Fashion can be described as superficial. Obvious when it doesn't cover more than the surface of a person. Not as fur or scraps of leather as they used to be, only used to preserve the species and as protection from cold or heat. Today, fashion should underline our personality, bring it out or even give it one in the first place if none is otherwise visible. But that can also go wrong.
But fashion can do much more. Fashion can be an expression of creativity. Then when she doesn't just follow the current fashion trends, but flows freely through all fashion directions and, above all, times and designs a very own style for every person.
About 30 years ago I discovered an old Afghan skirt in a second-hand shop in Munich. The seller said it was a wedding skirt. I was immediately intrigued. The wild color and pattern combination, accentuated with beadwork. I imagined a woman sitting for hours at a wood fire over this intricate work to sew this one skirt. Nothing you can just buy in a store.
I had never seen this skirt on anyone. Unfortunately, it was no different for me either. At home, this unique piece hung unused in my closet for 30 years. Over the years I just had no idea how to integrate this valuable ethnic skirt into my modern clothing world in a meaningful way. All of my pieces, regardless of whether they were traditional blouses or t-shirts, somehow looked bland, didn't look right with them.
Until I had my aha moment last week. On Instagram I discovered Sarah James Adams' account "My Wrinkles Are My Stripes". She's like me, also a grey-haired woman in her 50s. Adams pairs a similar skirt with a brightly colored Addidas jacket and sneakers. Only a wild and brave soul can produce such a combo. Suddenly rock came alive and although it was styled totally weird, it seemed to have arrived. A complete work of art made up of people and textiles.
With this inspiration in mind, I immediately organized a photo shoot. The result can be seen here. A feast of colors and a clash of cultures. he's like me, also a grey-haired woman in her 50s. Adams combines a similar skirt with a brightly colored Addidas jacket and sneakers. Only a wild and brave soul can produce such a combo. Suddenly rock came alive and although it was styled totally weird, it seemed to have arrived. A complete work of art made up of people and textiles.
With this inspiration in mind, I immediately organized a photo shoot. The result can be seen here. A feast of colors and a clash of cultures. One skirt, three styles!
Location and fashion courtesy of fashion agency
Ben And and Stiljaeger.
Styling: Valentina Milakovic
Make-up: Tanja Schuster
