An Ode to Fur X2

By Neslihan
I'm literally the worst blogger ever. I've again neglected my blog but browsing through it today I realised how happy the content actually makes me. I know this sounds pretty narcissistic but I really only blog for me. And maybe also for the few irregular visitors I have. Before I start blogging I'm always like: what content would appeal to me? What would I find interesting or fun to read/see? And since I'm going through a social network free month I figured I have plenty of time to revive this blog. It's cold outside and I'm drowning in schoolwork and I was thinking if there actually was anything that could comfort me during this miserable period of the year and I suddenly had this epiphany. I saw it in all kinds of colours and textures. It was all so very vivid. I could almost feel its softness. Hell, I could even touch it.

This collage is a dream. It's distant, yet oh so near. You can almost feel the vibrant hairs touching your skin. It feels like human warmth. It's the kind of love that's for sale. Don't let romanticism fool you, they're all probably worth 2 lungs and a kidney.

Collage info (from left to right): 

1) Elle Canada,  November 2014, 'Evening Star', Herieth Paul by Owen Bruce

2) Source unknown

3) Adesuwa at One Management, shot by Hannah Sider, styled by Von Ford

4) Still from 'Paris Texas', Nastasja Kinski

5) Source unknown (text in image)

6) CR Fashion Book, Imaan Hammam in Prada

7) Source unknown

8) Prada F/W RTW 2014

9) Andreea Diaconu by Lachlan Bailey for Vogue China august 2013

10) Yves Sanit Laurent S/S HC 1996

11) Source 

I've collected a couple amazing artworks celebrating the female anatomy because I think that's being done so very scarcely. Instead women are still being shamed for their pubic hair, exterior labia and for how it is and it is not supposed to smell. I'm saying fuck 'em all and praise that pussy. Vaginas are literally the most interesting bodypart ever. Each and every one of them is so unique. Mine doesn't look like yours and yours doesn't look like Bernadette's from across the street. 100 % originality, I'm telling you.

Collage info (from left to right):

1) 'Hole #3' (used with the artist's permission)

2) Egon Schiele

3) Hans Bellmer, 'La Sainte'

4) Source

5) L'Origine du Monde by Courbet (originally horizontal, flipped it for the collage)

PS. I think I'm going to change the lay-out around here. If you have any recommendations, do react. I think I will stay true to the kitschie pink-yellow colour palette though.

Looking back/Looking forward

By Neslihan

Looking back:
I was 12 when I 'discovered' fashion magazines. It was pretty obvious, I had moved to the middle of nowhere and felt often alone. I didn't have a computer or internet back then and I had to find something to keep me busy with. My mum bought an 'economy pack' of 5 magazines and I stole the one on fashion. I remember its name vividly: Avantgarde. It sounded so promising, almost bigger than life. That moment was really magical, I turned the pages and almost felt this surreal tingle in my brain. The luxury, the drama, the creativeness: this was a way of living too. I read about brands like Chanel and Viktor & Rolf and collected everything there was to collect on their name. I had become a fashion junky. Later, I'd go to my aunt's house and watch full length runway shows on the internetz and even blog about it on social network sites. I felt as if I was part of this world. My contribution was and still is so very small but I liked my place in fashion jungle. I was the biggest fashion lover but also its biggest critic. I literally idolized Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld. And my heart also broke in a billion tiny pieces when she left Vogue Paris, which had then become my fashion manual.

This period is marked by staples of Vogue Paris issues. I'd buy it monthly and always looked forward to their amazing covers. I loved Roitfeld's sexy, luxurious Parisian style but also the more edgy and rock & roll vibes Emmanuelle Alt was sending me once she replaced Roitfeld. I would spend 25 % of my pocket money on fashion magazines, the other 75 % would go to clothes/ accessories. I couldn't care less about meeting friends and going to the movies. I'd rather be alone in my room and create fashion articles. That truly made me happy and I felt as if I was gaining knowledge. As I grew in fashion facts, I felt an amazing urge to share it with other people. I was hyper cocky and wanted to educate people. But now, as I look back on it, I realize I didn't want to educate anyone. I just desperately needed to connect with anything. I think I wanted to belong and be good at something, so I chose fashion. But somehing had changed along the way. Anywayz I had.

