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ETHICAL STYLE
about it, but there are so many young, creative emerging
designers who are schooled in how to source and produce
great clothes without damage. People like Stella McCartney
have been very proactive and she is occupying a leadership
position for what top design should look like when it's
been produced with those ethics in place. There are brands
investigating sustainability as best they can, but they don't
talk about it because they know they're going to receive
more criticism than positives.”
When it comes to her own role in the fashion industry,
Franklin believes that herself and women her age should
be steering younger women towards better self-esteem,
by the examples they set. “The consumer and the fashion
industry are holding hands together; if the fashion industry
does something and it doesn't sell, they're not going to do
it again – it's that simple. These huge corporations are not
in it for female self-esteem or developing world health,
they are simply in it for profit. Women have been
groomed to take on low self-esteem on behalf of dominant
culture business process.
At 58 years old, Caryn is embracing this stage of life.
“Many women my age have been caught up in concern
for loss of youth, and caught up in corporate promotion
of atrophy of loss of youth,” she says. “We don't have a
culture that talks about all the gains of getting older. And,
that's what I have been quite vocal about – I have to shout
quite loudly about all the positives of aging, and to also
encourage young women not to self-objectify. We should not
view ourselves purely as an appearance. Of course I want
to look my best, I want to celebrate everything that I am
and everything that I can be and I do that by wearing great
clothes and great products that I bring into my life, on my
terms.” The fashion expert is crystal clear about one thing
though, she certainly doesn't subscribe to an idea that she
should try and hold onto her youth. “It was great, I loved it,
but I've moved into a space of tribal elder, which I love.”
And, it's not just women Caryn's age that she wants to
inspire. “Women in their 30s are encouraged to feel anxiety
and therefore you can't enjoy your age. It kicks in late
twenties, which is unbelievable that we should fear loss of
youthful veneer – we're not thinking about who we are, what
we believe and what we stand for."
When it comes to her daughters, Franklin's passion for
diverse body image applies on a personal level, as well as
professional. “I have made it my life's work to bring up both
daughters without body image issues, and that has meant,
from day one, respecting my body in front of them, never
undermining myself and enjoying myself as a whole human
being. I never criticise myself in the mirror and I celebrate
their bodies and physicality. We buy clothes as if it's a
party; does it make you feel great? If it doesn't, take it off!
All mothers of daughters instinctively know this, but may
not have implemented it in the way that I have. My advice
continues to be: be aware of the urge to self-objectify and,
challenge it at all times."
Franklin is also quick to share the advice that her
daughters have given her over the years: “they've been the
best teachers I could have ever had, on so many issues. That
kind of feminist banter around the table is the best mirror
possible. It's only when the people who love you are willing
to show you a mirror, with kindness and compassion and
challenge you, that you can learn."
CARYN'S SHOPPING TIPS
Don't fall in love with an item of clothing on the
hanger. You have to recognise the attributes of the
garment that flatter you; the neckline, the cut, the
hem length, the proportions. Get to know your own
body and let go of the fact that every store will
have garments to fit you. This will not be the case
because there's no standardised sizing.
There might only by a few stores that give
you a great fit, so only go to those stores. Build a
relationship with the people that work there,
have them see you as a regular so they can
tell you what you might like, because they know
what you've bought.
Only pick something off the rail because is has the
attributes that you want, but take in a shed load to
the fitting room and have a try-on fest. Don't waste
any time liking an item until you've seen the fit and
what it does for your colouring.
Does this item work with the rest of the clothing
in your wardrobe? What can you envision it going
with? Does it fit? That then gives you a connection.
Women often chose clothes for an emotional
connection that they already had on the hanger and
believe somehow that they will have a repeat of
when they put it on, but they don't, because it never
actually suited them in the first place.