Yves Saint Laurent is making eco-friendly fashion exclusive and fabulous, with the release of a limited edition of 60 recycled Muse Two Artisanal handbags worldwide. The accessories are handcrafted by the women of Burkina Faso using recycled plastic bags and fair trade cotton, according to Forbes.
Yet another shot in the arm for sustainable fashion and ironic the way eco-friendly fashion has gone from being the purview of plain Janes in burlap sacks to the realm of the 5th Avenue set. The bags retail for $1,720 each and I wonder how that compares to the income of the women who make them. I play devil’s advocate when I ask that rhetorical question: I love seeing couture take a green turn. Besides, ironies and inconsistencies in fashion are unavoidable… especially when you have an opinion about things.
Here’s where I segue into the point of this post 
My last post featured the cover of Flare magazine, Canada’s predominant fashion mag, which I had eyeballed at the grocery store checkout due to its luminescent cover subject and acing of the colour blocking trend. (Jennifer Lawrence, a young Oscar-nominee for Winter’s Bone wears a purple and orange Gucci combo).
Although drawn to the colours and the quiet confidence of the actress wearing them, I confess to having had reservations about posting the image 1) because I am an advocate of more realistic fashion images both in terms of airbrushing and slimming down of subjects and this cover appeared guilty of both; 2) I’m a recent convert to a modest approach to dressing and have been leaning toward cover-up couture–to steal a tagline from A La Modest–and the Flare cover features cutouts and cleavage galore.
As if reading my conflicted mind, The Sartorial Nerd commented on the post:
“I like the combination of purple and orange but I would like the cover much more if Jennifer Lawrence hadn’t been photoshopped to within an inch of her life. She’s so beautiful already. If she isn’t “good enough” (even with the magic of lighting and makeup), what hope do the rest of us have?”
I’m glad she called out the image for photoshopping because I had taken such an esthetic liking to the picture I decided to ignore my niggling feeling that an analysis may require something beyond “it’s pretty, isn’t it?” which I was simply too lazy to give. It’s been raining in Toronto for a week straight and the presence of colour brightened up my dreary day and I decided to run with it.
I have no regrets about posting the cover and I’m grateful to have honest readers whose thoughtful comments can pick up my slack. To me, that is where the interactive nature of blogs serves us best, since none of us is perfect and we can’t be everything to everybody all the time. No, really, we can’t, no matter how small our niche.
When I used speculation about “Jennifer Aniston’s new face” to talk about my belief that cosmetic enhancements perpetuate the belief that women must look younger than they are in order to be accepted, I realized I may have come across as judgmental. Grit and Glamour responded:
“I don’t love myself any less because I’ve chosen to change some things about my appearance. Frankly, that argument can be applied to cosmetics, hair coloring, shaving, and all of our beauty regimens. If our self-acceptance is tied to our appearance, then essentially your argument means that ANY endeavor to alter us from our natural states indicates a lack of self-acceptance.”
Another welcome example of a reader closing a gap in my thinking that needed to be addressed.
As a writer who believes fashion is one of our most important social barometers, I like to muse upon the philosophical implications of style which I believe are endless. Sometimes I focus on one aspect of an issue to the detriment of another facet which may be of dire importance to someone else. I encourage and appreciate different points of view in the comments, especially since they’re not usually in opposition to my own, but merely an expression of a viewpoint I had failed to recognize at first glance.
I’ve been called a hypocrite before and I do describe myself as a study in contradictions. I’m a skinny girl with an interest in body image issues, for instance. An eco-friendly gal who adores luxury and glamour. I can be one thing one day and another the next. I do my best to write honestly and accurately on whatever I’m musing upon at the time and look to my intelligent readers to fill in the gaps or the gaping holes as the case may be.
What are your thoughts on fashion irony?
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what a great post! you said so many things that i’ve been thinking about in a much more articulate way than i could have
i recently read a book you might be interested in (Venus Envy) on the history of cosmetic surgery which challenged a lot of my opinions on the subject, and it’s actually a really interesting and easy read.
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to go pick up that book. I like having my opinions challenged
Laura, this is such a well-written post, and of course, I am glad you took my comment above in stride. You make so many excellent points, and I really appreciate your last paragraph, especially. I am that same kind of study in contradictions…I abhor animal abuse but wear fur, will take plastic bottles home with me to recycle, but don’t care to force myself only into donning only ethical fashion.
Ultimately, we can only be true to ourselves—whether our truths are contradictory or not. We are all entitled to our opinions; they are what make us unique. But when we decide our particular view is the only correct one, or when we make broad assumptions about the logic behind certain actions…that is dangerous territory.
Constructive discourse that calmly and reflectively examines a topic—like this post—is so refreshing. There are no ultimatums or judgments, nothing mean-spirited or haughty. I appreciate that. This is how others learn to engage, to share opinions in a way that is not injurious or forceful. I commend you, and thank you for sharing. Well-done!
Thank you! Your comment was well-taken because it showed me an aspect that I completely forgot to take into account: that if we question cosmetic enhancement we must put make-up, hair colour/removal under the spotlight as well! It’s all under the same umbrella. I think when we say we are a study in contradictions we are really saying we are not perfect and that is so ok.
All very complicated issues! My belief is that viewers and consumers of fashion need to become more aware of how this industry works. For example, when I online shop, I always look for photoshopping of models because i know it can change the way clothes fit.
Photoshopping isn’t going away. If anything, it’s become more and more widely used. We just have to become smarter about noticing when stretch marks and wrinkles are brushed away and fat is liquified.
