Passion for fashion...

Today is a much less painful day than yesterday! I'm a bit sore from those muscle spasms, but thankfully, that's it. I'm sure I needed a wake up call regarding my lack of exercise, and this one definitely got my attention.

I went to a new place to get my hair cut this past weekend. It's a school for stylists that has been in the area forever. I had been paying around $50 plus tip for a trim and $125-$150 for highlights. What was I thinking?? Well, I have to admit that the gal has been cutting my hair for over ten years, and way back then she only charged $25-30. As she and the salon grew in popularity, the prices followed suit. I knew I had to do something different since I haven't been working for so long. When I thought about where to go, I drew a total blank except for that stylist school. They don't take appointments. It's first come, first served by the next trainee who has a free chair. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was luck of the draw, but the guy that cut my hair was fantastic. When I left, I felt like I had not only gotten a great new cut but had had a therapy session to boot! After we introduced ourselves and he and his teacher talked about my hair--chopitoff/shaveitoff/changethecolor/spikeit/flattenit/frizzit (I told them I was totally open to whatever)--I asked him about his training and what he planned to do. As it turns out, he is a musician and was doing the training to help support his passion when he graduates. He immediately asked me what my passion was. I floundered and sputtered for a few minutes. My passion?? I could have talked all day about my problems, but my passion? How long has it been since I gave that any thought? Well, I came right back around to what I did so long ago and would love to do again. I love unusual fashion. Looking at it, designing it, wearing it, not so much sewing it. That's where I always got hung up. My idea of sewing is whatever can be done the fastest and doesn't require a pattern. Which led to some pretty unusual fashion! I was in several art shows and had my pieces in a boutique for a few years. My things were popular, sold well and I got lots of requests for more. I do have to confess that part of the reason for getting into it was an attempt to escape from the craziness of my life. I was working long hours and had very little extra time, but doing this made me feel so much better. At first. As things took a downturn in life, the creating became as stressful as my regular job. So I gave it up. I worked for years in the boutique that bought my stuff in order to satisfy my creative side, but I haven't been able to do that for awhile. So...now I'm thinking about creating. Again. Maybe if I think about it often enough, I'll actually do it!

Oh, and, by the way, my hair cut was only $9.95. Deal.

(Image used in this post is by Gilfling, and is entitled "Even I Dream Sometimes." The drawings, sold at Etsy, were created while the artist/designer was getting a degree in costume design. Inspirations included back braces, prosthetic limbs, dolls, masks and baroque costumes. Dress forms also appear in several drawings.)