Hello lovelies? How was your weekend? I hope you had a terrific time. I was scheduled to work, but when I rocked up at 8:30am to the vet clinic after driving over 20km, it turned out that the roster had been changed and no one remembered to call me. Oh well, at least I got to wake up early and read The Age and miraculously scored a weekend off! Instead of sulking, I worked on my Media Kit and the Press page of the blog, and wish to extend my utmost gratitude to everyone who have featured me on their blogs and publications. I am so honored. Thank you so much.
Sunday was one of the best days I’ve ever had. No exaggeration. Got to visit the Oakleigh Market and found some lovely vintage treasures (to be revealed in future posts), met a dear friend at LuxBite to satisfy our sweet cravings, checked in to The Cullen hotel in celebration of our 4th wedding anniversary and went to watch the BILL CUNNINGHAM film. Boy was I blown away, by Bill’s sincerity, humility, kindness and lightning fast photographic skills. His pure appreciation of aesthetics that was not tainted by class, status, money or labels, as well as his simple lifestyle and fiery love for his work brought me to tears and to my knees (metaphorically). This has been the most inspiring movie I’ve ever seen. EVER. So since we are on the topic of fashion and style, I wrote this article to see what your stance is.
A question I often always ask people around me is, ‘Why do Australians like football and food more than fashion?’ Now before you jump to the comments section to answer this question, allow me to share my suspicions.
There are many ways to skin a cat. The football industry is a multi-million dollar one, albeit a boring one, in my opinion. Aside from the big bucks, there is a lot of politics involved, and football is afterall, the national sport of Down Under. It is talked about in nearly every page of the newspaper, especially in the Sports section. There are countless TV shows and advertisements related to sport, and compared to fashion, it is like comparing Goliath to David.
Food, oh glorious food. How can anyone say no to food? We live for food, especially after the introduction of ‘MasterChef‘, the fine dining sector of the economy is enjoying a scrumptuous boom. It seems that there are more cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars than there are culinary dishes. Everyone is learning to cook, enjoying food and neglecting fashion. The GFC is not helping either, as more people stop treating themselves to new garments and accessories, and instead indulge in edible experiences.
Fashion is so much more exciting, prettier, and enticing. However Australians, as a whole, much prefer watching the footy and food shows than ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ or ‘Project Runway’. The difference in interest is mind-boggling. Why is that? I contemplated, considered and finally conceded the following reasons.
- Unfortunately, fashion is not a national sport here. Australia, can you please learn a little from Paris?
- Everyone can eat even if they can’t cook (ok not everyone can kick a footy, me included), but not everyone has the confidence to pull off fashionable trends
- Everyone can afford to eat and watch footy on TV, but not everyone can afford designer clothes
Sometimes I wonder, if the majority of our fashion industry was not dominated by big chain stores which produce mediocre fashion, and instead clever designs and high end fashion was in the limelight, would more people become more intrigued and develop more appreciation for design and fashion? I’d like to think so. I call it ‘the best thing since good bread’ effect.
I experienced this phenomenon first hand when I went to Paris years ago. I have never liked bread or butter in my life, until I devoured the entire basket of heavenly baked deliciousness with creamy butter before the arrival of the 1st course of my Parisian dinner. The bread in Paris changed my life, well at least my appreciation of bread. Good bread is amazing! Now I don’t eat bread unless it’s the good stuff.
Similarly, I never used to liked candles, the ones I remember smelling when I was young nearly made me nauseaous because they were made from synthetic chemicals. I never understood why people adored scented candles, I recall asking someone once ‘But don’t they make you sick?’ and getting a confused well-plucked eyebrow movement in response. But after expriencing the aromas of Ladurée, Archipelago and Fragonard candles, I find myself completely addicted to exquisite fragrant candles. They are the best! Why buy cheap and nasty when you can have the seriously scented?
Image source here
Anyway, I could go on about my ‘best thing since good bread’ theory, but you get the drift. Can you guess how I became so passionate about fashion? Definitely not from reading catalogues from budget retailers or mass market brochures. It’s the good stuff that inspired me like this online magazine.
There is so much amazing fashion in Australia. This country houses some of the best designers, stylists, retailers, models, and photographers in the world. The public needs to see real fashion in the spotlight it deserves rather than fashion appearing in the media as a ridiculed or mocked subject. Fashion is a language, a universal language, and a powerful one at that. Bill Cunningham fondly describes fashion as ‘the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.’ Without fashion, Bills says it would be getting rid of ‘civilisation‘. What one wears says so much about them. It is capable of transformations, elevations, and can even help its wearer speak another language, a confident body language, for example. Somehow I doubt carrying a football or a frying pan would have the same effect.
Now it’s your cue to comment like crazy, and go watch the Bill Cunningham film.
I loved the post, here in Brazil we love football and food, but fashion has a very strong place in the lives of Brazilians also breathe fashion and thankfully she has marked its place here! Kisses:)
http://www.coqueluxos.com
Hi Mery, yes you are indeed very blessed! Go Brazil!
Funny post!
But hey! we all the world needs to learns a little bit about Paris.
I don’t know why the australians love football and food, but at least there is a third word waiting for them (and starts with F too ;)
See you cutie!
