So I joined a convo with my vibrant friend and fashion virtuoso, Emmanuel Attah, on Facebook the other day – a brilliant mind he is, any day. The meat of the conversation was about his opinion as to why people needed to be more correct in their application and adherence to fashion rules. I agreed with his ideas in principle, because conventional definitions of fashion imply there are rules to be followed. But I couldn’t ignore the need to emphasize the usually missed point in such opinions, which is the issue of balance or objectivity in use and expression of fashion and style.
You see, for many, fashion and style are the same and the old rule books must remain untouchable. Break them and get dragged or arrested by the fashion police! Lol. But not any more!
While I will try to avoid the polemics of a historical analysis behind fashion rules, I will like to stress a fundamental principle behind them, which is the idea that fashion in its primordial form is a cultural expression of style. Ironically, this fundamental principle also defeats a universal approach to the application of fashion and style.
If you missed it, my point is: why apply same rules from one fashion or style culture on a culturally diverse world? In my opinion, such application doesn’t make sense because culture itself evolves or changes with time. Ultimately, the need for such rules being cast in stone becomes debatable considering the pace of evolution is now more dynamic and disruptions have become the order of the day.
The truth is, even though conventional fashion comes with its own rules and formalities and there those who feel compelled to abide by them, the reality of today is that the times have changed. When you hear people say, “It’s a free world”, they’re actually making a universal claim to freedom of expression that has affected all aspects of human preferences in sexual orientation, religion, career, and very critically, in fashion. Does this mean we should say ‘bye bye’ to all the rules?
My take on that remains the same: go with what makes you go! Go for freedom! If breaking the rules creates a style that you are comfortable stepping out in and gives you that sense of freedom, then by all means, go for it. If you can make rocking it look so good, please do it.
Clearly, I’m on the “break them” side of them fashion laws. Lol. Seriously though, it’s for good reason. As a strong advocate for freedom of expression, it’s only natural for me to want same in my craft. My position becomes all the more important because I see fashion and style as a weapon of change and cultural liberation from deep seated forms of inferiority complexes caused by centuries of colonial mentality in the Motherland.
For too long, the mind of Africans have been conditioned to view beauty and perfection in many things (fashion chief of them) through western lenses. Completely robbed of a self-aware sense of identity, we now feel feel a need to always conform. How sad! But that has to change now.
As I mentioned in my Facebook comment on Attah’s post, I believe the onus is on us fashion creatives to change the narrative about how we as a people see and apply fashion as a lifestyle, cultural thingy, the same way the legendary Fela saw and sang about it in the masterpiece, Gentleman.
I believe the time has come for those of us who shape or influence fashion in Africa to think outside western boxes. Let’s create a fashion lifestyle that gives our people that sense of freedom to be who they truly are – a people with a rich and diverse cultural heritage.
As a matter of fact, we need to move over conforming to transforming. If indeed civilization started from the Motherland, then it’s high time we proselytized the continent and the world at large with our stitches, designs and native creativity again.
Final Words
Rules are what they are, and those who make them have one thing in mind: control.
How about making your own fashion lifestyle rules?
Don’t worry, the team at Arome Empire are primed to help you with all the cuts and stitches you need.
Arome Fashion Statements 