The diversity issue

VDM

Content

whitby goth weekend

feature editorial

A Diverse Location

tattoos: what would anna say?

page(s) 4 - 8

page(s) 18 - 19page(s) 12 - 17

page(s) 10 - 11

If you go down to Whitby today, you’re sure to get a big

surprise...

Visible body art; does it re-ally determine how well someone does their job?

New York City: It doesn’t get more diverse than this

Body Art: Rebellion or Self Expression?

VDM: The Blog

You’ve got the paper version, now get online

page(s) 20-27

editors note

Maria LitiziaVDM is an alternative magazine which celebrates beauty and personalities

from slightly unconventional places. What interests us is diversity and a unique and individual sense of identity. Tattoos, piercings, purple hair, a quirky dress sense;

these are all things which enhances a persons identity - it doesn’t define them. They are simply an accessory. We want to empower and encourage people to be who

they were born to be and find their own path in life. Don’t let someone or some thing determine how you look, or even how you live your life. In the end, no one

dies a virgin, life fucks us all; so just live life how you want to live it. And live it to the full.

For the first issue of VDM, our feature and main editorial focuses on body art and how it is seen within the fashion industry.

Our opinion on the matter? Visible ink on ones skin does not determine their ability or skill.

Some say our bodies are a temple - we say why not decorate the walls a little.

whitby

weekend goth

If you go down to Whitby today, you’d

better go in disguise...

vita di moda

you’ve got the magazine. now get the blog.

www.vitadimoda.co.uk

Tattoos in the fashion industry, continues to this day to be a controversial subject.People are expected to conform to an expected ‘ideal’, which doesn’t involve

any ink visible to the public. Shouldn’t people be able to express their individuality without being asked the million dollar question

“How will you get your dream job now?”

Text Maria Litizia Kelly

Tattoos:

say?Anna

10

What would

The fashion industry is forever evolving at rapid speed; from Chanel and her palazzo pants, to Rihanna and her lack of pants. Styles change, people change, but one thing remains the same: the list of expected ‘ideals’ that the fashion industry has set in stone for the world to follow as religiously as Vogue itself.

When it comes to body art and tattooing - if you are inked in a particularly noticeable place - one of the first things you will be asked is, “How will you ever get your dream job now?”. Who is to say that an individual with ink on his or her arm, chest or forehead isn’t as passionate, dedicated and hard working as the clear-skinned, hopeful intern, sitting next to them in Anna Wintour’s reception?

Having said this however, a selection of highly influential - and at times, controversial – designers have taken the first step towards change, by casting heavily tattooed models on their catwalk shows and advertorials. Names include the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino and Marc Jacobs and each have welcomed tattoos wholeheartedly. For example, the head design due for Valentino; Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chuiri, have been at the reigns of the fashion house since 2007.

Since then, they have revelled in injecting a sense of youth to the brand and have managed to do so in a variety of ways. One such way was through their Spring Summer 2013 accessories advertorials, where the heavily tattooed photographer Terry Richardson, replaced the regular presentation of florals and candy coloured lace with his sleeve. Maria Grazia Chuiri commented in an interview with WWD (2013) saying, “the sensual yet elegant nature of our accessories, described as objects of desire - and Terry’s tattooed arm is the perfect showcase.”

Other successful fashion names such as Louis Vuitton, have previously made a less permanent decision. In 2010, models at Louis Vuitton sported custom temporary tattoos by Brooklyn artist Scott Campbell. Said tattoos were in no way, shape or form subtle or on the small side either; they were large, eye-catching pieces placed directly on the neck/chest, full arm and calves. If steps such as these are being made on the luxury, high fashion scene (where image and self representation really is everything), it begs an answer as to why individuals with tattoos are still being judged in not only the fashion retail industry, but the work place in general.

from someone with visible tattoos. A farther 94% said that they did not feel that someone should be made to cover their tattoos, purely to gain employment in their chosen field.

Finally, 100% of people surveyed stated that they in no way found heavily tattooed people offensive.If brands are worried about their self-portrayal within a public setting and therefore have employees cover up their tattoos, perhaps this could change in the near future if they saw that the majority of the public did not actually react badly towards them.

What was interesting from the survey, were the comments that the public left on their opinion of heavy tattooing. One individual said that “it would be discriminating towards the tattooed population to disregard someone from certain jobs, just because they have made the decision to have tattoos”, with another stating that “it is a personal choice and doesn’t reflect someone’s skill or intelligence”. Statements such as these just shows how the public actually feels towards body art and it being presented in a work environment.

