Color Calling
Color is everywhere, and even “colorless” things we know contain a lot of actual color! Think back to your little mind in elementary school when the teacher told you black actually contains ALL the colors of the visible spectrum….WHAT?!
As a photographer and stylist, color is a huge focus in everything I do and create. Color contrast, color cast, color matching, color pops, color blocks, etc etc. Pretty sure all photographers and stylists could talk about colors ALL. DAY. LONG.'
There always seems to be highly opinionated cultural “norms” about color that help direct a lot of what we think about them. In your mind just take a second to visualize what kind of person you imagine wearing an entire outfit in this color: black? red? yellow? Navy blue? Purple?
Beige is huge this spring, like, taking over runways and fast fashion alike. It all makes sense, we are having a surge of 90’s influenced fashion right now, and beige everything takes that 90’s power women attire (picture your cool working woman aunt who wore her tan suit with brown shoes, all to match her brown lipliner/eyeshadow) and has turned it into a feminine trend of sheer silk blouses, blazers, flowy dresses and classic trousers.
Minimalism in shapes, patterns and color seems to be the cool way to go as a woman in her 30’s wanting to look “nice”, professional, and to some extent try to show people that they might have their shit together. Blacks, whites & beige seem to be the staple for this new grown up world of 30 yr-oldness…and as much as I love neutral tones, why does that seem to be the only acceptable staple?! (continued below….)
In the world of Instagram posts and personal bloggers, it seems like the only way to decorate your home is with whites and grays. I have seen multiple mom bloggers who have homes decorated in ALL WHITE, and even talk about how they feel the only acceptable décor right now is neutrals and keeping things light and bright. The feeling of being trapped in this neutral world isn’t just reserved to fashion!
I have multiple aspects of my personality that I hope are represented with what I put on in the morning: playful, reserved, powerful, fun, sexy, etc. Can minimalist neutrals speak to all these sides of myself?
What if instead of our power suit being black, we show up in a bright yellow suit? What do you think that says about us? How do you think that would make you feel? Or the people around you feel?
I not only want to change how we decide to dress ourselves, but how we view others in their outfits (and yes yes I know we shouldn’t make snap judgements on other peoples appearances, but I do believe clothing is a huge form of culture and communication that we can utilize for good!). Maybe they actually DO have their shit together, but they wanted to wear a really, REALLY quirky outfit for no other reason than they were feelin’ it. Yes you can be professional and still sometimes rock a tie die outfit. Yes you can wear something that your mom might roll her eyes at, and that’s okay. She’ll get used to it. And let me tell you, it is so freeing to wear what you want! As we all stir with excitement at the start of this new season, don’t be hesitant to jump on the color train! Don’t hold back because of social pressure, always wear what you like.
And I will add, whites and creams fill half my closet- I do not think neutrals are bad in the slightest! This is to point out to anyone out there who has a bright red shirt in their closet that they never wear because they feel like its “too loud”….wear the shirt. I repeat, WEAR THE SHIRT! Too loud? Sorry, I just feel very passionate about red. This will not be the last time we chat about color, so buckle up and…..
Happy dressing!
A little about this shoot- I designed and sewed the clear plastic pieces used. I had to think about how I wanted to portray a “lack of color”, and what is more colorless than clear plastic? I felt that the stiffness of the plastic, the shapewear, and using different shades of beige helped to create a feeling of being rigid and trapped in a routine. Someone who might want to wear color but has been locked in social norms that make them look “nice” and accepted. It was so hard to keep it to just these tones, I kept wanting to incorporate one fun pop of color but really held strong to the beige (the green stems don’t count right?). From a photographic standpoint, I did not realize how challenging shooting shiny plastic would be! It was such a fun break from my normal styling routine, and I always welcome a challenge. If you have any questions about the shoot I am an open book!
Gear used: Hasselblad 501, Pentax 645, various 35mm cameras. All kodak film (mainly portra 160). Film processed by Joe at Flea Bones film lab
Wardrobe styling and art direction by Miesh Clothing
Makeup and Hair: Vanessa Perkins
Model: Audrey
Assistant: Madeline