Eye Spy
by Rachel Schleider
You must use your eyes to see what lies beyond the fabric.In a world full of noise, fashion depicts the visual imagination. Human communication is used throughout music, television, film and theater for entertainment and expression, but what about the art that we can’t hear? The parts of ourselves that we want the world to see externally, in which we curate through fashion to represent an extension of the human mind.
Clothing and style can say more about a person than words ever could. Fashion speaks volumes, especially in younger generations where the stigma of gender norms and superficiality are being challenged every day. Acting as a visual language, fashion allows us to tell our own story on a walking canvas. It is a wordless medium to communicate any message; emotion, art or individuality.
Emotion plays a large role in what we wear. It’s used as a color of grief and can show status and accord through uniforms. Verbal language has volume but fashion will look at you in the eyes and scream— bright patterns and sharp cutouts yell, “Listen to me. Look at me.” Fashion speaks to you in a way that conversation never could; of course, if you wanted to whisper, that's what long black coats and large sunglasses are for.
As much as emotions control our style, on the counterpart our style controls emotion. An outfit that makes you feel comfortable can make or break a situation, yet many people seem to be stuck on the idea that comfort and fashion are not interchangeable. The best part of creating your own style is that it gets to be whatever you want it to be. Think about how good it feels to put together an outfit that you’re proud of; an outfit that, when walking down the street, makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Eyeing your outfit in the mirror and getting a compliment on it? Arguably one of the best feelings in the world.
Trends go in and out of style constantly. Instagram and TikTok especially have provided a means for sharing style to millions of people at a time. Trends tend to dictate the general style of those around us, and while some say that they’re too conformative, trends allow us to unify with one another and create a different take on a similar idea. One of the best eye-worthy trends recently has to be subversive fashion; sporadic asymmetricality meets nude and earth tone color palettes. This style is truly experimental and allows for creativity with layering, color schemes, and different textures.
The art we make becomes a part of what makes us human. Each carefully-meticulated piece is embedded with energy and passion. What we create is what we become, so use style as a means to express who you are and everything you want to be. Let the world see you, let them feel your expression, and wear your art on your skin.
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Photographer: Sarah Eichenbaum
Photo editor: Kervens Jean
Models: Kweku Andoh, Willow Adler
Stylist: Luna Abreia, Pilar Bradley Kweku Andoh
Hair: Gillian Tokar
Makeup: Gillian Tokar