You all know my aim here, I' am trying to show how personal styles can become art. It is difficult to find an individual style no one else has, this is, you have to feel comfortable with the clothes you choose, they have to represent your deepest soul and of course the outfit must be original. How my first interviewed, Alba Caviglia, said you have to look for unique clothes that no one else is wearing. If you buy all your outfit from big corporations like Inditex or Primark, it is going to be really difficult to be incomparable and to express your own personality. For that reason, try to combine this apparels with other ones you know you are the only able to wear. You can find really original and sole outfits in Vintage Shops, Street Markets, Second Hand Shops, small boutiques and in Internet. Fashion is very important for me, so I always try to save some money for new and rare clothes in line with my personality. I have been shaping my own style for years; I read articles about new trends, new relevant personalities in fashion and I try to visit artistic cities where arts and urban cultures are powerful and significant. For that reason I keep my style wherever I go. Finding these kind of shops in Ankara is my new objective. I would like to present the unique shops of this city, so that their citizens or visitors can complete their outfit with Ankara's clothing. I want to show how original people can be buying here, but at the moment I have not found any of them. So will be a pleasure for me to show you some of my most valuable and unique clothes I have bought all around the world. (I will also add the links to show you these beautiful places and their extraordinary catalog) This old jacket is from THREE VINTAGE SECOND HAND SHOP in Castellón (Spain). It is one of my star clothes so I carry it with me everywhere I go, it means a lot to me because it was the first jacket I bought from a second hand shop. Thanks to this apparel I started in the world of street styles, because I realized how good you feel wearing unique garments. This jacket help me to show others a unique personality. http://threevintageshop.com/ You can also buy online. This naif jacket is from ARIZONA VINTAGE in Paris (France). This garment is also very important, due to it was manufactured in the 80s but I was the first one to use it after more than thirty years. We could say that is an old jacket but its story begins with me. http://www.arizonavintage.com/ You can also buy in Spain, UK, Italy and online. This shiny skirt is from the world wide web ALIEXPRESS, where you can only buy online. I use this skirt at night during special occasions, as it shines enough with sunlight. I bought it because I wanted to be dress not black colored as everybody does during special nights. http://www.aliexpress.com/ This high pair of shoes are from the street market CAMDEN TOWN in London (United Kingdom). They are the typical creepers used during the 80s and 90s at Great Britain, these ones were used by the old cyber social-movement. Nowadays, the Camden shops continue selling them for new and diverse generations, not only for cyber people. I love creepers design and their history, so every time I go to London I buy one pair. I've been collecting these shoes for 5 years, now I have 5 pairs. http://www.camdenmarket.com/ You can also buy online, but I strongly recommend you to go and see how unique styles and arts surround this magical market.
Tattooing is considered a popular urban culture that is increasing considerably among the younger population, however it has become part of street fashion during the 21st century. This practice has adopted different meanings over the years, for example, the ancient African tribes used it as a sign of differentiation from other tribes, even to frighten their enemies. Asia used tattoos as a symbol of offering to the gods, the Mediterranean area used tattoos to mark the slaves and the ancient Americas to align their bodies with Mother Nature. Due to the modernization and development over the years, tattoos have been used for an entirely different purpose, this is, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, only sailors and prisoners tattooed their bodies as "bad times" marks. The sailor and prison tattoo are currently the most drawn among the tattooed population, what we would call "old school" draw. Moreover, the contemporary tattoo is also very popular as they are colorful symmetrical lines, trying to simulate nature shapes. Today, many people choose to mark their bodies as a form of personal expression, they let an artist draw on their skin in order to show to other people what's going through their minds, the important people in their life or even feelings, all reflected through body art. In Ankara aren't very common the people full tattooed, explains Ufku Gurkan, the main tattooer of Daftart. He started working in this studio 6 years ago and says: "I have been marking my body to the point of not having more space, but I love this unusual kind of art. I feel like a moving picture". Ufku loves tattooing and wants to devote his life to it, so that is why he does not mind going so marked, also describe tattoos as an "artistic vice". This 26 year old man described the tattoo as a way of life, "Not everyone can mark their skin forever, only those who consider tattooing as a deep meaning art. I think the key is to create through your body a personal canvas where your feelings and deep thoughts are exposed". "In Ankara is very difficult to go unnoticed with so many tattoos, which is why sometimes I feel weird walking down the street because everyone looks surprised. However, I think that it's an educational issue. If you get the Turkish eye used to this kind of art, at the end nobody will turn to look at me". "I also sell all kind of uncommon clothes, jewels and shoes just for people who do not want tattoos, at least they can express themselves through unique clothings". "When I sit in the chair, smell the paint, hear the sound of the needle and feel the skin of the client beating like a heart, I feel that I belong to this study, I belong to Daftart". "Helping people to express themselves freely through the body makes me happy". "Ankara's biggest market on its kind, Design Market Autumn edition took place on 3rd and 4th of October at CerModern. From textile to fashion, from accessories to household items, from office items to plastic arts, from kids products to books, numberless design products were available on Design Market displays among ateliers, concerts and performance shows" Source: Official Facebook page It is a truly unique event as the handicrafts, the good vibes, the extravagant and unique people, the good music and food make this place a magical spot full of art and personality. My experience there was really gratifying because I could contemplate and also interact with a mix of urban styles, not only among the visitors but in the artistic products that were exhibited and sold. It is a seasonal market but do not exactly know when will the next one take place, but you can join its facebook page (link beyond) and check out the latest news to keep in touch with this event. I will do it! |
Andrea PerisAll terrain communicator and creative in progress.
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