sounds arrive out of nowhere and disappear just as swiftly. When discussing the paradigm shifts in music over the past 50 years and how our popular music artists, such as Elvis Presley or Kurt Cobain, influenced the media culture music can be compared to the changes in social movements that have occurred throughout history and led to new inventions, discoveries, artists, and musical genres.

Paradigm shift #2: 911 airport security

• After 911, airport security came under great scrutiny, and steps were taken to ensure that similar attacks wouldn’t occur in the future. Only those having tickets for flights that day would be permitted to pass the security checkpoint, according to one of the new rules. There would be a prohibition on sharp objects in carry-on luggage. Only for both active loading and unloading were vehicles allowed to pull up curbside.

Paradigm shift #3: Evolution

• Charles Darwin’s innovative theory of natural selection upset traditionalists in the nineteenth century. It allowed people to reconsider their ideas about the universe, humanity, and the beginnings of all other beings. There would not be an area of evolutionary psychology without this paradigm shift in biological science, which also sparked revolutions in other fields. A change to evolution from creation occurred. Darwin demonstrated that all animal life, even humans, is linked by having a common ancestor and that people are a part of the natural world, not above it.

Work Cited:

Orszulok, Alice. “The Evolution of Music.” The Evolution of Music, Science Illustrated, 12 June 2012, https://scienceillustrated.com.au/blog/culture/the-evolution-of-music/.

“Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves.”

-Elvis Duran

One of the best nights of the year is almost upon us, so if you’re still in need of a costume you’ve come to the right place! Halloween is an exciting time when you can dress up and be something you’re not for one night. You are given the opportunity to examine your identity and connection—especially in relation to a specific passion or hero and just overall get creative with it.

Pop Culture Costumes

Some of the easiest and funniest costumes to dress up as derive from pop culture of the past or present, whether you’re taking inspiration from your favorite music artist, movie, or tv character. There is a wide variety of options to choose from and you will definitely find something you love since you would be deciding to dress up as someone you idolize or something iconic from a certain era that was popular at the time. As shown above, these costumes are of beloved characters and artists of today and in the past, which I thought would be some fun examples for those of you interested. First is the classic Sandy from Grease which can easily be done with a leather jacket, black top and pants, and flat shoes if you are uncomfortable with the red heels. Next, we have Argyle from Stranger Things who has proven to be a fan favorite in the latest season–basically, any crazy patterned pants and layered shirts would work, but if you want to go the extra mile finding or making the pizza shirt and hat would complete the look. Lastly, we have the king of pop Michael Jackson in his most iconic look from the thriller music video–the zombie makeup can be optional because the main focus is the red and black jacket and pants set which can be found on the website listed in the work cited below.

Thriftable and DIY Costumes

Personally, these are my favorite types of costumes because you can really take the time to brainstorm some creative, unique ideas and make them come to life with your own two hands. Thrifting is very sustainable and allows you to be money-wise with an outfit you will wear most likely one-time bringing authenticity and style to your appearance as well. Since options are limited when thrifting I would suggest choosing to dress up as something or someone that includes articles of clothing that are generic, such as Jack Torrance’s outfit from The Shining. When you DIY your costume you are able to create a one-of-a-kind costume that defiantly no one else will have at whatever event you will be attending because trust me I understand how awkward and embarrassing it can be when someone has the same outfit on as you. Along with this, your artistic side is brought out and gives you the chance to go to town and have an absolute blast taking materials from home or store-bought to bring your imagination to life.

Work Cited:

Ross, Julianne. “The Best Halloween Costumes for Adults: Stranger Things, ’80s and More | CNN Underscored.” CNN, Cable News Network, 2 Oct. 2019, https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/best-halloween-costumes-for-adults.

no author. “Mens Zombie Singer Costume.” Mega Fancy Dress, https://www.megafancydress.co.uk/mens-zombie-singer-costume-88710-2.html.

Background and Context:

Supermodel Bella Hadid entered the stage at the conclusion of the Coperni show during Paris Fashion Week. Nobody has settled down since Bella Hadid walked down that runway while nearly naked, driving fashion fanatics insane. The enthralled crowd viewed for nine minutes while an incredibly quick dress was sprayed onto her body. A slit up the leg and straps were quickly hand-molded after the event. The outfit is constructed from liquid fibers, also referred to as liquid fabric or “fabric in a can.” The polymers and chemicals that hold the fibers together vaporize when they come into contact with surfaces, in this case, Bella Hadid’s skin. When the fiber layers thickened, the substance—a unique spray-on fabric created by a London-based company by the name of Fabrican—started to resemble spider webs. However, they quickly dried into a jagged cloth, essentially mummifying Bella Hadid. The dress appeared to be made of cotton or silk in photographs, but when touched, it felt rough and soft like foam. A Mid-length, white dress with off-the-shoulder straps was the end result.