As I tried to keep up with the industry's pace, I realized this was not what I wanted. I didn't want to have an opinion on every fashion brand. I didn't want to blog about the ones I didn't find significant. I didn't want to spread negativity because I knew every designer put his heart and soul in his collection. I knew they worked 24/7, season after season and figured I didn't want to reflect my disappointments onto them. Taste is so personal and culturally but aslo socially determined. Who are we to criticize anything at all? That's when I started to criticize 'the industry' instead of the collections. There was heart in the clothes but there was envy and filth in the industry. Back then I loved Lagerfeld's aesthetics but hated his body-hating self. And that was not all. I hated the underrepresentation of coloured models, sexualizing children, 21st century imperialism/superiority (scroll to "It's all about refinement..." and feel your toes cringe) and lack of realism. The industry is all about unachievable beauty ideals. I figured I didn't wanna feel un-whole or mediocre just because I wasn't fit to be a girl next door. I searched for my own voice and discovered feminist bloggers like Celia, Annabeth and Laci and blogs like RookieMag. I realized I didn't have to spend a fortune on magazines to be part of this world. I could just start a blog and freely share my thoughts. That's when things began to feel comfortable again. I blogged about more personal topics like sexuality and body image. I think at a certain moment the curtain falls and all you have is yourself and then it becomes very important you can relate to something/someone. That curtain falls daily, it's when the glamour/pretending stops and you comfort yourself in joggingpants and a box of chocolates. That's what I wanted my blog to be: a safe haven for every single soul in doubt because doubt can be very creative. (This sounds so christian, omg.)

So, here I am, still blogging, still overthinking things. As fashion constantly evolves and my taste changes during the years, I'm still searching for my own voice. I'm still learning and hope to be more accurate one day. Everything has changed, even 'Avantgarde' has stopped (read: it's Dutch) but my strong wish to share is still burning fiercely. And I'm here as long as it burns.

Looking forward:
Every once in awhile I still buy magazines. Yesterday I was down that lane again and spent 14 fucking euros on 'Elle Collections A/W 2014'. I always wanted to have an 'Elle Collections'. I know you can find the same information for free on the internet but it's not the same. A magazine is there forever and it feels different because you can actually turn the pages and feel the texture of the paper. On the internet you have to collect the pictures on your own but when you buy a magazine it's already done for you. Not to mention the fabuous layout. It just reminded me of my blog. And since it rains more often now and we're saying goodbye to tropical temperatures, I can finally find peace in sharing some of my favourite items of the past autumn/winter collections.

1) PRADA:

All I can say is: I want all four of the coats. I feel like a fine coat sets a statement. Some are long, others are short. Some ar made of wool, others of leather and some others are made of fur but they all tell a story. That story can be laid back, classy, vampy or sporty. It's a mood, it's a uniform. Autumn starts with a quest for the perfect coat. One that suits your personality. I love the coats with the big pockets. They remind me of the coats I used to draw when I was a kid. Big ass pockets for big ass junk. And if I were to be a diva I'd certainly go for the long red goat hair coat. It just screams Miranda Priestly.

2) DRIES VAN NOTEN:

I love how you recognize Van Noten's trademark. You see it because of the prints, because of the male-female balance, because of the fits. A Van Noten has a (hi)story to tell. It's intellectual and quirky and -eventhough you might doubt it- it's above all timeless. The corsages and bold prints of exotic flowers are inbetween pretty and kitschie but it works so well when you look at the collection as a total. There are metallics, stripes, geometric illusion and dazzling glitter. If someone else did it, it would be tacky but Van Noten knows how to keep it wearable.

3) CHRISTOPHER KANE:

There a few designers I still follow season after season and Kane is one of them. I just feel like our aesthetics click. He's so brilliant, funny and just smart. With Kane you know a collection will be totally different than the one he did before. It feels like he's up to anything but one thing always remains: he's witty as hell. This collection sometimes feels like I'm watching a sculpture exhibition as Kane wants to mold his clothing in certain forms. It's excentric, yet it looks so comfortable for every day wear and I think that's Kane's strength.

