Is style ever a statement of individualism or is it always an extraction of a larger group-based contagion? Reduce any social group to appearances and most of the time (still working on the margin of error) it is easy to label the hipster, skater, prep, nerd, hick or uptown guy based on dress-code alone. Of course you will always be left guessing with the outliers; those in odd fashion, like my aunt’s friend who owns a wholly antique wardrobe made of fripperies from the 1800’s, or the stylistically ambiguous dressers who mix hipster and business with no shame. Where do they fall? certainly not in the art project of Rotterdam based photographer Ari Versluis and profiler Ellie Uyttenbroek who, working together since 1994, have systematically documented numerous identities. The project, named “Exactitudes” aka a “contraction of exact and attitude”, while trying to stay true to reality has a more artistic and orchestrated approach, so that the subjects had to observe a strict dress-code and pose to fit into their grid. Other than that it’s pretty fascinating to see how contagious fashion is amongst groups. Visit their website to see this impressive collection. Pay attention to their labels.

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Only once a year can you look in the mirror, think yourself as hideous, and walk away with joy. It is a weekend when Manhattan fills up with pretty monsters, slutty nuns, and every other incongruent adjective and noun you can think of. Discrimination is close to impossible at it’s peak and the proportion of weirdo pedestrians rockets skyward.

Most triumphant here is an unlikely group of Average Joes who orchestrate ‘runway hits’, in the closet cross-dressers who, if they get to live out their alter ego only once a year, will do so fiercely, and finally, the hundreds, if not thousands, of babies and dogs who entertain involuntarily.

Once you get used to the sight, there are pleasures to be had in costume-spotting. Most rewarding is the experience of recognizing  the ’smart costume’ or as my brother explained to me “a subject going through something”, as in “a man on a windy day” or “Peter Griffin when he had liposuction”. Another thing is that costumes tend to emphasize certain physiological arrangements that are very attractive. Nothing draws the eye more than an ill fitting dress or a character with questionable proportions, like the 6″2 broad-shouldered Marilyn Monroe. The key is to be ridiculous.

Ricky’s pre-packaged costumes aside, and you will notice that Halloween draws some talented closeted creatives. As someone who consistently fails to impress on this day, I can say that it is very easy to be left behind with a cat’s tail or a pair of scrubs. But don’t feel inferior to the 8 foot Frankenstein, or the old lady carrying a twenty-something on her back.  See it more as an alien invasion in which you are the only safe witness and enjoy it as a spectator.

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 Satire is a powerful tool in our culture.  Jon Stewart should know. He’s been extremely successful in utilizing it to deliver a comic cynicism that affects and inspires the 20-somethings in this country.  His audience – TV-watchers, liberals of some sort who are sick of Limbaugh-type-conservatives pissing on truth in the name of dogma, may or may not be politically active – but now they have a chance to stand up for what they find hysterically maddening.  Mr. Stewart is pushing to get his masses of the couch to come to a ”Rally to Restore Sanity“ in Washington D.C. on October 30th.  His invitation cites “Think of our event as Woodstock, but with the nudity and drugs replaced by respectful disagreement.”   Alongside, faux arch nemesis Colbert will be holding his own ‘March to keep Fear alive“. The two hope to attract a turnout that will put Glenn Beck’s attempt  ’Restore Honor’ to shame. I hope so myself.  To join the indoor masses on Oct. 30th and for more information go here.  

 

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3 of my best friends were born on this day!!! Happy Birthday to my darling Michali and the beautiful twins, my familia, Ben and Natalie. You know how much you mean to me. I wish you cherries on top of everything in life! Love you.  KISSES and BEST WISHES!

P.S. Ben, you were dearly missed last night

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4th day in the city:

Just had a Kinder Penguin yummi.

Berlin has made a big impression on me. Just came home from a long bike tour of the East that included art, monuments, light shopping and ‘lecker’ food. Super views, super chill, super Berlin. More after the click.

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