Fandom Fashionista

I guess you’re wondering why or how. Or even what.

A few months ago, I was talking with a friend over dinner in New York and we were discussing our Fandom personae. Being the sex kitten she is, she fancied herself the Fandom’s Pinup Girl. I see myself as more of a fashionista. Hence, the Fandom Fashionista was born.

I feel like I’m getting ahead of myself, so let me explain.

The “Fandom” in question is the Harry Potter Fandom, which Wikipedia says is “a large international and informal community drawn together by J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.” The fandom essentially exists through many different forms of media, including web sites, fan fiction, podcasts, fan art, YouTube videos, and its own genre of music, affectionately called ‘wizard rock.’ After being involved in the Fandom for nearly a year now, I’ve tried my hand at podcasting, deejaying wizard rock, working at a fandom website, and I have a semi-popular YouTube channel.

However, there’s something only my close personal friends know about me: I love fashion. I love the construction, the style, the marketing, the couture, the designers; everything. To quote Webster’s New Millenium Dictionary, a fashionista is “a person working in or deeply involved with the high-fashion industry, such as a designer, model, photographer, buyer, writer, wearer; a devotee to clothing fashion.” Now, I may not work in high-fashion, but in my years in Retail, Media, and Sales, I have worked with high-end designers and companies like Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Heatherette, Paul Mitchell, and L’ Occitane. It doesn’t take a designer to know what works and what doesn’t.

This brings me to my final point. As someone who is a huge proponent of personal style, I believe a person’s style can make a huge impression. How does all of this relate to Harry Potter? Well, in a community where robes, wands, and house ties are commonplace, I always find it interesting how we all reflect our HP-style into our…let’s call it “Muggle style.” Believe it or not, there are fashion trendsetters in our midst. Wizard rock has brought the Fandom the trend of the “merch tee” and the “Lupin vest.” One website has given us the standard “black uniform tee.” In addition, not only does the Fandom influence our daily style, but as a community in which “playing dress-up” is encouraged, we are given a lot of creative freedom when donning our “Wizard wears.”

This blog will be a reflection of all of these influences and styles. I may post a video about a Muggle or Wizard fashion trend or I may write a critique of one wizard rocker’s fabulous dress at the Portus Ball. The major topics will be personal style, selection, creativity, and imagination. I’ll also write about where you can find some Wizard and Muggle accoutrements at a low price and perhaps how to style yourself as a particular character. Let me be honest though: this is NOT a cosplay blog and this is NOT a fashion do’s/don’ts blog. I’m not here to criticize people I know or those I meet at Potter events. I’m here to celebrate what is most unique in all of us; that we make our own style.

With that, I’ll leave you with this motto:

You can make it geek, sleek, or even unique; just remember to keep it chic.

Ciao!