4) CHRISTIAN DIOR:

So there was this huuuge criticism when Raf Simons took over Dior. He was too minimalist, too simple, too everyday to be the artistic director of one of the world's leading fashion brands, Dior. He had to prove himself during that first collection and so he did. Now the world has accepted he's fit for the job and looking at his last rtw-collection, I still agree. He knows how to keep the brand young and luxurious but also how to stay true to his own minimalist style. I just love the popping colours. Also in looove with the colourful cords on the waists (3rd picture), what a divine detail.

5) PAUL SMITH:

If I had the money, I'd probably wear nothing else but Paul Smith (and some occasional Van Noten) but I don't so I stay true to highstreet coppies. I love his paistly X baroque prints so much. I just feel like this was the only collection that was strong as a whole. Every piece is interchangeable and it feels as if everything fits with everything. Sir Paul Smith makes my boyish heart pound faster and stab my eyes out from sadness (cuz I'm a peasant).


PS. not sorry for the length of this blogpost since I felt like I had to make up for the lack of posting lately

Modern Day Nymph: Jemima Kirke

By Neslihan

You know those girls who have this natural bohemian vibe going on? The ones that don't stuff their hair with fake plastic floral crowns in order to show you that they don't give two shits about fashion. They're the girls I'm jealous of. Seriously, how do they pull that off? How do they look effortlessly cool and yet comfortable in their fashionable -they'd shoot you for using that word- granny dresses? I already paid an ode to Florence -absolute babe- Welch on this blog and praised her fiery hair and floor length gowns but I think I'm girl-crushing AGAIN. The object of my crush is 'Girls' star Jemima Kirke. Not only do I love her character, Jessa, in 'Girls' but also her personal off screen style. I love how she wears what she wants and how she doesn't care about 'body-flattering' fashion. As if being curvy is a crime and you should be punished for it by restricting your clothing choices. That's the only thing I hate about make-over shows like 'Trinny and Susannah'. Let everyone wear what she/he damn likes, you know?! That's why I love people like Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke. They're absolutely stunning girls and don't give a fuck about Holywood's body standards and they're so creative and smart with fashion. They don't wish to be a fashion designer's pet and lend their bodies as fashion advertisments. They stay true to their own personal style and taste and I think that's what makes you credible in life: TO BE AS YOU ARE. One philosophy I will never abandon. Jemima's personal style can be best described as dusty attic glamour pimped with vinatge witchy gems. Jemima loves comfort and clothing with a story. So she'll visit the local flea market to look for 2nd hand kaftans and used brown leather bags instead of rushing to dig in the sales of huge boutiques. She often reminds me of this fairy who got lost and found herself in 21st century NYC. It seems as if every day is a dress up show for Jemima, yet she manages not to overdo it and look enviably naturel. Jemima often wears long dresses, kaftans made from rich fabrics and jewelery with authenticity. It sounds as if the whole can be quite dramatic but she tones it down with the hair and make-up. Looking pure and healthy is always the most important. She's never excessive with make-up, the most excessive thing she does is probably pop up some vampy red lipstick. When it comes to hair, she chooses a messy bun or loose nymph hair over a glamour look.

P R E A C H I N G
The reason I posted this is, I want Jemima to inspire us. I want us to feel as if all options are open and there are endless possibilities. I want us not only to copy Jemima's style but also her body positivity. Let's feel incredibly beautiful and embrace our curves and stretchmarks. Let's celibrate it with cropped tops and hotpants because a body like yours should be seen anytime.

Ps. I'm so sorry for the different sizes of the pictures. It looks so incredibly unprofessional but I never claimed to be a whizzkid either. I wished I had some graphic skillz, then I'd probably be able to create more than just silly, colourful paint frames.