This dress caused an upset all over social media as it highlighted fashion’s obstinate infatuation with extreme thinness as being noticeably less forward-thinking. I just want to point out this is not a direct criticism of Bella Hadid herself, but the idea of the “ideal” body type that many thought worldwide she unconsciously portrayed when walking in this show. It appeared for a brief period of time that the body-positivity movement had been successful in enforcing greater diversity in the business. Brands that ceased offering clothing in sizes 16 or 18 stood the risk of legitimate backlash on social media. On occasion, curvier models started showing up in fashion magazines, advertisements, and runways. Yet, this dress had much thought differently about the progression of fashion today and seems to convey a message to many that the size 0 obsession will never truly go away.

Another shocking controversy about the dress was the photo edit of Bella Hadid’s dress that said “White Lives Matter” posted by Kanye West earlier this week. Kanye West captioned the post by saying “OH AND I DID A T SHIRT DRESS TOOOOOOOO GOOD ARTIST BORROW GREAT ARTIST STEEEEEAL I’M THE LOUVRE”. The “White Lives Matter” shirts were described as very provocative, aggressive, and violent by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, the editor and designer for Vogue. Gigi, Bella’s older sister, criticized Kanye West for speaking ill of Karefa-Johnson, so he took a dig into Bella as a result of this criticism.

Work Cited:

Lumb, David. “Bella Hadid Gets Dress Sprayed onto Her and Walks It down the Runway.” CNET, CNET, 30 Sept. 2022, https://www.cnet.com/culture/fashion/bella-hadid-gets-dress-sprayed-onto-her-and-walks-it-down-the-runway/.

Kato, Brooke. “’Is It Fashion or Is She Just Skinny?’ plus-Size Tiktoker Tests Trends.” New York Post, New York Post, 2 Aug. 2022, https://nypost.com/2022/08/02/is-it-fashion-or-is-she-just-skinny-plus-sized-woman-tests-trends/.

Bitsky, Leah. “Kanye West Photoshops ‘White Lives Matter’ onto Bella Hadid’s Dress.” Page Six, Page Six, 6 Oct. 2022, https://pagesix.com/2022/10/06/kanye-west-adds-white-lives-matter-to-bella-hadids-dress/.

             .

Paradigm shift #1: Music

• Music follows cycles. Styles for musical aspects change with time. New sounds arrive out of nowhere and disappear just as swiftly. When discussing the paradigm shifts in music over the past 50 years and how our popular music artists, such as Elvis Presley or Kurt Cobain, influenced the media culture music can be compared to the changes in social movements that have occurred throughout history and led to new inventions, discoveries, artists, and musical genres.

Paradigm shift #2: Internet

• People may access material on the Internet more directly by entering a few keywords in the search bar, cutting out the intermediary categories. As a result, there is now a much smaller separation between information and people. That is a significant advancement and a major paradigm shift. For instance, the internet proved to be revolutionary, bringing about a major change in how individuals collect data, interact, work, and shop.

Paradigm shift #3: Evolution

• Charles Darwin’s innovative theory of natural selection upset traditionalists in the nineteenth century. It gave people the chance to reconsider their ideas about the universe, humanity, and the beginnings of all other beings. There would not be an area of evolutionary psychology without this paradigm shift in biological science, which also sparked revolutions in other fields. A shift to evolution from creation occurred. Darwin demonstrated that all animal life, even humans, are linked by having a common ancestor and that people are a part of the natural world, not above it.

Work Cited:

Athena, Melanie, and V. Jeffrey Smith. “The Paradigm Shift.” The Paradigm Shift, BandCamp, 28 Mar. 2020, https://melanieathena.bandcamp.com/.

Editor, no author. “Introducing Web 3.0, the Decentralized Internet That Will Change Everything about Being Online.” Aspire Magazine, 10 Apr. 2022, https://www.aspiremagz.com/introducing-web-3-0-the-decentralized-internet-that-will-change-everything-about-being-online/.

Brain, Marshall. “Science.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 29 Jan. 2006, https://science.howstuffworks.com/.

