On top of spending a big chunk of my free time listening to TED Talks… (it’s okay, you can laugh… 😉 ) I also have a great love for documentaries.
Up this week was The Gospel According to Andre.
My biggest takeaway? Be. You.
Andre created a persona- and a big one at that. People always knew when he was in a room. His unique sense of style paired with his bold voice and confident personality unraveled a presence that quite simply couldn’t be ignored.
He had an opinion, he stuck to it, voiced it, and didn’t care who heard. He wore what sparked joy within himself, ultimately becoming known for his extravagant and beautiful capes.
I found myself relating a lot to Andre in that sense- bringing me back to why I chose to pursue fashion school in the first place. The clothing we choose to wear- our personal style- is unique to each of us. Just as I may choose to wear a hot pink dress on a regular day, you may choose to wear your favorite sweatshirt and jeans.
Andre exposed individuality. Whether purposeful or not… he curated a personal brand that he became widely known for. In being authentically himself, and just overall an honest human being, people found they could confide in him- especially when it came to fashion advice.
One of my favorite points he made within the documentary was how clothing has the ability to alter the person we step out on the street to be on any particular day- how wearing a cape transforms one’s posture, just as shoes do.
My personal style tends to vary on a day to day basis, but that’s the beauty of its versatility. On days when I’m feeling bold and bright, maybe I’ll throw on my golden floor length jacket. On the other hand, some days I’d rather not feel as seen- leaning towards a more muted and comfortable ensemble. It’s days like these I let my sporty side shine through, pulling the go-to hotshot onesie out of my drawer.
Fashion is a powerful thing, and Andre Leon Talley was a powerful force. The combination of the two transformed the course of the industry forever- creating something iconic for generations to look back and admire.
View the official trailer for The Gospel According to Andre here!
