Sartorial Autobiography
“Growing up, from a young age, you were dressed by your family, not because you didn't have your own style, but to maintain the image of whoever you were with. Something I would always hear was; “dress like you're with us” and that would usually imply that ‘your style isn't anything close to mine and you being yourself is embarrassing’.
Having a strict family was difficult because there were other members of the family who wanted you to be more expressive. In my family you can only be expressive just enough to be acceptable, so in reality being expressive wasn't allowed.
At first I never thought clothing mattered, and I just wore what I was given because at the time whatever I was given was whatever could fit on me. Whenever I was out with my mother I would always be stared at, and she would always point it out, that implanted fear into me.
I would refuse to stand straight and I would never sway my hands when I walked. This is what I thought would save me but it didn't, I would still get stared at and I would still be cat called. One night a stranger attempted to follow me home. After that I just stayed conservative.
About a year ago I regained some type of confidence and decided to express myself despite what my family and others would say. I wanted to catch people's eyes, but with good intentions. So I decided to wear graphic T-shirts. This would be the only expressive thing I would wear casually because gaining confidence is a long process. The best way to capture something creative in my opinion is to focus on it. Having a simplistic style helps focus on the the art that you want to express”.
Amaya, Age 17