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Taylor Swift Style 2011-2018
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The Tortured Poets Department | April 19, 2024

Grace Lee ‘Demi Earrings’ - $1,298.00

One of my favourite parts of the album listening experience is, of course, the new set of visuals that come with it. While there’s much to be said about interpreting clues, patterns, and preferences in aesthetic from the case study that candids provide, I view the album photoshoot as the most ‘canonical’ of every era. And oh *swoon* is this one ever beautiful. The original album cover set it up and the rest of the album’s photographs followed through to create a beautifully raw, desaturated world. One that provides ample space between all the black and white for the music to paint with all the shades of grey that its messy, complicated circumstances depict. 

In this particular shot, I love that we get to see Taylor’s hair smoothed out into a more classical glamour shot with a low, off-shoulder garment that exposes her back. Again, underlining the vulnerability of the shoot itself and how that ties into its respective work. The only ornamentation we see is from her modern, curved #GraceLee earrings. 

But what’s most interesting in this shot are what appears to be calla lilies resting on her shoulder. The flowers look so naturally tied into the shot they could almost be the ends of her hair or floral embellishments on the garment. Of course, Taylor being Taylor there’s a lot to possibly interpret from these flowers (the language of flowers is fascinating and there’s a lot of conflicting and wide-reaching symbolisms to each). That said, calla lilies are a common funeral service flower as they’re typically seen as symbols of resurrection and rebirth or purification of a departed soul. Broken calla lilies on tombstones often indicate someone who died before their time. With a lot of lyrical imagery across the album that centers on death, dying, and grief this makes the most sense

The calla lily also has ties to other themes we’ve already seen Taylor opt into for #TTPD. First, the Victorian era, the lily having become popularized in the 1800s (the Victorian age was 1820-1914). Secondly, in Greek mythology as it’s often seen as the symbol of Hera (goddess of marriage). 

Editorial Note: Original cover image captured by Beth Garrabrant - Taylor’s album photographer since folklore. In place of Beth’s image, for which she retains rights, I’ve commissioned a lovely demonstrative illustration by the talented Amelia Noyes.

The Tortured Poets Department | April 19, 2024

Khaite ‘Lally Sleeveless Cotton Maxi Dress’ - $2,500.00

Will be sharing thoughts as I continue to process this album and its beautiful visuals - including this Khaite dress Taylor wears seen in visuals for Spotify.

The Tortured Poets Department | April 19, 2024

Saint Laurent ‘Silk Tank Top’ - $650.00
The Row ‘Ausra Brief’ - $790.00

Our first look at a new era. 

With so little to go off of, there’s still much to parse here. Between the bedsheets, the pose, and (of course) the clothes - a pair of briefs and a slinky tank falling off the shoulder - to me evokes a combination of both intimacy and guardedness. Soft and vulnerable, but a little careworn and protective. This is the balancing act I think Taylor’s been playing with her whole life (an open heart revealed through deliberate acts) but feels painted in a more (pun intended) black and white way on this album cover. Even the sheerness of the top that plays with transparency, but only how much she permits, strikes me. 

And, it turns out, Taylor wearing The Row (and toting a few new YSL bags too) so much over the last few months was no coincidence (is there ever one with Taylor, really?). Her cozy selects appear to be (as confirmed by her stylist) to be this sheer tank and ribbed brief by YSL and The Row. 

While there’s so much about this album’s themes and sound that we don’t know - it’s of course fun to guess! The idea of the tortured artist to me sounds like it has the opportunity to explore the self-loathing andthe satire Taylor has previously toyed with on both “Anti-Hero” and “Blank Space”. Both the sincere truth of self-analyzing a life of being a tortured poet herself while also poking fun at the muses in her life who have aped at being tortured poets - perhaps delivered with a tongue firmly in cheek accompanied by a smirk and an eyeroll. 

I’m excited to see what awaits us and learn more about this project as well as your Critically Kind thoughts. 

Editorial Note: Original cover image captured by Beth Garrabrant - Taylor’s album photographer since folklore. In place of Beth’s image, for which she retains rights, I’ve commissioned a lovely demonstrative illustration by the talented Amelia Noyes.

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Maria Tash ‘Diamond Pear Stud Earring’ - $4,750.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘3 Graduated Teardrop Sophia Diamond Chain Double Stud’ - $3,200.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘Marquise Diamond Blossom Drop Oval Pavé Mini Hoop’ - $3,750.00
Maria Tash ‘Triple Teardrop Marquise Diamond Threaded Stud Earring- $9,800.00
Anna Sheffield 'All Seeing Signet Ring’ - $10,500.00

The ear stack for this shoot was credited as “artists own”, meaning they weren’t sourced by the on-set stylist. This didn’t surprise me in the slightest as most of these earrings were ones we’ve seen Taylor wear before.

The two Maria Tash studs being part of the trio of lobe piercings she added to her ears in August 2023 and the chain stud in her right first lobe piercing she was spotted wearing in October 2023.

These earrings join in the stylist pick of a signet ring by Anna Sheffield, appropriately called the 'All Seeing’ ring for its eye-like center stone. But also very “Mastermind”, no?

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Alaïa ‘Convertible Chenille Gown’ - $3,320.00

An a-what-a?

