In fl u e n c e : L I F E S T Y L E
influential-magazine.com
Fashion S tat e m e n t ♦ written by
Brad Kennington
Executive Director LMFT, LPC, and COO of Cedar Springs Austin
F
ashion speaks volumes. Our clothes can
disorders and body image issues and struggling with
communicate many aspects of our identity:
a sense of overwhelming worthlessness.
who we are professionally, our position in society, our culture where we come
Although extreme in their expression, the themes in
from, and even how we feel. Whether
their stories are not that different from the themes
it is surgical scrubs, a firefighter’s uniform or an
in our own narratives. In some ways, the choices
Italian business suit, what a person dons can dictate
we make in style are really an attempt to be seen, to
how they are perceived, both by self and others.
be noticed. And underneath this is the desire to be known, to be accepted for who we are, in essence, to
Clothes serve as a second skin of sorts, helping us take
belong.
on a specific persona while projecting what we want others to think about us or maybe even protecting us
Beneath all the fabric and stitching, who are we? Do we
from our own insecurities. There is an interdependent
let our clothes—the designer, the label, the size—define
relationship between our wardrobe and feelings. What
who we are? The more important question is, how do
we wear impacts our mood and our mood can certainly have an effect on what we wear. And just because society says you may look like a
we “wear” ourselves when we are with others? Are we confident without being arrogant? More self-assured and less self-defeating? And sometimes we are quick
million dollars does not necessarily mean you may feel
to make a judgment about someone—their feelings or
as good as you may look. Unfortunately, some of the
income level or intelligence or sexuality —based solely
most wounded and insecure stumble their way into
on what they are wearing.
the fashion industry in hopes of feeling empowered and validated. I recently visited with a cover model
Our own unique sense of style accentuates us, it does
who has participated in runway shows in New York
not make us. Being comfortable in one’s own skin,
and throughout Europe. She painted a very painful
regardless of one’s body shape or size of garment
picture of some of the young women in the modeling
or what others may think, is the strongest fashion
industry: hooked on cocaine, ravaged by eating
statement of all. IN FLUENTIAL 13