NYT's Talk to the Newsroom: Does Style Require Lots of $?
A reader asks Gabriel:"...I don't get the sense from your section that anyone who lives paycheck to paycheck has Style. Does "Style," by definition, percolate downward from the upper class? And can it be affordable?"
Gabriel answers:"...This is the kind of thing we talk about regularly in our department. Indeed, it can sometimes seem that the accoutrements of the stylish life -- fashion, entertainment, destinations -- as presented in Thursday Styles and Sunday Styles are expensive. Fortunately, there are many exceptions."
He goes on to list examples, and then gets to the meat of the matter... "The bigger point, to me, is that what we call our Styles coverage is really not about stuff. Its not primarily about getting and spending. Its about people and their behavior, and I imagine Ill have more to say about that as this conversation unfolds."
We can absolutely see the connection - what we look at and are interested in as a culture says so much about where we are going and how we live our lives (or want to live our lives) - simple living, green design, having better quality belongings and less stuff - all are trends that are close to the heart of AT and part of the evolving zeitgeist of America in 2007.
We agree that looking at style coverage as an indicator of social trends are valid and interesting, but we also agree that there is an abundance of very expensive goods featured in editorial sections everywhere - in other words, we can relate to the reader's question and why it was asked...
What do the readers of AT think? Does media coverage of style make you start to feel that one must have a large paycheck to have good taste? What do you do as an antidote?
Comments (3)
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While I think that low-cost, well-designed items are available, and that it is possible to live comfortably, beautifully, and with a low impact on the earth with a small budget, I do find that media coverage tends to downplay this possiblility, offering new, expensive options rather than other possiblities. One way I have tried to counteract this is by seeing my home (and of course my clothes) as an opportunity to style what I already have in ways that keep up with - and talk back to - trends, rather than to buy new items for that purpose.
In my opinion, the high cost of "design", is a huge factor in the current DIY trend. When I see an piece I admire, or a room that inspires me, the DIY-wannabe in me, pops out and says... "I can have that too. Hand me some tools and a wholesale catalog!"
I agree with you Vanessa in that the Design shown in the mags/blogs/market can be for pure inspiration and I can use it as a starting point to create something new.
Style seems to start with true original thinkers and artists. If I am not an artist and I can't afford to purchase 'originality' then I can at least try to start thinking like an artist, become industrious and brave! Try to draw from the raw colors, shapes and textures of 'afforable' and found 'things' in my everyday life. I can arrange these things or remake them althogether -- and by doing so create new contexts and new functions and hopefully make 'Style' or at least a place I love to live in. This is the fun of it!
And also...I'd also really like to know the brand of the sectional featured above??? HA ha on me! Anyone know?