Elle magazine is running an essay contest: write an essay of 500 words or less about "The _______ that changed my life." They're interested in a fashion item to fill in the blank (a dress, shoes, bag, coat, necklace etc.) that "made an ordinary moment sublime, rocked your world or someone else's, that changed how you see yourself (or how others see you.)"
I'm not making this up. They're serious, and it's a real contest. Evidently fashion can change someone's life. We shouldn't make any jokes about that, either. One must respect people whose moments, image and world can be magically transformed by a pair of nifty designer shoes, or a cute little pink skirt, or --
Look, just shut up and read the rest of the post, okay?
The winner's essay will be published in Elle, and the winner will also "have dibs on" a Paige Large Convertible Tote from Cole Haan's fall collection (I have no idea what the latter is, so if you're wondering, best you consult with a chick-lit writer.)
To submit essays and get the contest rules, log on to Elle.com/Contest. Entry period is Oct. 5th to Nov. 25th, 2006.
(As for my own personal essays involving fashion, all of which would likely get me burned in effigy in front of Elle's headquarters, take a look at Moms, The Suit, and Unfashionable.)
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I've had a breast cancer, a brain tumor and now epilepsy from the brain tumor removal and Elle thinks I'm going to find some freakin' handbag that changed my life? Maybe I'll submit an essay about those hospital gowns with no back. They changed my life fer sure. I guess fashion is deadly serious to those folks and the rest of who shop at Target are dults. I've got dibs on Target.
ReplyDeleteOh...kay...? And a fashion light bulb moment is this important... why?
ReplyDeleteHow is this going to work without the writer coming off as a shallow, vain and frivolous libertine? Being able to save up vast amounts of money for that Lagerfeld, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Manolo, whatever instead of something actually useful is a fashion moment?
Gee, I dunno... better call the Fashion Police to arrest me, because I don't see any value in this.
And Corn Dog? I'm w'itchew; Tarjay (French pronunciation, you know) here I come.
I seriously considered entering an essay about my powerform knee brace, which actually did change my life by allowing me to walk without fear of stumbling, falling, or collapsing in pain, but alas, Gucci doesn't make them.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, getting published in Elle is a decent writing credit, and would impress a lot of publishers, especially if you're a chick-lit writer. I promise not to make fun of anyone who wins the contest, too -- but you've got to tell us what this prize is. ;)
If it's a really big tote, I could use it. The diaper bag is kind of falling apart. Wonder if they'd go for an essay on my hiking boots? I mean, they did change my life...
ReplyDeleteI don't even use the totes I get from the book club memberships...
ReplyDeleteI seriously tried to think of *some* piece of clothing that changed my life in some way. I can't do it. Maybe yoga pants. Doesn't look like pajamas, very comfortable, can go out to the mail box and back without the pink and red stripped PJ pants. They still fit as my waist expands.
Perhaps I should borrow Charlene's hiking shoes. ;)
"The Belt that Changed My Life"
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a little pup, the belt was reserved for the times that I REALLY misbehaved. And let me tell you - it "rocked my world."
Think they're interested in an essay about being spanked as a child? The big problem is that I don't remember the brand of the belt ...
Maybe I'm EVIL, but I cackled over "Moms."
ReplyDeleteOh God, that was sweet.
I do nail polish like I do ironing - once every five years.
Changed my world? It was the removal of said clothing that...um...
Once I discovered Rocky Mountain Jeans, boys discovered me (or confessions of a former barfly).
ReplyDeleteAs a spaz who usually wears mismatched socks and puts tops on either backwards or inside out, I'm no fashion plate. But I guess we can just make shit up.
ReplyDeletejust read moms.
ReplyDeleteoh, man. i loved it.
I gotta say this.
I get asked what i do for a living a lot. I usually just say self employed, but most of them want to know at what. When I tell them that I write for a living, 9 out of 10 ask... ever sold anything? or... ever tried to publish anything?
nah. it's a great gig. I sit around and piddle at the PC here and there and money just appears. ;o)
I am somewhat interested in fashion (among lots of other things) and I like to be well dressed (though I can't afford many designer clothes) but clothes and other such items have never changed my life. :)
ReplyDeleteThe athletic supporter that changed my life?
