Universal Fashion Statements:FTF Blog Event 4/6

Wednesday

   
Above Left: Small token of art that my Papa gave me from Ghana, which is shipped to every place I move. Egyptian earring- family (Right) Dream-catcher ring my mum made for me, also a handmade bracelet from memories of my grandmother from Germany. 

I have a few different cultures in my family and grew up travelling to numerous places. From Germany, London, Seattle, and California, to Ghana and Egypt, each place is significant to me for many different reasons. My blog embodies the elements of diversity, which is what comes naturally for me ... living and studying internationally since my childhood has been a vast influence in my personal style and outlook on life. When I started my blog I felt that my diverse background allowed me to showcase other artists and talent from a different perspective than the norm. My current locations now are San Francisco and Seattle mostly, but sometimes Los Angeles, and London.
Reflecting on my childhood I remember that it was not cool to be from so many different places or having such a multifaceted background than the rest. However, when I became older I learned so much about my heritage and began to really appreciate my unique upbringing, cultures and family.

This is a symbol of small bits of my style, but also the significance of some of my heritage. I view each area that I enter not as a foreign land, rather a land of opportunity to enlighten others about who I am and what it means to me.

When I moved around a lot I'd always think of ways to take a small part of my location with me so I loved to draw and create clothes. I look forward to continuing to share with you my (sometimes random, but) artistic journey as seen through my progressive fashion lens.

Here’s to beautiful differences and my lifestyle: full of changing environments, travelling, meeting new people, and enjoying every second of every glorious day.
Often miss my London residence, but still keep some pieces of it inside of me & visits are nice!
With as much freedom as we have in the USA I'm always shocked by people I meet who have no gratitude. I am immensely grateful for my surroundings. .

I bid you farewell with these words... Be yourself!  It's all about creative expression, personal growth, respect, the power of community, and spreading the love! 
~Madison
*This post is apart of the Full-time Fabulous Blog Event series 

40 comments

  1. ModePlus06 April

    I love your open approach in this post. it is relatable in the sense you seeing new cultures/countries as an opportunity to meet and introduce yourself. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Beautiful photos, and wonderful words. I really enjoyed this post. You are a lovely person!!

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  3. I think my favorite look is your London look. I love the layers and the hat and the flair. Although you look fab in all of them that is me fave for sure! Your little salute is adorable to in the American look ... very patriotic ... makes me want to sing the star spangled banner! Yeah ftfcommunity!

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  4. Great photos! You're so lucky to have travel and lived in so many places! Your childhood friends might not have agreed but I definitely think that's cool!

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  5. Genius! I like the different outfits representing each culture. (At first I thought you had a painted flag on your fence :) It's always so interesting to find out how many places someone has lived- you get to understand them better. I have to say, my favorite outfit is the USA one!

    http://sprinklesinsprings.blogspot.com/

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  6. Yay another FTF blog event post!! I'm reading and seeing about them everywhere. It's great! :)

    You look so cute. Wow you've traveled the world hunny!! That's awesome.

    xoxo,
    melrod

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  7. great representation about your influence and your style...from the places you've been I visited only London (and it's style infulenced me a lot...)
    Nice meeting you!!!

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  8. Sweet Veloso06 April

    I totally agree...loving yourself and just believing in your own self is the number one key...no one is going to back you up right??? I enjoyed your photos and your presentation with your photos are just incredible...

    Kisses
    Sweet
    PensandLens
    @mistytewest

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  9. i really love how artwork and jewelry from your family all over the world is incorporated into your looks.

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  10. Kenyetta06 April

    i wish i was well traveled im just starting to explore this amazing world we live in. i hope to be going to Europe for my graduation. Those are really cute looks!

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  11. I'm so glad you came to appreciate your multi-dimensional heritage. I think it would be amazing to have roots in so many places around the world! It certainly makes for an interesting post. :)

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  12. ashleyforemergy06 April

    I love that piece from Ghana! I "lived" there for 2 weeks a few years ago and it was an amazing time. It's great that you've lived in so many places and took elements from each with you.

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  13. Thanks so much Marissa, Yes, I wasn uncertain how to do this post at first, but thought having flag inspiration was better than saying, "hi I'm a UnitedGermaGhananNativeAmEgyptian..etc haha! -xo

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  14. Hi Kenyetta, Well the travelling started out at very young age & wasn't by choice, however thanks to my parents I've definitely appreciated it far more now! So thankful!

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  15. Thanks Cheryl! Glad that you loved that part, I feel taking small elements of your heritage is also a good thing, sometimes you don't have to wear it in your garb graphically, yet it's worn often by the smallest accessories for me that have the most impact & value. :)

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  16. That's right Sweet! -xxoo Thank you for your lovely comment! :)

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  17. London definitely has influence on style (what a great city) Check out Faye's inspiring post! she takes me back to memory lane! here: http://fuyume.net/2011/04/the-uk-rocksftf-blog-event-46.html

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  18. Hey there Melrod! :) I'm continuing to read these exciting posts as well!Thanks so much I'm happy that you liked my post!

