Fashionista: Express yourself, make a statement — fashion can define our whole and authentic self

By Catrena B. Thomas
Fashion Inspired

Fashion has always been a way to express oneself individually and collectively. Fashion is a statement of the times; it reflects people’s thoughts during a certain moment in time.

I remember back in the ’70s when Black is Beautiful was a new phrase, black women wore their hair natural (meaning they didn’t use chemicals to straighten their hair) and they wore bright colors that reflected their personality, background and personality. their culture.

I’m a kid in the 80’s and 90’s. We confused. Our style is everywhere. I remember jelly shoes, lace gloves, big hair, neon colors, and the rock-n-roll group Guns and Roses playing in the background. It was an era of exploration and fun for me and my colleagues.

Fashion has brought us together and it has separated us.

I remember wearing the We Are the World t-shirt, which was part of the effort to end hunger in Africa and I remember in high school teenagers wearing white t-shirts who started race riots.

Even as recently as last year we have seen shirts with Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter.

Fashion is a powerful tool that can divide or unite, but what’s great about it is that we can choose how we use that power.

I have the mindset to use fashion to make and make your own statement and bring others together to show how strong and beautiful we are.

This journey and my love of fashion started with my mother. I was coming home after a long day at school, and the storeroom had new clothes laid on my bed. It makes me feel beautiful and special. This is what I want for all women — to feel beautiful, empowered, and special like you.

The media has hurt us all by narrowly defining beauty, but I am encouraged by the changes I have seen over the last few years. Beauty looks are starting to evolve and become more inclusive of all.

Most women only use about 10% of the things in their closet (www.lifestylefifty.com) because we seek comfort rather than exploring something new. We buy all the beautiful clothes that excite us and reflect our personality, but we are afraid to wear them because we don’t want to stand out in the crowd. There are many times I wear clothes that I like and decide not to wear them because I feel crowds, groups, business meetings can’t handle it, so I change into something much more acceptable.

However, I have decided that I am not going to dim my own light because other people can’t handle my brightness. If I am too bright for you then wear some color because this is me.

Catrena Bowman Thomas (Photo by Shelly Dawn Images)

I challenge you the next time you go into your closet wearing that dress, putting on those pants, and letting your pretty personality shine through. We need it, and we need you to bring your full self to tables, chairs, and meeting rooms.

In this monthly column we’ll explore the intersection between fashion, women’s empowerment and today’s culture.

Join us in this conversation.

Catrena B. Thomas is the owner of Inspired Fashion, an online clothing boutique for women. See him in www.inspiredfashion40.com. This is the first regular monthly column to appear in The NKyTribune.

She and boutique GlowGirl hosted the September 11 Every Woman Fashion Show at the Met Club. Get your ticket here and get a chance to meet him in person.