tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52085195456866970502024-02-18T22:59:49.506-08:00Unbound InquiryAesthetics, identity, and defining beauty—unpacking our perceptions and learning to challenge them.Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-25471130576697888122020-05-02T19:48:00.001-07:002020-05-02T19:57:45.101-07:00Beauty, the rose of Sharon<span style="background-color: white; color: #5c6365; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 14px;">One of my favorite topics to explore is beauty. Not in regard to the most recent trends, but rather, how we define, "beauty". I am so curious to understand the different ways humanity has defined it historically, throughout decades and in different nations, and how those definitions have shaped how we define beauty today. The other morning I read the following in my devotional, "Morning & Evening" by Charles Spurgeon; it is too beautiful to not share.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5c6365; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 14px;">"I am the rose of Sharon." –Song of Solomon 2: 1 </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5c6365; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial"; font-size: 14px;">"Whatever there may be of beauty in the material world, Jesus Christ possesses all that in the spiritual world in a tenfold degree. Amongst flowers the rose is deemed the sweetest, but Jesus is infinitely more beautiful in the garden of the soul than the rose can be in the gardens of earth. He takes the first place as the fairest among ten thousand. He is the sun, and all others are the stars; the heavens and the day are dark in comparison with Him, for the King in His beauty transcends all. "I am the rose of Sharon." This was the best and rarest of roses. Jesus is not "the rose" alone, He is "the rose of Sharon," just as He calls His righteousness "gold," and then adds, "the gold of Ophir"—the best of the best. He is positively lovely, and superlatively the loveliest. There is variety in His charms. The rose is delightful to the eye, and its scent is pleasant and refreshing; so each of the senses of the soul, whether it be the taste or feeling, the hearing, the sight, or the spiritual smell, finds appropriate gratification in Jesus. Even the recollection of His love is sweet. Take the rose of Sharon, and pull it leaf from leaf. and lay by the leaves in the jar of memory, and you shall find each leaf fragrant long afterward, filling the house with perfume. Christ satisfies the highest taste of the most educated spirit to the very full. The greatest amateur in perfumes is quite satisfied with the rose: and when the soul has arrived at her highest pitch of true taste, she shall still be content with Christ, nay, she shall be the better able to appreciate Him. Heaven itself possesses nothing which excels the rose of Sharon. What emblem can fully set forth His beauty? Human speech and earth-born things fail to tell of Him. Earth's choicest charms commingled, feebly picture His abounding preciousness. Blessed rose, bloom in my heart for ever!"</span>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-74337867958052318102020-04-22T22:17:00.002-07:002020-04-24T15:15:10.359-07:00Versailles of our time<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "raleway" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My curiosity is to unpack the modern societal definition of beauty and it's impact upon individuals; to fully understand it requires understanding where it came from. Enter, fashion history. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "raleway" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am specifically interested in understanding how our definition and perception of beauty impact our reality, and ultimately, our mental health. I believe that education can shift our perspective, and when we shift our perspective, we can change our reality; we can change our life. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "raleway" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My reality when I was caught in the eating disorder was one that mirrored the court of Versailles; straining to fit and conforming to the whims of the monarchy of our time. I moved according to the direction of the trends and felt like an imposter waiting to be found out and exiled from court. This state of fear was homeostasis for me.</span>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-33975559083535132722020-04-22T22:15:00.002-07:002020-04-22T22:15:15.128-07:00More of us<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Raleway, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">'“Fashion is to France what the gold mines of Peru are to Spain,” declared Louis XIV’s minister of finance, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. The statement may be apocryphal, but already by the 1670s, fashion and luxury goods were a source of wealth and “soft power” for the French state. The splendor of the French royal court at Versailles contributed greatly to French fashion prestige — or what critics called “French fashion hegemony over Europe.”'</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Raleway, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This quote is from the virtual exhibition, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Raleway, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">PARIS: Capital of Fashion, at The Museum at FIT, from the section titled, Splendor of the Royal Court. The exhibition concluded on January 4 of this year, which is utterly exciting to me, because after all this time—I mean, French fashion is timeless, so my decade long pause would not make my research obsolete—i</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Raleway, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">t is fascinating to find so many people interested in exploring the history of fashion. I light up finding any reference of Louis XIV and find it encouraging to stumble upon others who are exploring his life in regard to the start of fashion as we define it in western culture. We're still a fairly rare breed, those drawn to fashion history, as I just learned from Valerie Steele that fashion is still considered frivolous in academia, but still, there's a handful of us out here.</span>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-26768201705815004022020-04-22T00:07:00.002-07:002020-04-22T00:08:49.587-07:00Love notes: chaos, misspelling, and gemsSifting through my blogs is like finding a box full of love notes. There is some chaos, there's some misspelling, and there are gems. It's as if my current self went back in time, gave myself a note, and posted it here for me to find—words that I needed to hear at this moment in time, and didn't understand back then.<br />
