Lesson 4

For those who don't know me personally, I d like to state that I call these jaunts lessons not just for the readers out there, they are reiterations of lessons I have learned in my life that I’d like to go over for myself, to remind me why I love clothes. My life revolves around them, whether it’s through my job, which is a tailor, or an event I stage called Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, or just being an avid dandy, the slope is slippery, and  I have felt myself slip into disdain for facets of Fashion.

I’d like to talk about the power of clothes, not the power suits of banksters, or ermine trimmed Saville Row coronation capes of nobility, or the black robes of judges or the Hugo Boss designed Nazi uniforms. I’d like to talk about clothes making you feel good when you are feeling down or an outfit you see on someone that makes you want to go on living, and the other side of the coin, the uninspired, ill-fitting, conformist, "normal" clothes, that people actually seek out and then wear.

These robes take skill and hours that unfortunately belong to a by-gone era.

These robes take skill and hours that unfortunately belong to a by-gone era.

The rich and "powerful" attempt to keep the power in their hands by seducing us by the allure of outrageously expensive "things", clothes included. My approach to this manipulation, is, never read magazines, never watch TV, and never go to the movies, those three are the biggest tools the manipulators use to brain wash us into sheepdom. I know it sounds extreme, but, I love myself too much, and am interested in discovering myself on my own terms, instead of being dictated to about what will make me a whole person.

The power that I’m talking about comes from you creating an aesthetic that’s your own, that no one can copy, from which you derive a confidence that is authentic. This type of confidence translates into body language and even the aura, that exude power in a benevolent, enlightenment-inducing way, as opposed to a bashing, I am-better than you vibe.

This I am better than you attitude is just a mask for insecurities, and the vortex of using "things" to elevate yourself is a road that is littered with victims of abuses, be it drugs , booze, violence, etc. I have always used my achievements to elevate others. For me a sign of strength of character is someone who has it all, and doesn’t rub it in your face, rather using it to help people to achieve the same.

I know it sounds like I went off the clothing topic a bit, but what I’m saying applies to clothing as well as everything else.

can you spot the different type of power clothes have from the two pictures?

can you spot the different type of power clothes have from the two pictures?

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