As unlikely icons go, Zinnia Wormwood of 'Matilda' is perhaps the unlikeliest.
Though her character is most disagreeable, I would posit her fashion choices as one of few redeeming qualities (the other being signing Matilda's adoption papers in a rare moment of selflessness). Her commitment to a full face, including a daytime glitter eye, and maintaining permanently bleached roots, is worthy of a blog post in and enough itself. However, her penchant for colour blocking, colour clashing, vinyl and feathers in the am and spandex in the pm, speaks of a refreshing eccentricity, especially when held against today's climate of perma-bland Stan Smiths.
(D&G SS 17 pushing the boundaries of good taste)
In reaction to the Normbore (Normcore) trend that permeated the fashion set a few seasons ago, there has been a considerable change of pace. Dolce & Gabbana encourage a level of extra with their elaborate, 'more is more is more' aesthetic. Though Coco Chanel advised to remove one item before leaving the house, D&G would have you add a crown atop everything, offset with door knocker gold earrings. See also Gucci, who have held the reins of quirky, spinning a cat lady/ librarian chic hybrid, into fashion for quite sometime now. And whilst Miss Honey perhaps is better identified as this librarian/cat lady type, Zinnia speaks of the idiosyncrasies inherent to the quirk that continues to inspire the zeitgeist. She is brash and brazen, defiant in her haphazardness and it isn't unimaginable that she would don a crown to her local bingo hall.
Though Zinnia's outfits speak of chaos - jarring colours, contrasting textures - that's not to say that her outfits aren't meticulously considered, see her commitment to coordination (particularly her bed wear), and attention to accessorising. Practicality is a hindrance, choosing instead to wear her whims rather than worry about them. A sentiment preached by the coolest lady ever, Iris Apfel.
(Iris - Effervescent cool epitomised)
Apfel is lauded for her eccentric style, describing herself as a 'geriatric starlet' and citing the necessity to stay curious and maintain a sense of humour as priorities in establishing a strong sense of personal style. Every appendage is stacked with necklaces and bangles and various other accoutrements and of course, those iconic sunglasses. Apfel once said that, "fashion you can buy, style you possess". Now Apfel doesn't state whether you possess good style or bad style, just style in its purest sense. And Zinnia definitely has a style, one that is outrageous and full of zest for all occasions, whether befitting or not.
My particular favourite outfit, is the 'running from the speed boat salesmen' outfit, in which a leopard print skirt suit (skin tight of course), is paired with an orange/red body and matching head scarf. Followed in a close second to the 'bingo big win' outfit, in which festive purple cycling shorts are fancied into a skort situation, replete with red accents and matching feather trimmed cardigan (which might I add, is something not unlike what I imagine Bella Hadid to be papped wearing on any given day). As the lady herself says, "I chose looks" and that she did.
Zinnia's outfits are fun, different and the opposite of average, all of which are positive aspirations that speak more of an attitude than a particular penchant for looking a certain, prescribed way. As 2018 begins to pick up pace, I feel a smattering of feathers, vinyl and bold/jarring colour-ways, to be the perfect remedy for the January gloom. Though stick to mimicking her outfit appeal not her questionable morals, fondness for gambling and inclination for con-men. Now that should guarantee you a good start to the new year.
(Images via: pinterest, wallpaper, WWD, newsweek.com, villains.wikia.com)
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