All content, photos, opinions, existential dread and bad jokes are mine unless stated otherwise. Blogposts that are sponsored or features a product that was send to me by some very lovely people will be disclosed as such within the blogpost. All pictures that aren't made by me (or my mum) will be credited as such. Do you see a picture that's yours and (not correctly) credited? Please get in touch and I'll have a stern word with me (and naturally change it according to your wishes).

This blog may contain affiliated links which, if you click on them or purchase something via the link, give me moneyzzz (with no extra costs on you). So I can finally realise my dream of being a rich person. Every penny counts! All affiliated links will be disclosed as such at the bottom of a blogpost.

Fashioned by Pluche has been cruelty free since 2016 and cares about animal and human rights, the environment and continuously improving this rotating ball we call earth. #yolo

Fashioned by Pluche is a PR friendly place and open for collaborations, reviews or deep conversations about life. If you want to contact me for questions or business enquiries, you can email me at:


After my initial nerves have faded away when hearing 'you've got mail', I'll try to provide you with an answer within 24-48 hours. You can also contact me on Twitter or Instagram!

Collaborations

Are you a fellow-blogger looking for some love? I'm always happy to virtually hug, exchange thought bubbles or moan about the weather ("isn't it awful" *rolls eyes*). So if you have any ideas for guest posts or fun collaborations, hit me up!

Hire me!

Besides this lil' blogging career I'm also *ahum* trying to *ahum* pave the way as an all-round writer. As it goes, I started from a young age writing -what the kids nowadays call- fanfiction and slowly worked my way up to the school newspaper (don't you worry, all fanfiction was savely locked away by then). Currently I'm co-editor and blogger at Modemuze. Modemuze is the online platform for fashion and costume heritage in the Netherlands, collaborating with fourteen museums as a source for all fashion lovers, professionals and fashionistas. Click here to read my blogposts.

So do you want me to write a blogpost, article or diary entry? No problemo! You can send an email or message me on Twitter or Instagram. Or shout really loudly. Though the success rate of the latter is dependend on the distance between you, the shouter, and me, the receiver of the shouts.

Where to find me

Do you want to stay updated on everything Pluche? You can follow me on ALL these social media platforms! I double dare you!

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Welcome to Fashioned by Pluche! A blog created for all overthinkers, pseudo-intellectuals and daydreamers who love to look at the nitty-gritty of things! This is the place to get inspired, be entertained and look-and-point at the weirdness and wonders of life...

Who am I?

My name is Dominique, a 20-something wannabe genius trying to find brilliance through blogging. I'm currently studying Gender Studies and I'm a qualified Cultural Heritage professional (can I get a whoop whoop?!). Both studies help shaping my relentless questioning mind that's never fully grown out of the toddler 'but why?' stage.

Although I claim to love dressing up, I generally live my life in pj's and only get 'properly' dressed when it's absolutely needed. Luckily Sarah, my undeniably adorable black-and-tan Jack Russell pup, doesn't mind...

My story

After many pros and cons lists, this blog was finally founded during the spring of 2013. Initially aimed as a fashion blog but soon/immediately converted into a personal lifestyle blog dedicated to 'all the things I can potentially scrutinise for fun'. Finally finding a purpose for my continuous anxiety induced stream-of-consciousness cynicism.

So if you love to analyse everything critically, think about the simple things for so long they become complicated and do all this while twirling your imaginary Poirot-moustache, you're at the right address! From dissecting fashion trends to smashing the patriarchy, nothing gets spared. Think of it as exercising your brain, leaping from one thought to another exclaiming "well that's interesting/weird/far fetched!".

Want to know more?

Here are 10 random facts about me!

1. I've always felt too old. Even as a 9 year old I would sigh dramatically and complain about my age, worrying I wasn't living up to it
2. I've never ever moved house ever...
3. I've got a small nose, but even smaller nasal cavities. Mine are so small that when I was younger they've surgically removed some bone to make room
4. My favourite animal are dogs and basically my whole life is designed around one
5. I speak song lyrics as a second language. A particular favourite of mine is: "So I make a dress from my sorrows, and shoes from my sadness and dance all the way into love" from Beauty Remains by Paloma Faith
6. Although I know almost every song lyric by heart and am not afraid to proof it, my singing voice will make your ears bleed
7. The first social media platform I joined was Hyves, a Dutch social media platform similar to MySpace #rip
8. My favourite colour is green
9. When I was younger I wanted to be 'something in fashion', an art historian and an actor (still do)
10. The only Disney movies you'll need to see are 101 Dalmatians and The Aristocats #fightme

Some of my favourite blogposts

On Fashioned by Pluche you can expect posts on fashion, lifestyle and personal anecdotes from an intersectional feminist, philosophical and brain farts point of view; all written while safely tucked away under a duvet. Don't know where to start? Let me help you!