Just as Kieran Rose noted previously, there are people who will forever have an issue with tattoos. However, in today’s society, more and more people (both from a younger and an older generation) are walking into tattoo parlours and requesting to be inked on a much grander scale. Time will present itself eventually, when those applying to be the next Editor-In-Chief of Vogue may well just have a full sleeve ot body suit concealed under that classic Chanel LBD.

11

Kieran Rose is an up-and-coming ‘alternative’ model who, at the tender age of just nineteen, already has countless tattoos covering around 70% of his body. He regularly shoots for a variety of street-wear brands, has an impressive fan base and although undoubtedly talented in what he does, knows all too well the sharp sting of rejection from the public. “I’ve had some abuse for them [tattoos] in the past and still get s**** for them every now and then. People say its ‘disgusting’…those people are just judgemental”. Kieran then commented further saying, “I think as popular as they’re becoming, there’s still a lot of people who’re against them and always will be.”

It is a disturbing realisation that people are still being discriminated against in the 21st century, despite how far the general consensus on body art has come in the past decade or so. Tattoos are no longer the sole symbol of rebellion, aggression or anger. They simply extend a persons identity and personality and show that they believe in something: Amy Larocca, a writer for NYMagazine summed this fact up perfectly in a recent interview with designer Marc Jacobs (2013) saying, “There is something especially wonderful about seeing a tattoo on a model on a runway—I’m here, it says. I’m different. I have a grandmother, a favorite poem, an opinion.”

As it stands, there are many retailers - and other professions – which have policies in place which states that body art must be covered when in the work place at all times. This is generally due to the brand not wishing to have a specific look or stereotype associated with them. However, after reviewing the comments left on a recent survey on Survey Monkey (Tattoos In The Fashion Industry), it is a wonder that said policies are still being enforced. Over 60% of the public said that they would feel more than comfortable to receive their medical treatment, education and legal advice

“There is something especially wonderful about seeing a tattoo on a model on

a runway - I’m here, it says. I’m different. I have a grandmother, a favorite [sic] poem, an opinion.”

Rebellion or self-expression?

Rebellion or self-expression?

One thing I've always had an issue with in fashion, is the hypocritical and contradicting fact that we are told to follow fashion to be 'on trend'; but at the same time, told to find our own style and have some individuality. I've personally never had an issue telling someone that I'm not fond of a particular trend and if I don't like a top designers collection, I'll come out and say it. But there are people out there who find it difficult to fit in, or assume that it would be easier for them if they just wore the same as everybody else to be accepted and that's more than a little saddening.

Occasionally you will come across a new brand or personality and they will endorse individuality until they are blue in the face, but there's something about their product that just screams deja vu. I've really only seen one other brand who fully endorse both a personality and individuality when their product is worn and subsequently, just like the brand I am about to introduce you to, they are also NYC based. Can you see why NYFW is my favourite of the four yet?

Androgyny and menswear-inspired designs have been filtering through various designer collections and street style blogs for a while, but more so since Fashion Week in February of this year. Designers such as Ziad Ghanem, Gareth Pugh and even Victoria Beckham each showed collections showing their female models wearing

menswear looks and vice versa. What’s missing though, is the more mainstream and accessible brands basingtheir entire being around androgyny, but that is where Veer NYC comes in to play.

Veer NYC are the "online fashion home for women who carve their own path" - and with a strap line like that, how can you not be intrigued by what they have to offer? After a sold out show In SoHo in March of this year and building a potential client base of around 4,000 people, Veer NYC have found their feet and will be launching their Fall 2013 collection in coordination with NYFW on September 5th. A bold and brilliant decision in my opinion. The forthcoming e-commerce launch will be on the brands website at www.veernyc.com, which is also where you can view the full Fall 2013 LookBook.

So I bet you're wondering what sort of looks you can expect from the brand? Well, it will be nothing short of cool, enviable and effortless. Three things that every man or woman interested in fashion, wants to portray in their looks. Just have a look at some images from their Fall 2013 LookBook. Aside from loving every single piece that I've seen so far, I'm a particular fan of the exposed zip jeans and leather/jersey mix sweater. Oh, and how the models have some tattoos to show as well. ..

veer nycAndrogyny Done Right

Text Maria Litizia Kelly

Menswear, womanswer,it’s ‘everyones-wear’ now.

And it’s coming to you this Fall...

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New York cityIt doesn’t get more

diverse than this.

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