Taylor Swift: Shaping the World of Fashion and Beyond
Taylor Swift's Person of the Year Interview Unforgettable Lessons That Will Leave a Lasting Impact
Taylor Swift’s Person of the Year interview is packed with unforgettable life lessons.
If you thought Taylor Swift was just TIME’s Person of the Year, think again! She has undoubtedly become the person of MY year as well. As the proud 1% of listeners who played her music non-stop in 2023, I can confidently say that Taylor Swift has had a profound impact on my life. And I’m not alone in this, as Sam Lansky’s profile of Swift will undoubtedly make you question the ways in which she has shaped your own life.
Here at VoiceAngel, we love diving into the cultural moments that captivate us fashion lovers. Whether it’s analyzing the latest styles from the Barbie movie or dissecting Taylor Swift’s iconic Era’s Tour, we look for the hidden gems and takeaways. So, when I read Lansky’s profile and found myself shedding tears (real tears, mind you), I knew I had to share the six invaluable lessons we can learn from Taylor Swift.
Lesson 1: Embrace The Journey of Self-Reinvention
In the age of Taylor Swift, it’s no surprise that many of us have felt the need to reinvent ourselves. Swift, the queen of self-replacement, has continuously transformed throughout her career, giving birth to the iconic Eras we know and love. From her decision to outshine record labels trying to replace her after the infamous 2009 VMAs win, Swift fearlessly genre-leaped with each new season of her career. And while it may have bewildered fans at times, her ability to look back on her past phases with compassion and enthusiasm sets her apart. So, let’s take a page from Taylor’s book and embrace our own ever-evolving selves.
Lesson 2: Embrace Our Flaws and Bounce Back Stronger
Confession time: when Reputation was released, I wasn’t a fan. I’ll admit, it was a character flaw that I’m deeply sorry for now. But guess what? Taylor Swift herself experienced intense criticism during that era. She feared that the backlash would define her for the rest of her career. We’ve all been there, fearing that our negative moments will destroy relationships, tarnish our careers, or dictate how others perceive us. However, as Lansky astutely shows, these moments, met with confusion from the world, can actually become our strongest. Yes, I regret not giving Reputation the credit it deserved in 2017.
Lesson 3: Your Emotions Matter – Permission to Feel!
In a world that often dismisses women’s emotions as inconsequential, Taylor Swift has become a powerful force. As Lansky beautifully writes, she gives women, particularly girls, the permission to believe that their interior lives matter. Swift’s impact lies in her ability to let us experience and display our emotions without shame. She challenges the societal conditioning that forced us to suppress our femininity and softer sides. I see this change in my 10-year-old sister and in fellow Gen-Z writers who fearlessly intertwine personal experiences with their work. The future is unafraid to shed a tear.
Lesson 4: No Room for Fabricated Competition
The media loves to pit great women against each other, creating unnecessary feuds. But Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have shown us the way. In the Summer of 2023, dubbed the “three-part summer of feminine extravaganza” by Swift, her tour, Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie all made waves. Yet, social media constantly compared Swift’s tour to Beyoncé’s. Instead of fueling the fire, both artists responded with grace and unwavering support for one another. Let’s take this example into our own lives and refuse to fall into the traps of fabricated competition.
Lesson 5: Be The Main Character of Your Own Story
Taylor Swift is not just a musician; she’s a masterful storyteller. In her mind, “it is a movie now.” She has narrativized her own life, dropping Easter eggs and leaving us enthralled. As Lansky highlights, we live in a time where we are increasingly the writers of our own stories. Taking control of our own narratives, internally and externally, yields tangible rewards. So, go ahead, be the protagonist of your own fashion-filled adventure.
Lesson 6: Empowerment Through Feminine Art
Taylor Swift recognizes that, under a patriarchal economic system, feminine ideas have become lucrative. She acknowledges that this proliferation of feminine art impacts not only the music industry but also multiple corners of the economy. As a female writer who entered the workforce in 2023, I can directly link my own employment to Swift’s success. The demand for female stories and voices has never been greater, and women like Taylor are paving the way for future generations of artists. Together, we can ensure that the rise of female art continues to thrive.
Taylor Swift’s Person of the Year profile poses thought-provoking questions. What if other industries could replicate the space Swift has created for women in her industry? And how will the world recognize the impact of women who don’t possess all the privileges Swift enjoys? These are challenges worth pondering, as we continue to envision a future that is bright and inclusive.
So, dear fashion lovers, let us embrace Taylor Swift’s message, laced with tunes and passion. Let her story inspire us to embrace self-reinvention, fearlessly express our emotions, and support our fellow women. Together, we can make the world of fashion, and beyond, an inclusive and empowering place.
Now, tell me, how has Taylor Swift influenced your fashion journey? I’d love to hear your stories and experiences in the comments below.
