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The slow and steady club is here and welcoming new members! 🙌 You’re not behind even if your life is taking different turns. We all have different journeys and milestones!

Chibird store | Positive pin club | Webtoon

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This cherry blossom bear believed in you every step of the way, and it never once doubted your strength and determination! 🌸 Keep it up, friend!

Chibird store | Patreon | Webtoon

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G-Dragon for The 13th Anniversary Edition of Dazed Korea

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How Fast Fashion React to Gender-fluid Market Demand

It is obvious that every fashion company is driven by profit. They would do anything to increase their market share.

With the market shifting into a new era, fast fashion company like Zara and H&M do not want to fall behind and try to cater to the new demand of gender-neutral clothing.

However, their approach towards this issue is quite questionable.

In 2016, Zara launched a collection called ‘Ungendered’, offering basic apparel such as T-shirt, hoodie, and sweatpants in neutral colours. This collection got various responses. Some people think that the items can be easily obtained from the menswear department. It was kind of like forcing masculinity style for everyone and completely ignoring femme identities. On the other hand, some people see it as a great first step for the mainstream market to start accepting more gender expression.

H&M also launched a gender-neutral collection in collaboration with a Swedish label, Eytys in 2018. The collection offered a range of jacket, denim, heavy cotton shirt, and chunky shoes.

There are more design aspects put into it compared to Zara genderless collection. They were being mindful about proportion and silhouette. It is good to see a pair of jeans, being a pair of jeans without having to be categorized as a men’s or women’s.

Fast fashion brands have the power and influence to educate mass audiences about gender-fluidity. Thus, instead of launching a collection and calling it gender-neutral without genuine intention, brands should do more research and design development for people to understand it. They shouldn’t do it just for the sake of having a gender-neutral collection and to appear that they care about the issue, or just doing it for marketing and publicity stunt.

In my opinion, calling sweatpants and oversize hoodies as gender-neutral is just a lazy approach.

There is this one interview of Adam Kassar, a burlesque performer with Sydney Morning Herald that really resonates with me. “Garments are constructed products. They don’t have genitalia, yet we design, market and make them as if they do.” I believe garment has no gender. Therefore, brands should be able to incorporate skirts and dresses as part of their gender-neutral collection.

There hasn’t been any new gender-fluid collection from the two fast-fashion giants. But H&M has started to slowly expand their size range and planning to get rid of their plus-size category.

Their gender-fluid collection might be just a one-time thing. As long as they are still separating their womenswear and menswear department, it somehow dictates that certain gender has to shop at a certain department.

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K-Pop and Their Influences on Gender-fluid Fashion

Compared to other cultures, Asian cultures are usually more conservatives towards gender-issue. However, in modern days, we can see how Asian men are more keen to experiment with fashion and make-up.

Way before Jaden Smith appeared with a skirt on LV’s campaign or Harry Styles’s sheer Gucci top at Met Gala 2019, K-Pop stars have been rocking the stage with their gender-fluid outfit.

Back in 2011, Bigbang's members G-dragon, Seungri, and TOP performed in music shows wearing pleated skirts.

In 2012, Jo Kwon debuted as a solo singer and performed his song dancing in Jeffrey Campbell heels. Breaking the stereotype that only female idols can dance in high heels.

NCT, a 23-members group posing for their video teasers in shining jewelries. Layering necklaces and piercings on silk suits with various length. Some are cropped, asymmetrical, or trimmed with frills.

We also have Amber Liu, former member of f(x). Since her debut in 2009, Amber stood out with her distinct tomboyish look. Completely different from the cutesy concept that K-pop girl-groups usually come up with.

It is common for the K-pop stars to wear heavy make-up, nail polish and have extensive skincare routine.

Not just on stage, they also smashed gender norms in editorials and ad campaign. Their fluid aesthetics have attracted luxury fashion houses to take them as their brand ambassador.

In 2019, Louis Vuitton signed Kang Daniel to endorse their iconic twist handbag that originally designed for women. The campaign titled ‘New Masculinity’ presented Kang Daniel dressed up in women’s Spring Summer 2019 collection.

Known for his androgynous charm, G-Dragon is one of Chanel brand ambassador. Chanel never officially produced menswear but G-Dragon proves the duality of the brand items by nailing their signature tweed jacket, pearl, and brooch.

BTS for their Map of The Soul: Persona album concept photo are styled in women’s collection from Gucci and Chanel.

