Source: Nam (StreetFSN) for style.com
Unpretentious. Understated. Infinitely cool. And dare I say actual street style. While the rest of the fash pack recover from the heavyweight circuit of the fall/ winter runway, Seoul continues the festivities with their own street spin, slipping under the radar of sartorial followers worldwide (and sadly absent from the landing page of style.com - what does that say about the Asian fashion industry?) There's been quite a bit of backlash regarding fashion week street style or Suzy Menkes aptly puts it, peacock-ing. Menkes observes that what happens outside the show has becoming more important than the actual collection itself. Indeed the number of street style photographers stationed outside the venue can only be described as zoo-like (like that scene in Mean Girls where the cafeteria turns into a savannah). When one starts snapping away, everyone follows so in essence all the media outlets end up capturing the same outfit anyway. The content generated from fashion week seems to be weighted to the street style side of things rather than the runway coverage.
Alas the true meaning of street style has been diluted, lost amongst the intrigue of the what 'model of the moment', Vogue editor or so-and-so blogger is wearing today and it's usually something borrowed from their designer bud. Street style is meant to inspire, to capture unique perspectives and document unlikely combinations (and not necessarily the most outlandish or most expensive item of clothing you can find). But I find that people are no longer focused on the clothes or the intricate details - it's all about the person who wears them, which is disappointing because that's not normally the most creative or compelling.
Alas the true meaning of street style has been diluted, lost amongst the intrigue of the what 'model of the moment', Vogue editor or so-and-so blogger is wearing today and it's usually something borrowed from their designer bud. Street style is meant to inspire, to capture unique perspectives and document unlikely combinations (and not necessarily the most outlandish or most expensive item of clothing you can find). But I find that people are no longer focused on the clothes or the intricate details - it's all about the person who wears them, which is disappointing because that's not normally the most creative or compelling.
I have a love/ hate relationship with Fashion Week. While of course I feel privileged to be able to attend an industry event, I find myself becoming so concerned about how I present myself to the rest of the fashion world and what it's doing to my bank account (yes I did make a couple of big ticketed fashion week purchases). I realise this is somewhat hypocritical but there is an expectation to look the part. And might I just add that fashion week to me is exactly like high school (but doesn't every aspect of life resemble high school hierarchies?).
It seems silly to get all dressed up for the occasion. It is called street style for a reason. Maybe I'm just not cut out for fashion week. Hanging up my heels for sneakers, denim jackets and printed caps. That sounds like my cup of tea.