Both these images above highlight how children are in need globally and locally because of the suffering they endure ranging from homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools–just a few of the many adverse effects of poverty on the world’s children. I have brought these two images together because of how they convey the same message in different ways. The image on the left uses a real-life impoverished child and relies on the emotion encompassed within it to state its claim. In comparison, the image on the right employs statistics and certain colors to give more information on the issue of child poverty. From these images, you can contribute to a healthier population in your community and worldwide when you donate money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming child poverty. 

 I choose the black and white image of this little girl with her hand out begging as my Civic artifact because child poverty has been a problem affecting many worldwide for far too long. Children who do not develop to their true ability cannot fully contribute to social, political, or economic growth, and those who are raised in poverty have a higher likelihood of being poor as adults, continuing the cycle of inequality and suffering. It also made me recall a time when I was in Colombia for my first communion instead of having presents given to me my family and I asked all the invitees to bring toys or money for donation. For this initiative, I was excited to contribute to the effort to help those that were underprivileged. When you travel from the US to a third-world country like Colombia, you encounter a level of cultural shock that is very difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced it. Within the targeted audience lies constraints on the financial capability of those willing to help, along with time availability. There is also the unknowingness of the viewers’ beliefs– they might think to themselves if it’s a cause they are truly passionate about and believe is worth their time. That is why this image appeases its audience without being disrespectful and shows them the reality of how others around them especially from such a young age go through these hardships every day.

Through a trust lens, the viewer sees how it is a humbling image that draws attention to itself in a somber, empathetic way. With the use of pathos, the image evokes compassion from the viewer as it provides this tear-jerking feeling when seeing the miserable look on this young girl’s face as she stares deeply into the camera–makes the viewer want to donate. There is no use of color to transcend the audience’s mood and make them feel as the child does in this image living in the darkness of her situation desperately in need of help. The image tells the heartbreaking story of a child living in poverty who has resorted to begging on the streets hoping for the chance that someone will give her some money or food. 

A social movement lens is apparent to convey the idea that coming together one step at a time as a community can help do away with this worldwide problem. A need for wiping out this issue is emphasized through the underlying method of persuasion the image uses. The physiognomy of persuasion is a component involved in the social movement lens that is depicted in this image as it bolsters the idea of helping underprivileged children through the observation of the girl’s character–revealing it to be honest and real. With this, the viewer would be persuaded to join the movement because they would see this campaign as an important cause that is genuine and not something they would be wasting their time and money on. 

Comparatively, my second image shows five children in the color orange happy and playful, yet there is one out of the five that is in a darker color and standing still. Above the text reads “1 in 5 children lives in poverty”. Arising from the same exigence highlights the importance of the negative effects poverty has on children globally straining their development to the point of endangering their futures and continuing the cycle of impoverishment. The targeted audience would most likely be viewers locally and in North America, since the text is in English. Along with this, similarly to the previous image, this one is within the same constraints of who would be financially capable to donate or having the time to volunteer for this cause. In contrast, this image has the constraints of who is able to access this image and understand its message since language is limited. 

In connection to the last artifact through a trust lens, observers are drawn to the image for its bold use of color and the factual evidence displayed. Logos is employed to appeal to the audience in a reasonable and logical way. Using these facts and figures the image makes clear, reasonable connections to the concepts the cause is trying to bring into the light. For example, the color orange is employed on the four children not impoverished because orange symbolizes joy and happiness, while the one child living in poverty has the black color because that color is associated with feelings of sadness and anger. The campaign also uses statistical findings to show how many are actually affected and the harsh reality of children worldwide undergoing this struggle to persuade them to donate.

The social movement lens is again used in this image to call attention to the notion that solving this global issue requires a community working together progressively. The component of this lens, public discussion is aroused as the text in the image leaves readers interested in the fact since its findings are anxiety-provoking and persuade the reader to care about the cause or at least discuss it with someone else as a way to spread the call to action. Both images use the physiognomy of persuasion to show that the cause is honest and logical to donate goods or money as a way to help alleviate this issue or even get involved by volunteering.

These artifacts alike share the same message for viewers to take action in destroying child poverty and alleviating the dangers of future developmental problems. Yet, there are differences in values when it comes to which element of the trust lens each image is using–my original artifact uses pathos to gain an authentic human reaction, while the second artifact employs logos to appear reasonable and compelling to the audience. Furthermore, the audiences of these artifacts will be exposed based on their beliefs, whether or not they choose to donate because they feel sympathetic to the cause or just because they feel it would be logical to do so. On the other hand, the audience’s beliefs could also be exposed against the cause if they feel the persuasive strategies both artifacts employ are something they don’t feel passionate about or because they aren’t able to assist in the initiative. 