ReplyDeleteThere's gotta be an essay there somewhere.
I'm with corn dog on this one. When it comes to life-changing experiences, illness (first- or second-hand -- second-hand, if it involves your spouse or child) takes the prize.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the FIRST thing that came to mind (until I saw the 'accessory' bit) was
The Zombie that Changed My Life
I could write that!
The cell phone that changed my life...for the worse.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I can think of a lot of things that changed my life for the worse. Stinky sneakers. The wrong mouthwash. The evil belt from hell. So many.
By looking at me and my clothes, no one ever believes that my best friend is a clothing designer. *ggg*
ReplyDeleteI'd buy Elle to read Corn Dog's story. And probably even PBW's story. I have no idea what the prize is, but the writing credit is a valid one. As for totes, I've found them useful for airplane carry-ons, better than backpacks, actually. I've gotten mine from IT Tech conventions, and they've been very durable.
ReplyDeleteClothing that's changed my life? Hmmm...perhaps my combat boots? (And when I came in, it was low quarters, 'cause women didn't get no stinking boots.)
See, I have to say that I think a serious "the (insert clothing) that changed my life" could be written as a serious article.
ReplyDeleteCan I think of anything to write for myself? No. But I had to add my opinion to all the nay-sayers.
I can easily see someone with a low self-esteem trying a more flattering, tailored outfit instead of the lumpy sweatsuit s/he normally wears, and having people react in a positive way, thus helping be a confidence booster.
I could see a sappy story about how a guy asked a girl out because he liked the clothes she was wearing.
I could see an inspirational story about how some lousy shoes caused foot problems which caused the wearer to try a healthier lifestyle in order to relieve pressure on his feet.
I don't have any of these stories, but I could see where some people might. And I would have to respect them for writing the stories.
Thanks for the link. Entered the contest. Won't win . Tote goes out as Xmas gift if I do. Enjoyed the challenge of the exercise. I've been living in cotton nighties since radiation therapy charred my ovaries into little black BB's but I was able scare up a story out of my misspent youth.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood the whole fashion thing myself. But then my husband is better at matching clothes / colors than I am ...
ReplyDeleteHad anyone bothered to read the issue of Elle that the contest announcement appeared in they would have seen that Elle wasn’t talking about being shallow or acquisitive or even fashionable but about the symbolism and importance that we attach to articles of clothing that play a part in the larger events of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that so many people on this page were quick to pass judgment on fashion magazines and the people who read them, automatically assuming that such people were shallow and superficial.
In addition to its fashion and beauty coverage Elle also covers issues such as politics, relationships and healthcare as well as reviews of film, art and literature (not chick lit).
I think that the person who mentioned writing about their hospital gown should have entered the contest. Their entry if written well could have been very moving and thought provoking and I think that Elle would have given it serious consideration.
Perhaps before continuing to make assumptions some of you might like to read the winning entry.
http://www.elle.com/magazine/10388/the-_-that-changed-my-life.html
Had anyone bothered to read the issue of Elle that the contest announcement appeared in they would have seen that Elle wasn’t talking about being shallow or acquisitive or even fashionable but about the symbolism and importance that we attach to articles of clothing that play a part in the larger events of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that so many people on this page were quick to pass judgment on fashion magazines and the people who read them, automatically assuming that such people were shallow and superficial.
In addition to its fashion and beauty coverage Elle also covers issues such as politics, relationships and healthcare as well as reviews of film, art and literature (not chick lit).
I think that the person who mentioned writing about their hospital gown should have entered the contest. Their entry if written well could have been very moving and thought provoking and I think that Elle would have given it serious consideration.
Perhaps before continuing to make assumptions some of you might like to read the winning entry.
http://www.elle.com/magazine/10388/the-_-that-changed-my-life.html