Wattpad brings you a guest post from our newest featured story writer, KateLorraine:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bubble Tea Girl
When I first wrote Bubble Tea Girl, I was 24 and rather poor. I had lived and gone to school in the city but I never participated in the fashion aspect of it. I was also a humanities nerd who was more interested in the ancient books at the New York Public Library on 5th avenue than I was in the Fashion Week tents in Bryant Park. My idea of a fashion splurge was purchasing a five dollar fur trimmed cape off of Forever21’s discount rack. When you’re a kid in high school with a twenty dollar weekly allowance in your pocket, five dollars seemed like an ungodly amount to pay.
As time passed, I went to medical school to become a doctor like my stepfather. I started to realize that dressing well is about more than just vanity. My stepfather is a surgeon from a long line of blue-blooded surgeons and he always told me that dressing well is a sign of respect for your patients. A well-dressed man or woman inspires confidence and security. My parents got me my first Louis Vuitton bag when I started to see patients. I was dating a lawyer at the time and he always inspired me by dressing himself with utmost care and attention to detail. This was vital as he often shared an elevator with Anna Wintour on his way to work!
When I look back on the Bubble Tea Girl, I see a young and carefree version of myself. My characters - Julia Hua, Weiliang and Kalliyan - don’t dress to flaunt their money or power. They are rich but their wealth is in time and youth. Julia dresses in lace and leather, t-shirts and sweats, Payless shoes and Hello-Kitty, to express the ultimate status symbol - being beautiful, healthy, young and free.
Coco Chanel
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel started her first formal store at Rue Cambon with the help of her lover Arthur “Boy” Capel. Coco Chanel was an avid reader of romance novels in her youth, often to the dismay of the nuns at Aubazine. When she met Boy Capel, she was swept away by his American charm. Although, Boy Capel declined to marry Coco Chanel, he gave her the resources and inspiration necessary to become financially independent. It is rumored that the interlocking Cs of the Coco Chanel logo represent the undying love Chanel felt for Capel.
Nowadays, a Chanel bag is a symbol of the maturation of a girl into womanhood. No night out on Broadway is complete without a parade of girls with the characteristic gold chains of Chanel Flapbags over their shoulders. It is ultimate symbol of both femininity and enduring style.
Louis Vuitton
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Louis Vuitton started out designing luggage for the Empress Eugénie de Montijo. Through his work with French royalty, he created a new flattened travel case that was stackable. For his signature Monogram Canvas he choose an Oriental inspired flower and quatrefoil design. Perhaps, this influence partially explains why LV is such a popular brand among Asians. Louis Vuitton is a sight that is ubiquitous in Flushing or any urban area. And why not? Louis Vuitton is a functional, classic and tasteful brand. There are some who view the Asian preoccupation with Louis Vuitton with disdain but I commend those women for choosing wisely. A Louis Vuitton bag is a symbol of strength and perseverance. I’ve carried rocks, cubby lapdogs dogs, anatomy textbooks in my Neverfull bag for years. I doubt a bag made of titanium could take that much abuse.
It is rumored that the only bag Coco Chanel ever carried that was not of her own design was a Louis Vuitton Alma. Perhaps, back then, as it remains today, a Louis Vuitton Alma was a symbol of a woman’s professional success.
Louboutin
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Christian Louboutin reportedly first painted the soles of his stilettos “Chinese Red” to hide their imperfections. Now, no New York City party is complete without a girl flashing a streak of red sole with each step. Louboutins are fragile; the soles are meant to leave behind red rosettes behind on the pavement with each step. With a 500-2,000 price tag, these shoes are a reminder of the fleeing nature of youth and the preciousness of time spent with lovers and friends. I like to put protective soles on my Louboutins but sometimes I feel as though this defeats their purpose. As some of my wealthier friends would say - nothing shows that your time is worth 500 dollars an hour like wearing uber expensive shoes that will only last one hour.
This brings us to the conclusion of this blog entry on great fashion designers and fashionistas. I hope you check out my book, Bubble Tea Girl!