I think highly of this blogger and I read his blog frequently yet something in this entry really hit home since I basically have felt exactly the same thing (yet I am not into Prada as much as DG) and even though I am a sucker for Nobu and funky districts in better cities than mine ;) I for sure feel that the whole "fabulous" "luxury" idea of "the world" is becoming a little out of control. Like when there is a MASSIVE luxury condo going up infront of a homeless shelter (like Harrison Ave in Boston's South End) something is happening and I don't believe it is for the better of society. There has to come a point where the whole fabulous luxury thing peaks and the only scary thing about it is that I feel like it has to be soon. One could call me hypocritical since my blog is mostly about my vision of a "dreamy" life and what I think is cool or not.. but still .. I am tired of looking like a clone dressed in AF, or the more updated version (for those who haven't moved past AF) Diesel and I am tired of American commercialized stupidity and its pyschotic obsession with LOSER celebrities. Seriously people, lets move onto the good stuff. And I honestly can't afford Prada or DG regularly so I am refraining from commenting on that ;)
The Fash Mag Slag states:
New York needs some soul. Seriously. I can't even begin to tell you all how sick I'm getting of the word 'fabulous'- and how everything needs to be fabulous. Restaurants, shops/boutiques, etc. All of downtown, whether it's the Lower East Side, the Meat Packing District, or West Chelsea, is becoming full of sterile, shoddily made luxury buildings, and eateries that cater to the 'fabulous'- which in translation means irritating people with no class. And don't get me started on Tribeca. Disgusting financial people who don't save any money, and waste their large pay checks at wine bars.
I know, I know. At first glance, I probably appear to be another trendy asshole. Yeah, I like Prada and Commes des Garcons, though lately I've been in a clothes funk. The other day I went around to a variety of shops, ranging from Express Men, Urban Outfitters, Prada SoHo, Barneys on Madison, Costume National, Diesel, and plenty of other shops- and do you know what? I couldn't find anything I liked. I was nauseated by Bloomies SoHo- the sales people were useless. Prada is the same every season, and while their clothes are great, I prefer their winter clothes to summer clothes. Diesel, with the exception of the jeans, is a bunch of crap, and I felt like I was ancient in Armani Exchange- and I'm only 26 for fuck's sake! Plus, most small shirts didn't even fit me. I like to wear colared shirts untucked, but NOT if they come down almost a foot below my waist. Am I tiny, or are many small shirts huge? The only store that interested me was the Urban Outfitters on 14th Street West, as all other Urban Outfitters suck donkey balls, so I got a few cute retro polo shirts that actually fit my small frame. Maybe I'm a picky asshole if I turned my nose at Prada Men's S/S 2005 collection, but I did. Whatever. Summer clothes, for the most part, are not my thing.
Ok- back to my post- I know I look and have a certain profession that can be perceived as shallow, but I do have interests. I like to read, go to films, travel, cook, study history and sociology/anthropology. I'm not merely a consumer asshole, I'm proud of my 9 year old Honda. I can't stand the Nobu, Apt, Lotus, Prada crowd, even though I work in advertising. I exercise, but rarely lift weights. I like blasting loud British rock, and I hope Ashley Simpson chokes on her own vomit and dies, though that's way too cool a death for her, since Hendrix died that way. Oh wait, I forgot she spells it 'Ashlee' that stupid fucking cunt. Give me Chinatown dim sum and garbage smells over overpriced, unairconditioned Tribeca sushi any day. Manhattan is just becoming a giant mall- and while I am still gay and love shopping, this town, as great as it is, needs some filth and grit. I want more crime. We've lost our edge, and there isn't any soul here anymore. Just 'fabulous' boutiques and million dollar one bedrooms with top of the line appliances, bamboo floors, but walls made of paper. Fuck it. Where are all the weirdos and muggers? Remember dart man from a while back? The guy who blew darts out of a drinking straw at women's asses? Where's he? When people in my line of work drive all the artists out of a neighborhood, the neighborhood becomes cleaner, safer, but loses it's soul, it's driving force. Maybe I should move to Chinatown, quit my job, and play mahjong in the park all day- only to emerge for a biannual Prada binge. That way, I can have my cake and eat it too.
I've heard of this 'fashmagslag'. I hear he's very intelligent and cute ;)
Anyway, I wrote this post as a rant, meaning typing first and thinking later. It makes me sound just as snobbish as the type of person I was complaining about, and I don't feel like moving into a dingy tenement slum and quitting my job to become a garbage man. Still, I suppose that there is more to life than parties, shopping, and luxury apartments, which is what frustrated me, thus causing me to write my lil ol rant.
And I don't go to Prada and buy huge amounts often, I'm not about frequent purchases. Maybe 2 sweaters each winter and a pair of shoes- I'm kind of like Tom Ford, who I hate btw, but I'll wear the same thing frequently and not feel embarassed. I'd much rather have a few nice things than tons of crap, though I love H&M and the used store Rags a Go Go, which is great for cool used Levi's cords and ringer tees.
You like D&G? That's cool, even though I stopped caring for them. Differences of opinion are welcome ^_^ I just prefer simple, stark designs like Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Prada Sport (I only like Prada Collection for bags, and that's it), though I am usually seen in t-shirt, jeans, and inexpensive blazer. Gee, I'm so original. And please keep in mind that the word 'prefer' doesn't mean that's all I buy. I simply can't afford it al the time.
In closing, I don't hate money. It doesn't ruin people as it's an inanimate object- rather, it's the LOVE of money that can ruin people. And hell, I like my job and shopping- but, I like to consider myself interesting and there's so much more to life than a pampered NY lifestyle, you know? And to be honest, due to financial problems, there's less garbage pickup, and some grit is returning here. I couldn't be happier- I'm the kind of person who likes my person and apartment to be immaculate, but enjoy dirty streets. As long as neighborhoods change and gentrify, the less moneyed/artisitc people will reinvent themselves, and I lost sight of that in my entry.
I'm not sure if this post if more self depricating, or simply makes me look like an ass, but it's early in the morning and I need more sleep :)
Posted by: fashmagslag | June 18, 2005 at 06:23 AM
I can totally relate to shopping for "fabulous" clothes and being totally uninspired, and to "Small" shirts hanging down at my knees. There is such a plethora of grunge chic out there, ripped jeans, patched and stitched tees, that it's like sifting through piles of used clothes at Boomerangs; I really have to dig to find something I actually like, that doesn't make me feel like I'm trying too hard, that actually feels like it's "me." Capitalist consumerism is the new religion, and somewhere along the line the greed to be "fabulous" can overtake the need to be real.
Btw, I love mahjong. Wanna play it at that teahouse next time I get to Boston (mid July)?
Miss ya...
Posted by: Y | June 17, 2005 at 07:16 AM