Fashion + Advertising

It started with a goal: walk through the entirety of Central Park. I’m a west coaster at heart, and while the concrete jungle has its draws, I’m never happier than when I’m surrounded by trees. As I set out from my sister’s apartment, at 34th and Park, I decided to walk down the famous Madison Avenue. This is where I learned an unsuspected lesson. There are SO MANY expensive clothing stores, more than even I thought possible, and more importantly SO MANY of those clothes are ugly. At least, to me. That is when something clicked in my brain, and maybe y’all already knew this and I’m just slow, but fashion is absolutely identical to advertising. There is so much of it, we are constantly inundated by it, and yet we still love it. That is because, like fashion, advertising is subjective. My ugly may be your beautiful, and I have absolutely no way of telling you that you’re wrong because it’s simply opinionated. What one ad may cause me to feel, or may urge me to buy, may be completely lost on you. And that’s wonderful. 

Also, sidenote, I strongly encourage all of you to talk to the locals. I bought a homeless man, Robby, lunch today and had one of the most fantastic 15 minute conversations of my life. There are so many people here. Embrace that, don’t trap yourself among your peers. 

Peace out. 

Caleb Couturie 5.7.2017