Tavi

Adults just don’t understand. When the youth of the world are eager, engaged and excited to explore a subject or past time far beyond the norm of what their peers are doing, it is often met with criticism. Tavi Gevinson is one of these so-called youths.

In 2008 at the age of 11 from her bedroom in Chicago, she began writing a blog entitled “Style Rookie” to explore her passion and love of fashion.  It wasn’t the fabulous life of models or the glitzy parties that drew her in; it was the creativity and artistic expression created by the famous fashion houses that spurred her to create many scrapbooks and written posts.

Her voice and style are so articulate that many in the industry have accused her of having others write for her.  On the other hand, she has risen in popularity and been asked to write articles for French and Teen Vogue, as well as a guest correspondence at NY fashion week for Fashion Television.  Recently she graced the cover of POP magazine, which was designed by the infamous contemporary artist Damien Hurst.  All this before her 14^th birthday!

So what is it about this so-called “precocious” teenager that gives her validity in the cultural hotbed of fashion? I feel it is because she brings youthful, down to earth and unabashed realism to a hyper-sexualized, egocentric and plastic industry.  Her wealth of knowledge about fashion is astonishing, and not about teen-wear but about real icons such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood just to name a few. Her own playful fashion style is also an ode to her creative nature, as seen in the pink bow she wore for a show she attended recently.

The new generation is increasingly embracing being ‘different’ without being fake. They resist the urge to be like everyone else their age, grade or community. Their need and want to share their creativity and passions with the world is something to be embraced, even if it is not fashionable.