My fashion has been significantly influenced by immersion into European culture. The look in Europe is not so tied up in the definiton, I feel like it is more of 'just being' than in North America. It has always been that Europeans have been fashion forward not just in style but in years of fasionableness. Hence the belief, that the hipster fad in North America is an off-shoot of the nonchalant trend of European culture, and the 'it' of the moment.
The hipster fad seems to have sky rocketed over the last few years in North America- with the help of American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and to an extent H&M-maybe this is globalization importing trends all over the world, or maybe it is that Europeans are just so cool, or 'deck' that they need not make a statement. I recently fell upon a website Mod Cloth (super awesome clothes, and jewerly, my style for shizz): As I searched the website, I noticed the Pug mascot, and this furthered my belief that this website was for me, and that somehow this vintage throwback, which was coming up as a trend of new and awesome, and traces of Europe all over it. One thing I am trying to tease out, is if there is a difference between Indie and Hipster? I don't know where the hipster definiton first originated, but I do know that it is an interesting trend that I cannot fully embrace, yet elementally I can. It seems that everything counter-culture has been rolled into the essence of a hipster, so being an environmentalist that is fashionable is no longer just that, it has become a trend, based in hipsterism. I am by no means bashing this notion, I am just merely exploring and trying to understand it.
Here is something interesting I found, yes a handbook about the hipster, this seemingly intriguing and sought after trend line). (link below)
Excerpt from the Hipster Handbook:
Definition of a Hipster
Hipster - One who possesses tastes, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the cool. (Note: it is no longer recommended that one use the term "cool"; a Hipster would instead say "deck.") The Hipster walks among the masses in daily life but is not a part of them and shuns or reduces to kitsch anything held dear by the mainstream. A Hipster ideally possesses no more than 2% body fat.
To delve further into the hipster style watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAO4EVMlpwM
I have become increasingly interested in this idea of a hipster. So many people want to be it, and so many more want to hate it. But is the essence not to just 'be cool'?
More to come on the Hipster Craze.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
10 things I am loving in Europe
Having lived here for almost 5 months, I have come to find some things in Europe absolutely fascinating and would say I love them, here they are:
1) Riding my bike everywhere. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is also very healthy, and there are loads of ways to deck out your bike. IE) saddle bags to carry things in-groceries, shopping and sometimes small people; as well as fun bells in a variety of noises; baskets to carry things adorned with flowers, and even paint jobs. Also, in Holland there is a term 'dinking' it refers to when someone is riding on the back of your bike. Yup, on the back, there is a relatively flat part which enables you to take a passenger. It is a bit shaky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll always want to ride on the back of someone's bike.
2) Art. I thought I loved art before, but I love it even more now, with more passion and vigour. There is something so fulfilling about seeing the 'real thing'. Having seen some of the most famous paintings in the world, I feel I can finally have a proper opinion of it, not just something derived from a text book photo, or google. Also, having seen the masterpieces, I have begun to appreciate the genre of painting as a whole more, and have expanded my repertoire of artists whom I love, as well as styles. I've also been inspired to start sketching and drawing again, in hopes of putting my images of fashion onto paper, and possibly making a material object....
3) Amsterdam. Before I came here, I had a hazy (no pun intended) idea of what Amsterdam was all about- prostitutes, weed,canals, bikes and Van Gogh- fortunately, this narrow-sighted vision was corrected, and I have fallen in love with the city. It is so much more. It is actually quite livable. There are loads of different neighbourhoods catering to loads of different things-like most cities- but in Amsterdam it flows so well. And, there is just so much to see and do, you could never be bored. The canals, are the really charming part... seeing Amsterdam by canal is a MUST, it is a different side of the city, more intimate. But, even though I didn't live in the city, I will miss it immensely it is such a beautiful, well-rounded inspirational city.
4) Fashion. Fashion in Europe is so much fun, I feel like I got a kick in the butt, and became a fashionanista out of necessity. Although most stores are similar in Canada, such as H&M there is a European vibe, more specifically a Dutch vibe, and I love immersing myself in their fashion, because it actually is quite good. Not to mention that Amsterdam is a growing hub of fashion, and Amsterdam International Fashion Week starts next week, it is very innovative yet, wearable. But, in general fashion in Europe is taken very seriously, none of this wearing your sweatpants in public because you are tired, or are just getting groceries. Fashion aesthetic is even more so in Paris. Parisians live for fashion, and will always look their best, which is effortlessly fashionable, no matter what. And, I love it.
