Norms VS Deviations

I was asked for a few questions the other day for an upcoming interivew feature (which I will keep you updated). They wanted to know how I deviate from the norm, which I assume means that’s one way my public profile was perceived.

That’s a tricky question. Especially if you’ve heard that one of my mantras is: all is relative.

My initial reaction was: this bothers me. I don’t think that way. I mean, who’s to say? An extreme case will be even ASD (autism spectrum disorder) was campaigned to be wiped out from the category of disabilities.

It’s no news that difference, or norm, is an unstable measure, frailly strung by the current social-political power dynamics.

But in order to avoid drifting into grave skepticism which could likely more harm than help this article, let’s shift to something more lighthearted and relevant here, my outfit.

I’d like to start by saying all clothing Arianne Elmy makes isn’t for me. But this blouse – as well as a few others – feels personal, exciting, and practical.

It’s an incredibly simplified method to fixate our eyes on a limited number of labels for any reason: to keep up so all one buys are Vetements or Off-White, at least for now and despite the potential misfit; to bet safe for work so all one buys is Theory; to stay economically trendy so all one buys are Zara or H&M.

See, the real problem following that route is we are missing the process, or alternatively, the fun. All these concerns being natural and relevant to many, myself included, it’s equally essential and restorative to somewhat free the mind from the banal and enjoy dressing at times.

With all that said, I might now have an answer to that question: mostly, only moderation deserves the title norm to me.