Love and Leather

Today on one of my many lunch excursions to Starbucks I got stopped by a dude outside, who had been apparently watching what I wore each day for the past month. Creepy but flattering I suppose. As I saw him trying to wave down my attention at the little green outdoor bistro set, I took out my earphones trying to be somewhat nice while hurrying my butt into the door. "I just wanted to tell you I've been inspired by your style. It's aura is refreshing in this town, " he said. And with two sentences I felt like someone actually understood that fashion is beyond labels and fads, but a feeling. I thanked the little biker dude and made my way towards the almighty glass case of cookies and muffins, but it reminded me of why I ever fell in love with fashion. Love is a strong word of course. I don't just slap that label on anything. Under alien water torture, will I ever admit to truly loving a thing or a place or a person and mean it. It's got to be yanked out of the pits of my heart by a force stronger than Vader's choke hold on Admiral Motti. Fashion as an industry...sucks. Fashion as an art, is everything. The market is saturated by trends that last as long as a loaf of bread, and then they are replaced by the next hot must have, because you wouldn't be caught dead eating stale bread, or wearing last months color block crop top. That's why personal style that reaches beyond trends is important. Over the years, I've had my fair share of fashion flops, and a closet full of style boo-boos on the other side of the country to prove it. Finding personal style comes full circle when you find yourself. The pieces and personal traits that stick with you despite life changes are like the core pieces that stick with you in your wardrobe for years and years. The wardrobe fails are like those moments in your life where you didn't know who you were and what the fuck was happening. My own style history spans from a brief period of neon wigs and "witty" crops to spiked hot pants and heelless gaga go-go boots...and those in time faded with the memories and experiences that went with them...the growth and the progress of self recognition. I'd like to say that now, my wardrobe is as structured as my life(most of the time :)). It consists of the essentials, like a well working machine. Black blazers, basic tank dresses, a slew of leather jackets and a few cyborg chic statement pieces. Add in some highly structural garments and post-apocalypse accessories, and that embodies my style. It doesn't rely on trends, or fads, but solely on my own choices. There's always a strong silhouette on the outside, encasing me, becoming part of me, and usually hiding crazy colored lace undies beneath :) I would say that fashion is never truly about trends at all. You don't need to have every latest and greatest bag or skirt...it's again, like a machine. You are the gas and personality that runs the engine...you create the outside to reflect the inside...and put that bitch in drive. :) As for the photos! These are some of my go-to pieces for Fall-Winter on more casual days, which always have a hint of Wang. Alexander Wang has consistently created pieces that have remained relevant aesthetically whether it be from 2014 or 2001. If I can think of anyone who creates style and not trends..it's that dude. His 2013 line..though considered fashion ancient history by now..is still my favorite and one of my biggest influences