STYLE | How it Relates to Fashion and Architecture

Naimah bint Lukman
Aug 12, 2020
4 min read

In my first blog post (click here if you haven’t read it) I mentioned how the name fashion architect came about and how I love dressing up. This post is going to be on style and how it relates fashion and architecture. I know it sounds basic. Hence, you may ask “why is Naimah dedicating a blog post to style?” well style may be basic but it’s also very important.

Style defines who you are. My style is my person. I don’t know if that makes any sense. If I’m going to describe my style I’ll say it’s a mix of edgy, super stylish, confrontational, sustainable and most importantly anything that feels comfortable.

Personal style is accepting who you are

-Diane von Furstenberg

Style is how I express myself. I see myself as a very creative and daring person who is very explorative with style, not just in fashion but also in architecture, art and interior design. I love being edgy and confrontational with my style by exploring a lot of bright colors such as color blocking. I also love neutral tones. Most times I go with a particular color depending on my mood at that time.

I chose neutral tones to blend with the scheme of the mosque

Sustainability is a popular term in fashion, art, architecture and other works of life and I am also big on sustainability. Sustainable fashion is having pieces in your closet that can be repurposed. This can be achieved by not jumping on every trend, carefully picking pieces and exploring a thousand and one ways to wear these pieces.

The best accessory to any look is a big smile

Knowing your style goes a long way in shaping how you carry yourself.

The mosque has a northern vibe, hence the raffia bag

How can this be achieved?

Ask yourself these questions:

· What works for you?

· What piece in your wardrobe is your most favorite?

· What makes the piece your favorite?

· Do you see yourself wearing a particular type of outfit most frequently?

· What is your perfect wardrobe? What does it look like?

· What is your signature piece?

Then

· Get rid of unwanted pieces or excesses

· Stay creative

· Employ slow fashion; discover new ways of styling your clothes.

· Evolve in your look

My interest shifts with time but my style remains constant. Constant but fashion-forward.

Growing up, I wore a lot of skirts simply because that was what my mom bought for me along with gowns. I later got tired of them. I entered university and started exploring more options as I started buying some clothes myself. In the process, I fell in love with wide-leg pants and I wore it often. Wide leg pants and oversize shirts were my go-to all day, every day. After some time, I fell in love with sleeveless kimonos and boyfriend jackets. I wore that frequently also. Then 2020 came and I’m back to wearing more skirts and gowns.

Personal style is about a sense of yourself, a sense of what you believe in and wearing what you like.

-Ralph Lauren

Throughout the transitioning, one thing remained and remains constant, my style. I still explore a lot of colors, I still re-purpose my clothes and I’m super fashionable while doing it. My point is, know what works for you. Wear what makes you most comfortable, boosts your confidence and stay super stylish while doing so.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/905280_b21ec78956b74ff892869972a2397530/480p/mp4/file.mp4

And no! Personal style is not only for the extremely fashion conscious or fashionistas, it is for everyone. We all wear clothes every day. Why not make the best of it then by knowing what best suits you and sticking with it?

Personal style is not something that is just in the air. It is something you have and that you apply to yourself.

-Paloma Picasso

I chose to wear sneakers here because that’s what makes me most comfortable. Heels are extremely uncomfortable for me and I would choose sneakers over heel again and again. I only wear heels on specific occasions.

Like I said earlier, style is not limited only to fashion. There are different architectural styles which are characterized by the notable features of the building and what makes it distinct from other buildings. Various architects in history have also developed their architecture style.

For example:

Zaha Hadid; Fluidity which is the appearance of a building to be flowing.

Frank Gehry; Deconstructivism

Styles in architecture emerges as a result of different historical background documented. This mosque is an example of Persian Islamic Architecture with a pointed dome, pointed arches and two minarets. This mosque is similar to those in northern Nigeria although the architecture of mosques has evolved from using traditional building materials to new construction methods. Motifs and reliefs have been replaced with painted Arabic inscriptions. It is a beautiful piece of architecture.

This dress gives all the comfort I need and I love it

To be modern is not fashion, it is a state. It is necessary to understand history, and he who understands history knows how to find continuity between that which was, that which is and that which will be.

-Le Corbusier