Something new in the old
I always thought I was cool, original and creative until I saw a picture of my mother when she was my age and realised that there is nothing original about my look.
Imagine the trauma and shock that knocked over my ego when I saw that everything I thought was new, was actually just a repetition of the past.
All these trends and ‘new’ styles are things that have been brought back because designers are too lazy to think of anything new.
Remember the deadly colour- blocking frenzy that took over our fashion days and managed to blind half the country?
Well, let me tell you something, that was worn by my Ndebele people way before it was made ‘fashionable’.
And what about the all black frenzy made popular by rapper Jay-Z? That look is so old and yet we were thrilled to wear nothing but black.
I love big shades and high waist pants, my afro has become my signature look and I pride myself in looking different.
But guess what? My so-called unique look has been done for years, my grandmother, her mother and the whole gang rocked those before me.
I looked at some old Calvin Klein ads and realised that all the fuss about denim must have been brought on by this 90s trend.
Denim shirts have been there forever and those short shorts, are also not a new thing.
This recycling trend is everywhere, the music we listen to, the cars we drive even our cellphones are going back to their original shape.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this time next year we have the iPad 6 which will be the size of a moving truck, but with better technology.
It’s one big circle that turns every once in a while when people have forgotten.
Is there no more originality in the world? Are we fresh out of ideas or just too lazy to think?
I recently read somewhere that Robin Thicke might be in a bit of hot water after the Gaye family accused him of copying the late Marvin Gaye’s hit single Got to Give It Up.
Thicke’s popular banger Blurred Lines was accused of being too similar and lacking in originality.
If you listen to the two songs you get an idea of what they mean, but, hey, what song hasn’t been copied?
I though R&B and Afro-soul singer Lira was a lyrical genius when I heard Something Inside so Strong. I was later to find out that it is her cover version of the 1987 song written by Labi Siffre from Britain.
It seems nothing is as original as we think, everything is recycled and packaged in a new name and even better package. But that is how life is.
I guess I shouldn’t be too sad because if anyone gives me a compliment I can simply say; I got it from my mama.
Oops, I mean my mama’s mama… or something like that.
