I had unofficially gone on a brief hiatus; perhaps it was unfair of me to leave for two weeks without a warning—but I have do have a viable reason for my absence here. La Couturier will always be my one and only—it was here where I began, where I was given so many opportunities, and it is here is I will faithfully stay. Thank you to all who sent me e-mails asking about my well-being and for posts to continue; it truly means so much to me knowing that there are those out there who not only take the time to visit this humble little spot of mine, nonetheless email me! So no worries my love, I have not abandoned this petite blog of mine!
Of course college applications and whatnot comes into play (to some extent). But the true reason behind my lack of legitimate posts posts lies in what you would call a lack of inspiration. Actually, “lack of inspiration” is not accurate; perhaps it is misleading in describing the last two or so months since my post on the infinity of fashion.
I’ve spent the last few months re-thinking nearly everything. A re-evaluation of my self, my future, my aspirations, per say. And during this time I had (shock horror!) halted my daily dosage of Jak & Jil, Garance Dore, thefashionspot, and various other blogs of which I obsess over, and left monthly issues of magazines to gather dust upon the dresser adjacent to my bed—whilst ignoring Style.com updates of Fashion Week RTW collections. Perhaps a lack of time and re-assessment of priorities had been a factor in my perceived lack of interest. But in reality I was questioning why I loved fashion so much. Why I obsessed over designer collections. Why I wanted a job in the industry.
Was it worth it? Would I be willing to, if lucky, place myself in an industry in which superficiality would be undeniably omnipresent? (Of course I had been making generalizations at the time.) And especially in such tumultuous times, was fashion important enough to me for me to let myself be whisked away by the thought of Paris Fashion Week when so much pain, suffering, and unseen wars is occurring throughout the world? Why then, why would I choose to dream of such a path when I could be making a difference for someone?
Obviously it took me a few months to dwell on the aforementioned questions. I still had a passion for fashion, as much as I despise the phrase (it makes me think of those nose-less, bobble-headed Bratz Dollz of the early 2000s—which brings again this superficiality into young girl’s childhood… but that would be a rant for another day), a passion stemming from reasons you could possibly define as unusual. And possibly unheard of. I digress; those few months spent contemplating and re-evaluating had been used wisely. I know I do want to be in this industry. As an individual I cannot change an entire history’s worth of established ways—but I know I want to bring to light a new perspective. Finding ways to make a difference through fashion would be far easier; fashion is undeniably universal, and it is through similarities of an entire human race through which we can achieve change. Change through advocacy, I like to say, bringing attention to the important things through the superficial. I swear it made sense in my mind.
Which brings me to last week. I picked up a copy of October’s ELLE, which I have not touched since our dear postwoman left it in the brick mailbox (and yes, I physically had to brush dust off the cover). I read it back to front, re-captivated by the beauty of the works of these artists—designers, photographers, make-up artists, editors, directors, writers, etc. And I knew then, at that moment, that this was what I wanted to do. That, and perhaps styling women and men so they can put their best face forward to exemplify who they are inside.
So let me introduce myself again.
Je m’appelle La Couturier.
Comment ça va?
didi says
I totally agree darling. I’ve been through the mill on that one too – and figured out that for me, art is the best way to get anything done, raise consciousness & awareness etc. Fashion – especially if you concentrate on the art end rather than perhaps the business end – is one form of art at the avant-garde end. It draws on (and influences) a wide range of other art forms and issues – music, video, theatre, film, painting/sculpture/conceptual art, historical costuming, lighting, architecture. Particularly at the couture show and high-end magazine end, it highlights/subverts many political and social issues from ecology to war to gay rights.
Well done for covering this conflict, it’s one that many of us have.
