Monday, June 1, 2015

Sophia Bush

 I chose to look at Sophia Bush's style choices because she is someone that I greatly admire. One of the main reasons that I like her fashion choices so much is because they relate to mine in several ways. This is because her outfit choices vary in several different ways, resulting in numerous styles. The first outfit that is shown is a simple but chic look. I really like this outfit choice because I believe that it is comfortable but also very fashionable. Although a shirt and simple shoes is not very fancy, the ripped jeans make the outfit very stylish and appropriate for a day out and about. I also chose to do Sophia Bush because I really agree with the idea that she is okay with not doing what every other celebrity is with her style. That being said, Sophia Bush stands out from others because when she is not on the red carpet or at an event, she is wearing a normal outfit that anyone else could wear. I believe that Sophia Bush relates to our class discussions because we often discuss the idea that some celebrities or wealthy people are only wearing things because they are "in style," not because they want to. Therefore, by Sophia Bush wearing these outfits that differ from others, it shows that she is wearing what she truly wants, rather than what other people want or expect her to do.

This outfit is very cute and also reflects something that I would choose to wear. I really like how she is wearing all black because I believe it is very classy and elegant looking. Also, many times celebrities use bright colors to stand out or go along with the most recent "trend" but with this outfit she is clearly dressing in a way that is comfortable for her. However, the use of a silver clutch allows for her to add her own style and personality into the outfit, which makes her differ from other celebrities.
One of the main reasons that I admire Sophia Bush so greatly is because she uses her clothing to stand up for what she believes in. In the picture to the left, she is wearing a shirt with a bold statement firing back at a design that Urban Outfitters created, promoting eating disorders. The fact that she is a celebrity and still promotes healthy body image is incredible. After she fired back at this company, she was seen numerous times wearing this shirt to help raise awareness to others that this type of disease is an issue that people need to be more aware of.

This outfit choice somewhat relates to the first one that I discussed in the sense that it is simple and casual and something that anyone would be able to wear. One of the elements that I like most about this outfit is the use of her jewelry. Sophia Bush is wearing a very simple outfit but then added a bright and bold statement necklace to add her own touch to it.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Diversity of Fashion within Camden Locks


For our location of choice, we chose to research the Camden Market, a London district that is known for its many large retail markets and food stalls within the area. It is definitely a London must see with total immersion and its quirky atmosphere. When taking pictures of some of Camden Market's people and places, we noticed that parts of the market had its own distinct characteristics. People had very different types of dress styles and the exterior and artwork of the buildings was something that was very different from the other districts of London that I've been to so far.

One of the philosophical theories that I thought was very accurate to the people's clothing style at the market was Immanuel Kant's. Kant's philosophical theory, also known as Kantianism states that people should conform to moral law that has to do with respect for others and allows individuals to make choices for themselves. He also states that everyone has their own value and no one should ever be lied to, manipulated, used or dehumanized (Salazar 5/27/15).

As a person who believes in respect for others, I completely agree with this theory. People should not be judged or ridiculed about what they believe in or in this case what they were. People's fashion choice can sometimes be a method of asserting theirselves in society.


I was able to see Kant’s theory come into play at the market as well. The fashion choices of people in Camden Lock derived from Hipster and Punk Rock influences. Many of their fashion styles consisted of leather jackets, plaid or bright colored clothing, and tattoos or piercings. While these particular styles may not be very relevant to what most of us would wear, everybody in the market was still respected and accepted for what they wore. On a side note we also noted that while there were diverse clothing styles among the people who occupied Camden market, many of them could be seen in the same locations together. It showed how there was no tension between the different types of groups like the hipsters and punk rockers and everybody could easily get along.



While Kant does promote the idea that people should be respected for the choices that they make, he does make a strong argument about taste and fashion. Kant states that “Fashion is not properly a matter of taste (for it may be extremely antagonistic to taste), but a matter of mere vanity in order to appear distinguished, and a matter of competition in order to surpass others in it” (Salazar, 5/24/15). I find Kant’s argument very reasonable and believe that we should still maintain respectable, if not professional, images for ourselves if we are to be seen as well-respected members of society. In contrast, while Kantianism is a very good philosophical view that explains the fashion choices of Camden Market, Kant would mostly likely disagree with their taste in fashion.

The second philosophical theory that could really tie in to what we experienced in the area is Georg Simmel’s theory on the double-sided nature of society. The two sides that Simmel refers to are Liberation and Alienation. Simmel states that “Groups function to enforce standards and conformity but also provide support and meaning. Money and individualism mean more liberation but with the cost of alienation” (Salazar 5/24/15).

This plays into how we identified various social groups within the area. The punk rockers and hipsters usually tended to stick together in groups, most likely because they share similar views and interests. The fact that people actually associate their selves in certain groups can relate to the aspect of conformity along with providing support and meaning. While this may relate along the lines of sociology, people will usually feel safer or more comfortable when they can find an individual or a group of people that share the same background or characteristics as them. It is also easier for them to go to groups that they associate themselves with if they feel that no one else understands them.  This has to do with the side of Liberation and the side of Alienation comes from the fact that they would feel distant with people who do not associate their selves with any of these social groups.