• My Ego and I
•  (Don't) Tell Me What To Wear!
• Dressed to Kilt: Structuralism & Poststructuralism
• Going Cruelty Free, Because I'm Worth It
• This World Is A Tragedy

Fashioned by Pluche has been featured in Local Riot Mag issue #9 Letters (page 62-63) and on Trashfashion as a Trashfashionista.

Adding an adjective to your feminism is like putting super in front of your name, it shows you're not just 'ordinary' or mainstream. However the big difference being that super doesn't necessarily give you super powers, while adding an adjective can be a total game-changer. A popular and much used adjective for feminism is 'intersectionality'. But what does it actually mean when I write in my Insta bio that I'm an intersectional feminist?

The term intersectionality was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. As a legal scholar she pointed out the unrecognised intersection and therewith oppression black women experienced in regards to racism (seen as oppressing black men) and sexism (seen as oppressing white women) within law. As their position was measured through these inequalities their specific location -and thus specific oppression- was ignored as it didn't took into account how these inequalities intersect and interrelate. So looking seperately at the ways racism and sexism were at play in the lives of black women couldn't identify how both systems oppressed and disadvantaged them.

The importance of looking at intersections

The concept of intersectionality isn't new as similar theories and ideas have surfaced many times before. Think for instance about Sojourner Truth and her famous speech 'Ain't I a Woman?' (1851). In this speech Truth points out how her position as a black woman is ignored within women's rights movements and showcases how their arguments are problematic as it relies on racist and gendered assumptions. For instance creating a specific notion of womanhood as the experience all women identify with, struggle with, will fight for and eventually will overcome. But surprise, surprise, this notion and generalisation of women as a monolithic group (read: based on a white, middle-class, Western identification and assumption that this identity is universally applicable and desirable) isn't something for everyone.

You can split intersectionality up in structural and political. Structural intersectionality focuses on how identities are formed and influences the way we see ourselves and others; while political intersectionality focuses on (political) inclusion and exclusion within society and how for instance the struggle to gain inclusion are handled. That's to say: most activist groups focuses their struggle on one axe (racism or sexism) and -if their demands are met- will start thinking about adding 'the rest'. Good example: the Suffragettes fought for the right to vote, but this right only included white women. Although this is a 0-1 for sexism, it reinforces racism and an assumed hierarchy which, you know, is VERY problematic.

Questioning your position

With intersectionality you can point out assumptions and different notions of oppression and privilege as it, on a methodological level, makes you ask 'the other question'. This idea of 'asking the other question' -put forward by Mari Matsuda in Beside My Sister, Facing the Enemy (1991)- further opens up Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality from gender and race to sexuality, class, enthnicity, religion and so on. Asking the other question isn't however the first step to undertake, as it's important before you start firing question after question, to point out where 'you' are. This ties in with Politics of Location, named by Adrienne Rich in 1984, which makes you critically (re)think about the position from which you speak.

Politics of Location thus is meant to make you conscious of your position, how this influences the knowledge you produce and makes you accountable for your knowledge production. This concept is once again not something new and can mainly be situated within black feminism. There are also other similar concepts such as Standpoint Theory by Sandra Harding or Donna Haraway's Situated Knowledge, but Politics of Location is generally referenced in this situation. Even though it comes with its problems: 1) it suggests that your 'location' is a fixed identity while in actuality it can change and be pluralistic and even contradictory and 2) it also suggests that by writing in your Insta bio you're a white, Western, heterosexual, atheist and female who loves chocolate, gains you the right to just blatantly write backhanded 'Feminist' captions that reinforces racism underneath a picture of your breakfast as you've claimed your position. Which, just to be clear, doesn't give you this right.


So by writing I'm an intersectional feminist in my Insta bio I say I'm...

• ...aware of the different axes (gender, race, sexuality, class, ethnicity, religion etc.) and how they intersect and interrelate;
• how these intersections define and influences specific notions of oppression and privilege (disclaimer: not in a 1+1=2 or 2-1=1 kinda way);
• which makes me -when dealing with, analysing or wanting to come into action- ask the other question: how do the different axes influence this subject and the way I'm handling it?;
• and what my position is when asking those questions.

It's not exactly the same as wearing a cape and dramatically standing on top of a building overlooking the city, but adding an adjective like intersectionality (and naturally act upon it) you at least -in my eyes- deserve a badge of honour. Or a badge that says 'I try to reduce worldsuck, please send help'.

Would you define yourself as an intersectional feminist? Let me know in the comments below!

