You think baseball hats, oversized hoodies, and sandals with socks are simply just standard components of your father's wardrobe? Think again. Fashion's biggest (anti-)trend has hit the streets, decking hip, young people out in "dad jeans" and white New Balance sneakers. Normcore has infiltrated the elite hipster world, while simultaneously perplexing the rest of humanity.
According to the ultra reliable resource of Urban Dictionary, normcore is defined as "an exercise in irony. It's being cool through not being cool". It's an anti-trend by nature; the act of standing out in a crowd by dressing absurdly normal. This ultra-conformist fashion movement follows an equally routine progression of trends. In fact, many decade-defining trends are nothing more than counter-culture's active rejection of the ordinary. All trends follow the same fate: a reaction, later commodified, followed by imminent rejection and replacement. The 70's are characterized by the hippie movement, whose fashion and lifestyle functioned as a direct response to 50's and 60's consumer culture. In more recent years, grunge ironically emerged among the youth of the 90's during one of the most profitable eras in American history. Teens rejected the "greed is good" mantra that drove the decade, and dressed accordingly.
Personally, I secretly love normcore. It's easy, comfortable, and refreshing among trends that were beginning to feel stale. Will normcore come to define our current decade? Only time will tell However, if one thing's for sure, the perpetual battle against normalcy will never cease in driving future trend-setters.
I sincerely apologize for neglecting my blogging duties these past few days. Now, with finals and classes completed, I will try and get back on my game. Hopefully.
I recently came across this stunning editorial from Vogue Russia featuring Candice Swanepoel. We all know Candice as a beloved Victoria's Secret Angel. From runway shows, to television advertisements and in-store features, the girl's face is everywhere. In spite of her risqué ensembles, the South African beauty has exuded a pretty cookie-cutter, "girl next door" persona in both interviews and past commercial photo shoots. However, this shoot in particular–shot by David Mushegain–sheds a new light on Candice. She inhibits a new found edginess within her fierce gaze. She recognizes that her killer bod is fully covered in exquisite garments, and acts accordingly. Her poses are strong and powerful as she transitions from the flirtatious world of Victoria's Secret.
I really love this side of Candice, and am eager to see her step outside the "Angels" bubble in the future.
The Met Gala is the yearly fashion pinnacle of all things glamorous. Last year's theme–Punk: Chaos to Couture–presented some of the most memorable looks to date. I think I shed a tear of joy upon seeing Sarah Jessica Parker's gold-gilded faux hawk.
This year showcased ensembles nothing short of incredible. "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" brought out the opulent, old-style glamour attributed to the famed designer. James' influence was unmistakable on the red carpet; the wide array of attendees arrived in incredible garments to pay tribute to"America's First Courtier".
Hollywood's power couples ruled the red carpet in complimenting style. The always fashionable Johnny Depp looked dashing in Ralph Lauren, with beau Amber Heard completing the picture in a sumptuous Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown. The pair were styled superbly. Depp's pocket watch, glasses, and cane evoked old-glamour next to Heard's dark lip-stick, nail polish, and classic up-do.
It doesn't take much to make the Beckham's look good, yet the couple–in matching snow white–managed to exceed expectations. David donned Ralph Lauren and Victoria was radiant in a vintage-inspired dress from her own Pre-Fall 2014 collection, naturally.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were my personal favorite dynamic duo of the night. Both looked dashing, even reminiscent of Old Hollywood couples like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Baccall. The Gossip Girl star dazzled in a clinquant Gucci dress with luscious curls. Reynolds looked equally dapper in a–you guessed it–Gucci velvet tuxedo and burgundy bow tie.
It is impossible to discuss Hollywood's power couples without mentioning the Carters. Beyoncé and Jay Z looked striking on the red carpet, both evoking 20s extravagance. Beyoncé's plunging, black-beaded Givenchy gown, with matching head piece, transformed her into a modern-day flapper girl.
Other notable mentions include: Karlie Kloss' magnificent Oscar De La Renta gown and Rachel McAdam's Jackie Kennedy-esque champagne pink Ralph Lauren dress.