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I was so young, and I thought that I had gotten it all wrong. It highlights to me the fact that I need to not think that way now. I have certainly made mistakes, and it's okay to mourn that, but we have so much ahead, not just in this life, but the next. So much is yet to come, Dearheart.<br />
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One of the gems...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Awakening</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><span class="text11"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia";">A time comes in your life when you finally get…when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out…ENOUGH1 Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.<br /><br />This is your awakening.<br /><br />You realize it’s time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.<br /><br />You realize that in the real world there aren’t always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you…and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.<br /><br />You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are…and that’s OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.<br /><br />You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself…and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.<br /><br />Your stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you – or didn’t do for you – and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.<br /><br />You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and everything isn’t always about you.<br /><br />So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself…and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.<br /><br />You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties…and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.<br /><br />You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.<br /><br />You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you’ve outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.<br /><br />You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” looking for you next fix.<br /><br />You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.<br /><br />You learn that you don’t know everything, it’s not you job to save the world and that you can’t teach a pig to sing. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.<br /><br />Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.<br /><br />You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.<br /><br />You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.<br /><br />You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drinking more water, and take more time to exercise.<br /><br />You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.<br /><br />You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.<br /><br />You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.<br /><br />More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it’s OK to risk asking for help.<br /><br />You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.<br /><br />You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.<br /><br />You learn that life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people…and you lean not to always take it personally.<br /><br />You learn that nobody’s punishing you and everything isn’t always somebody’s fault. It’s just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.<br /><br />You lean that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.<br /><br />You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.<br /><br />Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than you heart’s desire.<br /><br />You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.<br /><br />You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.<br /><br />Finally, with courage in you heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-84863110356493065552020-04-21T23:05:00.001-07:002020-04-21T23:18:08.929-07:00A decade, wonIt has been quite some time since I've been here. One month shy of a decade. Time, it's a strange thing. Coming back here it is as if time itself has stood still and yet, it is as though I have lived ten lifetimes in-between.<br />
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There has been love, loss, a corporate job, a move to Hawaii, a humble move home, marriage, first home, first dog, and just about as many mistakes and blessings as you can expect from ten years of life in one's twenties.<br />
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So, why am I here? <b>Beautiful question.</b> This was the blog I started—when blogging first began, before social media!—during my senior year in college at the University of Washington in my capstone class for Design. Here we were to record our research and provide a window into our process for our professor and our colleagues; our inquiries, struggles, and victories—all right here.<br />
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But why am I here, now? Well, my passion for this topic, the topic of beauty and identity, has not waned, not one bit; it has only deepened, and I can't shake the call on my heart to pursue it. I am still am not sure what form it will take, or what I will do with it—I wrestled with this in college and here we are still ten wild years later, still unsure. But, I am sure of one thing, that I absolutely can't put it down.<br />
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I see now that it is far too important, far too relevant, and that God did too big a work in my life for me to shelter it alone. My purpose aches to pursue this. I often find myself frustrated thinking about the "lost time" but what happened during that time was rather a fortifying of my heart, mind, and soul upon a brand new foundation that had to be rebuilt from the ground up.<br />
