I Write Sins Not Tragedies

It's much better to face these kinds of things with a sense of poise and rationality.

Top: Kirin | Pants: Zara | Pearls: Mikimoto | Bag: Marc Jacobs |  Sunglasses: D&G

 

Well this calls for a toast,
So pour the champagne, pour the champagne

 

  “I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.” 

― Augusten Burroughs, Magical Thinking: True Stories  

My very own take on the ornate renaissance inspired Baroque trend for Fall/Winter 2012 is what explains this very covered up outfit, which was a risk for me--- another challenge to my  how I am used to dressing up norm. I reckon, I seem to believe in change so much and I have on many occasions, gone over and out beyond my comfort zone and have recently experimented on new looks. It was a risk again, this outfit. But one of my favorite authors is famously quoted many times saying, "What you risk reveals what you value." And while I am passionate about fashion, I know that at the same time, it is not an exact science. You cannot objectify an outfit or a person's style. It's an art form, a way of self expression and I for one, do not take it too seriously as I believe I am at that stage where I want to evolve, rather than simply stick to one style. I always said I enjoy taking risks when it comes to dressing up... this outfit is a testament to that. 

It is, I have to say, very rich, ornate and over the top (I figured, if you are going for the Baroque trend, it is better to go all out, like what brands such as Balmain, Alexander McQueen and Dolce and Gabbana have proven to us via their runway shows as what works if ever one should decided to dive into the whole Baroque trend) 

 I am notorious for my love for luxurious pieces- rich hues, luxe fabrics, so this outfit was, in a sense, still very much an extension of my personal style but as always, with a twist.  The tricky part when it comes to wearing the Baroque trend for 2012 is making sure it does not seem too costume-y. After all, we are channeling opulence and the reign of exquisite Rococo styled fashion and not the Queen of England circa 1600's. Lucky for me, 17th century-inspired pieces are popping up everywhere, and surprisingly simple to incorporate into everyday ensembles. As I realized, in the case of this outfit, one need not be royalty or a rock god to own lace, lavish ornaments, adornment and decadent fabrics in the form of opulent brocades and jacquard. In the case of this look, with the silhouette of the blouse that was so conservative and the matching of the tones, it is apparent how I did not skimp on the serving of texture (lace and jacquard), print (floral and geometric designs) and of course  the key factor when it comes to the trend, a rich serving of GOLD, enough to make King Midas proud. 

 

How to wear this trend: Go Bold or Go Home.
 I am so happy with the oxymoron the outfit I wore provided since while it did dive into the Old World style which resembles the historic fashion costume period of Rome in the 17th Century, it also had a modern appeal to it, courtesy of the structure of the two separate pieces of my blouse and trousers. Key items to look for in this trend are heavily ornamented/rich fabrics, embroidery (particularly in gold and black), loose puffy sleeves, velvets, leathers, silk brocades, needlepoint, tapestry and gold thread details.  

Gold, gold and more gold! Black and white contrasts is also a common signature of this trend as well as loads of rich twirling patterns versus hard lines. This trend is highly over the top and screams rich indulgence. Something I know all my readers know I have a high regard for.

What else can I say except- humorously gush out the words: "If it's not baroque, don't fix it."

The entry of the title is appropriately themed with the nature of the look as it is a popular song from Baroque Rock Band, Panic! At The Disco and if you were to listen to the track, you would recognize how eerily significant it applies and relates to the clothes I decided to wear for a very important meeting where I had to be conservative and very formal. I referenced 1600 Rome, and played up on the Belladonna/Madonna Look. The original Madonna...not the sassy '80s entertainer, as the period had large impacting religious undertones which actually makes it work well with certain Gothic pieces since cross embellishments, leather and velvet fabrics are given accents to both trends.While I do not want to commit heresy or sacrilege as I have a high respect for religious symbols kudos to my strict religious upbringing, I want to delve into the entire concept of human flaws, as referenced by my blog title of writing sins and not tragedies. 

As I have repeated many times in entries, I believe in this and subscribe to this way of thinking. This is also in reference to everything that has been going on, the sins committed, the tragic outcomes of people's actions and how it is indeed better to face these things with a sense of poise and rationality. I have to admit I did not do so 100% of time, granted I have emotions which run rampant and which I am not good at hiding.

Everything happened so quickly that my head was constantly spinning, and I was aware---most of the time. All of us have flaws. All of us have bad days. All of us make mistakes. And if you're Catholic, all of us commit sins. We're flawed at the genetic level---it's what makes us human. But when your every move is watched, your flaws are magnified the same way a jeweler's eyeglass reveals the white specks in a flawed diamond. When your every move is watched, your flaws are magnified and shown to everyone as a warning of how NOT to be and as entertainment, instead of what they really are- just proof that you're like everybody else. 

I think it's high time people admit to their sins rather than invent their own tragedies. 

xx, JL 

INSPIRATIONS TO THE LOOK: