Jeanna Dubska: 27 Insights from a Self-Made Image Designer
Jeanna Dubska: A Journey from Seamstress to Image Designer
Jeanna Dubska is a testament to the power of ambition and courage. Her journey from a humble seamstress to a renowned image designer and doctor of sciences is truly inspiring. Over the past two decades, she has worked with all the presidents of Latvia and their first ladies, as well as numerous politicians and show business artists. Jeanna is not just a fashion image maker; she is a style aficionado, much like Coco Chanel. However, style and fashion are not always the same.
The Glamorous 90s
The 90s were a grand time for fashion. As the fashion editor of the first glossy magazine in the post-Soviet space, Jeanna witnessed the most pompous and expensive shows. It was a spectacle of new names and bohemian parties. She rubbed shoulders with Linda and Paul McCartney, who was a regular at his daughter’s shows. She reminisces about a photo with Alain Delon and a forgotten snapshot with Klaus Brandauer, capturing their inebriated state after a show. Today, fashion is a closed circle, more commercial and mundane.
Adventures with John Galliano
One March day, after a Dior show, Jeanna and John Galliano found themselves in a grassy ditch on a racetrack. As horses approached, they realized they were lying in a hurdle. They barely managed to scramble away. Those were the days of champagne-fueled shows, with Moët & Chandon as the sponsor. Food was scarce, but the champagne flowed freely.
The Era of Upgrades
We live in a time of speed and strength. The weak and outdated are left behind. Today, there is a strong desire for renewal and creativity. Those who do not fit in are often overlooked. We rely on non-verbal information, making snap judgments based on first impressions. Remember Novoseltsev from the movie “Office Romance”? Such a character would hardly be appreciated today.
Fashion vs. Style
As Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” Those who blindly follow every trend are often seen as frivolous and shallow. It is best to find a golden mean, incorporating new trends subtly and selectively.
The Changing Standards of Beauty
Angelina Jolie’s popularity in the early 1900s would have been unlikely. At that time, small lips and wide eyes were in vogue. Beauty standards are ever-changing. Today, athletic, multiracial features are celebrated, but this was not always the case. The ideal of beauty is a proportionally built body.
Tattoos and Permanent Makeup
Jeanna appreciates stylish tattoos but advises caution with permanent makeup. While it can be a solution for those with sparse eyebrows, it often results from laziness. However, be prepared for the fact that the tattoo will fade over time, and dotted lines of slowly fading blue pigment may remain on your face.
The Ideal of Female Beauty
Jeanna’s ideal of female beauty is embodied in the girls depicted in the frescoes of Ancient Egypt. Their beauty resembles modern standards: slender, flexible, long-legged women with almond-shaped eyes, high cheekbones, and well-defined lips.
The World of Art and Fashion
Today, art and fashion must be scandalous and shocking to capture attention. Shock is a modern trend. Models with unique features, such as Melanie Gaydos and Chantelle Winnie, are in vogue.
The Cyclical Nature of Sexuality
Our society is bipolar. The sexual revolution of the 90s gave way to the conservative yuppies, which in turn led to the porn-chic trend. Today, many young people can be called puritans. Everything is cyclical and unique in its own way.
The Changing Ideal of Beauty
The ideal of beauty is constantly changing. Many designers are turning to plus-size women, but this is more of a marketing ploy. Anorexic figures are on their way out, but the trend is towards androgynous, muscular bodies. Fortunately, fashion offers solutions for all body types.
The Soviet Era of DIY
During the Soviet era, girls had to make their own clothes due to the lack of choices. Today, despite the abundance of options, people tend to look the same. Modern fashion is about uniformity in different colors and finishes.
The Power of Clothing
Clothing can change proportions and contours. A mini skirt can make legs look longer, and high heels can make you look like Cindy Crawford. A timeless piece of advice: if you show off your legs, keep your décolletage covered.
The Myth of the Belle Époque Waist
Contrary to popular belief, the standard waist size during the Belle Époque was not 33 centimeters. It ranged from 45 to 55 centimeters. However, this did not mean that women were indecently dressed. Aristocratic girls were deformed from the age of 7, but many court doctors believed that corsets were harmful.
For further reading on the evolution of fashion, you can visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Timeline of Art History.
