Ok, I did it again. Guilty as charged! I bought yet another ‘hippie’ skirt and I am kicking myself over the impulsive buy. But in my defense, this skirt is silk with tiny flowers across a mint green background. It has layers of broad frills with tiny ones in between. It fits me like a glove and is not too bulky (some frilly skirts can make you look like you’re hiding your little sister inside!). So there you have it, I have defended myself – verdict changed – not guilty….not guilty….not guilty…..(ok, ok, I’ll sacrifice a shopping trip next weekend and stay home with a good book instead).
The thing about us girls is there is a little hippie inside waiting to be unleashed when the occasion arises. There’s something about the days when the hippie flower power generation decided to not conform but instead live a liberated life. No more bras (yes, for those of you who do not know about this era, in the US, women publicly burnt their bras as a sign of freedom to express themselves and embrace womanhood). That mindset transcended into their wardrobe – more flowy, loose-fitted and colourful garb. Shoes were mostly sandals or strappy flats, bags were big with long straps and some even wore flowers in their hair. It became a cult.
Those days may be gone, but the need to be appreciated and respected for being a woman is a fight that still goes on in many cultures to this day. We may be living in a technologically modern world with many women holding high corporate and political positions, but we want at some point to indulge in our girly fashion fantasies and once again live that flower power life.
Anna Sui to me is one woman designer who has successfully found a way to create current designs but incorporate that ‘hippie’ side of her into each one of her pieces. Take a look at her S/S 2010 collection above. There is an explosion of colours and her designs are floral and at times ethnic in nature. She makes each piece girly, fun and sensuous. Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of the flower power era alive in the 21st century.
The thing about us girls is there is a little hippie inside waiting to be unleashed when the occasion arises. There’s something about the days when the hippie flower power generation decided to not conform but instead live a liberated life. No more bras (yes, for those of you who do not know about this era, in the US, women publicly burnt their bras as a sign of freedom to express themselves and embrace womanhood). That mindset transcended into their wardrobe – more flowy, loose-fitted and colourful garb. Shoes were mostly sandals or strappy flats, bags were big with long straps and some even wore flowers in their hair. It became a cult.
Those days may be gone, but the need to be appreciated and respected for being a woman is a fight that still goes on in many cultures to this day. We may be living in a technologically modern world with many women holding high corporate and political positions, but we want at some point to indulge in our girly fashion fantasies and once again live that flower power life.
Anna Sui to me is one woman designer who has successfully found a way to create current designs but incorporate that ‘hippie’ side of her into each one of her pieces. Take a look at her S/S 2010 collection above. There is an explosion of colours and her designs are floral and at times ethnic in nature. She makes each piece girly, fun and sensuous. Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of the flower power era alive in the 21st century.
When I saw this picture (above) of Jade Jagger (Mick and Bianca Jagger’s daughter) wearing Versace at a 2002 party, I thought to myself, yes, you can still live the flower power life in a modern world. You don’t have to look like you’ve not let go of the 60’s, but instead, you can look young, chic and current even with a flower in your hair. (see below)
Its Spring, its Summer, (its always summer in Malaysia, I know, I’ve not forgotten). Go mad a little. There are lots of floral/colourful dresses around town. Get one. Wear those strappy sandals. Get a huge flower ring and adorn your finger. Stick a flower in your hair (ok, if that’s being too much, then a little hair clip with a tiny flower on it will do). Weekends will from now on be a celebration of freedom and womanhood! Flower Power to ya!
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