Trying the American
A very Happy 4th of July to my beautiful American readers!
I have always had a post for you guys as a sign of gratitude for being the second country with the highest visitors after my own, to my blog. This year, my connection to you has multiplied.
I am working as a design intern in a buying house called Triburg under which a lot of high end brands from across the world have their own team sourcing fabrics and designs from them. Now, I am working under my mentor who deals with several brands, all American- J.Crew, Madewell, Michael Kors, Hoss Intropia, Soft Surroundings and Club Monaco. Therefore, I have to be well versed with the "language" each of these brands have. It is one thing that you have to be accustomed to the American style of high street and another to study each of these brands again.
As a North East Indian design student, studying in the capital, gathering my ever day knowledge from anything and everything I see around me and available for me in books and the world wide web, it was quite a challenge to fall into a genre and switch to another whenever required.
My mentor, looking at my designs told me I had a very "young European design sensibility". It took me sometime to realize she was right. The case now being, I needed to mold my sensibility to a matured American because my customer profile demanded that.
That brought me into thinking, later in life, would I want to change and adapt my sensibilities to earn some fat money, or stick to my own and be my own boss? The latter case, sounds tempting but a lot more challenging, the price you have to pay to be yourself!
I somehow believe I am a little more versatile, than how people see me as. Not everyone gets to see all sides of me, or at least to my dress sense because they get to see me in a particular time I have to deal with them. I do not see the people at work in the church, nor do the people in church at my workplace or even college as a matter of fact.
Then again, I think I still have a lot of time to find myself. I think right now is the time to absorb everything I can and learn- see all possibilities the world and life as we know it, has to offer.
Let me know what you think about all of these, molding your self and being your own, because today, I think all of it has become very subjective.
Denim top: J.Crew
Skirt: tunic worn as skirt, Sarojini Nagar.
Mirror/Patchwork sling bag: Hawa Mahal, Jaipur.
Neck piece: gift from a friend
Sandals: Priya, Vasant Vihar
XX. <3
I have always felt that the Europeans had a sharper sense of style while Americans seem to have a more casual approach to it (that's putting it nicely while probably still going to ruffle some feathers). I googled this to see if I am the only one who thinks so and I find this rant: http://www.bangsandabun.com/2010/03/europeans-dress-better-than-americans-fact/
ReplyDeleteLOL So probably what you got was a really great compliment?
Now what if your innate style sensibility is like your mother tongue and others are like the other languages you learn later, I wonder if it would be possible to retain that 'mother tongue' without losing it while still learning new languages. But maybe sensibilities are not as clear cut as languages, I don't know. If I think any deeper, my brain might just short-circuit. :D
The price one has to pay to be oneself is high but that's what is needed to earn a good night's sleep, I guess. Like you say, since you just started out, it does pay to see if there are any new and interesting things to be absorbed. But make sure you are having a good time and retain that innate self somewhere! :)
Hey, thank you so much for eating up your head. You have written exactly what i meant in terms of being "true to oneself". It is all about the"shaanti" you feel after the work that makes the work worthy. Thanks again!
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