5) The party scene. So much more lively and interesting. Partying starts at around 1100 at the earliest, although the pre-party drinks always start before hand, most people don't set foot in the club until 1130ish, and the party starts around 1230-1am, and goes until 5am, sometimes later. It's fantastic. I must say so far I have only found one club that plays good music, the others have been interesting. Being a country with so many talented DJ's you'd think that trend would pass into second rate, and subsequent DJ's. Not always the case. Regardless, it is a lot more fun when you can party into the wee-hours of the morning instead of being shut down at 2am. Weak.
6) Books. My love for books was immense before, but it has been expanded further still. There are loads of used book stores with all the great classic novels, just waiting for you to adopt them so they can pass on their time-less wisdom. Not to mention, the large array of art books I am dying to purchase. The one thing I have noticed along my travels, is that you see a monument or sculpture or a painting and you see the one side, the finished product, but there is a whole story behind each object, and that alone is intrigue enough to persuade my interest in books to the brink of exploding.
7) Flower and produce markets. Never have I loved purchasing my food from several vendors in a large market with people milling all around me, and vendors yelling about their products competing with every other vendor. There is something so fabulous about purchasing fresh produce, and cheese straight from the wheel. There are several Turkish stalls that sell amazing dried fruits, and fresh bread, and olives and exotic cheese and vegetables. Yum. And, the flower markets, rows of flowers arranged by colour, or type or by bundle. So, beautiful waiting to be purchased to become a decorative flash of colour somewhere in your house. The tulips in Holland are amazing. Given, they are famous for them. The bouquets that the stall owners put together are dazzling in colour, and arrangement,and nothing beats the call of a flower vendor. 50 stuks of tulips 5 eurooooooo. 5 euroooooo. Yes, with the drawn out oooooooooo for emphasis. I am going to miss the flower market, and the food market.
8) The architecture. The cities in Europe are brimming with architecture on every corner. In Holland it is the landmark houses with there creative rooftops, and colour schemes, and fantastic shape. The Dom Towers and Cathedrals are dominating, literally towering over the plaza they inhabit. The cobblestone streets, and alleyways, with nooks and crannies of things to discover. It is a refreshing break from the wide sidewalks, and massive streets and highways, and polluted air, in North American cities. Also, the canals in Holland are incorporated into the design of the buildings and give character to the street as a whole, and the buildings, not to mention act as another form of transporation. The other cool thing, is how there are specific designs in each country, that define a particular type of architecture.
9) The proximity. Being able to travel mere hours to go to Paris or Brussels, and no more than 3 hours from one end of Holland to the other. A 9 hour bus ride from Utrecht gets you to Berlin. From Berlin, 8 hours gets you into Lodz in Poland, or 4 hours to Prague. The train system is unbelievable, so interconnected and vast. Not to mention the cheap flights and ability to travel almost anywhere in Europe within in reason. For Europeans, they don't care as much they are more eager to travel to Asia or to America, just like we care more to travel to Europe over America. The really convenient thing about Holland is its central location in Europe, which has made travelling so easy.
10) The inspiring mood Europe invokes. Maybe it is just me, but I feel inspired whenever I am out and about. Maybe because there is so much history in Europe, and the distinctive cultures of each European city. Also, the people you meet. There are so many interesting people in Europe roaming around, it could be a hub of creativeness making people gravitate to certain centres, but the cities inspire, and to me that is an incredible quality to have.
1) Riding my bike everywhere. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is also very healthy, and there are loads of ways to deck out your bike. IE) saddle bags to carry things in-groceries, shopping and sometimes small people; as well as fun bells in a variety of noises; baskets to carry things adorned with flowers, and even paint jobs. Also, in Holland there is a term 'dinking' it refers to when someone is riding on the back of your bike. Yup, on the back, there is a relatively flat part which enables you to take a passenger. It is a bit shaky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll always want to ride on the back of someone's bike.
2) Art. I thought I loved art before, but I love it even more now, with more passion and vigour. There is something so fulfilling about seeing the 'real thing'. Having seen some of the most famous paintings in the world, I feel I can finally have a proper opinion of it, not just something derived from a text book photo, or google. Also, having seen the masterpieces, I have begun to appreciate the genre of painting as a whole more, and have expanded my repertoire of artists whom I love, as well as styles. I've also been inspired to start sketching and drawing again, in hopes of putting my images of fashion onto paper, and possibly making a material object....
