First, a few words on our current situation:
Go Vegan.
Life seems
indefinable these days: a kind of mass of immobile time, uncertainty,
and for many of us these days feel analogous to nothing. With the world
suspended and hanging, it’s been an unwelcome and depressing life
change for me, as someone whose favourite escapes are concerts and
travel, with the majority of my friends living in other cities and
countries, and the fact I remain wedged in an unfavourable living situation.
Still, many others have it far, far worse: those who have become ill
or lost loved ones, and those who have lost employment or their homes.
And yet, with chaos
reigning, and politicians, as always, making questionable or
reactionary decisions, for the most part there is an absence. This
absence echoes down the screaming walls of the abattoir, and it turns
away from the searing moments of terror animals must feel when
crammed in cages, fighting for their lives, in the hell-on-earth wet
markets of China. This absence rolls through the ocean's shores as discarded
masks and gloves poison whales and turtles and marine life, and it
lurks in forests where bats and pangolins are ‘culled’ merely for
the assumed crime of their own existences; for, even our ‘solutions’ perpetually wreak more havoc on other animals and their ecosystems. The absence,
of course, is the lack of human reflection on speciesism, the
devastating bullet of narcissistic greed which will, ironically, lead
to our very own demise.
Why has there been
so little focus on the cause
of this pandemic? Because these are big money industries? Because of 'tradition' or misbeliefs about protein? But
people are dying... now is not the time, some say. But is this not precisely why now
is
the time to address that our continued exploitation of animals is wrecking the planet, destroying other species, and ruining ourselves?
Considering
the level of destruction, very few are uttering this truth. News
outlets hardly touch on it ... the fact that 75%
of infectious diseases
are zoonotic – and are typically
caused by human ravagement and
consumption of other animals. If we want change, we have to reflect –
and soon – on our own behaviours, and transitioning to a vegan diet
is the
most powerful tool we
have.
Morrissey has been advocating for animals
for
decades,
trying to open our eyes to the horrifying mistreatment of animals in
China, the pointless culling of seals in Canada, and
the barbaric hellscape of factory farms. Often,
he has been criticized and even defamed for his stance, but has
bravely continued on being a voice for the voiceless. The simple
truth is that animals want to live their lives just as much as we do,
and have a right to their own lives. A few other musicians have also
spoken out recently: Paul
McCartney, who
has been
a vocal vegetarian for years,
and now Brian May, who
has switched to a vegan diet this year.
Still...
the general silence of others on the root cause of this pandemic hangs
ominously.
Do
you care?
What will make you care?
Now is the time for change.
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| Via Peta |
Art
is life
With
the current world looming so heavily, I’ve tried to seek solace in books and
music. It’s
undoubtedly been a difficult time, but these are the riches of the
poor. Life is dragging and these are the greatest escapes I have access to ... so
I immerse myself as much as I can, along with a few visits to my
local duck friends.
Will
time never pass for us?
And – at this point my blog will take a more lighthearted turn ...
For,
as
I was watching Morrissey videos and sipping wine one evening, I began
to muse on all
the fantastic fashion moments Moz has had over the years. A man of
exquisite natural style and good looks, he also has incredibly good
taste when it comes to his aesthetic. Thus, I decided to try and
kickstart my currently rather wilted energies and channel them into
the high-focused task of creating a Top Ten List of Morrissey’s
greatest video fashion moments. I
am of course, lamentably bad at ordering my top ten lists, and feel
that on any given day my order for this may change, but ...
Let’s begin!
Top 10 Morrissey Video Fashion Moments
10.
Glamorous Glue
This look is anything but shyness-is-nice, and Morrissey oozes high-intensity glam in a dazzling gold button up shirt. The shirt almost has
a foil-like or holographic appearance, and he ties the look up nicely
with blue jeans and a turquoise ring. It's a bit Elvis, and a taste of
rock n roll deluxe. Leaving the studio, he opts for a more subdued, classic ensemble, and catches the eye of a very shy but lucky kitty.
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| *all screenshots via Youtube |
9.
Irish Blood, English Heart
Morrissey
is unique in that he exudes
both angelic levels of beauty and swoon-inducing elements of
sexiness. At once rugged and beautiful, this aesthetic particularly comes
through in this video shoot, where a white blazer and shirt cut
elegant lines, complimenting his fantastic powered-by-plants
physique. Charcoal trousers complete the elegant look.
8.
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Monochromatic becomes monumental in Paris, as Morrissey dons a deep
blue ruffled shirt and dark blue jeans, accessorized with a
handmade-looking beaded blue and amber necklace, all of which bring out his
blue eyes (smoked up with a touch of shadow). He croons “nobody wants
my love” with flashes of silver tambourine as pageant pugs dash
about underfoot, and the band looks 1950's sharp in cuffed jeans and white
tees, while Boz handily rocks double denim.
7.