There is another philosophical which is not from our class lectures, but is mentioned in Elizabeth Wilson’s work, Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity, which comes from Thorstein Veblen. Veblen argued that conspicuous waste accounted for change in fashion, but he also believed in a “native taste”, which relates to some kind of essential good taste, to which conspicuous wastefulness was actually abhorrent. It is abhorrent, he argued, because it is a ‘psychological law’ that we ‘abhor futility’- and to Veblen the stylistic oddities of fashion were manifestly futile (Wilson p 52)”. Veblen’s ideals apply to the market since there are multiple different kinds of stores. Some of the stores sell uncomfortable things like corsets and high heels, while some sell cozy t-shirts and sweat pants. This variety in choices allows each individual to choose which fashion style is abhorrent and which is not.

After taking some time to experience the sights of Camden, There were quite a few pros and cons to the area. I think that it’s best to focus on the pros first. One of the things that I felt was a positive to Camden market was that there was a plethora of self-expression within the area. Everybody really asserts themselves through what they choose to wear and even what group they affiliate their selves with. However what makes the Camden market so unique from most areas of London is that it is widely known for its presence of art in the area. While passing through I saw 3D art sculptures for the exterior of shoe stores and tattoo and piercing parlors. You can also see a painted sign that reads “Camden Lock” which lets you know what exact part of the area you are in.

One of the sights that really caught my attention was when I had saw a homeless man on the sidewalk who looked like he was writing quotes or drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk. This really stood out to me because in a way, it showed that everyone in this location is asserting their artistic talents even if they be in a lower class than others.

People were also very welcoming and willing to help whenever we went into their shops. Based on what we were wearing and the fact we had on backpacks, they could easily make the assumptions that we were tourists or students and it was amazing how many of the shopkeepers would go out of their way to help us if we couldn’t decide on what exactly to buy. It really helped add a warm, welcoming atmosphere to the area.

Perhaps one of the biggest cons for me was that I had sort of felt uncomfortable at some parts in the market. I come from a very suburban hometown and a lot of the clothing styles worn by people in the area were one’s that I really wouldn’t see back at home. I easily felt like a stuck out compared to most people which made me feel a bit introverted while walking through the markets and observing some of the clothing within the area. However, there was really nothing to be worried about since most of the people in the area were friendly despite their appearances and most of them didn’t really approach you while walking around the markets so long as you didn’t cause trouble. So in other words, there was really nothing to be worried about since nobody in the Camden market bites.


I’ve felt the Camden Locks to be a very unique area of London and it is very familiar with people many of the inhabitants of England. It is definitely infamous for its wide-scale sense of art and fashion choices that would seem a bit unusual to most areas of London. One assumption that I had made was that based on the amount of punk rock influences from clothing and art, I had actually questioned if Soho was once like that in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Even if you don’t affiliate yourself with the hipster or punk rock culture, Camden Lock is definitely a must see location if you happen to be spending some time in London and its an opportunity that you should not turn down.


Works cited:

Salazar, Lecture notes 5/24/15, 5/27/15

Wilson, Elizabeth. Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity. Berkeley: U of California, 1987. Print.

Some pictures found on Google Images

Soho London Fashion

Soho district in London, England during the first half of the 20th century acted as a buffer between the rich west end and the lower class. It was known as the center for the sex industry and was populated with poor artists and musicians. This cesspool of artistry and sex fueled the beginning of many fashion movements in London. In the 1980’s, Soho was transformed with its sex industry venues and abandoned buildings replaced with trendy restaurants and media offices. Although its grungy reputation has changed, Soho remains as the fashion trendsetter of London.
Figure 1
Figure 2
            With the gentrification of Soho at the end of the 1980’s, more upper class people and businesses began moving into the newly developed real-estate. Fashion designers such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, and many others have set up stores in Soho, marking the movement of high end fashion into the area. As seen in Figure 1, the street is lined with high end stores such as Chanel and Tiffany and Co. The man’s suit is tailored to be well fitted, showing his wealth and status. The slightly blue colored suit matched with a modern pink tie portrays an image of elegance and fashion know-how.