I like your approach and I feel its empowering because it’s saying “hey, look this is the way it is; instead of being angry about it, let’s be realistic.” That’s the reason I liked your beauty post so much in which you recommend make-up free days and viewing pictures of celebs without make-up. It’s a reality check and keeps make-up as something fun rather than something you need to feel adequate.
In my opinion that Flare’s cover is really inappropriate I don’t know who she is very well, but they made her look really vulgar!
Interesting! She’s very young as well; only 18, I think. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for an Oscar this year for Winter’s Bone. It’s a female odyssey story.
We’re all really just humans, Laura. We make mistakes and contradict ourselves all the time, but we do our best to course correct ourselves based on what we say we’re going to do to the best of our moral judgement. That’s what sets apart a solid person from a flaky one. If they’re about things that aren’t huge in importance (like my eating of Reese’s Cups once in a blue moon after I’ve long given up sweets), we should be more forgiving and let some things go. You may know that I am against cosmetic surgery and dressing immodestly, but contrary to what I believe, all my life I’ve wanted to give in to both things. It’s not an issue of what I want but of what I know I mustn’t do because there are good reasons which I’ve convinced myself of. There are days when I feel totally contrary to what I believe (as if I’m not the person I say I am), and it’s a matter of reminding myself not to be lazy about what I know to be right and to do it.
For sure, what one person values another doesn’t—both may have their reasons. You just have to try to be that very rare solid gem no matter how hard that is. People even with different values will respect you for it– just for sticking to your word even if they don’t agree with you. I have plenty of friends and family members who I still get along with even if they have values very different from mine. Sure, people might think you’re uptight, but it’s better than looking like a flake and a pushover. It’s something you’ve got to decide for yourself.
There are days when I feel contrary to what I believe in, too, and you’re right it IS laziness that makes us give into to the easier way, or the way that everybody else says is OK. I always tell my kids just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean it’s right. I also have a genuine ability to see both sides; I can see now that is a gift rather than wishy-washiness.
What an honest post. I think the world is full or irony and fashion is no exception. The question you posed re: YSL fair trade workers is an interesting one and although I really respect YSL for taking this turn into fair-trade and eco-friendly endeavors I also wonder if the fair trade workers are reaping the benefits for the hefty price as well.
And on being a walking irony I am the same way. I really do try to thrift and buy ethically first but if I want a bright shift dress and can’t find it on those avenues chances are I will look to normal retail where I’m not as familiar with their ethical practices.
I think no one is perfect and you have to embrace that while trying to be your best self which will naturally cause some contradictions.
Thanks for your support; I love how devoted you are to shopping ethically. Thankfully, it’s becoming easier to do as fair trade/eco-friendly clothing gains more awareness.
The truth is that working/living in fashion means navigating a slippery slope continuously, of values, morals, ethics…. It’s not the nicest of industries, it has a lot of negativity associated with it, and as we write about it, we continuously write about things that can be defended by some, attacked by others.
I wish I could be 100% green, I wish I could check for credentials of everything I buy and reject what is not based on fair working conditions or whatever damages the environment, but I cannot afford the higuer price tags that some of this eco friendly brands have, and I cannot throw away all the clothes I have in my wardrobe that come from dubious brands… I wish I could.
100% green would mean perfection and there’s no such thing! We all do the best we can and I commend you for what you ARE doing for the environment.
Hi Laura! A great post, and I’m really enjoying your blog. Thank you for visiting mine, the other day. Looking forward to your updates. xx
Thanks for signing in! I’m enjoying yours, too. I always find great content there
Laura, you explored so many great points in this post! It’s so true that fashion is a test in polar opposites ( I guess life is that way too) and I think that there is nothing wrong with having beliefs at odds with one another as long as we recognize them.
Thanks, Fajr! I’m glad you understood my conundrum. You’re right: honesty always works and prevents us from feeling we have to be perfect.
What a beautifully written post! Unfortunately, when we have opinions, sometimes those opinions don’t sit well with other people. Often we don’t even think what we’re saying might hurt someone’s feelings until we see the negative reaction, and then of course we feel terrible. But the alternative is not to express ourselves, and really then what would the point be in blogging?
Congrats on being chosen for this weeks links a la mode!
Heather, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for the words of encouragement
This is a wonderfully well-written post! These are things I’ve thought about before, but not in such an intelligently worded manner!
Thank you so much. Your kind words mean a lot to me and I’m glad you could relate!
Very good read! For me I take it day by day, that’s all that I can do… I stay true to myself. I believe in & support sustainable/ethical fashion & appreciate companies taking initiative and striving to make a difference, however I just feel that wanting to support the cause should not be so costly. I typically shop charity/thrift/vintage, yet I do not only shop ethically, there are times when I goto regular retail stores.
This was an excellent post and I entirely understand your views here.
Congrats on the Links a la Mode! -xo
Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading! I agree if you are on a budget, sustainable shopping can be expensive so going the thrift store route is a wonderful way to stay eco (and creative).
Haha! Great segue…
I agree, what does Jennifer Lawrence need to be photoshopped for? She’s beautiful already. It is reassuring, however, to know that the editing was so obvious that it was easily seen through.
Excellent post, as usual. I have to admit I didn’t think much of the Flare cover either at first, besides that it was “pretty”. I liked the color combination and didn’t think much more past that. But this weekend I saw the new X-Men movie with Jennifer Lawrence and while I think she’s absolutely stunning, her face has a plumpness to it, and it’s disappointing to see how they’ve whittled that away. Shame on Flare indeed.
Thanks! I don’t know much about Jennifer Lawrence so I didn’t realize she’d been photoshopped “to within an inch of her life”. I hope she doesn’t fall prey to the Hollywood thin ideal now that she’s getting more exposure.