The Cerulean Effect
Fashion has always intrigued me as a wearable form of art, allowing people to express themselves without uttering a single word. It made me reflect on how I presented myself to the world through personal style. What message did I want to convey, and most importantly, how did my clothes make me feel? Putting more effort into my appearance became important because, to me, looking good meant feeling good, and that was enough for me.
Photographer: George Ngatuvai (@georgengatuvai)
In 2015, I delved into various creative fields within the fashion industry, including photography, design, modeling, styling, and more. Unsure of my exact path in fashion, I had to explore different avenues to find what resonated with me as a creative individual. I dedicated my free time to work and learn everything about fashion. I eagerly seized opportunities to collaborate with other creatives and gain insights into thriving within the industry. Despite experimenting with various fields, I struggled to pinpoint my true passion within fashion.
I had to reflect on why I initially pursued a career in fashion. After careful consideration, I realized it wasn't solely about the clothing itself; it was about storytelling. Fashion allowed us to express ourselves without words, an extension of our personalities. It captured the essence of identifying with a Spice Girl or conveying so much through minimal or extravagant choices. Fashion enabled differing opinions on celebrities' red carpet outfits, sparking debates over the best-dressed list. This aspect of fashion fascinated me. Remembering this helped me understand that it wasn't about narrowing down a specific creative field; it was about finding the field that would authentically convey the stories I wanted to tell. Reflecting on how fashion has evolved within the Pacific Islands became one of the stories I wanted to share through Pacificus.
One of my favorite scenes from the movie 'The Devil Wears Prada' is the iconic cerulean sweater scene. If you know, you know! If you don't, pause here, watch the clip, and come back. In this scene, Anne Hathaway's character, Andy Sachs, a struggling journalist turned personal assistant to a fashion magazine's CEO, experiences a mind-blowing monologue by Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly. The cerulean sweater scene reveals Andy's lack of awareness about the fashion industry's influence on her clothing choices.
Miranda Priestly: "Something funny?"
Andy Sachs: "No, no, nothing. You know, it's just that both those belts look exactly the same to me. You know, I'm still learning about all this stuff."
Miranda Priestly: "This 'stuff'? Oh, okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic 'casual corner' where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs, and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of 'stuff'."
This scene illustrates how people often believe they are unaffected by the fashion industry, dismissing its impact on the world. This mentality is what I call "The Cerulean Effect." It refers to the obliviousness regarding how heavily the fashion industry shapes our perspectives on the world and the people around us. Fashion holds great significance and excites people, whether it's new jerseys for their favorite NBA team or the latest Ivy Park collection. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour represent athletic and athleisure interests, while ASOS, Zara, and H&M showcase casual chic styles. Clothing helps us express our personal interests. Those who believe fashion has nothing to do with them have a skewed perception of what fashion truly entails.
Within the Pacific Islander community, clothing carries cultural significance as it represents our islands and people. However, Pacific Islander fashion extends beyond traditional attire. When I launched Pacificus in 2020, I envisioned a fashion issue that would explore how the world has influenced our views on fashion. Bringing this vision to life has been incredibly fulfilling. Creating an issue dedicated to fashion feels like the culmination of years spent exploring different paths, with no clear goal in sight. The 2021 Spring/Summer issue showcases the best aspects of Pasifika fashion and its evolution within the community. I hope it sparks conversations that help us progress collectively. Through fashion, Pasifika creatives use their vision to communicate, and I hope you enjoy their stories.