Figure 3


            Figure 4 is a picture of two girls in their early 20’s that were in the high fashion area of Soho very close to the couple seen in Figure 1. They were very hesitant to have their picture taken and protested that their outfits were not fashionable. The girl on the left is sporting a floor length, black jumpsuit with a leather jacket and black flats. This outfit showcases the classic London look of modesty and use of dark colors. The one on the right is wearing a navy dress with a matching coat and tan loafers. This girl was very adamant that her outfit was not fashionable. Her insecurity proves that there is a large emphasis on fashion in this high end area of Soho. While her dress and jacket would be identified as fashionable, in this district many people put large effort into their ensembles and are more conscientious about their trendiness and fashion choices. Both of these outfits use the subtle, dark colors that are so iconic to the traditional London look.
The woman displays a classy yet more casual look than her partner.  Her elegant scarf matched with her simple outfit clashes with the striking red in her handbag.  This represents the simplistic color scheme that Londoners typically follow and the woman’s risk of the red bag as a pop of color against her elegant ensemble. Her feminine high heels prove her dedication to fashion as she
treks the cobble stone sidewalks. This couple symbolizes the fashion forward demographic of the upper class in Soho. They both represent the traditional London wear with subtle, dark colors and tailored silhouettes while depicting modernity with clashing, fashion-forward colors. As seen in Figures 2 and 3 many men use colors to display fashion forwardness in their traditional work and personal attire.
Figure 4

Figure 4 is a picture of two girls in their early 20’s that were in the high fashion area of Soho very close to the couple seen in Figure 1. They were very hesitant to have their picture taken and protested that their outfits were not fashionable. The girl on the left is sporting a floor length, black jumpsuit with a leather jacket and black flats. This outfit showcases the classic London look of modesty and use of dark colors. The one on the right is wearing a navy dress with a matching coat and tan loafers. This girl was very adamant that her outfit was not fashionable. Her insecurity proves that there is a large emphasis on fashion in this high end area of Soho. While her dress and jacket would be identified as fashionable, in this district many people put large effort into their ensembles and are more conscientious about their trendiness and fashion choices. Both of these outfits use the subtle, dark colors that are so iconic to the traditional London look.
Figure 5

Soho is not only home to the upper class; many middle and working class make up the demographic of the region. Figure 5 shows a girl in her “uniform” during her shift as a private club hostess. Her uniform consists of all black and is very dressy. Although she is not one of the high class patrons that attends this club, she is still expected to portray a very classy image. In the area, even the working people are pressured to wear fashionable outfits to fit into the high end environment. Although she is required to dress the way she is, her bright pink lipstick is her own and shows her style. It also follows the trend in this area where people add a small pop of color to their dark and subtle ensembles. Her use of color works as an “expressive artform” (Wilson 47) where she can showcase her individuality even through her uniform. The classes of individuals can be easily spotted by what clothes they are wearing. In Figure 6, the man was in the same area of Soho but is wearing a very different outfit then most men on the street. This look is a lot more casual and although it is still fashion forward, it is reasonable to assume he is not in the same class as the men sporting designer suits.
Figure 6

In this high end area of Soho, England, those who fit in with high end fashion ensembles can easily pick out those who obviously are not in their class just by their outfits. When I walked into expensive stores such as Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Rento, the attendees did not come up to me or offer assistance because it was apparent by my dress that I could not afford anything in their stores. The use of fashion as class indication perpetuates classism and separates societies. “Fashion acts as a fight for status” (Wilson 50) by physically marking those who can afford high end fashion versus those who cannot. Karl Marx argued that class membership is defined by one’s relationship to the means of production. Those who could spend money on goods and owned means of production were the higher classes. Marx was very much against the separation of classes and believed fashion as an indicator of class differences. Fashion conserves the distances between classes by forcing people to blatantly display their rank with their clothing. In Soho, the richer population is easy to pick out and therefore they enjoy the privileges that accompany being high class. Fashion therefore preserves classism by distinguishing the differences.
 The need for those of an upper class to continually showcase their wealth through their fashion forces them to buy high end clothing. The prices of high fashion are excessively greater than cheap clothing and the style changes every season. This causes those of higher classes to constantly be buying new trends with extremely high price tags. Gilles Lipovetsky is a French philosopher who believed fashion as a reflection of individuality and hyper consumerism, also that fashion is unstable, short-lived and superficial. The constant cycle of trends instigates capitalism and manipulates the populace into buying new and expensive clothes.  Some would even say that our changing fashion stemmed from “capitalism’s need for perpetual expansion” (Wilson 49). Kant would say that capitalism’s manipulation of the masses is morally wrong. The population is forced to buy new clothes or expensive clothes so that they would not ostracized by society. Fashion creates a cycle of manipulation and hyper consumerism fueled by the idea that fashion indicates status.
Figure 7


 The nightlife in London is full of variety from relaxing pubs to trendy night clubs. The people at pubs as well as relaxed bars wear their usual day time attire. The nightclub scene is similar to America’s night life where the women dress up in more revealing clothing and higher heels. The woman in Figure 7 is in a nightclub and in her lower 20’s. Her outfit is tight and fashion forward resembling the traditional style of Kim Kardashian. From this photo you can also see the women against the bar to the left of her. There is a variety of styles ranging from sneakers to sandals to heels matched with skirts, dresses, and the occasional pair of jeans. The night life style strays from the traditional dark and modest style of London. There are more colors used and shorter hem lines. The boys seen to the right of the center of the picture are all dressed casually with jeans, sneakers, and t shirts or button downs. The men are not as dressed up or as revealing as the women possibly because of the pressure put on them to look attractive and get attention. The club scene is a place where the younger demographic of London can be more scandalous and comfortable with revealing clothing.  

