Fashion, passion, obsession

I remember first time watching Black Swan  and wanting to hit the replay button the moment it ended. I must have watched it 5 times in the next few days after the premiere. I was obsessed with a movie that spoke so well about obsession. Growing up in a ballet school and telling myself everyday that I needed to be perfect taught me a good lesson about how dangerous such behaviour can be. Yet there were times when I’ve almost lost my mind over things like wanting to be very skinny, taller or more like someone else who I’ve found perfect. These moments, however, only lasted for brief periods of time in my life. But now, observing how many women are victims of obsession, it makes me wonder what’s the fine line between being really passionate about something and losing control.

More than anything, women now seem to be obsessed with fashion. With models, with being thin, with wearing the latest trends and essentially with being part of a world that from the outside seems so perfect. And when the victims are denied the entrance into such an enchanting world, they become insecure and desperate. The only remaining solution is imitation.

What these women don’t understand is that no matter how skinny they are, no matter how perfect their hair looks or how much they resemble Giselle Bündchen, they will not be her and can’t have her life. They won’t be sent invitations to sit in the front row at fashion shows or be photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue. What that means is their efforts will most likely pass unnoticed and there will be another hundred girls looking just like them and trying just as hard. Or even harder. Remember that girl in The Devil Wears Prada who was only eating a cube of cheese when feeling like fainting? She didn’t get to go to Fashion Week because the smart one took her place. 

All the great people I’ve ever met were incredibly passionate about something. And they loved that something so much they forgot about themselves. Their curiosity, genuine interest and desire to learn more are what makes the difference between passion and obsession. The latter is about ego. About the incapacity to appreciate something without necessarily being (an important) part of it. Not only this is trivial and shallow but it also is a waste of time. 

I don’t think many of the women (especially models) who are now so famous will be later remembered as icons. Not even style icons, I would say. The difference between them and someone like Audrey Hepburn for example, is that when you look beyond the image you find more or less nothing. It takes an intelligent, special, strong and different woman to become memorable. And such a women is anything but self-absorbed. 

I will always be passionate about style, fashion, beauty and loveliness. There are many other things I enjoy and wish to explore. Once you understand how important it is to discover who you actually are instead of desperately trying to fill someone else’s shoes, life gets a little brighter. John Lennon once said that life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. I would say life is what happens while you’re busy being someone else. And it would be a real pity to miss that. 

Falling for fall

While some may be sad because summer is officially over, I for one feel very excited about the beginning of a new season. This is not only because living in London makes it almost impossible to grasp the difference between summer and autumn but the following months will be filled with lovely events and wonderful walks in the park. However, for those who feel frightened by the perspective of gloomy days that lay ahead and the inevitable fading of their tans, I have decided to give a you a few reasons to put a smile on your face.

First of all, fall means Fashion Week. You don’t necessarily have to attend and sit in the front row in order to get in the mood and celebrate a month of creativity. You could only get your camera and take photographs of the amazing people who are going to make the streets of New York, London, Milan and Paris look more beautiful than ever. This is also the perfect occasion to surround yourself with ideas and inspiration from those who love beautiful clothes. But before Fashion Week, there is another event not to be missed: Fashion’s Night Out. There is one week left until one of the most delightful nights of shopping with friends, stylish people from everywhere and the world’s famous fashionistas. For every capital hosting this event, you will find a map and lots of information to download and if you want to know my suggestion, keep an eye on your favourite shops, brands and people just to make sure you’re heading to the right places first. Because there is going to be so much to see and do. As for me, I will be here so come say bonsoir.

Another event I am going to attend is the Beauty Editor’s Day organised by Bazaar at Selfridges on September 29. This won’t be a first time for me so I can assure you it is a lovely gathering for beautiful ladies.

For rainy afternoons, there is no better place to be than the Royal Academy especially starting with the 17th of September for the Degas and the ballet exhibition. Another favourite of mine is the Richard Young gallery in Kensington. And since you will be in the neighbourhood, get a book with you and go read in the Chelsea Physic Garden, one of the hidden treasures of London.

I also love autumn that much because there are so many movie premiers, plays and concerts. For starters there is Almodóvar’s new movie- The Skin I Live In- that I have absolutely loved, so if you haven’t seen it by now, you should. I am also looking forward to We Need To Talk About Kevin and I have a feeling it is going to be an exquisite movie. If you need more ideas on what is going around this month, check Time Out’s list here. 

Most important than all, fall is simply a wonderful time. There is a dreamy and poetic atmosphere that we should all enjoy and not let the pace of the city take it away from us. Go for long walks and admire the colours that sometimes can leave one as speechless as a Monet does. Read, write, dream and enjoy all the beauty around you allowing yourself to feel happy just for being. And if you are looking for something that you will never forget, go for at least a weekend in Paris, in October. When you will sit in Jardin du Luxembourg, unable to walk or talk, maybe even think, you shall know what I meant by saying this is only a preview:

For Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower, as Camus used to say. 

P.S September also has a special meaning for me because it was on 9/9/2009 when my best friend and I moved to London. And next week we will be celebrating 2 years of this magnificent city in style.