The Fashion Network

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As I walked down Market Street on Tuesday afternoon, I endured the daily routine. Battling my way through the army of ‘charity workers’ (I use the term loosely) still insisting they’re “not after your money” (when they are clearly after your money), slipping past the evangelist’s frantically thrusting leaflets as well as their ideals into your passing face, skilfully dodge the big issue seller’s, followed by the homeless folk festering conveniently, I might add, next to the cash machine I really need to use. Then it’s the “have you been involved in an accident or injury” pest’s, and let’s not forget; lurking in the distance, ‘the street performance artists’ (again I shall use the term loosely) where their only ‘talent’ involves being painted white and standing still; totally still. Of course I didn’t feel compelled to rush over and empty the contents of my purse.

As I weaved in and out, desperate to find a sheltered environment free of public nuisance’s, it struck me just how hardened I had become to this behaviour; behaviour that to a person unaccustomed to city life would seem truly bizarre, like stumbling into an alternate universe filled with rejects from ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Simon Cowell had so callously chewed up, spat out and banished to the centre of Manchester.

And it seemed it wasn’t just me who had become blasé about this weird social behaviour. Take for instance the lovely chap; I feel I must pay tribute to him, who parades around the city streets wearing nothing more than a loincloth to save our blushes. You would think such an act would do more than raise a few eyebrows, yet among the locals it warrants nothing more than a side glance and a dismissive grunt. But maybe it is that those of us who live and work in Manchester have simply become immune to the effects of such strange public exhibitions.

Yet despite my derisive remarks, I must say that without the quirky eccentrics that dwell among our city streets, maybe we would as a city lack character. Character that has helped to define Manchester as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe; a city which set’s trends and produces huge talent across the spectrum. Perhaps without the wealth of curious eccentrics that inhabit our city, previous generations would have lacked the freedom to push the boundaries of dress; through fear of standing out too much or fear of being ridiculed. These eccentrics have paved the way for those who want to dress outrageously or use the high street as a platform to showcase their talents. They have inadvertently challenged social attitudes with regards to dress, behaviour and conduct.

So next time you make the perilous journey across Market Street, you might refrain from rolling up the M.E.N in a bid to swat away a city centre loiterer, and instead acknowledge their small roll in contributing to our city’s inimitable charm.

Yesterday, en route to the MFN office, I witnessed a young child no more than 3 years old wearing large, chunky gold hoop earrings, hoops that I myself a blatent lover of tacky bling, would not have dared to wear. I’m not talking dainty little clip on earrings, I’m talking about a mammoth pair of heavy gold hoops. I felt incensed that the parents of this child had thrust these monstrosities upon her, and being that young, it was evident she wasn’t even able to clip them through her tiny earlobes.

It was also clear that the child was of an age where personal opinion, opinion not only about the size and shape of the offending items, but the actual act of having her ears pierced, was not a factor. This provokes the question; do parents have the right to modify a child’s appearance for cosmetic reasons?

Body modification is a fickle subject; I was only the tender age of 6 when I had my ears pierced, and this was only after badgering my parents for many months. Looking back I think it was a very young age to have a gun pierce and embed metallic studs into my ears, but it was essentially my body and my decision.

In England and Wales there is currently no statutory age limit for cosmetic piercing, the law only requires a parent or guardian present. But is this fair? Before seeing the infant sporting such oversized accessories, I had never really questioned parents’ rights to modify their children’s bodies. You see babies with tiny stud earrings, ok so they don’t evoke such public outcry as the case I have just stated, but children who are in their infancy are, let’s face it, unable to consent because they lack the ability to rationally form opinion. This leads me to question parent’s motives; why subject your child to a procedure which will undoubtedly cause them harm? Yes it will only be temporary but body modification procedures such as ear piercing don’t have health benefits, we’re not talking vaccine injections, it’s purely cosmetic.

I think that the root of my anguish is that there are some people out there who are so narcissistic even the smallest procedure will in their mind ‘enhance’ their child’s appearance. A child enters the world in the most natural, beautiful form and for someone to think they are enhancing their appearance by stapling jewellery to them is ludicrous. Of course as you grow older body modification is appealing, for many it becomes a form of self expression. Whether a person wants to adorn themself in piercing’s or tatoo’s or both, it all comes down to personal choice.

However, when there is no age restrictions a child has the choice taken away from them and it is left entirely in the hands of their parents. With such relaxed legislation, unfortunately many precious little ears will not remain intact for long.