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Ten years ago was the start of my journey out of anorexia. On my way out, I took the door that led to bulimia. From there I broke out only to land in a hallway of self-hatred. In the midst of that corridor is where I finally fought like hell to find my way to self-worth. This fight was instigated only by looking into the face of potential motherhood, and realizing that in order to be the mother I hope to be, I have to be the woman God made me to be. Looking into the eyes of motherhood, I realized I had not gotten there. Despite the decade I spent wrestling with identity and all the newfound courage I claimed to have, the mental tangles went all the way down to the base of my foundation—we were being broken down to be rebuilt, and we weren't done yet.<br />
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This is not a past-tense process, this is present-day tussle right here, and rather than shelter it, I wanted to bring it to light. I feel required to put it to words because it is not my story alone, it is but one more beautiful story of God's redemption in the making. You are welcome here, and I am glad, whoever you are, that you're joining me in the process.Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-16123258825839075982010-05-26T12:37:00.000-07:002020-04-20T18:14:56.378-07:00Mirror, mirror; meAmidst the looming stress around me, I have a sense of peace. I do believe that everything is going to be all right. I feel a separation from all that I have been grasping onto; the identity that I once adhered to, is quickly fading.<br />
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My first steps on this road began when I began to explore my identity. This project has taken me down a road that I have been longing to travel, yet have been afraid to explore. During these past few months, I realize that I have been running away from myself. For nine years, I have been avoiding the recognition of my own identity. I have been searching and striving to find the perfect version of myself, the ideal representation of self, the one that will be best accepted by society, and even, by the ones I love. Blonde to brunette, side-swept to full bangs, unmarked skin to a tattoo, shy to comfortable, afraid to peace—so many changes are taking place since the decision to return to me.</div>
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Who have I been trying to be—what identities have I been adopting; what have I been hiding behind?</div>
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I realize I have been living in fear. I have been harboring a deep fear that came as a result of my fragile existence behind the facades I created. I was constantly afraid they were transparent, so I kept running, striving, pretending, out of fear that if I paused too long, people might actually see me, or if someone came too close they would see behind that which I used to hide. I was a scared soul, afraid of myself, trying to fool the outside world. And all the while, deceiving myself. </div>
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Where did this come from? For nine years, I have been here, or I have been there, successfully hiding from myself, existing, camouflaged in the world. I am beginning to experience freedom and peace as I slowly return to myself. "Love your neighbor as yourself," I realize I need to love myself as a neighbor, as I have been under the influence, and unable to see, me as I am, fearing that others will judge me just as harshly as I judge myself.</div>
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How did this all begin—why did I start hiding? I initiated the fabrication of this facade in junior high. This was the time when I became self-aware, and it was the time that held the initial creation of the internal image I have been comparing myself to. Like most American junior-high-age girls, I developed an image that defined beauty. Beauty to me looked like my friend—Lauren R; the tall, skinny, blonde, outgoing, athletic, cheerleader, who captured the hearts of every boy in our class. I can now admit, I wanted to be her—or at least look just like her. But I did not. I was short, not incredibly thin, brunette, with bangs, and shy. I was the opposite of her, yet we shared the same name. She, in my mind, was the beautiful Lauren, and I was the other.</div>
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Validating this perspective of what I was beginning to believe was the idealization of beauty, were the fashion magazines that I allowed to saturate my life. Recognizing a consistent definition of beauty that surfaced amongst the various publications, I adopted the belief that the social ideal was one that aligned with the characteristics of my friend. I did not possess anything that remotely aligned with this definition of beauty, and therefore, grew to despise my appearance, and slowly, my entire self.</div>
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The transformation began. My mission to achieve beauty began the summer before I began sixth grade. I was determined to be beautiful, and this meant that much needed to change. I was going to be attractive, and therefore, I was going to be blonde, I was going to be tan, I was going to be thin—I was going to become the beautiful Lauren.</div>
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Nine years I have been working to maintain this identity, fooling the world and disguising myself. For nine years I have been striving to uphold this image of beauty until I realized what I had been struggling to uphold, and upon deciding to let go, I am watching it shatter.</div>
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Recently, I made the decision to begin the long walk home. I have awoken to the realization that I had been running away from myself, avoiding the recognition of who I am. I feel as though I had been held in captivity, under the intoxicating influence of the fashion industry, and the definition of beauty that is communicated. This definition was one that I did not naturally fit, and therefore felt irrelevant, and which led to a deteriorated sense of self. This project and the research I have been conducting for the past six months has been a restorative journey for my soul.</div>
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I am once again brunette. I once again have bangs. I am not struggling to be this person I am not—I am no longer being crushed by the weight of the false definition I have been trying to live into. I am defining my own.</div>