 Wilson, Elizabeth. Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity. Berkeley: U of California, 1987.               Print.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

A Different kind of modesty

I recently explored the Shepherd's Bush area in London, England. What I found was that the area was mostly occupied by Arabic and Islamic people, with a secondary occupation of Africans. This was very easily noticed, since they dress in a very identifiable ways and have distinct skin tones. I explored three areas with a partner (Matt), the market, the tube station and a bar.
The first area that was explored was the marketplace, here there were mostly Middle Easterners. The reason why it seems like they live here can be attributed to some philosophies of Georg Simmel (Wilson 138). Simmel philosophises that people use fashion as a way to associate themselves with groups and to find other people to connect with. This large gathering of Arabic and Islamic people occurred because as many of them left their homes in the Middle East and travelled to Britain, they felt uncomfortable being surrounded by and possibly even accosted by the native British population, who dress very differently and celebrate a different religion. So the Middle Easterners began to stick together, recognizing each other by their skin tone and dress.
In many Middle Eastern religions, covering your skin is a way to keep yourself modest and pure. A hijab, which I saw many women wearing in the market, is a "principle of modesty and includes behaviour as well as dress for both males and females"(1).
The purpose is similar to why people of Western cultures wear clothes, to not be naked. The only difference is that in their religion, showing your forearms can be just as showing as a low cut shirt on a woman.
Also in most Middle Eastern religions, women are seen as less than the men. I experienced this first hand when I went into a small bakery with Matt. He ordered first while I got the exact money out of my handbag. As he left, I looked at the woman who served him, expecting that since I was next in line, I would be helped next. However, she would not make eye contact with me. I was not immodestly dressed, I was wearing a Columbia jacket over a tank top, skinny jeans and sneakers. My chest was exposed, but not in any way that showed cleavage. I stood at the counter for almost 10 minutes, looking at the two other workers as well, attempting to patiently get their attention, money in hand, to no avail. I turned around and started towards the table Matt had picked, and noticed that not only were we the only white people in the café, but I was the only woman on this side of the counter. I sat quietly at the table and Matt looked to me as I explained how I could not seem to get the workers' attentions. He said that he wanted another piece of cake anyway and would go purchase mine as well. As soon as he reached the counter, the lady I had waited patiently for almost 10 minutes for assistance from, immediately handled his order and gave him our cakes.
We ate, talking a little about how wonderful the food was, and what we needed to look for as we explored the market. Once we were leaving, I was finally able to make my first eye contact with the man behind the counter. I gave a simple "Thank you," I know serving someone like me who so clearly does not follow his religion may have made him uncomfortable, and that we were taking seats from his busy shop for a short while. He smiled and I went on with my day.
Some people would be very offended by my treatment in the café, but I understand that I do disobey the rules that they follow to the letter, and I may have made them uncomfortable. I am glad that they allowed us to stay and eat, and that courtesy was enough for me.
This religion is very focused on what a person needs to do in order to go to heaven, pray, eat specific foods, wear certain clothes, and as long as the people who follow this ideal are comfortable and happy, I am completely fine with letting them follow their rules. The only reason I can find to be upset is if I was unaccompanied and was completely refused service of any kind.
Another way that you can clearly see the difference in standing is by the way that they dress, women must be completely covered, only allowing their eyes, hands and feet to show, but men are only required to dress covering their private parts and wearing a turban to cover their hair. Since they do not tempt each other away from their holy path, they do not need to stay covered, but since women tempt men with their beautiful skin and bodies, they must stay completely covered and work to not make a man lose sight of their religious observances (2). Karl Marx (Wilson 52-54) describes fashion as unimportant and wasteful, but this proves to be untrue in the way of religion. If someone truly believes in symbols like God(s) and Heaven, and is willing to follow the steps necessary to reach them, their dress is exremely important and will bring them to peace.