The entire shoot feels this way to me, but this pose in particular coalesces to represent the ethos of the piece in one frame: Feminine power and artistry. I can’t help but imagine though what this moment could have looked like if styled with the removable hood and asymmetric sleeve options that it was originally designed with. But ultimately the choice to have her curls as a defining calling card feel like the 'right’ option for Taylor and to center her most identifiable human features for an inherently 'personable’ piece.

Like all things, the 'accessory’ choices (a fluffy cat, a coordinating black guitar) in this shoot feel highly intentional to me as symbols of Taylor’s personality and work.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Wolford ‘Velvet De Luxe 66 Tights’ - $55.00

Taylor has been a longtime wearer of Wolford hosiery, dating back to 2013 through performances, candids, and photoshoots.

Thanks to the brand for confirming this particular style.

Worn with: Bardot bodysuit

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren ‘Cotton Utility Jacket’ - $698.00

Over the years, Taylor’s been known to quietly take home items from magazine photoshoots. A pair of chunky Vetements boots from her Vogue 2016 spread, a cognac leather Mark Cross bag when she posed for Glamour in 2012.

So am I really surprised that we were Easter Egged on the eve of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) when Taylor was spotted out in NYC wearing this corduroy collared jacket by RL and come to find it’s the same one from one of the trio of covers via Time declaring her their Person of the Year?

No. No I am not.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren Collection ‘Cadie Cotton Piqué Vest’ - $1,290.00

Again, the usage here of a designer like Ralph Lauren is intriguing to me as it’s one Taylor has worn a lot over the years but she’s had a few notable outings wearing RL this year alone.

Including a field jacket in October on the eve of 1989 (Taylor’s Version)’s release, a corduroy at her very first Arrowhead Stadium game, and a few bags while popping in and out of her favourite NYC studio. It’s a brand that feels quite aligned with the Miss Americana of it all so it’s cool to see it presented here in a great middle ground of RLfashion which I’ve always seen as embodying a utilitarian, timeless Americana energy.

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Collection jacket + shirt and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren Collection ‘Tuxedo Jacket’ - $2,490.00

I love the combination here of polished three-piece tuxedo suiting with casual denim jeans.

By my eye, it appears Taylor might be wearing a cropped version of this RL Collection jacket.

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Collection shirt + vest and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Bardot ‘Roll Neck Knit Bodysuit’ - $69.00

I think we have all collectively lived so many lives within the Swiftieverse in the year 2023. This year has given us so much.

But the greatest gift of all? The editorial photoshoot debut of one Benji Button.

Onto the fashion! Given the high leg cut and pairing with shiny black tights, this look gives me very Madonna vibes. In other photos of her in this simple ribbed bodysuit, we see Taylor flexing her arms - to me a callout to the Eras Tour choreography for “The Man” and of course embodying her power and femininity.

I love that the shoot’s team worked together to give a look that’s pared back and a play on ballet femininity and strength (styled by Heidi Bivens) while also providing references to some of Taylor’s most iconic beauty signatures like tousled curls (by Holli Smith) that feel closer to the natural texture of her debut era, and a bold red lip (by Diane Kendal).

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Area ‘Crystal Embellished Gown’ - $1,900.00

Just yesterday I commented on what I perceived to be Taylor’s level of comfort and confidence to exude equal parts power, ease, openness, and femininity - her fashion being an extension of that and an opportunity for her to communicate that without saying a word.

This Time piece, the first proper sit down interview I feel we’ve had in some time, is the culmination of that. The feature is sweeping and possibly one of the best and fullest profiles we’ve had in some time that I’ll be taking a lot of time to mull over.

Given how long the interviewer has spoken with her over the course of this year for this piece, I can’t help but wonder if the usage of Area as a designer here is intentional as this brand has played a fashion role in a few of Taylor’s most memorable outfits this year. First in the form of embellished butterfly jeans in a post-split pap walk. Second in embellished shorts on 'home’ turf at a Chiefs vs Jets game at a stadium she’s sold out three times this year.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time

1989 (Taylor’s Version) | October 27, 2023

Christian Louboutin ‘Zazou Glitter Oxfords’ - no longer available

1989 (Taylor’s Version) | October 27, 2023

Bed|Stu ‘Jasper Leather Oxford’ - $129.99

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) | July 7, 2023

Capezio ‘Leather Juliet Shoe’ - $42.00

I’ve often seen it said in the past that the lines between Taylor’s fashion demarked by eras is the most blurred at the cusp between Fearless and Speak Now. So it’s all the more interesting to see this next fashionable moment in Speak Now TV’s reclamation to include a subtle homage to Fearless and its neverending “Love Story”.

I personally like to think of Speak Now as that precipice moment. The album that crystallized the falling from the ivory tower. That fleeting moment as a princess realizes the fairytales she once dared to dream perhaps were nightmares after all. It’s the start of a disillusionment with grandeur, yet still hopelessly scrabbling to hold on to something optimistic, dreamy, whimsical, and innocent.

Worn with: Reem Acra gown

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) | July 7, 2023

Reem Acra Spring 2022

The Speak Now TV photoshoot continues to pull through with its thoughtful homages to the original cover. If you’ll recall, both the original front and back covers of Speak Now (2010) saw Taylor wear two of the designer’s soft, frothy gowns from their Spring 2007 collection.

This iteration is an equally soft, romantic, and whimsical pull from Spring 2022. What a beautiful closed loop.

Worn with: Capezio flats

Get the look: NABN, $75.99