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It is easier now, to get dressed each morning, as I am not trying to pick the perfect costume to hide behind, I am simply dressing for the role of myself. I ask myself who I am, and wait for the answer. The voices are beginning to quiet, and I am listening to my heart—to the definition of beauty in which God has created me.</div>
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I had the realization this past week, that my capstone project will not change the world. I can not break the entire system of monarchy we live within; I can not liberate our nation from the control. But, I can choose to be free. I can step into anarchy and choose to fight against the dictatorial control that I have allowed the fashion industry to have upon my life. </div>
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I may not be able to change the world with this project, but it has changed mine.</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-16516447951343240932010-05-23T23:20:00.000-07:002010-05-23T23:47:55.608-07:00Storybook beginningAgain. Another change. Again, I have developed a new idea. This is the challenge I combat that so often prevents me from moving forward. This indecisive mind that sees possibility, and this passionate soul that sprints so quickly in the new direction, and these eyes that are intrigued by all that is around me.<div><br /></div><div>My most recent and exciting change was inspired by the film, American Beauty. I have realized that the issue I am combating is so much larger than something a poster will impact. I want to encourage people to think, but I do not feel prepared to put this into the world yet. The most powerful thing I think I can do right now is to collect and record all that I have been researching, observing and inquiring about during these past few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to make a book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to tell a story—I want to reveal the stronghold that the messages communicated by the fashion industry have upon our society and the power they have in shaping our definition of beauty. I have been impacted so intensely by this research, that I want to write a book that records my thoughts and findings.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was beginning to lose heart, with the realization that my guerilla marketing campaign was not going to be enough to change the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>This, I am passionate about.</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-4834709009052462342010-05-17T09:56:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:28:00.133-07:00Revealing angerI have reached a point with this project, I am fueled by something more powerful now. It has, as I've mentioned, gone past personal. Now I'm fueled by anger.<br />
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The impact that the fashion industry has upon our society is outrageous—it is the leading cause of mental illness through eating disorders. What is this? Why is it happening? Why are we allowing it?</div>
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A 300 billion dollar industry as the source of this insanity. People are dying, people are in bondage, people are controlled by mental anguish—and for what? They are just clothes.</div>
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What have we done?</div>
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Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-15506621672143523812010-05-08T21:26:00.000-07:002010-05-08T21:50:13.575-07:00Our journey continuesHello dear Friends!<div>Thank you for joining me thus far on my adventure of inquiry. It has been a long road, and the journey continues. Although maintaining the same quest, I am traveling a new path...</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>I have created another blog, which is the result of the thoughts and dialogue that has occurred in this space. I will still post my inquiries here occasionally as well, but my main focus, after these months of research and analysis, is on the final product that is now finally taking shape.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please join me in this as well, http://canvasofwhite.tumblr.com/</div><div><br /></div><div>Be ready to question your definition of identity—I look forward to hearing your thoughts + insights. Hoping to hear from you soon!</div></div></div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-39006423506032810882010-05-03T11:52:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:30:08.141-07:00True influenceWhat am I influenced by?<br />
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Well, obviously the monarchy. But how—how am I influenced?</div>
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I have been battling for longer than this project. Being a woman, I believe it started when I began elementary school and started interacting with others, realizing that the external sources had influence and that I was therefore influence-able.</div>
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I remember when one of my friends told me that my dress made me look pregnant. I was in third grade. I was mortified. Yes, it must have been sometime in elementary school when I became aware of my clothing and how it made me look.</div>
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This is it.</div>
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'<i>H</i><i>ow it made me</i>...' that phrase, this is the problem. <i>It didn't make me anything</i>. I existed independently from it. I did before I wore it, I did after, and I do now.</div>
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So today, what am I influenced by? What have I bought and why? What are the stories?</div>
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This will be an interesting look...</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-45304420787504870172010-05-03T09:10:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:31:05.034-07:00Heart of the anarchistThis project became painful the moment it became personal.<br />
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Although, thinking of it now, it has <i>always</i> been personal for me. What happened then? Why does it seem more difficult right now for me to move on this? Why am I afraid to act upon the plans I have developed thus far? </div>
