It's me!

Charli and Ariel

   While sifting through the seemingly infinite offerings from fashion houses each season (or shopping in general), I've come to the conclusion that all collections fit neatly into one of two categories.  Two categories of women, that is. I have named these archetypes Charli and Ariel.

Charli                     Ariel

intellectual               emotional

minimalist                 creative/imaginative/embellished

masculine/androgynous      feminine

well thought out           on a whim/whimsical

classic                    trendy/ risk taking/experimental

cool and 'together'        ethereal and 'dreamy'

solids, very little color  patterns,colors,sparkles,textures,artsy

mature                     youthful

signature accessories      over-accessorized

   

                                                                              (Cavalli)

(Rodarte)

                                                               (Rick Owens)

    (Rick Owens)

     (Dries Van Noten)

   

     All women feel the temptation of Ariel. A bright new color, an exciting new shape, Ariel is very seductive, and part of being a woman is allowing yourself to fall under the spell of her sparkles.  Ariel adorns us and elevates us to wear more than our mundane, day to day uniform. Young girls intuitively embody Ariel, dressing themselves with creativity, bravely mixing patterns, pulling their inspiration from princesses in imaginary lands. Older women who shamelessly wear what pleases them- regardless of what society says an older woman should be wearing- are dressing from their inner Ariel. Eternally youthful, Ariel is an artist, using clothing to express herself. In other words, Ariel keeps life interesting.

     (My favorite designers who embody Ariel include Dries Van Noten, Marni, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Missoni, Rodarte, Etro)

                                      (Celine)

(Stella McCartney)

(Jil Sander)

     Year after year, Charli is that which remains. Suits, white collared shirts, little black dresses, trench coats, red lipstick, and classic leather totes, Charli never lets us down! Borrowing from menswear, Charli will be taken seriously, dammit. Intellectual and mature, a Charli wardrobe is built slowly over time, using a minimalist approach. Very discerning, Charli focuses on design and the quality of the fabric, wanting things to last. Charli is timeless.

      (My favorite designers who consistently show Charli looks include Celine, Costume National,  Stella McCartney, YSL, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander)

  
     Sometimes an outfit can have elements of both women. Charli for the perfectly tailored basics, and Ariel for the decorative accessories. Charli gives us peace of mind, while Ariel brings inspiration. Too much Charli, and life becomes boring. Too much Ariel, and people will not take you seriously. The more you look, the more you'll realize that all fashion can be categorized this way.  Having vascillated my whole life from one extreme to the other, I am more and more looking for the sweet spot right in the middle. When I find it, I think, "Fenya! That's what I'm talking about!"

   Are you more of a Charli or more of an Ariel?

Quality vs. Quantity

"I'd rather have one perfect thing than a closet full of shit."

    Sometimes quantity actually is the aim. A pantry overflowing with food is ideal. If you offer me a glass of water, no size vessel is too big or too full. When given the option of a fancy hanky versus a box of tissues, most people would choose the box. Some things are better in volume, and when disposable. Shoes are not one of them.
  

   A good pair of shoes is a lover, and worthy of the same kind of consideration. A relationship that involves the risk of committing, the joys of a natural compatibility. A well chosen pair can add dimensions to the day, spring to your step, sexy curves to your legs. Sometimes the perfect pair even requires a little work. The painful realization that there isn't adequate room for, say, all your toes. A sad day with a band-aid, a renewed commitment , and voila, the leather has accommodated you a little, and your feet have toughened up as well. You and your toes will never be the same. If the spark were gone, and the shoes passed on to someone else, they would feel an echo of your time spent together.
    Some things are transitory, and others stick around, passengers with you through time. Those things are important, because you are important. Just as the people in your life are important, the items you surround yourself with are important. Shoes in one category (let's keep those babies around), and let's put... flowers in the other. Quickly dying, endlessly beautiful flowers.

(Thank you T.Collins Logan for that beautiful picture.)

Manifesto

"We can lie in the language of dress, or try to tell the truth; but unless we are naked and bald, it is impossible to be silent." -Alison Lurie
    This has always been my favorite quote about fashion. Although I'm sure being naked and bald would be the loudest statement of all, it is mostly illegal in modern society. So attire is unavoidable. We can be anti-fashion, but not anti-clothing.
    Some people believe that fashion is superficial, that a fashion conscious person never goes deep. But fashion is the act of thinking about clothing, the act of dressing- an inevitable part of daily life. Intentionally forming the shell we wear is an intellectual excercise. Attaching meaning to attire is the first step towards a lucid closet, a true extension of your self.