3) Amsterdam. Before I came here, I had a hazy (no pun intended) idea of what Amsterdam was all about- prostitutes, weed,canals, bikes and Van Gogh- fortunately, this narrow-sighted vision was corrected, and I have fallen in love with the city. It is so much more. It is actually quite livable. There are loads of different neighbourhoods catering to loads of different things-like most cities- but in Amsterdam it flows so well. And, there is just so much to see and do, you could never be bored. The canals, are the really charming part... seeing Amsterdam by canal is a MUST, it is a different side of the city, more intimate. But, even though I didn't live in the city, I will miss it immensely it is such a beautiful, well-rounded inspirational city.
4) Fashion. Fashion in Europe is so much fun, I feel like I got a kick in the butt, and became a fashionanista out of necessity. Although most stores are similar in Canada, such as H&M there is a European vibe, more specifically a Dutch vibe, and I love immersing myself in their fashion, because it actually is quite good. Not to mention that Amsterdam is a growing hub of fashion, and Amsterdam International Fashion Week starts next week, it is very innovative yet, wearable. But, in general fashion in Europe is taken very seriously, none of this wearing your sweatpants in public because you are tired, or are just getting groceries. Fashion aesthetic is even more so in Paris. Parisians live for fashion, and will always look their best, which is effortlessly fashionable, no matter what. And, I love it.
5) The party scene. So much more lively and interesting. Partying starts at around 1100 at the earliest, although the pre-party drinks always start before hand, most people don't set foot in the club until 1130ish, and the party starts around 1230-1am, and goes until 5am, sometimes later. It's fantastic. I must say so far I have only found one club that plays good music, the others have been interesting. Being a country with so many talented DJ's you'd think that trend would pass into second rate, and subsequent DJ's. Not always the case. Regardless, it is a lot more fun when you can party into the wee-hours of the morning instead of being shut down at 2am. Weak.
6) Books. My love for books was immense before, but it has been expanded further still. There are loads of used book stores with all the great classic novels, just waiting for you to adopt them so they can pass on their time-less wisdom. Not to mention, the large array of art books I am dying to purchase. The one thing I have noticed along my travels, is that you see a monument or sculpture or a painting and you see the one side, the finished product, but there is a whole story behind each object, and that alone is intrigue enough to persuade my interest in books to the brink of exploding.
7) Flower and produce markets. Never have I loved purchasing my food from several vendors in a large market with people milling all around me, and vendors yelling about their products competing with every other vendor. There is something so fabulous about purchasing fresh produce, and cheese straight from the wheel. There are several Turkish stalls that sell amazing dried fruits, and fresh bread, and olives and exotic cheese and vegetables. Yum. And, the flower markets, rows of flowers arranged by colour, or type or by bundle. So, beautiful waiting to be purchased to become a decorative flash of colour somewhere in your house. The tulips in Holland are amazing. Given, they are famous for them. The bouquets that the stall owners put together are dazzling in colour, and arrangement,and nothing beats the call of a flower vendor. 50 stuks of tulips 5 eurooooooo. 5 euroooooo. Yes, with the drawn out oooooooooo for emphasis. I am going to miss the flower market, and the food market.
8) The architecture. The cities in Europe are brimming with architecture on every corner. In Holland it is the landmark houses with there creative rooftops, and colour schemes, and fantastic shape. The Dom Towers and Cathedrals are dominating, literally towering over the plaza they inhabit. The cobblestone streets, and alleyways, with nooks and crannies of things to discover. It is a refreshing break from the wide sidewalks, and massive streets and highways, and polluted air, in North American cities. Also, the canals in Holland are incorporated into the design of the buildings and give character to the street as a whole, and the buildings, not to mention act as another form of transporation. The other cool thing, is how there are specific designs in each country, that define a particular type of architecture.
9) The proximity. Being able to travel mere hours to go to Paris or Brussels, and no more than 3 hours from one end of Holland to the other. A 9 hour bus ride from Utrecht gets you to Berlin. From Berlin, 8 hours gets you into Lodz in Poland, or 4 hours to Prague. The train system is unbelievable, so interconnected and vast. Not to mention the cheap flights and ability to travel almost anywhere in Europe within in reason. For Europeans, they don't care as much they are more eager to travel to Asia or to America, just like we care more to travel to Europe over America. The really convenient thing about Holland is its central location in Europe, which has made travelling so easy.
10) The inspiring mood Europe invokes. Maybe it is just me, but I feel inspired whenever I am out and about. Maybe because there is so much history in Europe, and the distinctive cultures of each European city. Also, the people you meet. There are so many interesting people in Europe roaming around, it could be a hub of creativeness making people gravitate to certain centres, but the cities inspire, and to me that is an incredible quality to have.
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