There has not been a change as child poverty still plagues communities and children all across the world. Both these artifacts bring attention to how this problem can be solved through donations. Donations can help children living in poverty by funding programs for their health, nutrition, and education. The artifacts educate the readers are on how impactful this issue is and vital to resolve it since children are the future. Since the artifacts may constrain the audience it’s also suggested that to bring about change it must start in the children’s local communities where large-scale community programs can take place to improve this dire situation. 

If you donate money, goods, or your time to organizations that help the poor overcome child poverty, you can help create a healthy population in your local community and around the world. To escape poverty, those who are living in it must have the chance to grow. When you contribute to a charitable project, you’ll motivate others to follow your example. You can urge your family and friends to donate by making a donation yourself. If you are like me and have a connection to the issue of poverty you will feel more a part of the donation you make when you support a cause you care about. I suggest finding out more about charitable organizations and taking action to bring about the change you wish to see in eradicating poverty worldwide. 

Speech outline:

Attention Getter: homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools are just a few of the many adverse effects of poverty on the world’s children. 

Purpose of the speech and Rhetorical Situation: I choose this image because the issue of child poverty has always been a problem I’ve been connected to in the past. Also, for children, poverty has numerous negative effects that can be helped through donations.

Lenses: trust and social movement

Broader Context: you can contribute to a healthier population in your community when you provide money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming poverty. When you contribute to a charitable project, you’ll motivate others to follow your example. You can urge your family and friends to donate by making a donation yourself. 

Closer: so, I want you all to ask yourself how you can donate to bring about change and help eradicate poverty worldwide. I suggest finding out more about charitable organizations to take action. Thank you! 

Work Cited:

no author. “Children in Need..!: Photo by Photographer Amer Jassim: Poverty Photography, Poor Children, Children Photography.” Pinterest, 2 Feb. 2013, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/307018899567083926/.

no author. “Child Poverty.” Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Defense Fund, 3 Aug. 2022, https://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/policy-priorities/child-poverty/.

“I like to call Fall leather weather”

-XXMK

Thursday, September 22nd was the Autumn Equinox, so I thought it was time to share some of the most fashionable trends coming and staying this Fall. From leather to Y2k aesthetic, knitwear, mini skirts, staple pieces, and more! This Fall has some of the most impactful designs lined up from small businesses to huge name brands in the fashion industry.

Speaking of a trend that is here to stay, the youthful and nostalgic Y2K style isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There has been a strong presence of the Y2K style in popular culture recently, especially because of influential models, such as Bella Hadid above. Y2K style includes futuristic designs based on video games and movies with cybernetic themes from the 90s to the early 2000s. Notably, the bringing back of the corset has been the most loved article of clothing from this trend for autumn, many designers included corseted waists in their designs, and some took it a step further by molding corset pieces in metal to give them a futuristic flair and increase their durability.

Knitwear has taken fall by storm whatever your style is, there are tactile textures of cardigans, skirts, tops, dresses, two-pieces, and statement sweaters galore. Designers have appeared to encourage covering yourself in knit clothing. Recent fashion shows included models who were literally swaddled in wool, wrapped in multiple layers of knit and spooling wayward threads. The twin-set has had a young twist thanks to ’90s accessories; bulky sweaters have been coupled with the characteristic tulle evening gowns, and Fair Isle-style knits have been tied at the waist.

Leather is all the rage for this season! Brands are encouraging the idea of going out in leather and not staying home because when you are wearing these specific articles of clothing you are putting your best foot forward and a swagger in your stride. Just a few of the designs that have been featured by the fashion industry include expansive strides in the style of micro and midi dresses, as well as leather skirts and dresses bolstered by cheery pom-poms of leather trim.

For the Fall, corporate tailoring will no longer be just in the office. A spin on traditional business wear has been a notable consistency in recent fashion shows. There is no denying that contemporary fashion is becoming more experimental. Bright, eye-catching colors and the oversized look have turned the classic suit into this Autumn’s most interesting trend. Designers have been loving to splash color all across oversized suits since it makes the most effect. Because it’s all about vibrant color, even 1970s velvet suits are being revived. Businesses are encouraging customers that there has never been a better time to push yourself, take a chance, and reach for an outrageously colorful suit.

Work Cited:

Ellie Pithers, Joy Montgomery. “Shop the 10 Key Autumn/Winter 2022 Trends to Know Now.” British Vogue, British Vogue, 14 Sept. 2022, https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/autumn-winter-2022-fashion-trends.

Cary, Alice. “Bella Hadid’s Holiday Wardrobe Includes Corsets and Alice Bands.” British Vogue, British Vogue, 4 Apr. 2022, https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/bella-hadid-rome-style.

