Style Diary: Mekdela Maskal
I’ve always known that I care about style. I felt shameful for it when I was younger because I was taught it was vain and consumptive. I’m grateful for that because I know that reality exists too, but as I’ve grown and become more rooted, I know that style is about language and family and personal archives.
When I started documenting my outfits for this newsletter, I took photos of what I wore daily. I wanted to add a few more this past weekend, though we were in the midst of a snowstorm, so I wasn’t going anywhere. I felt so challenged by the idea of putting together hypothetical outfits. It was very telling! I learned that function and feeling lead the way for me. I usually think, “Where am I going, and what will I do?” “What’s the weather?” and “How do I want to feel?”. So I asked myself those same questions as I put things together while snowing in.
I learned I love connecting with people through style and unearthing stories while dressing. I love craft and textile practices and seeing how something is cherished through wear and tear. I love dressing for my spirit, looking back at a look, and feeling like I wouldn’t wear it again. I love change. I love style because it’s silly, practical, fun, and profound. I need the lightness and depth of being all wrapped up together.