The second area that was explored was the tube station. Here the population seemed to be mainly of African descent. As we tried to approach them and ask them about their clothes, they brushed us aside. All of the people we met on the street were busy, going some where to do something, anything that made them in a rush enough to not have five minutes for us. There was one group, luckily, that we managed to speak to. There was a band playing Caribbean steel drums right outside the station that was just starting a short break as we were passing. They were willing to talk to us, but didn't want their pictures taken up close. We mainly talked to one of them who seemed most excited to talk about his roots and what his necklace meant.
Matt was the one who he talked to mostly, Matt was  much more engaging in conversation and attracted the attention of the speaker, while I mostly stood back and listened. The man went on to talk about how in his homeland, the way he sounds is very distinctive to his village and seemed almost disappointed that we couldn't hear the difference in accent between him and one of his friends. He also talked in depth about his necklace, which had a beautiful metal cross on it and plenty of decorative beads. He was much more relaxed than the Middle Easterners, he spoke of God and how we were free to wear what we like and the main point of his message seemed to be just enjoy life. This was a very refreshing start before diving into the extreme sexism of the Islamic culture. I felt very comfortable in this area of Shepherd's Bush, like I would have been able to hold myself on my own. While the steel drum players were very casually dressed, many of the other people were dressed more in business casual or business attire. When Matt and I approached them, they darted straight past us. Up until recently I had assumed it was because they were busy people, but after seeing the way that my classmates were able to get at least one or two people to pose for them, it may have been because we were white. One of our tour guides explained to us that there used to be extreme race riots all over this country, and the emotional residue might still be hanging in the air, unnoticed by us foreigners. Looking back on this, I realize I should have been a little more uncomfortable with the fact that they would not even make eye contact with me as I approached them and even addressed them.

The last place we went to was a bar at the other end of the market. Now, going through the market was tough, everything is pretty run down and have seen better days, but the bar was a whole new level. This market is deep in lower class and almost slummy territory. I saw the patched windows and the stains on the outside and didn't even feel it necessary to go in, but Matt wanted to get this bar under his belt. So he dragged me inside and even though it was only about six, the people who were there were pushing their limits. This place wasn't exactly a place to have fun, it was a place to drink your worries away. The only place the patrons would really see was the bottom of their glass, and when it was clear, they just asked for a full one. At this point, I was really ready to leave, but Matt insisted on sitting down at least, to try the food and really get a feel for the place. As our server came over, I felt the intense need to tip big, his droopy eyes and sighing voice made me feel as if I had worked for 48 hours nonstop. I wanted to go, and finally Matt did too. We left quietly and boarded the tube back silently, absorbed in our thoughts about that depressing experience.
The people who were in this bar were dressed in plain blue collar or in their traditional religious dress, some sticking more to their rules than others. Some shirts were dirty at the wrists if they were wearing button downs, some you could see lines where their shirts had been tucked in. These people were a little ragged, not just in appearance, but emotionally as well it seemed. I felt very shocked and sad and just wanted to leave.

All in all, this trip was very different from anything I had experienced before. I was exposed to recial/gender discrimination, I'm still not sure if it was because I was female, or a mix of because I was female and white. I was shown a little bit of the raw emotional side of poverty and came to understand a little more about the Islamic religions. I discovered that there is a lot of meaning behind the veils that the women wear and even though it is different from my beliefs, I can respect that and understand it's importance. I hope in the future I can contiue to be as attentive to other's religions and understanding of their needs as believers.

Citations:
Wilson, Elizabeth. Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity. Updated ed. Berkeley: U of California, 1987. Print.

1) "Hijab." BBC News. BBC, 9 Mar. 2009. Web. 29 May 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/hijab_1.shtml>.
2) "Islam." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 30 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam>.

Fun in West SoHo

West SoHo Fashion
            Fashion within the London area is always changing. London fashion can be dramatic and have a pop factor to it or there are some styles that are very mellowed down. Overall the fashion within the London area is very diverse and interesting in a sense of seeing the styles all around different areas. In West SoHo, specifically Covent Garden’s there was an extremely diverse group of individuals within the area. Since the Covent Garden’s area of SoHo was a very touristy area there was not just a specific type of individual dressed in a certain type of way. People ranging from a very young age to the older population was surrounding the area of West SoHo. Not only were there different diversities of age but of gender and style.
In general West SoHo was predominantly full of street performers. As seen in the picture below it is clear there is a very wide spread area of just empty space for pedestrians to walk in. when there are street performers this would be the area they would prominently take over. This area was very nice to walk through because seeing the diverse performers and their many different styles made it very entertaining and enjoyable due to the extreme diversities and shows of entertainment. All in all I would say this specific area of West SoHo is an extreme example of fashion due to the many different street performers. Along with that, the acts being performed are designed to catch the attention of random individuals. As tying into the class discussions in general this London area is filled with artistic styles. These styles would not normally be worn in an everyday outfit but are statements from the designer or street performer. More in depth to our class discussions, these artistic styles are there in order to send a message and tell a story rather than make a trend of copy cats to an extent. The picture below does the area no justice on how much empty space there actually is. Extending to the right and farther back to the left there is a ton of empty space that can fit roughly eight street performers. As I mentioned earlier, each street performer had its very own unique act along with a very diverse sense of style that went hand and hand with the act.  