Prioritize/Awkward jeans

By Neslihan

You'd think that now that I actually have the time, I'd blog my brains out but I actually did not. It's not that I didn't feel inspired the past month but let's say I couldn't prioritize. It felt as if every topic was as important as the other and I didn't know where to start. Let's say I felt a bit overwhelmed because of the freedom. I couldn't decide whether I should continue watching my series, catch up with friends, be melancholic or blog. But I've done quite a lot of other things lately. I visited 3 museums and vacation has just started.
First I went to see the '50 Years of Migration' exhibition in Antwerp's City Museum. It tells the story of the first Turkish/Moroccan/Italian/Jewish guest workers and how they changed the streetscape with their little cosy restaurants and picturesque shops. And since I'm Turkish myself, I loved it. I felt as if it was a lost part of my personal history. I must say though that the exhibition in Ghent at the MIAT was bigger and much more thorough. So, the amount of objects was kind of a let down but we (my boyfriend and I) visited the permanent exhibition on religion, power display and the death, which was amazing too.
The second museum I payed a visit to was Ghent's City Museum. I visited the permanent exhibition, which was unexpectedly cool. There were like a bunch of objects that they had found in Ghent and its surroundings. Amongst the things that were found, there were those really old books with the city's privileges and they were so old that if you'd pick them up, they'll fall into pieces. Isn't that impressive? You're literally standing before something that has been there for atleast 5 centuries. I like me some history, what can I say?
 The last exhibition I saw was one on Feminism X Art at BOZAR (Woman. The Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970's.) I thought this exhibition was going to be about a bunch of women opposing the artscene of 1970 that was mostly dominated by men, something like the Guerilla Girls did in the 80's but it was a lot more artsy and in your face but in a different way. It was about artists claiming their place and making feminine nudity more than sexy and biological. I'm still bummed that I didn't take a notebook and pen with me to write the names of the works that thrilled me since there was a bunch but there is one artist I vividly remember: Eleanor Antin (what a beautiful name). She had this video in which she made up her face and it literally  takes half an hour before she concludes that what she's doing is what society is asking her to do. She symbolically liberates herself by taking off her bra -which is a HUGE feminist cliché- but to me it was very significant. It really impressed me to see how dedicated she put on all the make up and looked at her face in a satisfied way, yet wasn't satisfied because this maybe wasn't what she wanted.

Watch another video on the same topic by 'Girls' star Jemima Kirke:

A W K W A R D   J E A N S

Meet my newest obsession: the mom jeans! I call them awkward since they really feel awkward looking at it. They're tight around the ass, awkwardly high-waisted (that crotch yo), loose around the lower legs and comfier than your regular jogging pants. I like mine in a slightly lighter denim colour like the first lady on the left but don't combine them in an 80's way. Vintage is good but you have to temper if you don't wanna look like a 80's housewive/soccer mom. You wanna have that casual Lady Di vibe but you don't wanna actually be her. See? Big difference. I combine mine with white shirts, quirky tees, crop tops, bodycon sleeved tees etc. I wear 'em with sneakers, clogs and sandals. It's just such a varsatile piece, so it's a really great investment. I bought mine at Bershka but they have 'em in American Apparel and Topshop as well. Make sure you check out their webshop. Forever 21 might surprize you too.

Here, a couple outfits that might inspire you to buy your very own pair of awkward jeans:

Lady Di spokesperson of the mom jeans

Miley, the grunge kid

Anna Hathaway channeling her inner biker chick on a lazy Sunday

Matching basics at Topshop

C'est pas trop?

By Neslihan

I like how Scandinavian minimalism in fashion is always represented by sharp lines and plain fabrics. As if you can't be as tight in a floral or cubistic print. I get it, the look screams 'no nonsense' and a sort of Parisian 'je m'en fou'. It was never about ruffles, frills or femininity anyway. It's about clean lines, sleek cuts, perfect finish and modest fabrics. That truly is 'minimalism' summed up in a couple words. But we need optimism and bright colours. Let's bring in the chaos in our outfits and let us not fear dazzling prints. Let's embrace complexity and vertical lines. Don't be afraid to sport wavy cuts and push minimalism in totally different direction this season.