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Maybe it's because I realize how much I am <i>still</i> controlled by the monarchy. This realization has me afraid of the very anarchy I propose—the very thing I have been encouraging to take hold is the source of fear I am experiencing now.</div>
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I wish it weren't this way.</div>
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If I could I wish I could just be analytical about this, and logical even. I wish I could simply set out and accomplish the task before me. I can, and I have to. I will, but this project has been infused with emotion.</div>
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I need to channel this. This passion, this emotion, this fear, this anger, I need to channel it to result in progress. I have been making progress, but not taking action. </div>
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Today, I will.</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-40837076349069551872010-04-27T20:38:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:32:05.501-07:00Freedom of speech<div>
I have designed the cards for the guerilla campaign and now just need to find a way to print them and gather a group of brave friends to help me embark upon this mission.</div>
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I have to be careful in how I go about attempting this, as some have the fear that I might be doing something illegal. I do not really see how this is illegal, as all I am doing is encouraging thought by posing questions of inquiry. How could this be illegal... does it not fall into the category of freedom of speech under the First Amendment? I am not defacing property or vandalizing merchandise, I am just asking questions.</div>
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Okay. I just looked up the definitions of vandalism, defacement, and hooligan—none of which my mission or myself align with. I checked the laws regarding vandalism, and I feel that the only account for which I might be possibly charged is the decrease of economic gain. This though is not my intent. All I am attempting to achieve through this campaign is to ignite thought—to make people pause in their moment of purchase and actually question where their current belief of fashion came from. I want to make people wonder how their belief was developed and think about who it was that told them what was or was not beautiful.</div>
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Is this illegal? I think not.</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-51443719273008333822010-04-17T18:05:00.000-07:002010-04-17T18:29:14.435-07:00A spark for fire<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; "><i>"The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on. If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. You can change the way people live their lives. That’s the only lasting thing you can create."</i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Thank you Natalie for sharing this quote, and thank you Chuck Palahniuk for this thoughtful insight.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>----<br /></i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; ">I am thankful for this life, for this world, and how, when you take time, even one moment, and look for beauty, it is possible to find it. Often beauty exists in the most unlikely, or unexpected of places. It is in perspective, it is a simple shift. Nothing changes, but the way in which we choose to see. Inspiration, therefore, is all around; it is just a matter of seeing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">----</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">This is what I hope to do, this is now my mission, to shift perspectives and change the way people see. I am not attempting to revolutionize the world, as I had initially with collegiate spirit, but rather to propose a lens for those willing to see in a new light.</span></span></div></div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-38723205447670400572010-04-16T23:48:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:54:10.480-07:00Back to the heartReviewing my presentations, I realize that what I set out to achieve initially at the beginning of last quarter when I started this project is exactly the direction I am currently pursuing today.<br />
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"Visual communication of ideas to inspire social change and the way we define beauty."</div>
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Yes. This is from my first presentation, and I have stayed aligned with this goal, I just had no idea that it would take the form of a guerilla marketing campaign. Who knew?</div>
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Throughout this project, I kept asking questions.</div>
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I kept inquiring—my focus has been to ignite inquiry.</div>
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The topic I have chosen is a matter of perception versus reality. There is a monarchy that has existed within the fashion industry since the 17th century. Although the power, over time, has shifted from France to America, and rather than being solely political, it exists within the realm of mass media publication and is based upon opinion that is exerted from the pages of Vogue. </div>
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The monarchy today, the one existing within the fashion industry, is it real, or simply a perception of reality? With either case, I have realized that clothing is nothing more than a costume in context. It is not identity, but merely fabric to fit the varied roles that we play in our lives. </div>
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Regardless of what the monarchy proclaims we should or should not wear, we are free. We have a system of anarchy, we just often choose not to fully realize and fully embrace this reality.</div>
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Ok. So, how can I influence change here? There are infinite solutions to this, but the one I am pursuing is that of inquiry. I am going to present questions to the public that initiate thought.</div>
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How do you develop your perception of reality?</div>
