Everyone should read this great article I found at Fashion156. I came at that website because of their interview with StyleBytes’ Agathe. The article below isn’t Agathe’s one!
Dressing up can be deadly, by Guy Hipwell
“My first memory of dressing up resulted in a nasty bang to the head that I honestly do not think I ever recovered from. I was aged around five and nearly broke my neck toppling down the stairs wearing my aunt’s super high stilettos. Luckily I have grown out of girl’s shoes, although I did once own several pairs of platforms that gave me agonising backache as they were so high and uncomfortable. Worn with huge Oxford bags, they were followed by shiny green and brown “flats” that were so wide they resembled two kippers, and forced me to walk as if I had two dinner plates strapped to my feet.
My best friend and I used to dress identically at this time and walked to town every Saturday with our matching patchwork sweaters clashed with super wide flares in orange, green and blue candy stripes. Oh yes- and we also had matching Labrador puppies; it all kind of worked well on my friend, but there again she was a girl!
I blame my lovely mother who owned a funky boutique that was painted red, gold and purple, she was always bringing things home for me and I spent hours in the shop chatting to the customers and watched in awed silence as they paraded around in hot-pants, knee-high white vinyl boots and wigs that transformed. The next day I would rush to school and want to talk about mini, midi and maxi lengths in intricate details, but not even the girls were interested.
My poor parents went along with it all, until one day I came home with ribbons wrapped and tied around my wrists and drenched in cheap perfume, at which stage my father suggested perhaps I should start playing a spot of football. All I wanted to do though was help my mother plan her next fashion show where all her friends and family were to model.
Looking back, clothing has always fascinated me and although I now dress really simplistically – call it the sweetshop syndrome – I love styling and seeing others dressed up to the max. For this our DRESS UP issue I was inspired by the box you drag down from the attic at your grandparents and dive into with crazed abandonment. For girls, soft faded tones, ribbons, flowers and birds are central to this look, all pulled together with clashing shoes and socks. For boys, feathers, cuffed trousers and contrasting patterns can add a touch of interest and will cheer you up even on the most overcast of mornings. See our fashion pages for more details.
If you wanted to read more, our lovely writer Liz grills me about how I go about styling all the shoots for fashion156.com. See the INSIDER/Behind the Scenes section.”
God I do love Guy!