These stars have influenced a bigger mass and show the younger generation that fashion has no boundaries. That it is okay for boys to wear make up, skincare, nail polish, and skirts. That girls can cut their hair as short as they want and wear boy’s clothes.

If we look into street fashion in Asia, especially cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing, we can spot how the youngster actually living those gender-fluid fashion. 

On a recent viral TikTok video taken in China, people are seen dressed up in various kind of styles, from punk to traditional Hanfu. It is interesting to see how people in Asia are totally rocking their outfit on the street.

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Gen Z Shaping The Future of Fashion.

The world evolves every day. And so does the humans’ perspectives.

Right now, the world is dominated by Generation Z. Those who are born in the mid-1990s to 2009. Thanks to the access of the internet since a very young age, Gen Z has been exposed to more information and cultures than the previous generation. This has caused them to be more aware of various issues, including gender, body shapes and sizes.

To Gen Z, there is no such thing as ‘ideal’. They don’t like to be classified. Instead, they believe in fluidity of gender, sexuality and attitude.

This can be seen from the way they express themselves through fashion.

Billie Eilish, as one of the most popular pop singer, is the representative of Gen Z. She landed a campaign with Calvin Klein in 2019. And unlike any other CK campaign, Billie appeared in her usual baggy clothes. For her, clothing is her weapon to fight against people judgement towards her body. By not showing her skin or figure, people wouldn’t be able to judge whether she has a skinny or a fat body. She doesn’t let people sexualize or throwing sexist remarks towards her.

Another rising fashion icon that is not afraid to break the gender boundaries is Jaden Smith. In 2016, the 17-year-old Jaden showed up in Louis Vuitton ad wearing a pleated skirt, crochet top, and a leather jacket.

In one of his interview with Nylon magazine, Jaden explained the influence behind his fashion style. “So, you know, in five years when a kid goes to school wearing a skirt, he won’t get beat up and kids won’t get mad at him. It just doesn’t matter.”

He also hopes that in the future, certain things can be accepted as normal.

In the same year, Jaden launched his own gender-fluid clothing line called MSFTSrep. A label for the girl who wants to be a tomboy or the boy who wants to wear a skirt, he stated.

As an industry that revolves around self-expression, fashion has continued on to keep up with the evolution of non-binary dressing.

Big fashion houses, such as Gucci, Burberry, JW Anderson, and Dolce & Gabbana have started to show their menswear and womenswear collection together. Gucci leads the way by styling their catwalk models with men’s collection on women and vice versa.

The question is, are these brands looking at gender-neutral fashion only for marketing purpose or for a long term commitment?

Gen Z is more vocal in expressing themselves. I believe investing in what they like and understanding their way of thinking will not just bring more profit to the company, but also help make the world a better place where people can freely wear whatever they want.

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I love how bitter you are about Zutara b/c honestly like same. So much same

F O R E V E R  B I T T E R.

i mean…

classic ‘enemies to lovers’ beginning

also ‘opposites attract’ to the max…. “you rise with the moon, i rise with the sun” coME ONNNN

aLSO both have SECRET IDENTITIES that mirror eaCH OTHER AS HERO / ANTI-HERO whose COLOR THEMES are the OTHER ONES main COLOR JFC

“zuko kept her necklace to track her” UH-HUH “TRACKING” PURPOSES suuuuuuuuure (this little moment for sure launched a thousand fics of him starting at it wondering why he didn’t want to give it back uGH my heart)

um LOCKED TOGETHER IN A CAVE?? WHERE THEY START TO UNDERSTAND WHERE EACH OTHER ARE COMING FROM / HOW THEY HAVE STRUGGLED AND/OR MESSED UP??? AND HOW ZUKO HAS CHANGED???

um um uMMMM then he betrays her / them and it is heARTBREAKING and aAAAANGST AF (which is just *kisses fingers* shipping perfection)

and tHEN zuko EARNS (***EARNSSSS****) her forgiveness for all of his mistakes and then teaches HER about how to know the difference between justice and revenge…THEY COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER SO WELL DAMNIT

zuko becomes part of their Found Family and lOOOK AT THEM FIGHTING PERFECTLY AND COMPLIMENTARY IN SYNC AHHHHH

and then.

AND THEN.

AAAAANNNNNDDDD.

TTTTHHHHEEEEENNNNNNN.

