[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Creation takes things forward. Without anything new there is no progress. Creation equals new” Rei Kawakubo
There are certain things that I notice about the way that modern Westerners dress. One of them is that as long as a certain fashion is ‘on trend’, no matter how wacky, then they will buy into it. Unfortunately, the issue with that is that so many of us end up dressing and looking the same. Another pattern that emerges is with hundreds of high street retailers, who offer an online service as well, many duplicate items end up cropping up on the rack of many stores and brands.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1003″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The current mustard biker jacket trend is a really good example of how, even though you may buy from different stores, for different prices, you may still end up with the same style jacket as your neighbour.
This colour would consider to be, by many 20-something women, as very bold. However, it’s the perfect Spring colour to introduce to the wardrobe of those who tend to shy away from brighter colours. Quiz, River Island, Next, Matalan; all have a variation of this suedette jacket, some with belts, some slightly darker; it’s still the same garment. It gives everyone a sense of belonging, a way that they can fit in but still stand out depending on how they style the outfit.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are so many examples of how wacky catwalk trends trickle down to the high street, as the pure version of the trend is just too outrageous to pop to the shop in.
One of the best fashion labels that I love to watch at Fashion Week is Japan’s Comme de Garcons. Their insane silhouettes and extreme fabrics just make the imagination run wild. They display such un-filtered creativity and artistry that it just blows my mind.
Founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo promotes the ideal that clothes don’t have to be pretty to be beautiful. Everything should be done in a creative and inspired way, that you should just wear what you want and not give a sh*t about what anyone else thinks basically.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1022″][vc_column_text]
The thing that I love about Japanese artists and designers like Rei Kawakubo is that they tend to just do what they want, and not take any notice of the industry around them.
Fashion brands like Comme de Garcons are supposed to pave the way for other creatives, with fantastic new ideas for how to express your personality with how you present yourself.
My aesthetics have always lead towards what some would consider ‘alternative’ or ‘unusual’; however I’ve always just worn what suits my body shape and what happens to take my fancy at that moment in time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The most recent collection displayed from Comme De Garcons was the Spring/Summer 18 collection at Paris Fashion Week (of course); and it was one of their best yet. The geometric hair styles complimented each over-sized, max factored garment that sashayed down that runway.
The prints varied from wide-eyed anime characters and soft pastel pink florals to Post box red pvc mermaid tails covered in Kawaii-esque embellishments. The make up was kept fresh and angelic, to offset the busy colour palettes and white fluffy shapes.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1023″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1030″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]There are so many famous faces and well known names within the industry who just embody the idea that you can just wear what you want and be yourself no matter what anyone says. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and one of my fashion idols Iris Apfel have all worn Comme De Garcon’s fierce and funky fashions over the years.
Back in 2012, I first discovered diva and fashion influencer Iris Apfel in an issue of fashion giant Dazed Magazine. She looked so regal and quite frankly bad-ass in Comme De Garcons AW12 Ready-to-Wear collection. She posed in front of intricate wall papers in amoungst various decorative home furnishings.
What stood out the most for me is that it was the first time I really saw the potential that the fashion industry has to be diverse in its models and who promotes particular products and brands. Before I always saw models on the catwalk as young, thing 20-somethings with fresh faces and all their years ahead of them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1039″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ms. Apfel just gives off this grace and style that can only come with age and experience. Her sweet little face, framed by massive red specs, can only be described as totally gorgeous in each over-sized Japanese-made piece. She even looks like a little cupcake in one of the photos! And, well, I’m definitely not going to have a problem with that!
At the time this issue came out, I was researching for my second year uni project. It was a trend forecasting project, and its aim was for us to spread our cultural legs and broaden our horizons. See fashion as much more than just clothes that we buy in town or just something that is showcased on the catwalk or in fashion magazines like Vogue or LOVE.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1043″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It was a project to encourage us to see the fashion industry more globally, as a huge enterprise with what I know the be ‘the trend cycle’. Things that aren’t necessarily creative can influence trends and what people decide to wear on their bodies. It can be anything from politics to economics to art to history, or even environmental issues or new advances in science or technology. The trend that I decided to go with was a phrase that I coined, Nextism.
Now Nextism is a step beyond Newism; its a way of living that is extremely self aware. It takes stock of technology and underground movements around it, combining it into one awesome and dynamic aesthetic. A Nextist doesn’t just follow trends, they set them way before anyone even realises what’s happening. They actively consume whatever full fills their particular needs and not what is targeted at them through mindless advertising or clumsy marketing. Nextism combines the best from the East and the West and creates the future of fashion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1048″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I very much consider myself a Nextist, I wear what I want regardless of whether anyone else is wearing it. My particular style varies on what kind of mood I’m in. However I always have time for that J-style, cute-sie Harajuku look. It’s what this website is all about and will always be the visual representation of me. It expresses my creativity and childish nature, my love for dolls and everything pink. Being a grown up is great in the way that you can choose whatever you want to do in your spare time, and how you want to live your life.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1061″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are other people in the limelight who I would consider to be fellow Nexists, drag artists like Aja and Kim Chi are definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to style and how to dress your body shape. Drag queens are great as they are performers who create these wonderful characters and personas. They dress them up to look gorgeous and paint their faces with as much artistry as one would on a canvas. Representing women in such a beautiful and iconic way is one of the biggest compliments we could recieve. We also have Miley Cyrus, Disney star come Pop star, who uses her fame and status to promote good causes and has re-invented herself nearly as many times as Madonna! The latest photo shoot of her for Wonderland Magazine is just divine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1063″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I featured my favourite website Dolls Kill, who sell wares for those who like to live on the edgier side of fashion and aren’t afraid to be a bad-ass babe when it comes to it. Finally we have glam-ma and style icon Baddie Winkle, who is besties with Miley Cyrus and, quite frankly, couldn’t give a f*ck about what others think of her. She dresses for herself and has become a household name because of it; with 3.3m followers on Instagram to boot!
If I become half as awesome as any of these glamazons; then I’ve won at life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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