SIMPLICITY AT ITS FINEST:

Left: Osman Resort 2015

      Right: Chalayan Resort 2015

I feel like during summer it's way too hawt to accessorize. I sweat buckets so I can't deal with big ass chains, life size earrings and/or arm candy. I like it when my clothing speaks for itself. When you're all about simplicity and dressing down, you have to keep a number of things in mind. First is the quality of your clothes. Since you're not investing in jewelery, you might aswell pay a little more for your basics because we're talking about daily wear, so it's really important that the garment keeps its colour and shape after like you've worn it for a dozen of times. The second most important thing is subtlety. I know it's really hard not to be 'm'as tu vu' when you're about to mix your brightest shoes with your hot pink skirt but suck it in, will ya. You don't want #triedtoohard next to your instagram OOTD picture. You have to look like you haven't given two shits that day. So it's really important to keep the prints, colours and even shoes (we're talking icy metalics) down with this simple look. 

DRESSING DOWN WITH PRINTS:

Left: Stella McCartney Resort 2015

Right: 3.1 Phillip Lim Resort 2015

I know it's really hard to find simple prints for daily wear. prints are all about daring to be insanely out of your mind. When it comes to prints you shouldn't feel limited, you should feel as though polkadots and stripes do mix well together if you stay in the same colour palette. You should feel as though vertically striped clown pants really can be the chiquest thing ever if you take it down a notch and combine them with quirky shoes. While you're actually leveling down it is crucial that you do this with simple cuts, pure uni colour garments and this one's really important: NO ACCESSORIES. The only things that are allowed are a nice pair of shoes and a great minimalistic bag. No stitches, no visible pockets and no joyful details. Sacrifice your carnivalesque soul in order to become the sleek, icy queen you've always wanted to be.

HOW THINGS ESCALATE:

Left: Erdem Resort 2015

                  Right: Mary Katrantzou Resort 2015

You can tell this style report on minimalism is going the wrong way once florals pop in. The thing with florals is that it reminds be of this pure childish naïvité and it's time to get rid of that vibe. I'm not talking about wavy flower power and daisies in your hair. I'm talking business, sharp lines, clean cuts and stiff fabrics. I don't want the garment to be draped on my body, I want the garment to give me a different shape. I want the clothes to define my posture, movement and body language. I want to follow the direction it chooses for me, a kind of mechanic way of moving. I don't want to tuck in or accentuate my waist. I wanna be me without feeling like I have to be elegant and feminine. I want to wear florals and feel like a million bucks. That's why I'd totally get rid of that belt on the left picture because this look is all about a never ending couple of lines flowing into each other without breaking them by accentuating things.

Armed with a handbag

By Neslihan

Today I woke up, watched the final 2 episodes of American Horror Story and realized that it's about time I pay a visit to my own blog instead of gushing about someone else's. My last exam was on the 19th of June and I have been watching series and creating collages eversince. My mind is being invaded by beautiful collections, accessories, movies and ART in short. Now I'm realizing that I have a big fat 2.5 month vacation ahead of me, I'm kind of panicking because I'm an enormous workaholic. I constantly want to be busy and see, learn, feel new things. I'm telling you, I've been making lists of movies I should watch and books I should read and topics I should blog about. I constantly have to feel pressure because my life kind of feels empty without it. I know this sounds crazy but I have been trying to slow down lately. That kind of explains my lack of lust for blogging lately. Everytime I started blogging I felt like the thing I was writing wasn't significant enough, so I stopped and have now stored 3-4 unfinished blogposts in my concepts draft. I'm so terribly sorry (I don't really mean it though) but it just didn't feel right. So I'm picking up the pieces once again (OMG why so D R A M A T I C) and reviving this self-proclaimed fashion blog.

First up: Versace Galore

It has actually been quite a while since I've posted anything that was 'catwalk material' but I guess I had lost my interest in that side of fashion until this Versace collection popped up and restored my faith in the fashion gods. I like how Donatella and her fashion brand are always balancing between vulgarity, bad taste, Italian quirkiness and craftsmanship. The Spring 2015 collection is cool as ice and sleek like a motherfucker. It drifts somewhere inbetween flawless manly silhouettes and elegant femininity. That remark comes from a stereotypical perception of masculinity and femininity of course but before I enter the debate on gender roles, I'd like to finish this vain attempt to a -what's called 'fashion review' in the fashionable mouths of the beau monde. I love how Donatella has created those unicolour outfits, which don't only look chiquer but also richer. As in richer colours, fabrics and postures. I like the beige and cold grey together (4th picture) and I adore how she paired up an outfit like this with freakin' sandals. It's as if she is showing us the new business man, who doesn't take himself that serious. Someone who's ready to pop in funky pinks, soft minimalistic blues and shiny beiges. He isn't afraid of wearing handbags and accentuating his waist. Wait, I think I'm creating this amazing utopia in which everyone creates her/his own (fashion) identity without being told that something looks too manly or girly for him/her.