Since the West SoHo area is filled with tourists the many street performers took advantage of the area in the way of putting on the talked about previously shows and putting buckets down for people to throw their spare change into when the show is over. With this the small area of Covent Gardens was filled with five street performers all at once. Each performance was different and each street performer had their own sense of style as well. As I observed the area of each performance I noticed the outfits were very connected to the type of act the street performer was putting on. As a result different act attracted different people. In connecting more to the street performances these senses of styles would not be found on a normal basis. As talked about in previous class discussions a lot of the street performers including the men had a very flamboyant style in order to catch the eye of the people walking by.

To the left is a picture of one of the many street performers who made the impression of a very flamboyant appearance. In this gentleman’s performance he vocalized an extent of
sexualized jokes and references while he danced and shook his butt. Not only did he dance and make sexually related jokes but he also took his jacket off and threw it at a younger gentlemen who was standing in the crowd. To emphasize more on his style, it is clear he went above and beyond to caption the essence of a dramatic show. He is wearing a full matching tuxedo with a hint of red throughout including his shoes. I felt as if this was the perfect outfit for his performance due to the black being perfect for a magic show and the red being perfect for his sexual references. In style and fashion I feel as if red is a sexy color and is taken as a sexy luring color.   
Also there was a gentlemen who was a magician at the bottom of the hill who was in an all red very tight dress suit with a blue dress shirt underneath. I feel as if he decided to wear this outfit in order to draw attention to himself as a performer.  As in the example with the previous magician the red suit magician was also using his color of the suit in order to draw attention to his act. All of these street performers were a great example for the night life within the area of the West End of SoHo. To go into more depth within the night life in the area of West SoHo it consisted of a fun atmosphere with some bars and the joy of street performers.
            Along with street performers the bars in this area were filled with upper class gentlemen. As seen in the photo, the main focus is of the three men standing off to the left. I would describe these men as wealthy, upper class, older gentlemen who decided to get all dressed up and go out for a drink with one another. From what I observed in this bar was that it was mostly filled with men and they seemed to all be in there upper forties, early fifties. What I appreciated about the group of three men standing off to the side was that they were very masculine but were not afraid to wear either the pink shirt under the black jacket; or the middle gentlemen who was in ripped jeans and a pin stripped, light gray jacket. Relating this to our class discussion I appreciated the fact that these men were not afraid to go out together as a group of just men and then dress up in what would typically be considered a feminine color or look. So as far as night life goes in the area of West SoHo I would consider it to be much milder than other areas within the London area.


 The pros to this fashion within the area of West SoHo would include many positive factors. From this picture shown I encountered a very positive experience of this older group of very sweet lady’s.
 I approached them because I could tell there was something special about them due to the fact they were all in red hats. As said in my previous statements this area was a very touristy area so the people were very open and easy to talk to. Once I approached these lady’s they were very open and willing to tell me all about their story. It turns out these sweet older lady’s decided to get together to go on an outing of the town a couple times a year just for fun. As for the red hats they wear, they wanted to stand out in a sense of proof they are all together enjoying their time out and about within the city. I enjoyed hearing this style reasoning because I found it to be an inspirational story for me being something I could potentially do when I am older with my friends.
In all I would say there are not negatives to the fashion sense within the area. As a tourist myself I felt very normal and was not uncomfortable in any way what so ever. I enjoyed all the street performers and the fun that the environment had to bring.The style of the street performers was a very dramatic style but in my eyes this was not a negative way of portraying the area but another positive way this area could be preserved. So with that this area was filled with nothing but a positive atmosphere along with a very playful one. I would gladly come back to this area and feel very confident that I would enjoy the area just as much as I did the previous time I went.


Going into depth on the connections of social reasoning’s for these specific styles it can be connected to reasons from a philosophical perspective. The two philosophers that can be connected to this area can include Karle Marx and Georg Simmel. Looking at this area from Marx’s perspective it is clear there was a social divide on the streets based on what people were wearing. From looking at it in a tourist point of view I could tell the street performers were dressed in the bold outfits due to their job description. The tourists were dressed in a specific moderate style sense and then the gentlemen at the bar were dressed up and drinking at the bar watching the street performers as if they do that on a typical night away from home. For Simmel there was a clear group identification split within the people. Even though the area made people feel welcome this group identification split was very obvious. It was clear to tell the difference between the street performers, tourists and the common people who lived there and were just visiting for fun. In all the two philosophers who were most easily identified for this area were Karl Marx and George Simmel. 










Camden Locks

For this research project, Matt Simmons and I explored the Camden Locks. This area of London is beautiful and full of many different shops and food stalls. Camden Market has a large variety of fashions and people. Philosophically, the expanse of fashion is a symbol for the diversity of the people who spend time in the market. The Camden Locks have every fashion from gothic to preppy. There is a store for any person depending on what they find comfortable or what they choose to wear.