This sequence in the finale. This stunning, emotional, heartbreaking sequence that in addition to be just UNBELIEVABLE animation also has Azula pinpoint that Katara is a WEAK POINT for Zuko and targets that weak point and zuko juMPS IN FRONT OF A DEADLY LIGHTENING BOLT TO SAVE KATARA I CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT

EVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN

BELIEEEEEEEEEEEVE

them my goSH !!!!!!!

If there is ONE ship I will fight to the death for, it is them. 

we. WERE. R O B B E D.

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“Writing is actually such a lonely thing to do. Sometimes you spend hours and days just within your own head, without even realizing that you haven’t spoken to a living soul in ages. And from time to time it scares me how much I enjoy to do just that: Get away from everything by spending time with these people in my mind, in worlds I created, with ever purple skies and never fading summer nights.”

- // someone once asked me if people would get addicted to dreaming if it wasn’t a natural mechanism and I have found exactly that kind of drug in writing

j.d.m.

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be strong…

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We all have a whole lot of goodness in us, and that’s not a mistake. ´･ᴗ･`♡

Chibird store | Positive Pin Club | Webtoon

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no thoughts head empty just ten

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stay strong Huang Xuxi, we will forever support you ♡

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Meaning of Color and Your Birthday!

1. Which is your favorite color out of: red,black, blue, green, or yellow?

2. Your first initial?

3. Your month of birth

4. Wich color do you like more, black or white?

5. Name of a person of the same sex as yours.

6. Your favorite number?

7. Do you like Flying or Driving more?

8. Do you like a lake or the ocean more?

9. Write down a wish (a realistic one).

When you’re done, scroll down. (Don’t cheat!)

Answers: 1. If you choose: Red - You are alert and your life is full of love. Black - You are conservative and aggressive. Green - Your soul is relaxed and you are laid back. Blue - You are spontaneous and love, kissed and affection from the one you love. Yellow - You are a very happy person and give good advice to those who are down.

2. if your initial is: A-K: You have a lot of love and friendships in your life. L-R: You try to enjoy your life to the maximum & your love life is soon to blossom. S-Z: You like to help others and your future love life looks very good.

3. If you were born in: Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected. April-June: You will have a strong love relationship that will not last long but the memories will last forever. July-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a major life-changing experience for the good. Oct-Dec: Your love life will not be great, but eventually you will find your soul mate.

4. If you chose: Black: Your life will take on a different direction, it will seem hard at the time but will be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change. White: You will have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you, but you may not realize it.

5.This person is your best friend.

6. This is how many close friends you have in your lifetime.

7. If you chose: Flying: You like adventure. Driving: You are a laid back person.

8. If you chose: Lake: You are loyal to your friends and your lover and are very reserved. Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people.

9. This wish will come true only if you re-post this in one hour as “Meaning of color and your birthday!” and it will come true before your next birthday

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Meaning of Color and Your Birthday!

1. Which is your favorite color out of: red,black, blue, green, or yellow?

2. Your first initial?

3. Your month of birth

4. Wich color do you like more, black or white?

5. Name of a person of the same sex as yours.

6. Your favorite number?

7. Do you like Flying or Driving more?

8. Do you like a lake or the ocean more?

9. Write down a wish (a realistic one).

When you’re done, scroll down. (Don’t cheat!)

Answers: 1. If you choose: Red - You are alert and your life is full of love. Black - You are conservative and aggressive. Green - Your soul is relaxed and you are laid back. Blue - You are spontaneous and love, kissed and affection from the one you love. Yellow - You are a very happy person and give good advice to those who are down.

2. if your initial is: A-K: You have a lot of love and friendships in your life. L-R: You try to enjoy your life to the maximum & your love life is soon to blossom. S-Z: You like to help others and your future love life looks very good.

3. If you were born in: Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected. April-June: You will have a strong love relationship that will not last long but the memories will last forever. July-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a major life-changing experience for the good. Oct-Dec: Your love life will not be great, but eventually you will find your soul mate.

4. If you chose: Black: Your life will take on a different direction, it will seem hard at the time but will be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change. White: You will have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you, but you may not realize it.

5.This person is your best friend.

6. This is how many close friends you have in your lifetime.

7. If you chose: Flying: You like adventure. Driving: You are a laid back person.

8. If you chose: Lake: You are loyal to your friends and your lover and are very reserved. Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people.

9. This wish will come true only if you re-post this in one hour as “Meaning of color and your birthday!” and it will come true before your next birthday

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A cherry blossom samoyed to bless your day and hopefully bring about a lovely spring soon~ 🌸

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