If 'Scarface' were to have a 2014 remake and I were to be the stylist, I'd put every single actor in a summer '15 Versace outfit because 'Scarface' means power, luxury, refinement and bling and I'm afraid Versace has all of it to offer, including the handbags. I had enough of the stiff and macho definition of 'masculinity', enter loafers, chinos, shiny fabrics and flexible gender lingo.

Aspiration

By Neslihan
I could bitch about the results of yesterday's Belgian national elections after which a rightest, very conservative and national party has won but I won't. Because this is a self proclaimed fashion blog that has to tingle your brain out of thrill and not arise all the hairs on your neck out of frustration. So, eventhough I find it hard to spread positivity these days with the exams starting and the sleepless nights welcoming me with their frightening claws, I am still gonna try to do so.

There are still things to look forward to, you see:

1) Eventhough it's raining right now, I know sunny days are coming up. I mean literally, not in a sentimentally symbolic kind of way.
2) Sun means dresses, shorts, skirts and shaven legs. And if you're a girl, then you know the joy of just shaved legs. It's like the feel of cute little dolphins and I'm not even exaggerating.
3) Sun also/most of the time means freetime and freetime means lots of spending time with your boyfriend, friends and family. But it also means sprending time alone: READING. And I can only look forward to that since I'm planning to read lotsa Bukowski and Orwell. Yes, I like pessimist literature. There are so many happy endings already.
4) July means sales. And eventhough I'm looking forward to cheap lingerie, shoes and dresses, I am NOT looking forward to the mess, people almost killing each other for a garment and the panick of not finding your own size. That's why I'll keep an eye on online shops.
5) July also means work and therefore work means cash. Cash I wanna spend on cool activities during summer or after.
6) This one is a little precarious but July also means getting your exam results, and after passing today's exam so easilly, I'm motivated to do better for the others. There's nothing better than starting your holidays knowing your hard work during the school year has paid of.

Since there is nothing in the world that makes me happier on a short term but lingerie, Imma post some of my favourites of the & Other Stories site. They're so elegant and efortless, the kind you need for hot (literally hot, I didn't mean sexy hot) sticky days. Lingerie is the best form of self loving after all. It's this little secret you have with yourself. And you can analyze someone's character by the lingerie she wears. Mine is usually quite simple but with a twist whether it's the colour, material or form, lingerie always has a story to tell and most of the time it's more than "take it off".

 Midnight blue: 19 EUR

See-through secrets: 25 EUR

Powdery pink: 35 EUR

Black widow

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

Sexy traditionalist

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

 I think they're quite affordable. They're in the same price category like Women's Secret and Intimissimi bras but slightly more expensive than your regular H&M model. I think these bras come in very handy if you don't have big boobs since they don't look that supportive. They're pretty nothings made to show off with. I'm planning to get myself one, so I'll tell you whether they support my besties. Oh, and the bras that I haven't posted as a set DO have matching panties. Feel free to spoil yourself.

Which one do you like best?

S-T-R-A-P-P-E-D

By Neslihan

CAN I GET AN AMEN FOR LENA DUNHAM'S PERFORMANCE IN THE 'ROLE PLAY' EPISODE? Not only was she hilarious but she was also amazingly brave for putting on that bondage themed playsuit. She gave it a playful Hannah twist though as she paired it up with a blue pair of cute cotton panties. It's not the first episode in which she fysically disarms herself because she recently did the same thing in the 'Beach House' episode when she wore a bikini during the whole episode. And I admire her for that 'cause I believe she brings a whole new level of body positivity into the business. She's not a size 0, nor a size 4 yet she manages to feel comfortable taking her clothes off on screen. Not that I'm saying she shouldn't but it must be very confronting at the moment because it's all about exposing your vulnerability to strangers who are watching the series but also to your co-workers who are on the set with you. And that's why the award for 'Best Guts' goes to Lena Dunham. You just can tell she doesn't give a f*ck about comformism and she will keep on flashing her boobs and ass on HBO. And I can only support that since we need more realistic role models.