Yes exactly Deppa! An we all need a little bit of Paris in us!
Very nice!
I liked!
very interesting blog post you have teased this dilemma out perfectly! I am yet to find a fellow fashionista who is a die hard footy goer, perhaps we are programed one way or the other ;)
xxx
hahaha so you love footy and fashion? That’s awesome!!
If everyone appreciated and donned fashion like the great fashionistas such as yourself, then there won’t be exquisite fashion anymore. Everything will be mass market. It’s precisely the fact that you found ‘good’ bread that everything else pales in comparison. If mass market could produce ‘good’ bread, then there would be no distinction. In short, in order for some things/people to be unique, there has to be a segregation. My 2 cents. I still love you Cecylica!
Justin you spelt my name wrong :) I don’t expect the mass market to produce good bread, I just wish the majority would fall head over heels in love with good bread :)
Apologies CC… it was a typo! I should’ve just stick with the short form.
lol just teasing Justin :D
C! This post is so brilliant I’ve felt like this for YEARS about Australia.
Your so clever.
Miss you pretty girl.
<3
Miss you more Jen!!! Catch up soon!
Nothing beats fashion & food for me!
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
gosh those are some great shots!
i love the laduree candles! they are the best!!
xx
I am one for supporting the talents of local & Australian designers. I am in awe of Yeojin Bae at present. She is super talented! I don’t fancy mass produced garments and rather choose quality over quantity. I shall never forget a quote from the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ offered by Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. She mocks Anne Hathaway’s character, Andrea Sachs, when she refers to fashion as “stuff”. I have to agree with Miranda. It really isn’t stuff. Fashion is life in motion.
Glad you had a wonderful weekend! You deserve to. x
Thank you for your wonderful and insightful comment Suzi. Did you see my pink Yeojin Bae skirt in the previous blog post? :)
Yes, I commented on the Yeojin Bae skirt! Love it! ;)
CC, I ordered the skirt online last night & am very excited to receive it! Thanks for your pics because they really helped me make my decision. xx
Loved it!! x
Your blog is so good!!
Thanks for your comment! ;-)
In my country is the same thing, we are starting to care more about fashion. Great post, love the pictures.I want to see Bill C. movie too, enjoy. Kisses from http://www.stylepicture.blogspot.com
I need to see the Bill Cunningham movie. I love his photos. I feel like I live in place that cares more about sports than fashion. It’s so amazing to see a growing community of designers and fashion obsessed girls like me.
It’s so true…and kinda sad that the majority don’t love fashion :(
Thanks for your lovely comment. I love the post and your blog.
Following you!
xx
http://puskiscloset.blogspot.com
wonderful blog!
I love the layout!
?http://www.juliphotodiary.com?
I like so much your blog , and the wat you wear the vintage .
come for a visit, and if you like sign as follower…I’ll do back
ciao ave
Interesting post Cecylia! Need watch Bill Cunningham asap, esp after your post :)
I think people are just passionate about different things…and while we love fashion, a lot of fashion is about keeping up appearances and wanting the ‘best’ of fashion which like you said, is a luxury that most cannot afford! High fashion can be exclusive and therein lies the appeal for some, but is a turn-off for others? You can have great style and I think there’s actually a lot more people that enjoy good style and aesthetic, but not the whole deal that goes on in ‘fashion’ per se.
I LOVE this post and what’s not to love about Paris.
Happy tuesday.
A xx
PS: Follow you already hon – anyaadores xx
Your blog is very nice. I love your look. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Un beso
thank you so much for your little time dropping by to my site. your blog is so unique and really beautiful post. hope to hear more from you! keep it up. greetings from Italy. xoxo, Haus of Gala
Nice post, lovely blog.
Awesome post!
Love your writing!
xoxox,
CC
Have you ever tied italian bread? :-)
http://thestyleattitude.blogspot.com/
Hello! Thank U for the comment! of coure I follow U! Great ideas, goreous outfits, and I LOVE your best accessory, Theodore is AMAZING! kisses for both of U!
nik
Interesting blog you`ve got here, fantastic style of writing, I`m definitely following you now!
http://www.elekonchicboutique.com
A thought-provoking and sweet post – and oh, how I love Ladurée. And good bread really just can’t be beaten. Craving some now!
Thanks for paying my blog a visit!
praisingshadows.blogspot.com
thank you!! Love your comment, oooh we have something in common :)
Sounds like a great trip! :)
i had the same experience with the bread in paris- every day i made it a regular stop to the bakery!:)
ps)ultra cool blog layout!
Thank you Penny! Ooh we have something else in common :)
thank you so much for your comment in my blog!!!
so you liked the parisian bread, didn’t you??, then you must eat the spanish one (specially from galicia) you’ll die for it!!!!
x.o.
Hi,
your picture are fantastic. I’m new follower, if do you would to follow me, I thanks you. Bye good day.Alex
[…] s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); Jump to CommentsA few weekends back, as mentioned here, hubby and I had the chance to stay at the Cullen for a night, in celebration of our 4 year wedding […]
tenue parfaite! très mignonne!
aww, merci beaucoup!