Intro Paragraph:

Homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools are just a few of the many negative effects of poverty on the world’s children. Your contribution is essential to a charity’s ability to advance its purpose of ending child poverty. If you are like me and have a connection to the issue of poverty you will feel more a part of the donation you make when you support a cause you are passionate about. Through a trust lens, one can see that the image employs pathos to elicit emotion from the viewer. Along with this, a social movement lens is also used to convey the idea that coming together as a community can help do away with this worldwide problem. You can contribute to a healthier population in your community when you donate money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming child poverty. 

Brief outline-

Attention Getter: homelessness, poor nutrition, deficient child care, dangerous neighborhoods, and underfunded schools are just a few of the many negative effects of poverty on the world’s children. 

Purpose of the speech and Rhetorical Situation: I choose this image because the issue of child poverty has always been a problem I’ve been connected to in the past. Also, for children, poverty has numerous negative effects that can be helped through donations.

Lenses: trust and social movement

Broader Context: you can contribute to a healthier population in your community when you provide money, goods, or your time by volunteering for initiatives that assist the underprivileged in overcoming poverty. When you contribute to a charitable project, you’ll motivate others to follow your example. You can urge your family and friends to donate by making a donation yourself. 

Closer: so, I want you all to ask yourself how you can donate to bring about change and help eradicate poverty worldwide? I suggest finding out more about charitable organizations to take action. Thank you! 

Work Cited

no author. “Children in Need..!: Photo by Photographer Amer Jassim: Poverty Photography, Poor Children, Children Photography.” Pinterest, 2 Feb. 2013, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/307018899567083926/.

“New York Fashion Week only comes twice a year, make it count”

-Tommy Hilfiger

In light of New York Fashion Week having passed last week, I thought it would be nice to catch you all up on what you missed and what is trending for this new season. Friday afternoon marked the beginning of New York Fashion Week with Proenza Schouler. Fendi closed the first day with a runway presentation to mark the 25th anniversary of the iconic Baguette Bag. Leading designers from Manhattan’s fashion scene, including Carolina Herrera, Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Tom Ford, started dominating the runways on Monday and continued on throughout the week. Along with them, Brandon Maxwell showcased their line on Tuesday followed by Gabriella Hearst. Intimate demonstrations introducing J’adore Parfum D’eau, the House’s newest fragrance, were also being held by Dior Beauty.

https://usa.tommy.com/en/tommy-hilfiger-explore

To check out the playback of the runway show, click the link above!

The Tommy Hilfiger presentation was scheduled for September 11th and would be considered the week’s highlight of the whole event. Furthermore, the company is making a comeback with a “See Now Buy Now” presentation that was live-streamed to the Roblox community on a worldwide scale that included game influencers and was complete with NFTs. Honoring pop culture and artistic expression the event was inspired by Andy Warhol. Up-and-coming photographers, videographers, and designers created live art during the performance and allowed viewers complete access to the backstage activities of the show. The set was left purposefully incomplete when audiences came, inviting them to participate in the creation of a fashion show with a crew of artists and designers. As he walked the carpet, Jon Batiste accepted the idea and spontaneously performed. The groundbreaking synchronized IRL and URL runway show engaged guests in Tommy Hilfiger’s creative hub while showcasing boundary-pushing collections and talent from all walks of life. The iconic Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker gave a special performance during the closing ceremony of the performance, playing an exclusive song while the city skyline was projected behind him.

Marni revealed earlier this summer that it would embark on a tour, with New York Fashion Week as its next destination. For the first time ever, Marni debuted in New York City this season, unveiling its line in a moody tunnel beneath the famous Manhattan Bridge. The historical arches provided a striking backdrop that created the mood for the forthcoming season, even though the secret bridge location may not have been many people’s first pick for a high-fashion show. Dev Hynes presented a dramatic composition with the assistance of the String Orchestra of Brooklyn to follow the models as they proceeded along the runway to display the latest collection. The fourth wall between the audience and the unreachable show was broken during a unique performance as creative director Francesco Risso acted as a cellist in the orchestra. Knitted shirts in vivid hues that were purposefully ratty and shrunken were worn by models with exaggerated, movement-focused pants as they went down the catwalk. Reflective surface sarongs and tops matched floor-length coats with huge patchwork and ombré polka-dot shirts, which reminded observers of the ’90s street mosaic art craze–materials with many textures were designed to add accents to the collection. The director of Marni, Risso, pushed forth his artistic sophistication of the collection with an intentionally mismatched and DIY approach.

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