This editorial was first published in InCompany by Attire Club, April 2017.
When style and fashion are discussed from a psychological or even philosophical point of view, the idea of identity is what comes up very quickly.
As psychology became very fashionable during the late 1990s and 2000s, it’s the concept of identity is what is being discussed now by many people from around the world.
We are bombarded with discussions on who we really are; which makes one wonder whether there is a disconnect between who we are and who we want to be. There are many reasons why this could be the case, but probably the deepest reason for this disconnect is the fact that many people describe their identity by using one shallow description of only one dimension of their being.
Identity is far more than that: it is what we use to operate in the world, our systems of morality and decision making, our emotions, our wants, our fears and our desires. In other words, it is what makes you – you, a functional person.
This toolkit that we operate with in the world is the backstage of our selves: it is what is not revealed to the public (maybe just to some people) and represents the meta-characteristics that create what others see “onstage”.
The backstage (the backend) and the onstage (the frontend) of a person are different entities that continuously interlay and influence each other. Our inside often determines our outside, but our outside also determines our inside more than we’d think.
This is why fashion and our personal sartorial choices make for such an important aspect of life. Fashion is the connector between our backstage and our onstage. It is the shell of our inner being and reflects our inspiration, our emotions and our desires.
The two do not necessarily compete, and therefore we should not embark on a race as to which one we should attend first. Because they are separate, complementary entities, it is best to be in high control of the different sides of your identity, as this way you will be able to navigate the world in the best way possible for you.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think of the balance between the two sides of life? How much should they connect? How should they connect?