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  19. haha! Kara --- good, that was the idea, I'm pleased that you thought it was painted. Thank you! -xxoo

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  20. It certainly has helped me with my job, dealing with various cultures on a daily basis. I think sometimes when you are young, my friends probably did not understand because they had the pleasure to hangout with the same friends from their grammar schools until college, etc.. But, oh well! It's worked out for me! :)

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  21. Thank you Kirstin, what a sweet comment, really appreciate this. -xo

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  22. Your'e welcome! It's just the way I see life, positive thinking. especially with a unique one that I have been handed! Thanks for reading. :)

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  23. Love this post, Madison! It's fascinating how so much of your heritage is tied with different places; I moved around so much when I was growing up that I never really experienced the different places I lived and I can barely remember some of them. Of course, none of them were as exciting as the ones you mentioned! Egypt seems so exciting to me with all that history. And honestly, I've always imagined I'd be well-suited in Seattle!

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  24. i ADORE your style!!! i love how multifaceted it is, just like you and your background!!! it's perfect. i can totally see how your heritage has influenced the way you dress.

    i remember when i was growing up in southern california it wasn't cool to even be just from one different culture... i was constantly teased for being greek. so i can relate to what you're saying here. that's why i constantly wanted to leave california and go to greece so i could start appreciating my culture too!

    thank you for sharing all these awesome photos with us. i love how you tied the theme back to fashion, that's always great inspiration for us fashion bloggers. =) so glad you participated in the event darling!!!

    Kristy Eléna - Full Time Fabulous
    Vogue Gone Rogue
    Twitter: @kristyelena

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  25. Seattle is an interesting city although I love Cali better, but Egypt, like Germany & Ghana is also part of my ancestry) in addition, to visiting such interesting places I always appreciate where I've been but also where i'm going! -xxoo Thanks Casee, so glad that you liked it... means alot!

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  26. My Papa used to bring back so many wonderful art pieces and culture from there, it's a special place definitely. Thanks Ashley.

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  27. Carolann,
    I loved reading this comment, I can hear the singing now! :) Thank you, so happy that you liked it. I collect many hats & thought it needed a personal touch! -xo

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  28. Oh Kristy, Thank you so very much! This means so much. I was unsure what to do at first, & got really excited when it came to me! I also thought it was good for me since, I don't normally share too much about myself always in my blog! So nice that you understand and relate to this! This event was amazing and do look forward to doing more. big hug! -xo

    Also, I'm not certain if it's my Disqus system, or because you sign in with Twitter, or maybe my USB-internet but every time you comment It says please moderate it, & I don't have that setting on, I let anyone comment.. hhmm thought it was interesting. ;)
    ~Many thanks again!

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  29. I am with you regarding gratitude- gratitude is the key to enjoying life.
    And I too feel so lucky to be able to be myself! Go us!

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  30. jezebel53807 April

    I know how you feel about having a mixed up heritage! my mom is german, dad italian, born in america, moved 6 times and settled in Ireland. Confused.com I love it now though, not so much when i was a kid! Great post and style choices!

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  31. I liked what you did with the theme. Personal yet fashionable. I think your parents did a great job in teaching you about your heritage and giving you the confidence to be proud of all that you are. That no matter where a person is from or what he/she looks like, it is just as long as they love each other. that´s freedom. xo

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  32. This is such a perfect sentiment: "Here’s to beautiful differences and my lifestyle: full of changing environments, travelling, meeting new people, and enjoying every second of every glorious day." Love it.

    I love your take on this Blog Event. You managed to illustrate your heritage and history without including 1 actual shot of a location. They have all become a part of you, and your great sense of style shows that because it has elements of each. Love it. Love you.

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  33. I agree & Thank you! I think it was necessary especially since we had so many ranges of races in our family. It was important to love each other. We are all human beings with beautiful differences! -xo

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  34. Thanks Bella! More people should feel this way.

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  35. Thank you, Thank you "B," I love you for visiting & reading this post!
    After I figured out my concept, it was important to also pick a simple background that everyone could relate to & fill in the rest! -xxoo

    *What an amazing blog event for everyone!

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  36. Thanks for checking out my post! I like your idea of wearing outfits that represent where you are from :)

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  37. Thanks Kimberlee! Nice blog! -xo

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  38. Yes, totally understandable. I've moved more times than i'd like to say! but, have learned so much about people. Thank you for commenting & so grateful that you liked it. :)

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  39. So sweet. It is wonderful to appreciate where you've been and where you come from and I love how you tackled the topic, showing how your style reflects your experience and heritage is really effective!

    I am also sad about the gratitude bit. I am so thankful for every bit of my life and I am so frustrated when people don't see how beautiful there life is.

    Well done on the FTF event, thank you for sharing such personal thoughts.

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  40. Thank you very much, Jamillah! So happy that you are thankful for you life, it is definitely important. :)

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