A few days ago, Jeremy Scott presented the Resort 2019 collection of Moschino in Los Angeles and it was a brilliant, all circus-themed fun show. The runway – of course a big tent – featured everything people anticipate to see in a circus: Balloon artists mingled with juggling stilt-walkers next to caged (plush) tigers, there was a Ferris wheel and of course cotton candy.
But the highlight was, of course, the fashion. While everybody was saying for years that fashion is a circus, Jeremy took this literally and turned it into a fabulous freak show.
My latest look doesn’t include any Moschino, but I think I could have smuggled in my primary-coloured rainbow style without any problems. Yes, I am in the circus already, cause what could be more fun than being where the breathtaking stunts, the incredible magic, and amazing wonders happen? For me, circus means the opposite of grey and boring, a world where people can stop worrying and being serious all the time. It’s a whimsical world full of colours, joyfulness, and happiness.
Call me a fashion clown if you like. I don’t care but show you my red-lipped smile and continue having fun. I am sure my favourite fashion showman Jeremy would approve this attitude!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it finally happened: Sara is part of the Self.Styled project by British photographer Anthony Lycett. This is something I had been dreaming about for a long time because I longed to join the amazing and extraordinary people Anthony captures in his pictures.
Self.Styled is a project that celebrates the freedom of expression and the individuality of personal style. Since ten years, Anthony Lycett is portraying carefully chosen people, exploring themes such as gender, body shapes, different tastes and the meaning of colour in his work. Each person who participates in Self.Styled chooses two looks: Daywear and nightwear, both created in a stylist-free zone. Anthony stages his subjects in front of a plain white background to focus on their personality, character and look, freed from context.
Self.Styled has become a fascinating overview of the diverse understanding of taste and style. It unites all kind of eccentrics from Punks to Goths, dandies, transvestites and urban avant-gardists. I go even a step further and call it THE encyclopedia of individual style of our time. Browsing through the collection of the subject makes my heart jump with happiness because it’s a boost of creativity and a visual anthem to a world where diversity is celebrated.
Self.Styled challenges conventional standards of beauty and is proof there is space for all of us to be proud of who we are: A united zoo of colourful exotic creatures in a sea of communities who endeavour uniformity.
When I was asked to do my pictures, I first got into a panic attack, my wardrobe exploded into my bedroom and I was lost in a galaxy of possible outfits. How to reduce myself to only two looks? What is my essence? And even worse: How to choose looks that fit into a suitcase on top of all belongings required for a week of holidays in London (and space for additional shopping treasures)? For a second I was tempted to postpone the whole thing. But thanks to my eagerness to make my Self.Styled dream come true I suppressed my nervousness and simply went for looks I genuinely love. I had the picture of a quirky Lolita that runs away from home and goes on a road trip in my mind for the red look and an Alice in Wonderland garden party for the pink look. Both looks are playful, but I think they show different sides of me.
We did as well a few extra pictures, playing with the jewellery and costumes of artist Sophie Cochevelou. You see those below. How in love I am with that pony jacket! I am aware that many people would feel disguised wearing something like this, but I am the opposite: Less is not more, but just less me, so give me all the ponies, bury me in jewels and crown me with the Barbies to reveal my true self! The whole shooting was an exciting experience, and I want to thank Anthony for making me feel so comfortable in front of his camera and I am proud to be the only participant with Swiss origins until now.
There is already a book published about the project, you can get it on Amazon. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a second book and maybe my I’ll get my space in it… Wish me luck.
Can somebody please write me a mail asking for my advice if it’s still ok to love My Little Pony as a grownup?
Ok, I don’t wait for this to happen, but this is what I’d say:
Dear lovely reader, the answer is very simple, yes! If you love them and they make your heart jump with happiness there can be absolutely nothing wrong!
I believe that all those unwritten restrictions about who is supposed to like what at what age are all just made to be broken. They are made for people who are afraid to stand and are simply ridiculous and silly! Don’t fear if somebody says your love for ponies is childish because you are perfectly aware that this has nothing to do with dealing in an adult way in situations that require it. And if you like to express your love in your styles, do that as well.
Loving My Little Pony might just be a sign that you did a great job growing up but not losing your playful side, so please never stop stroking rainbow manes! If you have kids there might even be a bonus: You can share your love and toys!
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“What would you do if you ever get bored of colours?” somebody asked me recently. “How could I?” was my urge to say, because for me, to live and wear colours is the most natural thing in the world. As essential as breathing, eating and laughing. There is no why, only a lot of why not’s.
But since I wanted to confuse that person a little bit, I started a wild story about a rainbow living in my wardrobe and whenever I open my closet I come out all colourful day after day. Like Narnia, but in rainbow colours. And who would ever get bored of going to Narnia?
Maybe that person thought I am either crazy or on drugs, but hey: If wearing colours is so much out of somebody’s comfort zone, then it’s certainly a sign that this zone needs enlargement! Yes, I agree, dressing in colours needs a bit of courage (but only a tiny little bit). You might provide somebody with a target, but you have fun and eventually might discover that it makes you feel good. I am absolutely sure that person mastered challenges a million times more difficult in his life, so no need to be afraid of colours at all! After all, they neither bite or hurt.
When I styled this look, I thought about classical divas and wanted to create a modern easy diva version, that fits my quirky nature. I went for rather classical cuts, but an unusual and flashy colour combination. How could I not discover before how well orange actually goes with pink? Of course no diva without a glamorous scarf, big glasses, and gloves and big earrings. My aim was to revive that spirit from Shirley Maclaine in “What a Way to Go!” from 1961, but in a toned-down way. Maybe the look a diva would wear if she goes grocery shopping or grabs some fast food at her local organic store before returning to her pink pool at home. How I love my colourful life…
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