And it seems that fifteen minutes of fame that Andy Warhol so accurately predicted has now extended to a twenty four hour day, three hundred and sixty five day a year, non-stop Insta life style marathon
Selfies, sunnies and self promotion have we crossed a line? Last week I wrote about attending Fashion Week and how I was struck by how many people were wearing sun glasses indoors at night. And I do not mean one or two people, I actually started to count and there were dozens of people doing this. I just could not for the life of me, wrap my brain around this. Not only was it evening and said event was being held indoors it was also fairly dark, and by fairly dark I mean movie theater dark, and yet there they were sporting sun glasses. What exactly were they shielding their eyes from? And as far as I could tell they were not famous, so it was not like a stampede was going to break out if they removed their shades. Honestly all I could think was “ You are trying waaay to hard”
And then of course there was the to be expected selfies, but even though it was expected, I was still surprised by how many people were taking selfies. Maybe it is just me, but I am not big on selfies. I have taken them, and still do occasionally, but for the most part I find them less then satisfying and when I see people doing this kind of thing at an event like Fashion Week I just think “amateur”. Yes maybe I am being a bit harsh and being a bit of a hater, but really? Do you think this kind of behavior is OK? Do you even care? These days it seems so natural to behave this way, I guess most peopled don’t even notice any more. But still, I have to say I was bit taken a back and surprised by how many people like to act like they are being followed around by the paparazzi when they are most certainly—not. But then again I have a blog, so who am I to judge? I can just imagine when our ancestors will think when they look back at this time in history, and how we will be portrayed.
Though, this self aggrandizing behavior is nothing new, after all Cory Hart wrote his famous “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” in 1984 over thirty years ago, but what has changed are the culprits. When this song was written Cory Hart was more or less calling out celebrities for doing this kind of thing, now it seems it is harder then ever to draw the line between celebrities and wanna be celebs. Well except when it comes to bank accounts, I think the real celebs win that one hands down. And it seems that fifteen minutes of fame that Andy Warhol so accurately predicted has now extended to a twenty four hour day, three hundred and sixty five day a year, non-stop Insta life style marathon. Yup, this is one phenomena isn’t going any where any time soon. I may buck the trend in not being a daily selfie guru, but I like to look my best just as much as the next person. And if you are like me and want to look photo fabulous at the end your own arm, check out Korean model and internet star Irene Kim and her five makeup tips on how to look stellar in selfies. Really it’s OK, I realize if you are under twenty five you probably stopped reading this, but for everyone else a little help is not a crime, and if it is, were are all, guilty as charged.
19 comments
You are so gorgeous!
XO
Molly
http://www.trendychickadee.com
Haha great article, I don’t understand it either way people wear sunglasses at night indoor ?
http://www.thefashionpanda.be
http://www.thefashionpanda.be
I agree 100% some people need Etiquette maybe they do not know how ridiculous it is to wear sunnies in the evening and their is a time and place for selfies.
Great post. I do admit I do sometimes wear my sunglasses when I’m inside. However, my sunglasses are prescription and sometimes I’m just too lazy to switch to my regular glasses. My sunglasses are rather large and people always make comments about them. I always try to laugh it off. I’m not trying to make a statement, I’m just trying to see. haha Oh man I hate the selfie game and the fact that so many people think they are so famous. At the store I work at, we always have people who come in just to try things on and take pictures of themselves in the gowns. You know those pictures are just for Instagram or facebook. It amazes me how many people do it. Personally, I think it’s a waste of time but what do I know. I try not to judge but I’m trying to making a living and they just want to waste my time. But then again, they all feel that their time is way more important than mine. Hell, I’m just a sales girl.
I agree that sunglasses indoors especially at night is a try hard move. And I don’t get it with the selfies either. It just comes across as very narcissistic especially when you’re at NYFW and you’re making it all about yourself. I tend to be anti-selfie and refuse to follow anyone who posts too many of them.
Great post, thx for sharing. Beautiful photo btw.
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
Thank you for writing this and I couldn’t for the life of me understand people’s obsession with selfies. Are we really living in an absolute narcissistic era? And don’t even get me started about wearing sunglasses indoor or in the evenings, I find it to be rude, annoyingly pretentious and as you described, trying way too hard. But then again, what do I know…I’m in my late 30s so maybe I just don’t understand.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how everyone (okay many people) are acting like they’re celebrities when they are not. I don’t get it.
I totally agree, I definitely notice a lot of peacocking and people trying to outdo one another at fashion week. That being said, I work at fashion magazine, and my editor was saying the lights were far too bright at the tents this season which may be why people were wearing sunglasses indoors (not that that makes it any less ridiculous).
