Ok I’m just going to come right out with it. I’m jealous of a 13 year old girl. But not just any old 13 year old girl, but one with a sickingly innate sense of fashion and the ability to write with an insightfulness way beyond her years.
And if that’s not enough to flair up the green eyed monster she was a star guest at this year’s New York Fashion Week. She was spotted on the front row of shows from some of the world’s most respected designers, including Marc Jacobs, and hobnobbing with Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto.
If you haven’t already guessed I’m talking about Tavi Gevinson, the new teen blogging sensation that has taken the fashion world by storm. Pretentious by her own admission the Chicago dwelling blogger is set to give The Satorialist a run for his money.
Awkward and geeky she’s not your traditional style icon. Whilst most 13 year old girls wouldn’t know who Rei Kawakubo or Martin Margiela are, Gevinson explains with a typically roundabout clarity why they are her favourite designers.
With her personal style an eclectic mix of granny chic and serious fashionista she doesn’t follow trends preferring to gain inspiration from the way clothes are put together and the emotions they evoke. Gevinson explains:
“Using fashion as self-expression can go beyond wearing a shirt with a slogan, as clothing has the ability to evoke an entire feel, or atmosphere, or emotion, or world.”
Ironically she doesn’t succumb to the typical notion of style icons:
“I don’t really like the idea of ‘style icons’ or ‘beauty icons’……Or rather, I don’t understand it. Immortalizing celebrities for being able to afford a decent stylist and lots of pretty dresses just doesn’t get through to me.”
Gevinson’s blog, Style Rookie, follows her day to day musings on her outfits and magazine analysis. At times hard to follow the blog isn’t what you’d call polished, with slang, capital letters and amateur photos typifying almost every entry. But witty and accurate it’s no surprise that it was first assumed to be created by fashion professionals.
But it’s not all about fickle fashion. Gevinson shows an admirable understanding of the world with a ‘Clothing with a cause’ campaign in April aimed at raising money for STAND, a division of the Genocide Intervention Network. Multitalented Gevinson is more than a kooky hat or statement jacket.
‘I wish I was a cat,’ she explains. ‘ I would have a life to fulfil my fashion dreams, one to fulfil my acting dreams, one for guitar, one for writing, one for movie directing, one for photography, one for fine arts, one for a normal life, and one for teaching.’
The success of her blog, which gets 1.5 million hits a month, highlights the role the Web plays in breaking down barriers of traditional journalism. Anyone can have an opinion on anything. Experts have however stirred up concerns about the safety of the internet for teens. Early nasty comments on the New York magazine’s fashion blog about her true age upset Gevinson. Tavi’s Dad, Steve Gevinson, explained: “She woke up, and again woke us up, and said – and this is really heartbreaking- ‘I just woke up crying and I don’t even know why I’m crying.’”
But whilst most teens are impressionable resilient Gevinson soon bounced back and I’m happy to say wasn’t put off. Although I don’t condone taking time of school to watch fashion shows I hope she enjoys her experience and doesn’t let it all go to her head.
Before reading her blog I was unconvinced, and found the notion that designers would gain inspiration from a 13 year old girl ridiculous. Now I’ve read it I find myself enthralled by her totally frank depiction of the world. It’s certainly got me hooked and I’m looking forward to her next installments!
Check out Tavi Gevinson’s blog @Style Rookie
Amy is a 23 year old Writing Fashion and Culture graduate. English born and bred, she is currently travelling the world with her “two sidekicks and best friends”, her triplet sisters. “No we never tricked the teachers at school and can’t feel each others pain!”
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