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'I never look back, darling, it distracts from the now.'

- Edna (The Incredibles)

An inspirational quote - even though its from a 'kid's' movie. Words of wisdom that apply to every part of life in the most sassy way. But in regards to fashion? Are they actually true?

I’m sure everyone has noticed that styles of outfits are constantly regurgitated. This season it was the 80′s. There was a wave of velvet, shoulder pads, mini skirts and over sized suit jackets hitting every store and wardrobe alike. Last season - and carrying over - we saw the iconic 50′s and 60′s looks re-imagined, all the way from platform shoes to heavy winged eyeliner. Before that we had every skirt, top and dress with a peplum. And why is this? Is it that we as a society have run out of new ideas of style? Have we used all our fashion resources? Or are they just such iconic and powerful styles designs can’t help re-use them?

Are we drawn to the touch of velvet because of our childhood dresses? Or was it the love for the 'touch-and-feel' books we had on our shelves? Whatever it was, velvet is the fabric of the season. Coats, jackets, crop-tops, skirts, dresses and even the leotards - usually reserved for lycra and mesh have evolved with the trend. Why are the 80's back? Is it because of the movement away from the ideal of 'feminine beauty'? Opting for shapeless or over-sized rather than the bodycon and jersey?

There has also been an emergence of the denim-with-denim. Although I am not opposed to the black skinny jeans and blue denim jacket I draw the line and same colour - or near to - bottoms and tops. That style, in my opinion, can stay in the 90's.

Personally, I am incredibly drawn to the 50′s and 60′s clothing, and am obsessed with transforming them to edgy and quirky statements. Adding zips, buckles or even just using funky fun fabrics. 

At the London Fashion Weekend I had the pleasure to see the collection of the upcoming designer J Js Lees. Many things struck me about her collection. Mainly, her minimal colour palette - using roughly three colours for everything - as well as the mix between 40′s skirts, 50′s house wife looks and the 21st Century try-anything-attitude. Using the 40′s box style top with a matching mid calf skirt, then attaching a ‘random’ length of gathered material to on side half way down. I adored the sensible-meets-outlandish looks, the straight-meets-pleats skirts and tops alike. Although perhaps not ready for a walk through Worthing, you can already see this method appearing in your high-street stores like Topshop. 

While I was in St. Auburns recently, I spotted the 'random' adornments of pleats and ruffles to any and anything in site. A particular 'favourite' of mine, was a jumper my cousin picked out. A simple light blue poly-blend jumper, with faux-satin bands of raffles with seemingly no pattern across both the front, back and around sleeves. My cousin decided this was very much her style - never saying no to a few frills - to me, however, I wondered whether this would be the new craze. Perhaps being lucky to find a pair of jeans with out ruffles out lining the pockets.

The 50′s and even the occasional 40′s and 60′s clothing has always been a great love of mine. I have many reasons for this;

I think my main reason of love for the 50′s clothing is the shape of them. The classic 50′s dress suits everyone. Whether you busty, carrying a few ‘extra’ pounds or slim - and everything in-between - it suits you. The stitched in waist, boat round necks, lower backs and the yards of fabric of skirt falling to the knee. How many clothes in this day and age can you say suit every body shape? These wonderful dresses also suit every age. If you are twelve or sixty or in the middle you simply can’t go wrong with a well made 50′s dress. Again, where is that now?

Another reason i particularly love that classic 50′s dress shape is how it looks sexy and beautiful while being modest and practical. You’d have no problem kicking someone in the face with the amount of room in that skirt, would you? Most (actually vintage) 50′s dresses have the cleavage covered, which I know may sound a little sexist because boobs are just another body part, but it does mean that the women with small boobs don’t feel intimidated by these beautiful busty women. And vice versa, if you feel your boobs are too big. So, that’s the ‘modesty’ bit, but there is still ‘sex appeal’. Although the women of the era didn’t show off there bust, there was no limit on how much back you could show - which is accurate all the back to the 30′s to the present. Adding the stitched in waist with or without a belt - emphasising the smallest part of the body and extenuating your bust and hips - you not only look stunning but intriguing, there is often no mystery in the shape now a-days, and though I am not opposed to bodycon once in awhile,  there isn’t a whole lot of elegance and quiet sexiness in them. With the length of the dress falling to the knee you dont have to worry about walking upstairs or constantly feeling self-conscious and pulling down the hem, no need to get on the floor to pick something up, just bend! The length is also useful for the older ladies, who although still look amazing may not be feeling to great about their thighs - I have found their calves are still to die for - they don’t have to worry about dressing ‘age appropriate’ or worrying about their figure. The neckline is also helpful here, as the skin around the top of your chest and around the shoulders is usually less likely to show your age where as a lower line could. The sleeves, short enough to stay out of the way but long enough that you don’t need to feel on edge if you didn’t shave - enough said. 

What isn’t their to love about the classic look? It looks great with flats or heels, with or without a petty-coat if you want to go low key. Can be styled up or down. Suits all ages and sizes. Plus who doesn’t love a good twirl in a full circle skirt?

Not only does fashion help you express your personality, it also shows your mood.

Even if you say ‘I don’t care how I look’ or ‘I just threw this on’ as I have many a time on an early morning, it still shows who you are. Whether the last thing thrown on your ‘clothes chair’ was a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie or a dress and leggings. Even when you don’t realise it, or even mean for it, fashion is still there to show you off. 

I love the concept of fashion for its no-boundaries. The fact that there is no real limit to what you can create. anything you dream up can be draped on or drawn on a figure and BAAM, you got yourself an outfit. No matter how outlandish and crazy that outfit is. 

Fashion has the ability to make you evocative, sexy, sassy or invisible. It can illustrate whether you are shy, out-going, or just plain hungover. taking a day time outfit, adding a belt and some heels and its ready for the town. Taking an oversized hoodie and skinny jeans, adding heels and a nice hairdo/make up, no one will know that you slept three hours. 

Although fashion gives the power to other people to judge you on your wardrobe - I am acutely aware I do this constantly - it also gives you the power to prove you don’t care. An outfit fitted to your taste can make you feel in powered.

For myself, fashion is the home I come back to after a bad day, when i’m bored or feeling down. Fashion is there when I want to make an impression or be invisible for a day. It’s there for comfort and empowerment. To distinguish day and night. To make me feel like the person I want to be each day.

Without fashion, designing, making, illustrating, I probably would have thought I wouldn’t amount to anything special, that I had no talent.

Fashion is my life, soul and blood. Without it, I would be a shell of a creature.