The Power of Style, a fashion discussion featuring Washington Post Fashion Editor, Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair Writer, Maureen Orth, and Author, A'Lelia Bundles, took place last Thursday at the Washington Barnes and Noble in Georgetown. The discussion traced fashion history from the Harlem Renaissance era of socialite, A'Lelia Walker, to today's fashion power brokers, such as Ralph Lauren.
A'Lelia Bundles opened with vivid descriptions of her great-grandmother, A'Lelia Walker as the great black heiress, or as Langston Hughes referred to her "the joy goddess of Harlem." As an affluent entertainer, her exploits and travels filled gossip columns in the 1920s. She inhabited the "dark tower" at 136th Street in Manhattan, though she downplayed her means. A'Lelia Bundles referred to the Gatsby Era of fashion influence, when women no longer wore girdles and bobbed their hair. Her great-grandmother was known for her favorite harem pants.
Robin Givhan commented that men's fashions were more of a uniform, with fewer choices. Women, however, had many more choices and hence more opportunities to "muck up"their style. "Whether buying couture fashions or those from H&M, it is all fashion," she stated. " The Great Gatsby style always defined the character of its wearers, often making a political statement," she continued.
Maureen Orth described how Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, was known as "President Bling Bling" because of his behavior and clothing that reflected his love life, and ultimately his ability to govern. His designer makeup and clothing transformed him to a Gatsby-esque character that he wished to represent.
Robin Givhan reminded the audience that Ralph Lauren designed costumes for the movie "The Great Gatsby," and has since sold them many times over. She further pointed out that Washington, DC, as a national city, is not considered favorable to style largely because of the "uniform of the suit" and the way C Span represents it. New York, by comparison, is the center of the fashion and design industry where there are many more opportunities to present style favorably. In response to a question, Ms. Givhan commented that Washingtonians care how they are being imaged more than outsiders believe. In Europe, distinctions are made concerning how clothes are best worn in public. The use of manners create an aura of self respect and are more aesthetically pleasing.
Maureen Orth felt the Gatsby Era reflected the Georgetown set of old money as the Kennedys, who were rooted in public service. Their fashions reflected people with traditions and class, not just richer, as people are today. Fame today can be achieved just by wearing clothes that create a media image. Social mobility depends on the group one wishes to appease. With the erosion of dress codes, the suit of the professional has changed. Fashion today may require trained stylists to aid young professionals in choosing appropriate attire to climb the ladder to achievement.
