No One Will Be Boarding Up My Imagination...

I was lucky enough to get to see one of Banksy’s pieces in Compton before it was assaulted with plexiglass. I’m glad the piece is preserved, but it’s like seeing a wild animal in a zoo: it’s still alive, but awkward and trapped out of it’s natural habitat. Anyways, Banksy was in LA in February. This piece hits close to home for anyone who has been victim to the recent wave of foreclosures. Go to the corner of Washingtion Blvd. and Compton Ave. to see it yourself.

“We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves." -    Banksy 

      from his book Wall and Piece

I know, I know. This is a fashion blog and Banksy’s quote about shopping and capitalism was facetious. Seems a little backwards. This is going to sound a bit harsh, but fashion can be oppressive. We have no choice but to absorb the 100 ft. tall advertisements of the rail thin models that make us feel inadequate unless we buy that product. On the other hand, you can absorb that image, pick the parts that really ring true to your own aesthetic taste, forget anything that made you feel less than you really are, and use it to make yourself  into a walking advertisement for creativity. YOU ARE STREET ART. There. That’s your mission. Anyone who reads this now bears the knowledge that what you wear does not define who you are, but is an opportunity to reflect who you are to the world. We have to look at you all day, so please give us something interesting to look at. GO.

This ensemble:

Thrift stores and vintage apparel will forever tickle my fancy. Thrifting is cheap, unique and a form of recycling!

I found this amazing blouse at the American Way thrift store in Burbank, complete with a striped knit collar, a black and white playing- card inspired print, and shoulder pads! It looks like something my sassy Grandma June would have rocked in Vegas while smoking a Marlboro and playing video poker at the Flamingo in 1985.  I paired it with a gifted asymmetrical mustard tank from Urban Outfitters (thanks Kare!), cut off denim shorts, black tights and some great high-heeled loafers from ZARA that I also found at the thrift store.

So go forth, thrift, and surprise me.

I’ll be waiting for you on La Brea with my camera and my shoulder pads.

Love,

Amanda