But her playsuit also reminded me of those Nobuyoshi Araki bondage photos:

Try it at home:

Agent Provocateur 

La Fille d'O

Women's Secret

Eventhough Agent Provocateur and La Fille d'O have playsuits that are slightly more edgy and daring, I'd go for the grey lace playsuit because it cheaper but also a little more classy and elegant. But if I had the money I'd just buy 'em all.

Which one would you wear?

Is Beyonce a feminist or no feminist at all?

By Neslihan

 I think there are a few women in the urban scene who can wear a hootchy thong and still work it. One of them is Beyonce. I just love the aesthetics she puts forward in each album. Each album characterizes her alter ego but the main theme is her being a strong, independent woman who hustles her way through the music scene. Yet when I saw the videoclip of 'Partition' -and I'm hella open-minded- I kind of blocked. There was a lot of nudity in it and I just didn't really get how this all was supporting the song. The song is about B being comfortable with her sexuality and loving every aspect of sex. And she aint afraid to tell it, nor is she afraid to show it.

The song tackles second-wave feminism, that kind of was all about feminists striving for a debate about sexuality, reproductive rights, professional life etc. But at the same time those feminists thought that you had to put aside your femininity to get all of this done. They thought that banning stilettos, make-up and sensuality would make people take them more seriously. So at the end they ended up fighting for the women they kind of looked down upon because those women were to feminine. Beyonce could be seen as lipstick feminist, which is a part of third-wave feminism, the counter-part of second-wave feminism. This wave is all about being a feminist but being also in peace with your sexualitiy. B shows us that it's okay to love sex and to openly discuss it. It's okay to be comfortable with your nudity. In short she wants us to know that she's confident about her sensuality and that that is not a reason to think she's less capable in life in general but in a gender point of view more specific.
What really got me was, how classy she actually looks while she's singing about grinding on Jay's wood . She must have thought: if he can sing about this, then so can I! And she's totally right but the longer I thought about her live performances with Jay when singing 'Drunk in Love' the more I came to the conclusion that she's justifying the same sexuality, she's fighting for, through marriage. She's like: "I can be a sexual being because I'm doing it with my husband." It feels as if this is the only way women can explore and expose their sexuality. She's legitimizing her behaviour but also looking down upon women who aren't married or in a 'serious relationship'. (I truly hate this term because who decides what's serious?) And she does the same thing in 'Partition', she's being a hardcore lipstick feminist but again Jay-Z is in the video to justify the fact that she knows what she wants in a sexual kind of way.

Like I said before Beyonce is a confident lady, who can take care of her own shit. But being a feminist, I can't help but doubt her feminism. Feminism is not about hating men and being solitary and ending up celibate, I know that, but when Miss Knowles -or should I say Carter- sings about getting dressed and ready to dance, it sounds like she's doing that to please the other sex. I know every woman wants to feel desired and sexy but I don't dress up for him. I dress up for me. And I think Beyonce really accentuates the fact that she does it all for him. And that is not what lipstick feminism is about.

        

I also want to talk about her early take on feminism during the Destiny's Child period. Back in the time it was so empowering to see three young girls looking sexy yet standing strong on their ideals. As they were young and human, the consistency in their preaching is not always there. In one song they'd go on about needing a fella to pay their bills, while in another one they'd be all about power and independence. We'd shift from being dependent on a rich guy to being fiece and self-sufficient. Those were funny times.

