As of earlier today, I’m signed up (so far I’m the only guest listed) for Thursday morning’s “Think Out Loud” show, the first topic of which is “Pendleton High Fashion.” If the conversation I had on the phone earlier is any indication expect the conversation to cover things like why heritage brands like Pendleton have been crossing into the fashion world, the cultural appropriation of Native American styles in hipster fashion, and the significance of the collaboration being not with a corporate brand (Adidas, Levi’s) or an out-of-town hip brand (Opening Ceremony, Comme de Garcons), but with independent Portland designers: Church + State and John Blasioli.
Feel free to tune in (Or call in? Not sure if they’re taking calls during that segment) at 9 am to hear me trying very hard not to stutter or curse. So far Steve has suggested that I answer my first question by breaking into a very cruel impression of previous host Emily Harris, and my fiancé has advised that I not sound like a valley girl. Your suggestions are welcome too, whether they be throwing my future in radio under a bus-related, public speaking-related, or, you know, something on the topic(s) you’d like to hear addressed-related.
UPDATE! While I use the word “collaboration” in reference to the creative process, the nice people from Pendleton called me to discourage the use of the word lest it be misinterpreted as a business collaboration in which there is joint ownership of the brand. To be clear, The Portland Collection is solely owned by Pendleton.
I’ll just shelve my joke about slave fashion coming next, and note that I’m uncomfortable with this becoming out-of-context hip again after the disastrously tone deaf 70’s obsession with NA motifs in fashion.
That said, I’m not really sure why I give a shit. Usually high fashion is so abstract that it’s safely above credible reproach from us know-nothings (beyond “WTF???”.
VERY COOL! Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Colin- you don’t give a shit, because fashion is a constructed social thing. You just THINK you give a shit because by sheer will, fashion is a part of our consumer aesthetic. We don’t have a choice BUT to give a shit every time we get dressed. but you don’t REALLY give a shit.
@ El Stunto, If you’re a human living in a city in a nation, nearly everything we experience is a “constructed social thing.” At some level, once you’ve opted into the web of constructs, I don’t think you get to pick and choose which constructs are valid and which ones aren’t.
Or I guess you can, but I wouldn’t really see the point in doing so, since you’re really just saying “I agree with this one but disagree with this one.”
Also, are we on mushrooms?