Tomorrow
More from France, as Morrissey makes the winding streets of Nice his own runway. How to make smart casual iconic? Mozzer achieves
just that, pairing a simple checked button up shirt and jeans,
proving he can dazzle just as much in less glitzy numbers. It’s a
very inviting style, topped off with his fantastic quiff, and he’s
got a cat-like quality as he prowls the streets. Good looking man
about town, indeed!
6.
All You Need Is Me
More Years of Refusal-era Moz, complete with tambourine, and yet
again resplendent in blue. Morrissey’s fetching v-neck sweater, accented
with little tropical flowers, fits his form scrumptiously, and the slightly
distressed jeans he’s wearing are perfect vintage. Always one for
attention to detail, the rosary and gold necklace round the look off
nicely. Muy handsome devil!
5.
Dagenham Dave
A
little bit tough, and little bit sophisticated – Morrissey marries
the two perfectly – combining faux-scars and olive cargo pants with
a dapper black jacket and crisp white shirt – and
the effect is devastatingly
striking.
Moz walks all over town, and into the tavern, with the cheeky devil even
interrupting a pool game! Do the Daves, Sharons, and Karens of the
world stand a chance? He’s
just too good-looking!
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| Cheeky! |
4.
Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up On The Stage
Here we have Moz at his most swoonworthy, decked out in a grey Gucci
seersucker suit, embroidered with a butterfly on the sleeve. He wears
the jacket open at the chest, which is a romantic look on him, and it’s
clear veganism keeps him looking very dashing! As he dances, strands
of rosaries dangle from his back pockets which is one of his
trademark stage looks. Meanwhile, the band is wearing sky blue silk
pyjamas that are a tad Bollywood meets Sgt. Pepper’s.
3.
Morning Starship
Filmed just last year in Toronto during Morrissey’s triumphant
return to the stages of Canada, Morning Starship expresses the
live concert experience with an ethereal, otherworldly feel. Moz shows
his exquisite knack for accessorizing and texturizing with his
wardrobe: wearing a sleek black jacket embroidered with a sparkling
peacock, a Chilean “rodeo no es deporte” T-shirt cut at the neck, and
black jeans; the look is completed with a duck pin and skull rosary.
2.
November Spawned a Monster
Writhing
Moz in the desert is deliciously high fashion! Perhaps one of
Morrissey’s most iconic videos, November
arrives with Mozzer wearing a sheer black shirt and slim-cut trousers
with sand-savvy brown boots. Again, he pays attention to Morrissey-esque detailing with
a small hearing aide and a bandaged nipple!
1.
Spent The Day in Bed
With 2017’s release of Low In High School came lead single
and video Spent The Day in Bed, which features Morrissey being
wheeled out in a wheelchair by footballer Joey Barton. While
Morrissey remains seated for the entire video, he is anything but a
wallflower, decked out in a sparkling black sweater and velvety-looking
trousers. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the zip-up sweater,
while not button-up, is indeed a cardigan, which is my fave Moz
fashion look. Why pamper life’s complexity when the fabric runs
smooth on the cardigan sleeve?: the relaxed becomes dazzling with
this ensemble.
Honorary mention. Dare we? We dare!
Bonus:
I Have Forgiven Jesus
I’m not sure it’s appropriate to find a priest quite so handsome,
but Morrissey looks captivating in a priest’s collar and robe
walking under brooding grey skies. The video itself is soul wrenching yet simultaneously strangely amusing (perhaps because of the priest outfit?) ... I'm not sure why, so I won't try to explain.
I
hope taking a peek at some Morrissey fashion moments with me has
brought a bit of distraction to your life, as writing it has given me
a bit of a lift. I feel Morrissey truly does have incredibly good
taste, and his ability to mix casual pieces with elegant ones,
accessorize, and coordinate patterns and textures speaks
to how diverse his artistic ability is, as fashion is also an art
form. At the beginning of a new tour, I am always excited to see what
his wardrobe will be, and I hope later in the year we will have an
opportunity to make more great memories.
Before
I sign off, I'll leave you with a link to an interview I recently
had the pleasure of working on with the site Letters to Morrissey.
Here is an excerpt:
What
resonates between you and Morrissey?
I
think
Morrissey is a truly authentic individual – he speaks of both the
outer and inner world as he sees and feels them. There is a lot of
forced positivity crammed down our throats in life, and I find THAT
depressing, so to me it is strange when people consider Morrissey’s
music to be “a downer” or
whatever nonsense people who don’t get him say.
One of the things I love most about Morrissey is that he isn’t
afraid to say things like “life is a pigsty,” “the world is
full of crashing bores,” or “earth is the loneliest planet.” To
me, that is extremely
liberating... and with that honesty,
he has moments of hope and humour woven through his lyrics and
writing. His views on life resonate with me, and I think he captures
so brilliantly the complexity of human emotion in a world that can be
very abrasive to the sensitive spirit.
For
the entire interview, click here:
https://letterstomorrissey.com/2020/04/15/fan-interview-with-marianne/
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| Morrissey in Vancouver, 2019 |
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