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WHY URBAN WOMEN WEAR WHAT THEY WEAR

Eileen Vivoda

Photo by Ava Beydoun

FROM THE EDITOR

URBAN WOMEN WEAR WHAT THEY WEAR TO EXUDE THE CONFIDENCE THAT LIVING IN THE CITY INSTILLS IN THEM WOMEN ARE POWERFUL WE’VE ALWAYS FOUND SANCTUARY IN THAT NOTION THROUGH HOW WE DRESS.

When developing my thesis, I wanted to find a topic directly connected to me and my experiences. “Why Do Urban Women Wear What they Wear?” became increasingly interesting to me.

In 2022, I moved to Chicago to pursue a degree in fashion. It was in that exact moment that I became the urban woman. I cherish all my experiences I’ve had thus far. In all those moments, my clothing has been a key factor in the remembrance of my growth.

Throughout my process, I founded my research around human connection, womanhood, and the idea that we all wear our clothing for a reason. I conducted research through mediums such as interviews, surveys, and field research.

Please enjoy.

Eileen Vivoda

Editor-in-Chief

THE FASHIONABLE WOMAN: FOR STYLE OR SAFETY?

The vibrancy of a city has the ability to change one ' s life. Culture, diversity, opportunities, and experiences all live in tandem. With all good comes bad. Cities have the wherewithal to knock you down, or, in better terms: chew you up and spit you out. In life, every woman faces the age old question: should I move to a city? Only the true go getters turn that question into their fate. It takes a special someone to live in a city, and those women that do it are magic

When I moved to Chicago, my whole life changed. New friends, new homes, new jobs, a whole new life. I has ups and downs. In the beginning, definitely more downs than ups. As I said, a city can knock you down. It is how you get up that truly inspires you to keep going.

One of the biggest shifts I felt in my life in urban living was through my wardrobe. Upon arrival, I began to experiment heavily into more quote en quote “out there” outfits. Looking back on some today make me cringe but, it’s all a part of the process.

It was my sophomore year when I began to think of how I was being perceived. I started feeling the stares. Women have such a unique space in this world. Put on display not because we want it but, for the meer fact that we are not men.

When I surveyed my collection of urban women, 95% of respondents said that they have been objectified based on their outfit. 95%. All but one respondent has experienced this. All based off of how they expressed themselves through their clothing. In our society, we have gotten so comfortable with judgement that this statistic does not shock me; it only puts into perspective how far we’ve strayed from connection. Fashion should be used to inspire and celebrate differences. With women especially, this bond is so important in our current state of oppression.

While we can dwell on the obstacles all we want, deep down we know the positives can motivate us further to continue our exploration.

I love the urban woman. There is an innate confidence within them that truly cannot be replicated by anyone else. This certain confidence is due to those obstacles they’ve faced. The city makes you strong. For women that have only been told “ you can’t dress like that” or “ you don’t look good in that”, it only makes them want to wear it more. That is the power of being a woman.

When talking about urban woman fashion, we have to acknowledge what their clothing does for them. Many of those I interviewed and surveyed said they see their clothing as an armour to which I resonate. Using your clothing as an extension of yourself to make you feel more secure and safe is necessary. However, armour can also be seen as adornment. A decoration that speaks to who you are without even saying a word.

Many respondents also discussed that they wear what they wear for connection. I can attest that hearing a friend say they like your outfit is a high praise compliment Humans are so built on connection and I find this connection increases through the womanhood connection of clothing.

So yes, urban women wear their clothing to keep them safe, but it is so much deeper than that. Urban women wear their clothing to exude their inner confidence. Urban women wear their clothing to express themselves more than they would be able to in other places. Urban women wear their clothing for comfort. Urban women wear their clothing to reflect their independence. The urban woman is a powerful being, and the clothing they wear reflects that idea so well.

“WOMEN ARE CONSTANTLY

“URBAN WOMEN WEAR WHAT THEY WEAR BECAUSE IT’S A REFLECTION OF WHO THEY ARE. THEY ALLOW THEIR CLOTHING TO EXPRESS THEIR INNER ESSENCE”.

PHOTO BY CATHERINE CALLEN STYLED BY EILEEN VIVODA

THE URBAN BUNDLE

With any seasoned city comes a dreary, snowy, and cold time of year: the never ending winter. From November-April cities all around the world turn from bright suns with crisp air to a blisteringly frigid wasteland of the city that once was. Now...it doesn’t have to be as bad as it sounds with the right layers. Here are three must have items to tackle the urban winter.

The Perfect Puffer Coat

Insulated and Waterproofed Boots Knitted Balaclava

Cut out the clothing pieces along the green line to dress Miss Doll!

What does chanel know about NYC?

Matthieu Blazy defines his “New York” in his first ever Métiers d’art collection for Chanel.

On Tuesday December 2 , Chanel took to the underground subway system of New York for their Métiers d’art pre fall collection. Dawning only the second collection from new artistic director, Matthieu Blazy. In this extensive 81 look show titled The “C” Line, the idea of the “New York Woman” was showcased in every facet of the phrase.

Only two months ago we received the first collection from the new “Blazy Era” of Chanel. Taking stage in the oh so classic Grand Palais in Paris, this collection soon became the most anticipated show of the S/S 26 fashion week season. It was here that we learned Blazy’s new direction for Chanel: a extraordinarily modern twist on the classic Chanel style to appear more youthful for a growing client base.

The Chanel Métiers d’art collections have always been the moments that reinstate the brand as the one to watch in the haute couture fashion space. Meaning “art professions” in French, these collections highlight the elite level of French craftsmanship of the house of Chanel.

With Métiers d’art being so centered around French atelier work it begs the question: What does Matthieu Blazy know about the urban woman and what do they have to do with Métiers d’art?

The show started with the first model walking down the subway stairs to catch her train. Adorned in a quarter zip, oversized blue jeans, and a giant shoulder bag with a jacket precariously place atop it, the model arrives at the platform as soon as the train arrives. Models begin to flood off The “C” Train in a classic New York rushed fashion. In zig zagging lines the looks from Blazy’s mind began to take place on the platform.

Every texture, every fabric, every woman, every story unfolded in front of the audiences eyes. Classic New York motifs such as “I LOVE NY” and “The Urban Jungle” unfolded in sparkly t-shrits and tiger print bottle cap dresses. The mediums used varied to reflect all the identities that live within the urban space. Many classic Chanel silhouettes rained true with the new Blazy youthful and modern twist. Whereas traditional Chanel leans so feminine, this new era plays with mixing masculinity with femininity. Theatrics began as model Alex Consani walked off the train portraying that of a NYC high power businessman.

This collection was nothing short of creative while also being extremely vulnerable. Urban women from the likes of the most diverse and strong communities and Blazy was did not shy away from that idea. No two looks were the same. Even if similar in silhouette or color, the wearers embodied such differing identities to show that the wearer is just as important as the garment. Stories weaved together on that train platform late that December night. Chanel grasped the concept of the urban woman tight in their hands; proving that Chanel can be more than a pretty face. The grit this collection had is the true stamp that Blazy is having an impact and a long lasting one at that. The urban woman wears her identity on her sleeve, her shoes, her dress, her bag: her everything. It is that that truly shapes the community of urban women. Matthieu Blazy transformed Métiers d’art to showcase not only French craftsmanship but to show that clothing can speak for communities. If you needed to be convinced to be interested in Chanel again, this is the collection that will do it.