The Tracksuit: Our Cultural Brain-Fart

When it Comes to "Fashion," the tracksuit is our Cultural Brain-Fart (Among Other Things, I'm Sure)

I mean, basically.

I am shamelessly addicted to Buzzfeed. I visit the website daily, religiously. It gives me everything I need with out the commitment. I can get news, trash, or hilarity. Whatever. So as I was participating in my usual routine, winding down from my day when I came across “The 21 Most Ridiculous Tracksuits of All Time.” How could I not investigate? And as someone who survived not only the windbreaker trend of the early-mid 90’s but ALSO the Juicy Couture insanity of the 2000’s this post seemed like it promised a whole lot, and I wanted to see if it could deliver.

This is for real. 

So is this.

I feel like the tracksuit was a societal commitment to never get dressed again, unless specifically required to. Like a dress code or something. It was a collective decision that we no longer, as a whole were going to put in any effort. I think since, we have tried to undo the damage. Many a conversation has been had that centered on the complaint that people just “don’t get dressed anymore.” But how do we come back from the tracksuit? How can we forget? I took some of my favorites from Buzzfeed, to demonstrate the different ways the phenomenon manifested itself. (Also, because I wanted every single person I know to see the Buzzfeed list.) There was a range of expressions, from cool, to functional, and even, believe-it-or-not, some tried to make it a sexy after 5 look. See for yourself...

Because heels makes it classier.

To be fair, I think she is doing this ironically.

Did you know Beyonce was covered in glitter? The internet did.

Sooo, This Happened…

 I write about Beyonce with trepidation, because as of yet, I have not found any critical writing about this post, which in my opinion, deserves analysis. That being said, I am in no way interested in somehow singing the siren call for all her devout followers to ruin my life, because someone, somehow felt that I disrespected the Queen Bey. I mean no disrespect, actually how could I? Like anything I say could disrupt her carefully constructed life? And honestly, as opportunity after opportunity arose to examine her influence on pop culture, I have actively declined. I have unsettled and conflicting feelings about her position within the contemporary paradigm.  Do-Not-Get me wrong. I will jam to some Beyonce just like any other self-respecting individual, but her over-all message is one I read with caution. In many ways, she seems more dangerous to me because her camp is constantly on the look out for controversy and squelches it at the earliest opportunity. She’s throwing a lot of money out there to appear as thought she is flawlessly perfect. Which leads to the problem, when is she ever critiqued? In many ways, I find her just as controversial as coke sniffing child stars. 

But the real focus of this post is NOT my fear of Beyonce and her followers, but rather, to bring to your attention a series of decisions she made recently, namely, her photo story in Flaunt Magazine. The current issues bares a nude Beyonce covered in glitter, because really, what should be better than Beyonce covered in glitter? However, the whole thing seems odd to me. Here's a link to the article if you want to read it. And the images, harvested fromFlaunt's website, are below for you to enjoy. Comment if you dare... 

Haute Couture is typically not spelled across one’s ass...

Haute Couture is not juicy and is typically not spelled across one’s ass, (However, that is not a rule-per se): What the hell is “Haute Couture” really?

 

Thanks, gabrielleteare.com

If I were to be completely honest with you, I would tell you that I have had my share of semi-boushie conversations where I preached the word of haute couture. And really, at the time, I thought I knew the truth, I was telling others what I was told. However, the problem lays within the fact that for some, haute couture has become something of a myth. Like, unicorns. I mean we know what it is supposed to look like, but what is it really? I thought I would share some of my sourced information, because the history is just as exciting as we want it to be, and contemporary couture is pushing buttons and critiquing are preconceived expectations.

Apparently the term was originally referred to a, Charles Frederick Worth’s work. House. OF. Worth. (Um, YES!) Which was produced in Paris in the mid 1800’s. Pictures? You ask. Your welcome. These images were sourced from The Metropolitan Museum of Arts's website. 

Now, as in today,  the term “Haute Couture” is actually protected by law and is defined by Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris, which is obviously in Paris, France. (All of this is confirmed via Wikipedia-Don't come for me.) It defines  “Haute Couture”  or a proper couture house as such:

•   Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.

•   Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.

•   Must have twenty full-time technical people in at least one atelier (workshop).

Each season (i.e., twice a year), present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening-wear.

Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture. I. Die.  The Fashion Spot

So all that being said, I have to confess, the Fall 2013 presentations were not what I was expecting. Those that know me, know I would rather be able to recreate the ending of Gone With the Wind, in full costume, that get married most days. However, the Schiaparelli Fall Couture collection left me feeling cold, confused, and a little used. I couldn't tell if I loved it, or totally and completely hated it with ever cell in my being. I understand it's personal taste, but that work looked like a bad fashion school freak out. Genius or Adderall induced anxiety attack? What the hell happened? And I am more than annoyed, that Tim Banks just wrote about the historic weight of having Christian Lacroix honor this woman. Seriously? Please address this SITUATION. Yes this is true, but that fact that you didn’t rave about the designs, but rather explained that her work is known for her craziness is undeniable proof you gaged on a spoon.

I am afraid to speak freely about this look. It kinda looks, shall we say, infectious? 

What the hell?

SO....We're not going to talk about that tape on the floor?

Killing me with this showroom.

I also felt like the Masion Martin Margiela was like being told Santa didn’t exist in preschool. IN some ways I feel liberated from the tierney of some stranger's rules, in another way, that means I probably wont be getting that barbie sports car. Jeans? Why? Thankfully though, those mavericks didn’t end there, as the show progressed, we got what we were searching hopelessly for. I just wish Mr. Banks could maybe expand on the trends in couture. Are we in some sort of post-modernist, post-glam-house moment in fashion? What does this all mean? Is it permanent. Just talk about it!, I'm listening! 

Enjoy the looks, drop a line. BTW all fashion show images are sources from Style.com

See what I mean?

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@jamie_glam