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How do you define yourself?</div>
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Where do you derive your self-worth?</div>
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What is beauty?</div>
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What is clothing—is it costume or is it identity?</div>
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What inspires you?</div>
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What is fashion?</div>
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Is beauty a universal concept?</div>
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What is our societal definition of beauty?</div>
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Are you confined by distorted ideas of beauty?</div>
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What is confidence?</div>
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What is individuality?</div>
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What is style?</div>
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If clothing is an expression of self, what are you saying?</div>
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What is dressing-up versus clothing?</div>
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We should dress in the costumes of ourselves.</div>
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True style is the freedom to be unique.</div>
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True beauty is acceptance of self; it is individuality.</div>
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The original purpose of clothing is to clothe, but beyond this, clothing is a possible means for self-expression. Some people wear clothes for their intended purpose, while others wear clothes to make a statement.</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-32732276512335842042010-04-16T23:26:00.000-07:002010-04-17T18:34:15.087-07:00What to sayOkay. So my project is going to be a guerilla marketing campaign.<div><br /></div><div>Now I am moving forward, and to continue in this direction the next step is for me to identify the main messages that I want to communicate. What is it that I want to say—what is it that I want people to know? Once this is identified, how do I say it? One thing at a time now! I can only do one step before getting to the other. Focus.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to review my presentations and gather the main points. I hope this will make things become clear—at least clearer than they are presently.</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-15317485963724566722010-04-15T19:09:00.001-07:002010-04-15T19:20:59.821-07:00Revelation to revolutionDuring my presentation yesterday, I had a moment of inspiration.<div><br /></div><div>I realized that it's not a museum exhibit that I should be creating, but rather a guerilla marketing campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to share information, spark something that changes perspectives, and inspire people to question the monarchy that reigns within our society. The context of a museum, although a great means for sharing information, is not the right context for what it is that I am attempting with my capstone.</div><div><br /></div><div>If it is 'anarchy' that I am wanting to spark, anarchy from the fashion monarchy, looking back in history, anarchy was never achieved through the safe and structured walls of a museum. Never. Anarchy was ignited amongst the people, it was a stirring from underneath that shook the foundation of the system at the top.</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to unleash a current that inspires change—one that makes people take notice, one that is bold, one that speaks so loudly that others begin to hear.</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-23635876133031158142010-04-13T20:38:00.000-07:002020-04-21T22:13:38.689-07:00Presentation—takes initiation<div>
The first of three for our final capstone projects and number one is tomorrow.</div>
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Let's go.<br />
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I have been thinking about this for many months now in theory, and the challenge with presenting tomorrow is that I have to be concise. Being concise is something I struggle with, as I love thinking thoughts, and thinking so many kinds of thoughts about the same topic, that I often think my way into paralysis when I embark upon too much analysis. Dad was right—paralysis by analysis actually occurs. Now, if I can find a way to combat this.</div>
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It is simple really, just keep moving forward. Yes, ok, so the real challenge I realize is in the implementation of this behavior...</div>
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To keep moving forward with this project, I need to answer a few questions as my presentation will consist of the results.</div>
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1. What is the problem I have identified?</div>
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2. What am I attempting to do?</div>
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3. Why is this important?</div>
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4. What is my proposed solution/ how do I achieve what I am attempting?</div>
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5. What do I expect to present/ what is my inspiration?</div>
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1. <i>Our societal relationship with clothing is dictated by a monarchy.</i></div>
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The problem that I have identified is that there is a powerful external source of influence that impacts the way in which we define beauty in regard to clothing. </div>
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Societies around the globe have been influenced by a form of this external force since the 17th century.</div>
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This began in the historic form of a monarchy, originating in France with Louis XIV and the court at Versailles. Today, a similar power exists with the monarchy established by Anna Wintour and Vogue. </div>
