So…now
what? The nineties, of course, are over, a distant memory of beige, and taupe,
and “gray matters”. Martha Stewart is still around, but aren’t we just a
little (yawn) bored with all that “make it, do it, simplify it, minimilize
it” yourself activity?We
have now gone well beyond all of this new millennium chatter. Y2K is a
non-issue. Everything is the same, but it’s different. We have entered a new
year, new decade, even a new century for goodness sakes, and we’re waiting
for the other shoe to drop. All that’s left to decide now is how we want to
live, what we want to be and what we want to see and do. The next question is
what’s really new in terms of style?
If
the 1990’s were a decade of supremely bland and simple style, the new
millennium should represent a period of lively and clever style. Something
timely. Memorable. If you think this is new, think again. Nothing in
contemporary society is actually new anymore. It’s simply recycled. Restored
in a kind of way that will fit today’s social standards.
People
define style. Certain people. People who instinctively embraced and executed a
kind of consistent “rightness” as it pertained to a way of dressing, an
awareness of the decorative arts, and entertaining. In most cases, these
individuals are able to turn the vulgarity of the every day existence into a
living, breathing and lively work of art.
Style
is not about money. There are plenty of wealthy people around who have not a
shred of style. No, style comes from having been through a lot and making it
all look easy. It comes from observing, understanding, defining and executing.
It’s the business of fearlessly blending intelligence and wit with
originality to create a finished product.
That’s probably what makes it such a phenomenon, and so very
alluring.
Some
of the most stylish women, those who have actually become legends of style,
propelled themselves from virtual anonymity into the spotlight. Over the
coming weeks we will be showcasing a significant woman of style in each of our
columns. These women defined the art of living over the very important
1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. Diana Vreeland, Elsie De Wolfe, Coco Chanel, Babe
Paley, Marlene Deitrich and more. We will provide you with a list of the vital
ingredients that these very special individuals used to create their
inimitable and widely copied style. We will also be introducing you to the new
style of this dawning century, one that is reminiscent of decades past but
with a slight twist. Furnishings, foods and fashions will be featured. How you
can get it. Where you can buy it.
So…what’s
new anyway? The nineties are as dead as mud. Educated glamour is back, and you
heard about it here first.
Katherine
Webster is the Editor-in-Chief of www.CanadianInteriorDesign.com,
an upscale e-magazine of interior design, the decorative arts and style on the
World Wide Web.