Written by The Strategy
When it comes to seeking inspiration, I love myself a 90s supermodel and all that she wears. But since moving to the city, I’ve noticed my eyes wandering off the pages of magazines and onto the places and people around me. Not that I’ve never noticed them before, but there’s something more to be said about the creativity and heightened desire for self-expression found in larger cities.
I was riding the subway the other week when I noticed an anonymous girl positioned across from me. Ankles crossed, back straight, hands out in front clutching what seemed to be a vintage Louis Vuitton with an ‘I heart NYC’ keychain. She was dressed in a way that I would never think to dress myself: in what seemed to be a man’s long sleeve plaid button-down shirt tucked into her high-waisted slim fit distressed mom jeans and paired with red leather wedged booties and plaid checkered blanket scarf. To counteract her outspoken style, her hair and makeup were kept neatly and minimal yet so flawless; her nails perfectly groomed with tarnished charm bracelet on her left wrist. At this point, I’m convinced this girl can wear a brown paper bag and still look just as good.
I couldn’t help but think this girl was so cool: the way she carried herself, the way she sat upright in her seat, lightly nodding to her music. The way she looked so effortless and mismatched, yet so pulled together. So who was this girl? What was she listening to? And where was she going? I couldn’t help but ask myself these questions.
I never spoke a word to her, and my questions remain unanswered, but that’s not my point. My point is that I saw this girl and I was so mesmerized by her, that I didn’t even turn the first page of my Elle magazine that day. Just three feet away from me and there was my inspiration – and a healthier one indeed. So much of what we see these days in magazines are unrealistic ideals so you can imagine how refreshing it was to see someone just as inspiring- and yet, more relatable – right there in front of me.
My experience that day goes to show that inspiration exists all around us in all shapes and forms. We just have to keep our eyes open as to not miss it, or as Grace Coddington would say, “Keep your eyes open. Keep watching. Because whatever you see can inspire you.”
Written by Shannon Sauder
