FAIRYTALE CHARADE
Photography MELISSA BERRIOS Styling EMILY BURNETTE Words STACY STEWART SMITH
Fairytale Charade
Words by Stacy Stewart Smith
The one thing we’ve all learned from the current situation of being sheltered-in-place is that fashion, as fickle as it may seem to some, is essential to modeling identity. It would seem that a purpose for style needs to exist for us to appreciate it entirely, but do we always need to reinvent its essential nature? While the basal need for clothes is to provide a covering, the opportunity to rediscover and redefine it under the current circumstances is irresistible.
Aside from the grim truth that the Coronavirus pandemic has and will continue to take lives globally, we must channel our way through the daily stresses of this ordeal. From the fearful perspective of anyplace like “Gotham City,” not a single soul could have ever imagined themselves in such a circumstance. Although some went through the shelter order with family members, many people found themselves alone in an apartment. Imagine, if you will, the fashion persona without a place to wear clothing, makeup, and accessories? It seems shallow but, after watching everything on Netflix and Amazon Prime and eating a bit more than your share because nobody’s watching—the fashion mind snaps back to reality. We must always be prepared for whatever is coming. We must still believe that there is a reason to get dressed and to keep up the appearances that we have worked so hard to establish.
Why not do a daily exercise of trying on things to see what still works in your wardrobe? Besides, isn’t it like shopping and exercising combined?
Speaking of a workout, the waistline can go to pot during a pandemic, and with no one around making comments—well, you know, the mirror can tell little white lies. Therefore it’s always good to try on clothes, to make sure that they still fit. And there’s nothing wrong with anticipating meetings and dates and having an online shopping experience. Each day you can wait on a package and discover a new aspect of style while under shelter. The good thing is that you can return what you ultimately cannot use. Shopping online is a great way to exercise the mind. Just make sure that you exercise caution along with making purchases. After all, the economy is currently in shambles, and unemployment is at an all-time high.
Blazer URBAN COCO.
In this spread, we identify with the pictorial play of photographer Melissa Berrios. Shot while sheltered in place, a story is told through visual memoirs and longing for better times. The model is staged to see herself as in a mirror. She musters the strength to check her weight by trying on a favored pair of pants. She falls asleep in a chair, exercises in the reflection of a window at sunset, and plays dress-up to amuse herself. There is an intimation of both loneliness and self-entertainment. You can almost hear her dancing in the mirror perhaps to tunes by Michael Jackson. The single gloved hand points to a time when we did not have a care. Later, she’s prancing as on a runway in the mirror with herself perhaps with inner-thoughts of snow and a brighter future. Donning red lipstick, she blows a kiss at herself and breaks into laughter.
Conclusively, whatever has been your private charade during this time, we here at Vestal celebrate with you and unite in hope for a brighter future. Today we might as well be all in the shadows of a blazer pulled over our heads, but we are soon to emerge with passion and power to make fashion fairytales come true.
Blazer URBAN COCO, bralette JASMIN CHONG, pants NUEQUE.
Coat GETUBACK, pants MODELS OWN, earrings VINTAGE, shoes MODELS OWN, top SALISA, earrings VINTAGE.
Right: Coat NUEQUE, earrings VINTAGE. Left: Pants DONNA ZHONG.
Coat GETUBACK, pants COS, earrings VINTAGE.
Blazer DONNA ZHONG, pants NUEQUE, shoes NIKE.
Pants NUEQUE, gloves STYLIST’S OWN.
Photography Melissa Berrios Styling Emily Burette & makeup Meg Rianne Stylist assistant Alisha Fernandes Model Jolie Chang @jolie chang (The Identity)