Working My Ass Off AW09

Oh hello, CupCate.com. Long time no see. 

The past month has been absolutely mental. 

I stupidly mentioned over a year ago that I wanted to know what it was like to be tired. What it was like to run myself ragged and work so hard I could barely see straight. 

Between London Fashion Week, Covent Garden Fashion Fete & Fashion Fringe, TechCrunch London, Xbox Reverb, and a few other projects I'm working on, the last 10 days have really tested me. 

In fact, the last 30 days have really tested me. 

I've learned what I do and don't have time for, whether it be people playing me for stupid and taking the piss, or just things that I would usually panic or get upset about. 

I'm slowly figuring out what is and what is not (and who is not) worthy of my time.

I've had the privilege of meeting and speaking to a lot of really cool women this month, who have put things in perspective for me. 

I don't often ask for advice. 

I usually just pick up parallels or lessons in causal conversation, and I feel like I've learned quite a bit from just opening my horizons a bit, and perhaps from asking the right questions.

I've learned that going to castles and tours by yourself is actually quite fun. 

I've learned that I'm actually a bit of a tea snob.

I've learned that smiling in silence is sometimes the best and only thing I can do.

That drinking free champagne is really overrated. (Unless it's Prosecco and served in a vintage teacup.)

I've also learned that Covent Garden is my favorite area in London. A lot of really cool things in both my personal and professional life have happened along those cobble stoned street that lead up to the piazza. 

And I've also learned that some of my experiences as a woman doing her own thing are very similar to experiences other women have had, and it's helped me to not feel so alienated and weird. 

Also, I've also learned that I actually love fashion. 

It scares me, it intimidates me. It disgusts and causes me to ball my hands in to fists. 

But I loved London Fashion Week more than I expected, and I can't wait for it to come back around in February. I think one of the things I never really understood about fashion, was that it is actually so diverse. If you only ever think of fashion as being Topshop, or H&M or *gasp* Primark, you will think that the fashion industry is, well, pretty fucking stupid. 

After seeing the things that Peter Jensen, Jena Theo, Vivienne Westwood & Luella can do... it just makes you you want to clap your hands and do a little dance. Fashion is much more than clothes - it's about expression, creativity, design and, believe it or not, fun. 

It's just unfortunate that the incredibly thin models, unrealistic body standards and the Anna Wintours of the world have painted the fashion industry a certain way. Is it its own fault? Yes. Have I usually despised the way designers have expected the female form to look and behave? Yes. 

And this is why I both love and hate fashion at the same time. 

I love the clothes... I just hate that they're not designed for a normal, healthily fed female body. 

It's been an education. I've put myself into situations I'm not exactly comfortable in, but I think that's a good thing. 

Sometimes I think putting your head down and "getting on with it" isn't necessarily the best approach. 

I think you need to look up and see where you're going, and take a little browse around. 

You can't stop the things that you're going to see from being there - you can only control your reaction to them, and how you let things - or do let things - affect you.

Can you take take it all in stride?

Have you got it in you?

Image from Peter Jensen & Laurie's LFW presentation via Mademoiselle Robot.

Comments

[Lori Smith]

I realised this year that I love fashion and it scares, intimidates and disgusts me too. So glad I'm not the only one. I felt frivolous and a traitor to the feminist cause - I'm getting over it though.

[Language Training Resources]

I posted your article to my myspace profile.

Regards
Tammy