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The exerted opinions of those at the head of the monarchy, both historically and currently within society, influence those underneath them + shape the relationship they have with clothing in light of their personal opinions.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Societal relationship with clothing is a consequence of the monarchy.</span></div>
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2. <i>I will expose the existing monarchical system of Vogue.</i></div>
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I am attempting to reveal the impact that the fashion industry, as led by Vogue, has upon our personal relationships with clothing.</div>
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3. <i>Our existing societal relationship with clothing is distorted.</i></div>
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We give too much power and regard the opinions expressed by the fashion industry with too high esteem, that the words and images found in fashion magazines become our dictators—we allow them to dictate our relationship with clothing, (and ultimately we allow them to shape our identity).</div>
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4. <i>I am proposing anarchy.</i></div>
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The anarchy that I propose takes form within the mind of each individual. By revealing the parallels between Louis XIV and the French Court + Anna Wintour and Vogue through the medium of an exhibit, I hope that through this exposure to historical references and current societal observations, to empower others to desire change and realize that freedom from the monarchy is available to those who step out and make their own choices in clothing—realizing that clothing is not your identity, it is only a costume.</div>
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<i>5. Let's begin a revolution—today.</i></div>
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My inspiration is the French Revolution. The people of France recognized that there was a problem, and they took action. They revolted against the injustice of their nation and ignited change in the system. Today, let's do the same.</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-85061100555069557742010-04-11T19:18:00.000-07:002010-04-12T22:09:02.738-07:00Anarchy + identity<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">"Understanding identity in relation to clothing and the consequence of </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">fashion."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">Examination of the fashion industry through the monarchies of Louis XIV </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">from France + Anna Wintour of Vogue, to determine how we can develop a </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">sense of anarchy for our identity. </span></div></div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-38740380932627468002010-04-11T19:02:00.000-07:002020-04-21T21:44:41.276-07:00FearI really need to get over myself and this insane trepidation that exists within me. I realize how afraid I have been to simply post my thoughts in this space. Why is this? It seems crazy, but I think it is fear of criticism, now that I really look at it.<br />
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The thing is, there is no longer any time for fear... it is time for action!</div>
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Okay, so what direction am I going?</div>
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I was on the brink of abandoning Louis XIV and Anna Wintour altogether, but luckily, my professor prevented me from this as it would have had me pursuing further research in this rapidly diminishing sliver of time that I have left. Thank you again!</div>
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Bah! Why do I always do this? Is anyone else prone to abandoning ideas when it is time to move forward? Well, I am about to turn over a new leaf and for once, stick with my original idea. It is a good idea that I had! I need to remember this. It is not the best, and cannot be, but it is intriguing, and all I need now is to execute my externalization/deliverable in a way that invites others to learn about this topic. I need to make Louis + Anna relevant to those outside myself. I know I find this parallel interesting, but I have to invite others into this conversation in a way that is compelling.</div>
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What exactly is this conversation?</div>
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Mmm... time to think some thoughts on this one. The goal is to be concise in my answer—clear, and concise with a well-defined target audience. I cannot be all things to all people, so I have to stop trying. I just need to answer this one truthfully so that I can move on and move forward from here.</div>
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Here's to progressing forward!</div>
Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-81451961624561430492010-04-07T07:16:00.001-07:002010-04-07T07:17:09.873-07:00True Beauty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzizeKXKrSoQk4J0gmgzDhRma0b0Q0Ohg1j2sbMOOHvFfxW06BQUbskXKIeFL1f6qR_hC8V5oBP-SBkic6R1PzfWZNskocMPuegUwHLUt0RIs1rAdjo3unzaXdjV_t7gMtKtFieejLlV4/s1600/sunsetsnowsmiles-21.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzizeKXKrSoQk4J0gmgzDhRma0b0Q0Ohg1j2sbMOOHvFfxW06BQUbskXKIeFL1f6qR_hC8V5oBP-SBkic6R1PzfWZNskocMPuegUwHLUt0RIs1rAdjo3unzaXdjV_t7gMtKtFieejLlV4/s320/sunsetsnowsmiles-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457399418159442850" /></a>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-38387671091544602722010-04-07T07:07:00.000-07:002010-04-07T07:14:08.591-07:00Moving on, finding a path<div>Beauty, clothing, fashion or identity... </div><div><br /></div><div>Should I look at all of these, or do I need to pick one? If just one, which one?</div><div>----</div><div>Revealing the heart of the fashion industry to find freedom from clothing, to develop an understanding of true identity, one in which we can find beauty.</div><div>----</div><div>Is this clear? I understand it... will others, do you?</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-38566623344496572522010-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:002010-04-07T07:13:48.834-07:00Polyvore, my revolution ally<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div>As noted in the New Yorker regarding Polyvore...