La Couturier says
@didi: exactly! i feel as if fashion is the easiest and most efficient means of getting messages across to a wider demographic and inciting change. and i completely agree; i love that [some] editorials have a subtext or commentary on what is going on now.
thank you (:
anywhere dreams says
im so happy you are staying on le couturier! i do still enjoy your tumblr too of course 😉 I think fashion is the number one way to let the people know who you are and to make yourself feel better in the same way. like books, clothes and fashion doesnt just change the way other see you, you change the way you see yourself. at least that is what i think ^^
Gerri Ward says
I am solely HAPPY that you’re back because YOU have been incredibly MISSED! Just remember to follow your DREAM!
p.s. Thank YOU for sharing this post!:))
bisous,
Gerri
Airam says
Welcome back, gorgeous. You’ve been sorely missed ♥
phuong says
i’m glad your back =) and i’m also glad you know what you want to do~! i can really see you want this.. and that this IS your passion! you will make it, if you really want it and give it your best! good luck and im looking forward to your next posts =)
Marz says
I’m happy to hear that you are back! I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and it is always so well written and is truly inspiring to other bloggers out there. And every one makes their own contribution to making the world a better place in their own way, and you have found yours through your love of art and fashion, which is just perfect, because you are so inspiring to so many others out there.
-Marz
Kara says
hello my dear,
i’m happy to report that i am “back’ as well… after much pondering and self-reflection, actually. i, too, am applying to colleges and life seems to be moving at warp-speed as of late. i’m very glad to have you back, and to be able to read your enlightening and inspiring posts! i’m crossing my fingers for us both.
xo
Delightfully-tacky says
I’m going through this as well. I’m going to grad school for fashion journalism in February and I’m still not sure the fashion industry is where I belong.
iole says
well done dear!
Johanna - MyShoebox.se says
Welcome back!
I´m glad you have found what you want to do 🙂
daisychain says
Welcome back darling <3
Brigadeiro says
Welcome back, we’ve missed you! 😉
xx
Elena says
Welcome back! I loved every single word of your text. Beautiful and true!
Míriam says
I can totally relate to what u write, in this world of ours, were wars and disgraces happen all the time it can seem superficial to love something as fashion, but after all, it is another form of art.. I loved ur writting. Glad to see you are back, I missed ur posts!
xx
Susan says
welcome back, we missed you! 🙂
xoxo
Tom Tuttle from Tacoma says
welcome back. it’s great what you did. happy for you that the time away was not not spent in vain.
janettaylor says
Welcome back, doll!
Xx
rossovelvet says
Oh god, I think I love you and your writing !! I also adore your tumblr, it’s brilliant ! And btw : if you recieve invitations, just GO ! F*** the school, frankly !
And I can’t wait for the Xmas treats… it’s too sad it is coming so quickly, I think ! I would like this period to stay forever…
rossovelvet says
(p.s: loved the -intentional or not?- eminem reference in the title !)
Jennifer says
I can totally see where you’re coming from darling. I had a brief requirement of thought around this time last year, where I had to search deep within myself to decide what direction I wanted my life to go in the next couple of years. College applications are not something that you can throw off and make as an easy decision, because they are not. I’m so glad you’ve found what you want to do with your life and found your passion. I wish you the best of luck,
Jennifer
An says
Welcome back!! It has been quite a while!!
Can’t wait to read more from you!
et enchanté! Je m’apelle An!
Ça va bien! Et toi?
kekeke..J’ai un examen final demain…yaaaay
Dexter says
I’m so happy you’re back! The questions that you had to answer were really hard, I’m having the crisis right now (I’ve been totally into social studies so far; with just a few months away from the degree, now I’m thinking about a fashion college for my next few years).
Who knows what will happen, right? 🙂
thebaglady says
All the thinking you put behind this post & all your contemplating is proof enough that you belong in the fashion industry. You’ll make it big, LC, and you’ll make change. 🙂
Wonderful writing, your words really are beautiful. Don’t you all agree?! This is sheeeer proof of your destiny!
LOL.
rachel kara says
definately had a moment with myself reading the last few paragraphs. tingly eyes followed by big smile and all. very well said lovely.
i would guarantee that most, if not everyone, who works in the industry goes through a ‘value evaluation’ regularly, my time frame is probably every 3 months or so…but i always come to the same conclusion; right now things that interest, excite and ignite my pleasure centre all seem to be visually pleasing and creatively challenging…to deny that wouldn’t be fair so embrace it whilst you can and let your light shine in whatever you do!
x
La Couturier says
@rachel kara: Thank you love (: That’s all i can say ♥