Don’t make fashion own you, you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.
Gianni Versace once advised, “Don’t make fashion own you, you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.” This notion of using fashion as a form of self-expression comes to mind as we witness the ever-widening style margins in and around the yoga community – lots of which are on display in LA YOGA’s current fall fashion edition. Form fitting black on black on black has taken a back seat to punchy patterns, extra wide wide bellbottoms and strappy backs in athleisure wear lines. Accessories are no exception to this free spirit approach to transitional attire. On view on and off the mat this season are Bindi Drop necklaces (pictured above) a creation of Bowen NYC. The 18k teardrop pendant comes on a silk cord in a rainbow of colors. “More than just a colorful and easy to wear fashion accessory, the Bindi Teardrop is a one of a kind, natural shape that represents the individual self and ones connection with the universe”, says artist Julie Bowen Miezels.
A native New Yorker, Julie has always surrounded herself with beauty that blends with chaos and founded Bowen NYC on the promise of using only the highest quality materials and embodying spirituality in each piece. Inspired by the transformative practices of Kung-Fu, Kriya Yoga, and meditation, the artist incorporates five important principles to her jewelry design philosophy: universal awareness; the five basic elements (fire, earth, water, metal, wood); the simplicity and importance of numbers; generosity; and the power of the divine in all of us. The handmade mala bracelets shown here illustrate the company’s founding principles with their blend of antique African-Trade beads and 18k gold.
Fashion is doing its job. It’s mirroring exactly our times.
“I think fashion is as vital and as interesting today as ever. Fashion is doing its job. It’s mirroring exactly our times,” commented the late Bill Cunningham in reflecting back on the shifts he had witnessed in his many, many years documenting fashion on the streets of New York City. It’s an assessment that perfectly captures the fashion freedom and confidence on display among independent minds gathering in yoga and barre and spin studios from Boxford to Belmont and beyond – a bold balance of function and self expression.
In addition to a full line of malas and necklaces, Julie also creates beautiful custom Bowen pieces. To learn more about these lines, please visit their website.
Author Susan Currie is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA magazine. Her words and images have been featured in the Boston Globe, Elephant Journal, Yogi Times, the Tishman Review, the Huffington Post, Spirit of St. Bart’s and on the cover of the book Moving into Meditation (Shambala) by Anne Cushman.
Susan is also the creator of the Daily Inhale and an RYT 200 registered yoga instructor. She unpacks her various professional experiences through the creative and yoga workshops she leads throughout the country. Her new book, GRACENOTES (Shanti Arts 2017), a blend of words and images, is now available in wide release.