This Thursday 8th of March is International Women's Day. As a Gender Studies student you can imagine this is our field day. With my thumbs ready to tweet #PressforProgress (this years theme), I take a step back and think about the ways I'm pressing for progress myself. Besides my choice of study and obviously the tweet I'm about to send into the world, I realised there are so many other things I could do to press. For instance the buttons on my keyboard. So I flung my phone to the left (after having tweeted the hashtag obviously) and a la, here we are.

As of late the word feminism has hit mainstream and its devotees aren't (exclusively) seen as 'angry, sex-hating, man-hating victim lady persons'. Hell, if some form of feminism -girl power, girl boss, the Spice Girls- isn't included in your Insta bio you're seriously missing out on some good marketing. Basically: feminism is hot [to be read in Paris Hilton's voice]. Which is, if you please look through the sarcasm, something I can't deflate as that's awesome. However this blown up attention also means that there are people who use feminism for the likes/double taps/thumbs-up without being aware or practicing the words they preach.

Now I'm not going to preach as that's neither my place or my intention (nor very interesting). But I am dedicating this month on my blog to think and further elaborate on feminism, girl power and the Spice Girls (the latter may not be true). Starting with this years theme of International Women's Day and what to do with it.

Educate thyself

The theme of this year, #PressforProgress, is inspired by the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report and the impact of the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns. The report and the campaigns showcased a darker side of society (who knew it could get any darker?), with inequality being the bonding factor. Through challenging, celebrating and influencing, International Women's Day wants to create and stimulate contiuous support and activism pressing gender equality.

Central to all this is spreading consciousness and educating people; without turning into your boring schoolteacher screeching its intellects unto a blackboard while Britney Spears is anxiously waiting to start singing. Although, having said that, sometimes it's very important to delve through all the boring intellects (or Tumblr) to properly understand the nuances and ideological differences within the field we're working with and your position in it. Have you ever counted all the different subgenres of feminism? More on this in a later blogpost.

Beat slacktivism!

But how to avoid slacktivism and actually make a change on the 8th and beyond? This is literally a question I asked myself. Because sure, me tweeting #PressforProgress is very important and stuff, but it doesn't actually add something to the conversation. It shows my solidarity but to then just step back and say 'my job here is done' would be delusional.

On the website of International Women's Day you can pledge your devotion to a certain topic, such as challenging stereotypes and celebrating women's achievements. Underneath each topic there are actions you can undertake, however these actions are still very abstract. Take for instance 'influence others' beliefs/actions'. You can do this by campaigning for equality in meaningful ways... Ok. But how? (And what is an unmeaningful way to campaign for equality?).


I understand the need for these actions to be abstract but, as you might agree, this doesn't really help when wanting to act instead of slack. So I came up with four things I -and you- can do this month to actively #PressforProgress!

1. Write a blogpost

Let's start with the obvious one: write a blogpost on International Women's Day, feminism and inequality. Don't know where to start? Well, why not start with your own experiences and ideas: What does feminism mean to you? How do you apply it in your daily life? Who inspires you? Not a member of the blogosphere? No problemo! Utilise your social media and accompany that stylistic picture of your breakfast or OOTD with a message from the heart. No social media? Well... uhm.... *error*

2. Wear purple

The future is purple, or so leading colour coding and Instagram trendsetter Pantone declares, as it stands for hope and visionary thinking. 2018 is the official year of purple, or, more accurately, the colour of Ultra Violet 18-3838. Purple has a rich history and is often associated with feminist movements like the Suffragettes who described it as 'the colour that runs through their veins', and therefore it's thus a perfect addition to your wardrobe this month. From head-to-toe or a hint here-and-there, wear purple with pride and don't be afraid to tell people why you look so purple-y.

3. Read up

As stated above, I'm all about that education, education, education. I'm definitely no saint, genie or know-it-all, so why not reserve some time this month to read up on the topic. You can go big or go home with academic articles, play it cool with popular lit or pay homage and check out what other bloggers are putting out. I'm actually going to review some books I've recently read, so keep your eyes peeled if you're in need for some suggestions! Also if you've recently read a jaw-dropping, mind-blowing book, article or blogpost, don't be shy to share! Sharing is caring, after all...

4. Use your voice

Unfortunately we can't snip our fingers and change the world. So we often need to start small in order to create a ripple effect and change society for the better. A good way to influence your surroundings is through having a good ol' conversation. The simple act of talking can be eye-opening, both to spread enthusiasm as critically analyse others' and your own points of view. As long as it's respectful and the decibels aren't making everyone's ears bleed, using your voice can be one of the most powerful tools you own. A good icebreaker: "So... have you heard about that feminism stuff?"

What are you doing to #PressforProgress on International Women's Day?