Do you ever walk into a party and realize that the super unique, carefully crafted look that you spent hours putting together has been replicated by every other girl in the room? The skinny jeans/scarf/graphic tee/cardigan combo? The vintage dress/colorful shoes/red lipstick ensemble? The converse sneakers/concert tee/hoodie/jelly bracelets look?
Ari Verslius and Ellie Uyttenbroek were interested in the unspoken dress codes of different social groups and began systematically documenting these groups over the course of 14 years. Nobody escaped the camera - indie boys, dapper gentlemen, even shaved-headed track suit wearers.
I'm certainly there, circa 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2040. These days I think I look closest to these girls. What?!
Which one are you?
It was not without disappointment that I saw the various incarnations of myself tucked in with all those other women. I think it's quite normal to want to believe we're each a little bit special, and a little bit different than everybody else. The crux is not equating that individuality with the clothes we choose to wear. Of course - I'm all over fashion that expresses who I am and how I want to portray myself (I am, after all, the owner of an Eskimo coat) but, after seeing this exhibit, I think it's worth remembering that it is the lovely, amazing, unique person beneath the clothes that makes the look work, not the other way around.
18 comments:
OMG! I cant belive I look so plain I think im a Natural hahaha, NO I need to make that resolution # 1, Find an style!! Anyone interested in helping???
What an amazing project! I often concern myself with the question of whether anyone's dress sense or style is individual/original, and this pretty much answers that. I love your summation - it's what inside that counts! Your posts are always engaging, informative and a pleasure to read Miss V.
God, I love looking at Exactitudes. It makes me head spin!
Fascinating art work. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Von! Can I just say that you made my day by commenting on whatwouldleodo? It's been dead quiet lately and I loathe the sound of no hands clapping. Do come back!
Love/A.
I think I've seen this project a few months ago, it's fascinating isn't it?
I've never really been into expressing myself through clothing, mostly because I was so shy and insecure when I moved across the country at age 13 that I just wanted to blend in. Now my goal is to feel comfortable with how I look, whether it's casual or dressy. It's all about liking yourself, isn't it?
wow, what a cool site! i love that up until that moment, most of those people were probably thinking about how original their outfit was! kinda makes you think...i never realized it was SO difficult to be original these days!
Ah! Thanks for this! I cannot wait to get home and look at every single page and pick out the different looks I can relate to.
This project is MESMERIZING. I feel several wasted hours coming on.
You're right, of course: Without your personal sass, confidence, and sparkle, ANY outfit - unique or mass-consumed - would fall flat!
am i the only one who finds this project vaguely racist (and ageist)? Why aren't caucasians allowed to have the same style as african-americans? Why are all teenagers automatically the same?
Maybe I'm too lazy to bother going all the way through, but I actually can't find my style in there as specifically as I thought I was going to be able to (but I am the only one of my 'social group' that has my particular style, so I guess I'm already an outlier- sweatpants? in PUBLIC? are you ill?). Lots of things that appeal to + inspire me, though. I guess the Teknohippies are the closest to what I am.
Beth, I can see where you're coming from. I imagine that the artists felt that the images would be more arresting visually the more similar they were - including skin color.
Also: I was a bit disappointed that all the backpackers were guys. I'd be right there with my dirty hair and oversized pack!
Oh, I'm sure that's what they were going for, ideatively. I just found it kind of shocking.
And I agree with the backpacking thing! And (looking more carefully at it now) is the trademark of a Teknohippie that they wear clothing that doesn't fit them?
Ok, statistically, if one shops at Target, the chances are that you'll bump into someone wearing an identical outfit. However if you shop at a high street outlet, the odds fall dramatically... LLO No. 21 (LLO: Life's little observations)
:)
I know my style is a type. But, for the most part I don't see my type very much and that works for me.
Sorry I haven't gotten back to your email. I will ASAP, and the answer is yes, thank you!!:-)
Wow this I really like!
Great post! I was soo the 1994 girl too, lol
How have I missed this post?? This is a fantastic project, and while I seriously doubt that you now look like an Asian woman (or were you referring to their clothes?), I'm delighting at all of the similarities.
You're right...it's who we are when we're naked that makes us who we are. Or something.
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