Frida has always been a huge inspiration for me not only because of her artwork and her fashion sense, which is undeniably personal and moving, but also because of her bravery due to her ill health and disability. A woman who had physical disabilities such as polio as a child and then later a tram accident that left her paralysed. She was always true to her Mexican origins, a strong woman who expressed her loss and grief through her artwork and fashion style. Her life was filled with pain and passion.
A special moment for me was taking my first son, who was very sick at the time and has since passed way, to an exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s work. The grief I was going through and seeing her artwork inspired by her inability to have children really struck a chord with me. Trauma, grief, and loss are horrible experiences to go through and they stay with you for life. They shape you and are part of your story.
I feel very strongly about looking for inspiration and connection to things that make me feel good. I have always found dressing stylishly has helped me through this”. Fashion can make you feel stylish, confident, and amazing and I know for myself that encouragement can go a long way in building confidence and self-esteem. When I think, what colour? What pattern? What shape? What mood do I want to create? In that moment of dressing, my mind is focused on the clothes and fabrics I’m in the now and not focusing on other issues that don’t always bring joy. It transports me to an emotional aesthetic place. Depending on my mood, I might feel like wearing something bolder, like a Leopard print, and other times, I might want to wear a texture that makes me feel soft and cosy. Then I accessorise adding earrings, shoes and lipstick. Looking my best and dressing well makes me feel confident inside and out. When I am dressed well, I feel better about myself and the world.
When my son was in a transplant room for months on end and during his 7 visits to the ICU, no matter what time of the day, or night I always dressed to make myself feel a little better. When you do not have control over an illness, I find being able to dress how you want to feel, you can gain some control. I came across the term “Enclothed Cognition” that relates to the effect clothing has upon a person’s mental health and the way we think, feel and function.
I know for myself that dressing in the morning and putting on an outfit lifts my mood, which is important during these recent lockdowns. What we wear affects our behaviour, attitudes, personality, and confidence. Some days it’s a struggle to find the energy to be inspired, but I think dressing in a way that conveys how you want to feel can help. It does not have to be high fashion; it can be pre-loved or whatever fashion that makes you feel good. Dressing helps give me strength and even more so when faced with challenges. In a small way it’s like rising to the occasion.
Frida was known as a fashion icon, she fashioned herself through her use of colour and design and her Mexican heritage. She spent hours deciding what colour sash to wear and which ribbons and flowers to put in her hair. She decorated corsets to be uniquely hers. Her clothes reflected her personality. Because her look was so iconic, anyone who puts flowers in their hair and wears strong colours is a reference to Frida. Her use of colour, shape, pattern, and texture have always been a huge inspiration for me. How we dress, how we decorate our homes reflects who we are. When we are time poor, uninspired, lacking motivation or have other compelling issues we must deal with, sometimes it’s nice to take pleasure in the small things. I started Dressabiity to help everyone from all lifestyles to have their Frida moment and experience the joy of fashion styling. My styling packages are for everyone, but I allow for a little more support based on individual needs. My Discovery session (which is free) covers all things from your lifestyle needs and passions and everything in between.
“When viewers see her work and hear her voice, it gives them a voice to address challenges in their life,” said curator Justin Witte.