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Okay, I get it- selfies are totally acceptable + our culture has turned into one giant Insta feed, but I get uncomfy when other people can see me take a selfie, hahaha. Maybe it’s because I’m a bit older (…wiser? Prob not, lol) but yeah- I try to limit myself on the selfie-taking. 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I’m with you on the selfies and sunglasses. I’m just not that into random selfies- I tend to look for interesting spots I can photograph QUICKLY. (Not, like, sit in the middle of public for 3 hours trying to get a perfect shot as if the world is suddenly catering to my studio needs.) Honestly, it baffles me why anyone would want to take selfies in weird light conditions and random spots with tons of commotion. Just take it in front of the bathroom mirror before you leave the house- it’s doubtful your face will change as the day goes on.
And the sunglasses thing- I just ignore it now. It’s stupid. The only time I wore sunglasses at night was after my LASIK surgery. Everyone just looks effing blind.
xo
Nataliya
Style Tomes || Instagram
We totally agree with you! What you wrote is so true!
Great post, and we can’t wait for the next one!
http://dmdmagazine.com/
Loved this thoughtful post! Reflecting on this INST life phenom is the work an an anthropologist, I think! Speaking as an elder in my tribe, I do see alot of self documenting, and it seems more than ego, I can’t name it exactly. Photos to defend a lifesltye, FOMO? More than sheer vanity, I think.
I have only taken a selfie for medical reasons, and I must say I do stink at it. I do however like to photograph food, like the millennials…
As for the sunglasses, I will say I do it too, inside, but not when it is that dark. My eyes are often puffy, and red from my autoimmune disease. I look better with my sunnies…. and my eyes are super sensitive to light…
Sunglasses are chic, who knows why this happens. but you are right, about this self involved culture. I, too, wonder what will be written.
Thanks for writing this!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
I love that you called this behavior out and your honest take on it. I too am not a huge selfie-fan, and if you take one, why hide behind sunnies? It makes no sense to me. Anyway love this post babe, and hope to catch up with you soon!
xo Soo | http://www.BrownEyedToast.com
so much truth to this. great post
Xx
Kali
http://www.lovelaughexplore.com
haha Allie, I have been wondering who would eventually write a blog post about selfies and boy, now I am reading one and I read all the way till the end, guess it by now that I am WAY over 25, and find your blog spot truly a refreshing one!
Yes, I could never understand why the sunnies in the dark thingy and also too much of that selfie acting going on there. Like one of the creative director whom I interviewed previously pointed out a really good point, he told me these days, people dressed to be photographed or impressed, he is so spot on about it, and I totally agree with him. He even said that the selfie culture is quite a disease… I guess he meant excessive of it. Like you, personally I am not a selfie person, and I am so bad at it, and sincerely, I don’t feel like I want to sharpen my skill on doing this, as I don’t really see a point in taking too much of selfie (not that I don’t love myself enough), I just don’t feel the need to do so as I am not too obsessed with how I look, to be honest *_^
But I do love to dress up for special occasions and look my best, but that’s about it. Besides, who am I, I am not even remotely famous like the celebs! haha, in fact, so far from them. I prefer to be behind camera and just enjoy doing what I do – photographing and writing.
I enjoyed reading this post a lot and hearing about your take on this so called social “phenomenon”, which I feel most of us are taking it too much to the extreme *_^ Just my thoughts, and my thinking is quite aligned with yours here.
Hope you are having an amazing week, given the fact that it’s all fashion week for you there in NYC! Sometimes, I wish I could see more updates from you via IG as I hang out there pretty often *_^ But then again, that’s me. I will just have to go with your pace of things then, won’t I, my dear friend.
With love,
Jeann | LUMINNEJ
http://luminnej.blogspot.com
This is such an interesting post. I always struggle with the vanity associated with having a blog or being a blogger. Weirdly I hate having my photo taken and cringe when I see people take selfies and yet blogging is so important than me. It’s a strange contradiction! xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Great article! I wrote about social media taking over our lives too, hope you have a look. Fashion people can be a bit pretentious and over the top, but when I go to similar event I do my best to ignore it. I always remember Grace Coddington and people that are really good at what they do, but are having lower profiles. Grace would not approve those sunglasses, and neither do I 🙂
Ivona from http://www.thesmokedetector.net
xo
This is so spot on! Sunglasses indoors at night seems excessive to me (unless of course you are Elle). The thing that always annoys me most during fashion week are the people taking selfies at presentations. They always have the models behind them to get them in the selfie, and they’re always blocking everyone else. I feel like I should be used to it by now but it still gets me!