Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Fifth Blogversary

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I started this blog five years ago today. In my initial post, I warned that I wouldn’t be blogging much. Two days later, I discovered Britney Spears had “borrowed” one of my rings without permission. Of course, I had to share that online, and after that, I couldn’t stop.

Since then, I’ve changed the name of my company and URL; moved to Facebook from MySpace and to WordPress from Blogger; and redesigned the blog. I figured I’d celebrate my fifth blogversary with another change. If you look at my header, you’ll see that in addition to new colors (black instead of purple) and a new photo ( my onyx skull ring design instead of my Hathor swivel ring), I have a new motto. I’ve replaced “Wear What You Want” with” Never Is the Next New Thing™.”

To me, the new motto is the logical next step from the old one. As I noted in my FAQ, I chose “Wear What You Want” as my blog’s motto in 2007 because I liked the idea of people knowing the style rules … and then breaking them. Within reason, of course. Obviously, “Wear What You Want” doesn’t apply to every situation. I’ve pointed out before that one shouldn’t wear a boob belt dress to a funeral.  Just last week, Project Runway judge Tim Gunn summed up my philosophy nicely when he told New York Magazine:

” I say to people, I don’t care how you are dressed as long as you accept responsibility for it, that’s all.”

That’s exactly what “Wear What You Want” is all about. I think y’all should know what fashion is considered “safe” for what time and place; decide when it’s appropriate to live dangerously style-wise; then anticipate and cope with the consequences. If you decide to sport pink hair and full-sleeve tattoos in your small conservative town, more power to you — just don’t be outraged when you catch people staring at your deliberate outrageousness. If you end up on a fashion publication’s “Disaster Area” page now and then, rejoice! It’s a great story to tell people. I speak from experience.

I’m the one in the leopard. Click for original post.

“Wear What You Want” is still my personal fashion philosophy, but, as far back as August 2008, when Katie Holmes’s pegged jeans dismayed everyone, I pointed out that when it comes to fashion, “never say never” is an understatement. In 2010, I elaborated:

“I’m convinced that the styles that are most hated at first — the ones that make people say, ‘Never!’ — are the ones that are most loved once our eyes adjust, with past examples including leggings and various kinds of jeans: skinny, acid-washed, high-waisted, distressed and boyfriend.”

In other words, “Never Is the Next New Thing™.” It’s more than a philosophy like “Wear What You Want”; it’s an acknowledgement of reality. I’ve seen it in my business as well as in the fashion world. People who told me they’d never wear skull jewelry or big jewelry are buying those pieces from me. My multi-finger ring sets that stores totally dismissed in 2008 were copied by Topshop this year.  The luxury-goods experts who told me my accessibility through social media would ruin my business are now saying no business can exist without a social-media presence.  So-called impossible things — both good and bad — happen every day in fashion, in business, and in life in general. Just because no one else is doing it yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear what you want, create what you want, and say what you want, as long as no one loses an eye in the process. (Hurting my excellent sense of aesthetics doesn’t count as an evil act, as much as I hate to admit it.) Change is inevitable and you can be a follower or a leader. Yeah, it’s scarier to lead … but it’s a helluva lot of fun too.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. 5 years! Holy cow… I’m so proud of you!!
    I love the new look and I love the new motto.
    Thank you for posting as often as you do and thank you for the GREAT and witty and interesting writing. Why can’t everyone write like you?
    Congrats on your blogversary!!

  4. Here’s to another 5 years, Wendy! I think I have been reading you nearly from the beginning, and although I don’t comment on every post, I still read every one.

    I love your attitude, and think you’re one of the most badass bloggers out there. Keep up the great work and rock on, Ms. B!

  5. I’d kill for that skull ring. Nevermind, my next husband/thing will be wealthy and it will be mine, LOL! Congrats on 5 years, you rock!

  9. Great new tag, though I have a real soft spot for the former one. And I sense I have been reading this blog for 5 years???!

  10. Please give some of your quick wit to figuring out the corollary to “Never is the next new thing”- what quick turn of phrase encompasses those edgy things I embraced immediately that I detest now?

  14. Happy Blogversary! I’m so glad you’re a frequent blogger. You give me culture and keep me young 🙂

    Jeggings. I have more than one pair. Who knew?

  16. Happy Blog-oversary and Anniversary, Wendy! You’ve definitely been an inspiration to me for a number of years. Keep doin’ what you do!

  19. The first thing I noticed when your page opened up was the new skull ring design. Love it.
    I prefer your old motto which has inspired me not once, but I understand the new one is the logical next step. Wow! 5 years? congratulations!!
    xx
    maya

    p.s.
    Thanks so much for your comment on my rain drops DIY 🙂

  20. Wendy, an adorable boutique opened up down the street from my office — it’s called FITZROY (fitzroyboutique.com) and it’s full of fun fashion goodness, so I think of you and the ginger gent when I walk past.

    Here’s to another 5 years…in whatever media we’re using then! xo

  27. Congratulations Wendy! I’ve been reading your blog over the past couple years… your talent for sharp wit and gorgeous bling keeps us all coming back. Love the new banner and motto, cheers to a fresh start!