Week 9 BOC: Frank O'Hara

“Now I am quietly waiting for

the catastrophe of my personality

to seem beautiful again,

and interesting, and modern.”

The above line from the poem “Mayakovsky” by Frank O'Hara leads me to believe that this is a poem about finding yourself, or better yet, figuring out who you are and what you’re supposed to do with yourself from day to day. This particular line spoke to me in a comforting way as it seems to say that everyone feels out of place at times and insecure about something within themselves. There are things that happen or people (Frank mentions his mother in the first line of “Mayakovsky”) that help set us straight again or help us gain back that confidence that makes us succeed. Frank O’Hara was an active member of the New York art scene in the 1950’s after he moved there following his graduation from the University of Michigan. He worked at the front desk of the Museum of Modern Art and this is where many of his famous poems came to fruition. His poetry reflects the love he had for New York and his life there in the fact that he believed that poetry should be written on the spur of the moment, with a personal spontaneity that reflects the artist’s voice and style. Many poems were written about things he observed while most were autobiographical in nature. A lot of his poetry reflects the hard personal struggles he endured as a homosexual in a time when it was a crime. He was completely open about his sexuality, having a series of intense relationships with young male artists and dancers, which served as muses in much of his writing. He was stylish and hip and could be seen at the best art parties the city had to offer.

Week 2 BOC: About Me

Fashion is a means of self-expression and a way that people communicate their personalities to others without the need for words. This is one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in the fashion industry. A culmination of passions for style and knowledge has led me to fashion writing. From experience I know that looking one’s best is the only way to achieve success, whether that be professionally or socially. The total look is not only important in personal appearance but also in the quality of work I put my name on. Examining the marketplace for the newest trends and staying current with up and coming designers keeps my work fresh and relevant. Understanding the pace of the fashion industry and the standards that have been set with publications like Vogue keeps me ahead of the curve. In an age where everyone is an authority on fashion and can make their voice heard in numerous fashion blogs, I eventually hope that my writing will inspire and inform my audience of the importance of fashion in today’s society and how to utilize all the tools and style options that are available today.