Kant would approve of the attitude in Camden Market. In Professor Salazar's "Fashion Industry and Sweatshops" presentation, she mentions "Kant valued rationality and freedom. He thought people should conform to a moral law that necessitated respect for all rational beings and ability for each person to make choices for themselves. Every person has value and no one should be lied to, manipulated, used, or dehumanized." This is seen every day in the market, as there are choices for everyone and no one discriminates between fashions. Not only are there diverse selections of stores, there are a diverse set of people and fashions. While walking through the market, you can see punks laughing with hipsters or preppy kids eating with grungy kids. Their actions and colliding fashions show how accepting the people around the market are. Individually, these fashions have reputations of solidarity and intolerance. However, the people around Camden Locks are very tolerant of those not dressed alike. This is an example of Kantianism, whether the people of the markets know they are participating or not.

Kant would not, however, agree with the fashions seen in the markets. When it comes to fashion, he believed that everyone should dress with taste. Kant believed that people could choose what to wear freely, but they could also dress in a tasteless manor. I personally believe that Kant's view of fashion is correct to an extent. While people should be modest and respectful of those around them, they should also be allowed to express themselves. A good example is the punk fashion. They dress extreme as a sign of rebellion, however they can dress respectful to those around them. The punks have a choice if they want to cover their body in piercings or if they want to be able to hide their punk side. These choices allow for self expression. It is also possible to express oneself without looking or acting indecent. The ability to dress professional coincides with Kant's view that people should not dress extravagantly, however I believe that people can still be tasteful while dressing over the top.

In contrast, Marx would not agree with the idea of the market, as he "was the major critic of capitalism in the nineteenth century, and he proposed, in its place, a society organized around need rather than profit" (Leslie). The market had more than what was needed. The food could be needed for nourishment, however the countless accessories are more of an option. For this reason, Marx would not agree with this part of the Camden Locks. According to Marx, anything that is not absolutely needed is not necessary. Marx was also a critic of fashion, as fashion is a result of capitalism. I personally believe, after conducting research, that Marx would have seen anything that did not benefit society as a whole as wrong. The camden markets benefit both the consumer and shopkeeper benefit, however it is not an equal benefit. The shopkeeper benefits more from the profit.

There are many positive and negative associations with fashion that apply to the Camden Locks. A positive association with fashion is the freedom of choice. Camden Market's expanse of shops allow for anyone within the market or shopping in the market to be free to choose any fashion they want to. With all of the punks and hipsters visible in the market, it is a very well-utilized freedom. This freedom of choice is a direct result of the diversity of the market. Oppositely, there is a stigma in the market that resulted from the extreme fashions that the people who go to the market should be dressed extreme. I know that I felt comfortable in the market, as I have always been around friends who dress in the same fashion as most of the market, but Matt felt uncomfortable because he was dressed "too tame." This is a result of the extremes around the market.

All in all, Camden market is flowing with all different kinds of fashion. These extreme fashions allow people of all kinds to integrate and enjoy each other's company. Though some may be uncomfortable when exposed to extreme fashions they have never experienced, most people feel welcome in the market.

 





Soho Fashion



I went into Soho during the morning and quickly noticed the types of outfits that people seemed to be wearing. Since it was a weekday, there were many businessmen and woman wearing their suits and uniforms for their busy workday. However, these suits were not just any, they were very fancy and extravagant. One of the first people I interviewed is featured in this image. At first I thought that she was someone who was meeting someone for a date because she was dressed this nice and standing in front of a restaurant. However, that was not the case at all. After discussing why she chose to wear an elegant black dress with nice black heels, I found out that it was not only her choice but was actually her uniform that she was required to wear for her job. This goes along with the discussion that we recently had in class about the idea that a majority of the time we do not have that great of a choice about what to wear because often times our employers or people who have authority, often make these decisions for us. This is the perfect example of that type of situation. Although this woman did not have the choice about the color option or level of elegance, she did have the opportunity to add her own touch of personality, which in this case was her lipstick. Paired with this fancy outfit she added a bright pink lipstick, which really added her own touch and made her stand out from the others who were dressed in business attire. So although Soho day life does seem to have a large amount of businessmen and women, it still allows for them to show their own personality through their clothing and style.


The other fashion choice that I noticed in this area was how trendy everyone seemed to look just for a day out shopping. Although in the other areas people seemed to dress up more, this place had a semi unique touch to it. This specific image I took of two friends who were spending the day out shopping. When I first asked them to take a picture they did not want to because they did not believe that they were fashionable enough for it. This proves how the people in this area do not think that this is a casual outfit for this area because it is such a wealthy atmosphere. What is interesting about this is they did not think they looked fashionable at the time, whereas Katrina and myself believed that seemed to be very dressed up and looked like they put a lot of effort into their outfit choices. On this particular street where this was taken was the one with a bunch of well-known designers. These two girls seemed to be close to my age but looked a lot older because of the “business” type look they were wearing. The girl on the left was wearing a long black dress with a leather jacket over it and black flats. She also was wearing very subtle makeup that looked very natural. On the other hand, her friend was wearing a navy blue dress with pink flats, which was very preppy looking. She also was wearing a nice, elegant jacket that added a touch of sophistication to her outfit choice. Another interesting idea about these two girls is that their outfits completely differ from one another but yet they were going the same place. This represents the different types of styles that are located within this area, even within two friends.


