Gianni Bini | Frivolous Universe

WORKING WOMAN: You’re going to make it after all

By: Bethany Walter

04-05-2012

On Tuesday I had a first meeting with a client to do contract graphic design. Originally I was going to wear a yellow folk style dress but changed my mind last minute. Looking overly soft and feminine is not the first impression I like to make in professional situations or on dates. I don’t want my physical appearance to overshadow my creativity and personality. So instead, I looked to the working woman fashion icon Mary Tyler Moore for my outfit inspiration: 70’s high-waisted wide leg pants, large lapels, and heels.

Recently I’ve watched my first few episodes of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. The TV series started in 1970 and was the first TV show where the central character was an unmarried working woman. I’m surprised to find that I love the show. There is lots of fashion inspiration and forward social commentary. (Interesting side note: Mary Tyler Moore’s character on the show wore outfits more than once because she was a working woman.)

Vintage 70s blue polyester high-waisted pants: no tag, thrift store
Vintage 70s tunic top: home sewn, thrift store
Leather belt: thrift store

Even though this is no longer the 70s, I can relate to Mary Tyler Moore’s character. She moved to Minneapolis to purse her career as an assistant news producer. This was after a failed relationship and putting her career on hold to support her boyfriend through medical school.

Just over a year ago, I chose my passions and career over a guy. I learned in relationships it is easy to confuse love with self sacrifice. This way of thinking is not sustainable if one is to be happy. The best relationship are those where two people’s goals can coexist and they support each other to achieve them.

embroidered bag, large silver ring from Afghanistan

Embroidered tote bag: no tag, thrift store

I can also relate to Mary Tyler Moore’s character working during the women’s movement. It could not have been easy to go against the cultural expectations that women should be married and in the home. Since the current economic depression, I am part of the movement of self-employment. People are no longer relying on the system of working for the man and are taking control of their own employment.

Heels: Gianni Bini, Dillard’s

Vintage ethnic silver earrings: Afghanistan, from Armor Bijoux
Vintage large silver ring: Afghanistan, from Armor Bijoux

Photographer: Anna V. Demetriades

Mary Tyler Moore I like you.

Comments

TWO OPTIONS IN LIFE

By: Bethany Walter

06-04-2012

Bethany

One year ago, I was fortunate enough to be laid off. It was the confirmation and nudge I needed to reexamine my life’s direction. I had been living a responsible and comfortable life without a strong sense of passion or commitment. I decided the most important thing for me to do next was figure out what I wanted. I made my first commitment to dedicating a whole year of my life to exploring and playing.

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Jean jumpsuit: Jeanology, thrift store

I found this jumpsuit in a thrift store brand new with tags still on it. Shame on you whoever didn’t embrace the awesomeness of wearing jean from head to toe.

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Vintage scarf: Mia Mama, i.e. I took this from my mom’s closet probably 15 years ago

Today I am scared to say that I know what I want. I say scared because once you know what you want it is difficult to settle for anything less. There are two options in life 1) play it safe or 2) go after your dreams.

Jeanology jean jump suite, scarf in hair, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Might as well tell all of you what I want since we are all close friends right? I want to be independent, keep building this blog with my friends, grow as a fashion/editorial/fine art photographer, and travel. To fuel this dream, I want to continue designing for local businesses, because hey I’m good at it and I love helping other people grow their businesses and their passions. You might even see me around town working a part time job.

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Brown leather heels: Gianni Bini, Dillard’s 2 years ago

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Can I get an amen?

The photographer Kelly loves this image for its religious implications.

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Cha cha cha
From front, to side, to back, I love me a good jumpsuit.

Jeanology jean jump suite, neck scarf, and Gianni Binni leather heels

Photographer: Kelly Lynae Robinson

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
–Mark Twain

Comments

Frumpy : Foxy

By: Bethany Walter

28-10-2011

Bethany

The ratio of the “proper” silhouette has been passed down for generations in my family as I suspect has been the same for most women and their families. It is all about a woman’s dignity.

My grandmother was from the World War II generation and taught my mother it wasn’t okay to show any aspect of her bosom, either with skin or tailored shirts. On one of my mom’s first wedding anniversaries, my grandmother tried to safety-pin my mother’s neckline closed. Strange. It however was okay to reveal a bit a of leg and allowed my mother to wear mini skirts and dresses during her teen years in the 60’s. My grandmother was offended by the idea that men, even married men, only think about one thing. She told me this when I was 13 on a Wyoming mountain drive together. My grandmother’s ratio for the proper silhouette:

frumpy top : foxy skirt or pants

Though influenced by my grandmother’s idea of what a respectable woman looks like, my mother is a bite more lenient and has taught me the 1:1 ratio of revealed and left to the imagination.

frumpy top : foxy skirt or pants or foxy top : frumpy skirt or pants