I do think Beyonce has feminist views but I wouldn't consider her a feminist. She's powerful and empowering yet very conservative in some way. I'm not saying she should all be man-repellent but I think it's about finding a balance between being man-repellent and pleasing him. And that's not easy to do since these are two extremities. I think 21st century feminism is not about burning your bra and wearing shapeless male clothing but we still do need feminism. We need it in the media, in the workplace, in the bedroom and in politics. So, I wouldn't say feminism is dead. It's alive but it fights for different things in the Western world.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Az Lyrics

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The only way is up

By Neslihan

When I decided to blog today I thought I'd write something profound, something that keeps me busy. Something that frustrates me perhaps. I was determined to plunge into the deepest corners of my narcissistic soul but when I finally logged in I felt no urge to be connected to my negativity. I live in my mind and the activity never stops. It feels like I always have to move forward and when I don't it feels like a day not lived. But today I decided to keep myself busy with shallowness. I just wanna think something is pretty without having to justify it. Because not everyting in life is rocket science.

Renewed basics

Chique T-shirt: it's the easiest match with your pair of leather leggings or high-waist skirt. You can tuck it in or create boxy minimalistic silhouettes. It is completely up to you. But whatever you do, go for soft materials and dreamy digital prints.

Sophisticated sweater: why make things complicated if you can have it the easy way? Sweaters are for lazy days full of selfdoubt. It's okay to have coffee stains on it because although this says 'sophisticated', sophistication is the last thing on your mind.

Shop: http://fr.sandro-paris.com/

Shimmery cropped top: sport your unflat belly as much as you need to. It's not about shaming you, it's about shaming them who say you can't. That being said, I think this is the most perfect piece of garment I've seen over the past months. It's chique, it's quirky, it's girly. It has all the elments for the perfect babylicious outfit.

New white shirt: it's immortal, it's iconic and it's everything you want it to be. Sexy in 'Basic Instinct' but ridiculosly tomboyish in 'Pulp Fiction'. It's the most flexible clothing piece ever. You can't be underdressed, nor overdressed. It's a statement on its own. And from now on it's a polo, all buttoned up and see-through at the top.

Shop: http://www.zara.com/

Colour-blocking in 2014: it's not about screamy fluorescents anymore. It's about modesty and class. It's about playfulness but with the needed limits. And although it seems chaotic, there is a certain structure in its fit, design and lines. Sir Paul Smith always knows how to win my heart.

Classic black top: there is nothing as liberating as a basic black top. It seriously goes with everything. I like to pair it up with a pair of faded black jeans to get those minimalistic 90's vibes (favourite fashion decade ever). But this one doesn't only have the perfect fit but it's also the most flattering cropped top ever. Not to mention the perfect neck line.

Shops: 
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/ (on the left)
http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Stella_McCartney/Clothing?level3Filter=&pn=1&npp=60&image_view=product&dScroll=0 (on the right)

Let me monochrome your mind

By Neslihan

'Monochrome' is probably the hottest word of the moment appearing on every blog and in every trend report. It's nothing complicated though; it's about people wearing stuff that's made of one colour only. So this means you dress in one colour, you eat one colour, you decorate in one colour, you poop one colour etc. It's beautiful simplicity wrapped in classy jargon. You probably did monochrome when you were a toddler or primary school style icon. At least I did, I remember dressing in red from head to toe feeling like one million. Nothing much changed, the rules are the same but the choices you'll make will be a lot more sophisticated than your early teen wardrobe chronicles. It's really about dressing down, staying pure and let the colours, shapes and materials speak for themself. Don't accessorize or apply too much make-up. Keep it clean and simple, maybe a glowing skin, some matte lipstick and a little mascara are all you need. It's about holding in your inner vibrant mamacita to draw the attention to the clothing. So do keep your wild hair simple, sleek pony tail or loose with a middle division are my favourite hair styles for this trend. So to get you started I've selected some monochrome white shoe delish to make you hyperventilate. I feel like white is the ideal colour to start all over, to introduce spring that is only a few weeks away. Cheers to new beginnings and shoes.

Budget Céline S/S '13

Jeffrey Campbell 71.43 EUR via Nasty Gal

Pumped up kicks

Nike Air Force 109.99 EUR via Footlocker

Toddler glamour for grown-ups

Jelly sandals 30.00 EUR via River Island

Modern day geisha

Platform sandals 49.95 EUR via Zara

Stella McCartney for the poor

Sky high sophistication 75.95 EUR via Zara

60's snobism

Mocassins 69.95 EUR via Zara