</div><div>----</div>Fashion magazines are widely perceived to be snake pits, but the Polyvore community values kindliness, mutual affirmation, and tact. Most of the comments that users make about other people’s sets are full of smiley faces and exclamation points; flamers are quickly ostracized. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“It’s a very positive environment to be in,” Lee said. If MonChanel’s namesake once declared, “Elegance is refusal,” the site’s ethos is more like “Elegance is inclusion.” </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here the pimply teen-ager floats blissfully free from test-marketed cover lines promising a hotter body in ten days. “I really wish I’d had Polyvore when I was little, because when I was reading the magazines I would look at the models and be, like, ‘Oh, these people are so thin’—sometimes I’d just feel so horrible,” Lee said. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“To have some place where you can express yourself and get compliments and feedback—I think that’s really important.”</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Read more: </span></span><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/03/29/100329fa_fact_jacobs?currentPage=3#ixzz0kQDsKQ2k" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/03/29/100329fa_fact_jacobs?currentPage=3#ixzz0kQDsKQ2k</span></span></a></span></span></div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-58366059815541815482010-04-07T01:27:00.000-07:002010-04-07T07:06:52.247-07:00Evaluating, now making movementReflecting was lovely, but now to make actual movement...<div>----</div><div>Information evaluation:</div><div>Client / the museum + me</div><div>Audience / individuals who wear clothes</div><div>Message / true identity is not looking like everyone else, it is looking like yourself</div><div>Client motivation /clothing is costume</div><div>Audience motivation / desire to embrace freedom from the idea that acceptable identity exists in conformity to the monarchy of fashion in our society</div><div>Competition / Dove campaign for real beauty</div><div>Environment / mis-interpretation of the exhibit message</div><div>Audience desired response / analysis of personal relationship with clothing </div><div>----</div><div>I want to help individuals redefine their identity + find freedom from clothing, by revealing truths of the industry</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-62849750952318421002010-04-06T12:39:00.000-07:002010-04-07T01:26:48.836-07:00Reflecting toward movementWhere to now? I think I have asked this question before. So many times throughout this process have I wondered where I should go—what direction to take. Now is the time that I just need to move. I have researched this topic of fashion, beauty, and identity within our society and that of the past. I need to recognize that there will always be more for me to learn, there is so much out there, and so many people have developed thoughts on this topic long before me. In light of this, I also need to have confidence in all I have learned and in the ideas that I have for communicating my thoughts on all of this.<div><br /></div><div>...I feel as though I as swirling in a hurricane of information, images, and ideas... STOP. The winds have quieted; I need to be still. It is time to process the information!</div><div>----</div><div>Thank you Mark Oldach for writing about creativity + thank you Dominic for sending us his article. <i>Processing the Information </i>is a roadmap for the creative. It does not reveal the destination, but provides advice as to how we can reach our own amidst the torrent of information we travel through as designers.</div><div>----</div><div>Now, insight as how to move forward...</div><div>Review. Reorganize. Restate. Readdress. Reword.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Review all notes and research.</div><div>2. Reorganize the information you have gathered.</div><div>3. Restate the information in various forms.</div><div>4. Readdress the project objective.</div><div>5. Reword the project objective as design criteria.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Give yourself the luxury of time to let the information marinate in your brain." Effective results are the product of a specific message and a clearly identified audience... </div><div>Focused objectives. Specific audience. Defined expectations. Single message.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do not be all things to all people!</div>Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208519545686697050.post-23174646381873452822010-04-05T10:13:00.000-07:002010-04-05T10:19:27.947-07:00Time past, relevant presence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KjIcO26vI6s7gQ7-GcqMdJVw5Wju7pm_0d5-RKhbYN5iz13ND27ZBixXDlRyGraLnunuw-z7cMsuiv8OU5PRfkkDTc8Qtq9siMH3s51HGVIc8iW0UgIuV1jFDQHwep_2VCYMOskbxTpN/s1600/versaillesgate.jpg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KjIcO26vI6s7gQ7-GcqMdJVw5Wju7pm_0d5-RKhbYN5iz13ND27ZBixXDlRyGraLnunuw-z7cMsuiv8OU5PRfkkDTc8Qtq9siMH3s51HGVIc8iW0UgIuV1jFDQHwep_2VCYMOskbxTpN/s320/versaillesgate.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456703912331831746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvetKeXJgx5wJW2pw-ca8CAKBQfKXqPuZJna-kcehnK0acmgkw71dJURUu3-G08kzrwvR3vU52UniK5TSUCqEPcKLu5yeWR2jji0biKMIVSFGRfr7-XBynpdTcN-LzQ8_b-RMjDYaMKSC/s1600/parisabove.jpg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvetKeXJgx5wJW2pw-ca8CAKBQfKXqPuZJna-kcehnK0acmgkw71dJURUu3-G08kzrwvR3vU52UniK5TSUCqEPcKLu5yeWR2jji0biKMIVSFGRfr7-XBynpdTcN-LzQ8_b-RMjDYaMKSC/s320/parisabove.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456703691802674642" /></a><br /><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgNesALCarDQac04q55gX8_9GCyrPJi14Bt9xe8pAaElGlZu-vZLv9sxDYpw3t0u6BfqbVZZkR7bBnxQVlksEqaubRXSN_U5z6KV9Yba5fMInXoiYqeME475Pfom_n2f1n-8mdgQm2FL7/s320/louisvuitton.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456703682922794738" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwAvIesMaOsnNea70lM8IuimBpxF2GMalq0VNR_dUhwbqa2m0L-YuLgLdhpNeyAJkmfxBusoZAT8fpBAwyeV4L5p1rxLGZq-GfgSWc9na5yllZTkB3MdRvZiFIuug-geEvlNhWHEZ5rDE/s320/colloseum.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456703674378992482" />Lauren Noel Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909254463806758971noreply@blogger.com0