A MANIFESTO FOR DAY-TO-DAY GLAM

Ok ZonErZ,

Fresh start, first article and already advocating for something big. I’ve always had a very deep love for all things fashion. I consider it a high form of art, and, more importantly, a very useful way to express myself (I know, cliché, but true). If you know me, you certainly know that I am big on glamming, aka making a conscious effort to put together an outfit, hairstyle, and makeup. I’ve been made aware over the years that if dressing up in the most what-the-fuck-costumes in pre-school is considered lovely, as an adult wanting to channel your inner 70’s vibe by dressing full disco style, or going vampy with an all-black outfit and a dark lip (I did both of them) is often frowned upon and considered “trying too hard”. However, I firmly believe that glamming is not half as shallow as it seems.

"The look I put together acts as an analytic and storage extension of my emotional self."

On my “style journey” I’ve even come to the realization that I would be more present when I had spent some time thinking and planning my overall look. To my mind, it creates a narrative and allows to almost step into a character. It amplifies the experience of what I am doing to the point where I can remember quite precisely the parties/ meetings/ events/ dates I went to because I remember my getting-ready process and the clothes I chose to wear. The look I put together acts as an analytic and storage extension of my emotional self.

However, the magic only happens if I really commit to the process and am daring enough. That is why, to me, it’s such a shame that such few people are willing to glam/ admit (to themselves or to you) that they care. I feel like a fashion risk-taker in my social demographic environment, namely young business/engineer school graduates who live in big cities. There seems to be a real disconnect between glamming and being considered deep enough to be worthy of being taken seriously.

"I’ve been told by several people looking me up and down, or just going shopping and bumping into a piece that seem to be going out of their comfort zone “I CoUlD NevER WeaR ThAT!”. BITCH, GUESS WHAT, YOU CAN! Everyone should!"

The overall message that was passed on to us by business schools and the corporate world often was : “don’t be too daring, too fashion, too glammed, don’t look like you care too much about your look, that’s shallow”. Example, French business school parties dress code: your association polo, close to no makeup, and a very careless look because the more you look like your trying to be glammed and the less cool you are. Another example, corporate world (outside of the fashion industry): a silky blouse, not too short of a skirt and maybe if you feel stylish on Friday, throw on a pair of Stan Smiths. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wearing a hoodie or dressing corporate. However, if I tried to buy into those “uniforms”, I’ve come to a point where they bore me to death if I’m honest. Now, dressing with way less boundaries and more freedom than I used to (the unemployment and me working in fashion has played a big part in that freedom I’ve got to say), I’ve been told by several people looking me up and down, or just going shopping and bumping into a piece that seem to be going out of their comfort zone “I CoUlD NevER WeaR ThAT!”. BITCH, GUESS WHAT, YOU CAN! Everyone should!

Considering we are all going to die from global warming in 20 years or so, not wearing the risky dress/ shirt/ shoes you want to wear is pointless. More seriously I deeply think that our day-to-day lives are depressing enough to have a boring wardrobe that refrains us from expressing who we truly are.

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To combat the normcore uniform and wake up your inner 5-year-old who had 0 issue coming to school in a full princess outfit, here is a to-do/ to-think list to integrate or (re-integrate) glamour in your life and unlock the emotionally more intense experience that comes along.

"Seek occasions to “create a moment” with your look, and actually pull it off"

I know that work is work and it’s complicated to do your thing and show up with a full-on goth glam at a meeting with your boss. However, there are some instances when you can peacock. Seek occasions to “create a moment” with your look, and actually pull it off. I was watching a Vogue video with @ElsaHosk the other day where she was explaining her take on creating a red carpet look. Besides being absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous and looking bomb in everything, she has this very refreshing way of going all-in when she goes on the carpet. She tells a story, mimics an inspiration from her manicure to her dress. And the rationale behind it is always deeper than “I just wanna look sexy for the photographers” (even if when you pull off something you love, you look DAMN HOT). Next time you attend a party, think of a story you want to tell, of the persona you want to be and GO FULL SPEED. Who cares what the others think. You’d be surprised by the positive response of people around you once you embrace that glammed/ peacocky side of yourself: it’s way easier to compliment somebody that has committed to a particular style and wings it than somebody who just tries “not to be ridiculously out of the dress code”. If you want inspiration on how to go all-in and pull it off it with confidence, follow @jvn, @tanfrance, @jaredleto (now one of the muses of Gucci), or just go to a gay party and look at how the club kids unapologetically own their looks. It’s quite refreshing.

"You don’t have to restrain yourself to a particular expression of what you are"

STOP THINKING FASHION HAS RULES. I wear extra glam maxi dresses to go to do groceries sometimes. I am deeply interested in corporate strategy but I also have a passion for makeup artistry and can blend eyeshadow like a pro. I am a crazy sneaker-head and streetwear fan but I also love wearing 10-inches heels and am regularly moved by couture. Your job, your status, your friends do not define your style. You don’t have to restrain yourself to a particular expression of what you are. People tell you to dress for the part, let your closet be the expression of all the roles you want to play in your life. Explore a full spectrum of garments/ styles and don’t limit yourself to a definition of what others expect you to be. Most importantly dare to be adventurous and take risks: there is no such thing as a fashion faux-pas, and being overdressed is only a matter of perspective.

Relaxing about rules on fashion also means you shouldn’t shame or judge others on what they are wearing. It doesn’t mean you have to like it, but rather looking at it with curiosity and interest. Honestly, it would make everyone’s life way easier.

"Human condition is shitty enough not to at least try to trick it, reshape it, tell a story, create the unexpected"

Don’t think that going all-in on the glam or caring about your looks is shallow/ expensive/ solely aimed to “fashion people”. I urge you to listen to what @SophieFontanel (former fashion editor @Elle) has to say about elegance in the numerous TV appearances she did. Her Instagram, celebrating life, beauty and, most importantly, day-to-day elegance, is a breath of fresh air. It defines perfectly how that seemingly useless effort on styling can transform your life and make you feel better. Aesthetics is an element that defines humanity and enables us to tweak reality in order to instill some magic in it: we’ve done it since the beginning of time. I’ve recently read a lovely novel by Eric Emmanuel Schmidt advocating for the necessity of rituals, beliefs, and story-telling in day-to-day life. I couldn’t agree more. Human condition is shitty enough not to at least try to trick it, reshape it, tell a story, create the unexpected and manifest the invisible like an artist does. What better way to do it than with what you have on hands at all times … yourself.

Mentions

@tanfrance (insta)

@JaredLeto (insta)

@Jvn (insta)

@SophieFontanel (insta)

@Elsahosk

Felix et la source invisible — Eric Emmanuel Schmitt