Fashion, as we know circulates, but it also has the ability to evolve. The sixties was an era which marked change and no more so than in the liberation of women. After breaking free of the social constraints that had suppressed previous generations, the rest of the nation looked on as women burnt their bras’ and swapped traditional ankle length skirts for a risky mini. So perhaps it was only a matter of time before our fashion forefathers would conceive a trend so radical it would set the tongues of the Great British public wagging, creating a debate so fierce it could divide a nation. The trend in question: the MAN-BAG.

Now I’m not talking about rucksacks, off the shoulder bags, even satchels. No, the offending item is no bigger than your average ladies handbag, but this seasons ‘hot’ new accessory takes the form of a slim cross-over pouch just big enough for the essential items: wallet, phone, money, keys’.

It’s something you would expect to flatter a women’s diminutive frame not that of a burly young man. Yet it seems recently there has been a surge of stubbly, muscle bound metro-sexuals’ sporting this controversial accessory.

After spending many hours pondering this issue and having had provoked the ‘man bag’ debate with pretty much anyone worth talking to, it seemed the verdict would be a big thumbs’ down. For most men, the idea of wearing an accessory that is so widely associated with the opposite sex, might tarnish their masculine image, and the majority of women found the new ‘it’ bag to be a huge ‘turn off’. However, I was made to over look my initial scepticism and think otherwise.

So yes, the general consensus may be that; Man-bag’s are a bit ‘girly’ as they have the ability to make even the sturdiest of men seem ‘a bit camp’ but, now here’s a thought, do men not owe it to their battered old wallets and their wandering keys to have a place they can rest assured they will be safe? Jean pockets will no longer feel the burden of an over sized mobile, cigarettes will no longer be squashed at the strain of the rear pocket.

Perhaps as I have come to believe, the men of Manchester who walk around town so content with their side crossing pouch, are dare I say it, more masculine than those who so strongly oppose them. I guess it comes back to the old saying ‘men who are in touch with their feminine side are actually more comfortable in their sexuality’. So this raises a further question; are man bags a matter of practicality or subject of sexuality?

We have noticed an onslaught of ambitious, yet inexperienced graduates, who are branding themselves as Manchester’s next top ‘stylist,’ but is it really as simple as having an ‘eye for style’?

Professional stylist, Karen Jones Russell, has certainly noticed a rise in the numbers of stylists, and even though the competition has had no personal impact on her own work, she finds clients are more sceptical wanting to see proof of portfolios and previous campaigns.

“In the short term, it may affect the industry and it is easy to feel infuriated at those who may be playacting at Styling; those people who feel - because they can dress themselves - they can become stylists. However in the long term, hard work, talent, and ability, will continue to be what clients rely upon.”

Ask any dedicated follower of fashion what their dream job is, and you can almost guarantee their response will be ‘a stylist’. Why so? Well you would assume it’s a role that involves mooching around Harvey Nic’s, skimming the rails for the hottest fashions and styling clients with minimal effort, all very glamorous, yet in reality according to Karen, “Yes I get to shop and see the latest trends however my job is as much about logistics, organisation and communication skills as it is about shopping, trend forecasting, styling or networking. Everything becomes research, so it is impossible to take a day off.”

As a professional, working in such a cut throat industry, Karen is all too aware that the role of a stylist is as much about client liaison, and astute planning, as it is about fashion forecasting and creating the concept behind a shoot.

Are the people who are labelling themselves ‘stylists’ - without having real contacts and experience - devaluing the reputations of those who have worked hard to earn recognition within the industry? And if so, how do the seasoned pros feel about it?
I spoke to Gorgeous Couture’s, Nikki Proctor, to get her perspective on the matter.
“Everybody has to start somewhere and if someone is honest about their capabilities and their experience that’s fine.” Yet she believes that working in such a competitive industry encourages those in the business to stay astute and ahead of the game. “I guess that there’s always room for new, talented, committed individuals with a flair for fashion. With the industry being so diverse there is a lot of scope to work with.”

Karen, who runs her own styling agency: Karen Russell Styling, is also keen to champion the types of creative’s going forward, and she too, is constantly looking for talented and hardworking assistants. “Dedication, creativity and honesty are key to success these days, clients can see through ‘BS’ quite quickly and experience is invaluable.”

I find Nikki and Karen’s responses somewhat refreshing as their opinions contradict the stereotypical view that styling is a fiercely competitive industry. So perhaps with the right experience, there is room for competition in the styling stakes… I however remain firmly on the fence.

http://www.karenrussellstyling.co.uk