Embracing Authenticity: A Reflection on Fashion, Identity, and Brand Integrity

Every season we’re inundated with the latest fad. From galaxy cowgirl to clean girl, ballerina core to mob wife, there is always an aesthetic for the everyday woman to embody, a new personality, a new life. But what happened to my life? As I reflect on the start of this year, I think about how I can reconnect with the things I enjoyed before this self-conscious, “perfect girl” emerged. I want to tap back into the girl who did not have enough money to chase every trend. The girl who had to be thoughtful about what she bought. Back then, I was confident in my fashion choices because I loved them, dreamed about them for months or even years, and valued them once they were mine. Whether it was considered “in” or not, I felt secure because the girls who got it appreciated it. I do not want to simply criticize trends. They can be beautiful and even introduce niche fashion to new audiences. But there is a drastic difference between embracing a trend because it is trendy and honoring a fashion choice because it resonates with you. We have all heard the saying that we are one of a kind. Yet as I read Luke 12:7, “Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are far more valuable than many sparrows,” I realized something. God designed us to be original, yet we have turned ourselves into copies. We mimic the few women who set beauty standards until individuality becomes a myth. When bows and ballet flats are in, everyone loves them. When the trend shifts, suddenly fur coats replace them. Even those who pride themselves on being “different” or “it girls” often become a subsection of clones, the alternative clones. Now it feels like we each have to embody one type of person, one taste, one character. But no, just be yourself. Be conscious of what you are buying. Ask yourself: do I even like this? Do I feel confident and comfortable in it? Does it reflect who I really am? Instead of cycling through new identities, embrace the one God already gave you. The gifts that come naturally are the most flattering of all. So how does this connect with brand identity? The brands I admire are innovative and offer quality products. The problem is that many, even in high fashion, cut corners on textiles just to achieve a certain look or hit a price point. Consumers deserve better. Fabric quality shapes the longevity of a garment, and longevity reflects value. So the choice is ours. Do we keep accepting what is handed to us, or do we create change for the future? Do you want to be another version of them, or become someone who builds something that screams you? With love, <3