By Nicki Byrnes
September 19, 2023
I have never watched Bravo’s The Real Housewives. Am I alone on that or does it just feel that way? Regardless, this is the first time I’ve heard about a cast member who piqued my interest in the show. That would be Jenna Lyons, whom many of us know from her J. Crew tenure. She is the muse for a recent article by The Washington Post titled, “Whatever happened to having taste?” which I found both inspiring and (oddly) comforting.
Fashion-writer Rachel Tashjian uses Lyons’ anti-archetype casting to highlight how the world we live in appears increasingly void of individuality and uniqueness. Lyons stands out amongst her uber-fashionable peers, wealthy enough to afford any label or article of clothing, for having “taste” largely because her style is unique and different. Tashjian goes on to explore the inundation of (often sponsored) content we consume on a daily basis, and the effect it has had on conformity and “sameness”.
I’m sure you know what she’s talking about. The internet and social media feed us beautiful, professional-level content based on algorithms, where brands and people with healthy SEO budgets reach us first. The looks often feel similar, with styles coming and going at a rapid pace. The amount of change and content created is overwhelming, and it is only going to compound once everyone can generate quality content with AI.
But there’s hope! Tashjian points out a trend emerging towards differentiation and individuality. A “rebellion…against the classic influencer” as she puts it. She uses the example of how fashion bloggers evolved into today’s influencers, demonstrating the shift of fashion from an exclusive and obscure entity to now a commercialized and saturated machine. Where blogs used to provide unique insight and perspective on style and fashion, have now become overloaded and devoid of authenticity. People are taking note, with an awakening starting among content consumers who are skeptical or just plain tired of what many influencers are putting out there.
One ripple effect she’s seeing is influential fashion personalities are turning to alternative channels like newsletters and Substack to share their thoughts and connect with followers. This gives them a tuned-in audience, readers who have opted in and sometimes even pay for access, and enables readers a chance to consume quality content of their choosing. This is advantageous for influencers, brands, etc. to cut through the noise and get their messaging across to their target market. For consumers, we get to see what we want without targeted ads and sponsored content cluttering up the space. Win-win.
This article struck a chord with me from a consumer (of goods and content) perspective. I want to stay conscious of the content I’m fed, my shopping behaviors, and maintaining a personal style and taste. It makes me grateful I have an outlet like crochet, where I can express my personality, design products with originality, and hopefully foster interest, creativity, and growth in others.
In a world of content inundation, it’s getting harder for the producers to stand out. From the consumer side, it’s getting harder to find originality and authenticity. I found it promising to hear there’s a movement stirring towards personal style over what’s pushed on the internet. I am inspired by the women taking the initiative to try new avenues to connect with their followers. And I am hopeful we will increasingly yearn to express our own style and individuality over the “sameness” we’re mindlessly consuming everyday.
I, for one, look froward to a life outside the algorithm.
nickibyrnescrochet.com 