While in the area of Soho, along with the business workers there were also many young people that seemed to be out for the day shopping or going on a date. The next picture that I took included a young boy and girl that were dressed up in extremely nice clothes and looked like they were heading somewhere for the evening. Both the man and woman appeared very elegant and looked very presentable. I will first start with discussing the male’s outfit in this particular image. He is wearing a navy blue suit with a white undershirt. This suit is very elegant and seems to be something that many men would wear when brining their lady out on a date. However, he added his own touch to this suit by wearing a bright pink colored tie. This is unique because we discussed in class how for some reason there is a line between what men and women should wear. Somehow it has become something that is not right if a man chooses to wear a feminine color like pink. Because of this I found it to be very interesting that he chose to do this with not only a very manly suit, but also while taking a woman out on a date. This to me proved that these “gender lines” should not exist because he still looks very presentable and class even when he chose to wear that type of color.

His date in this image is also dressed very nicely. She was wearing a navy blue dress with white polka dots, a navy blue blazer, and a pair of nude heels. In order to break it up, she added a pair of nude heels and a red lipstick. In addition to that, her nails and purse were both a coral color. Although there are many different colors that were coordinated into this, they all seemed to work. I really liked this outfit not only because it is something that I would wear, but also because I think that it fits the environment that we were in very well. This outfit was also taken on the street where there were many wealthy shops, so because she looked so elegant that she fit in perfectly.


Differing from some of the other fancy and elegant daytime outfits, some of the people who were exploring that area were wearing something a little simpler. For example, the woman in this picture is wearing an outfit that seems more chic and trendy but is also suitable for a day out shopping. In this picture a younger woman is wearing a pair of black pants, a navy blue button up top that had designs on it, and a pair of light blue, fashionable shoes. In addition to that she added accessories such as sunglasses and a satchel that corresponded with her outfit choice. I chose to photograph this woman because her outfit is very different from the others that I saw. Instead of wearing a fancy business suit, she is wearing something a little more casual but is still fashionable. This relates to the discussions that we have been having in class because I believe that she is sticking out from the other girls in that area but this is probably what she feels most comfortable in, so it works. That being said, she is somewhat going against the norm of this environment and continuing to show her own unique style, regardless of what everyone else is doing. I really liked this woman’s outfit because it allowed her to stand out from the others in that area.  


Although the daytime life is very fancy and ritzy, the nightlife completely differs from that. The outfits that the people in that area wear at night are very edgy and almost punk like. One of the first outfits I saw looked very similar to this one. This type of washed jeans paired with a graphic t-shirt gives the impression of an edgy look. This was one of the most common outfits that I saw while I was wondering around Soho at night. This is extremely different from the daytime outfits because at this point of the day most people are out of work and now going to enjoy nighttime shopping, restaurants, and pubs. In addition to that, she is also wearing a bright red lipstick that matches her sneakers and scarf.  This was one of the main reasons that I like this area so much is because the diversity in the fashion choices. I believe that this allows for people to be comfortable in their clothing, even if it is not the ordinary wear in that area.

The final look that I am choosing to talk about refers to the excessive amount of leather that I saw while walking around. I saw many people wearing leather coats and black pants with some type of boots, which is very edgy but somehow still managed to be classy. For example, in this image here, the woman is wearing leather but it is still very elegant. She is wearing a very nice white shirt that has gold studs on the top, a black tight skirt, tights, boots, and a black leather jacket. To top it off, she is also carrying a very stylish black leather bag. After researching what people’s impressions were of black leather, I often came across the idea that it was too scandalous and could give the wrong impression. However, I strongly disagree with this after walking around the Soho area. I think that there are many different ways that people can wear leather and each one was different, but still seemed to be either classy or edgy. This is a common look that I saw while I was walking around in Soho and believe that it is very fitting for that areas nightlife. I really enjoyed this look because it is totally different from the previously mentioned nightlife look, but it is still very fitting for that time frame.
I am choosing to connect my project to the theories of Karl Marx and Kant. The reason that I could connect this to Karl Marx is because he talks a great deal about the issue of classes. This connects to this environment because it was obviously very wealthy and the people dressed like that, therefore it greatly shows the difference between the classes. Karl Marx would argue that fashion is unnecessary because it causes these issues. In addition to that Kant would also make sense because he would argue that we should all be equal and that all of these fashion choices are making that more difficult.

This area also proved many different pros and cons of the fashion choices that were being made. For example, one of the things that was negative about this area is that automatically it is known who is associated with what class. If someone is not dressed in the appropriate attire, they will quickly stand out from the others. However, a positive element of these fashion choices is how everyone looks very elegant everywhere they go but they are still able to add their own sense of style to this basic outfits/uniforms.