unpacking the

Written by Helena Haynes

Have you ever heard the term, “it’s so bad, it’s good?” Well, this phrase seems to be finding its place in the fashion industry. We’ve seen it with public figures such as Julia Fox, and even in stores like Urban Outfitters. Pieces that look objectively strange or unattractive have gained popularity, and outfits that are undoubtedly outlandish have found their way into mainstream fashion.

Defining Unconventional

To be “unconventional” is to not conform to what is generally done or believed. When examining the word in relation to fashion, it can be interpreted as not conforming to the trends and perception of what is thought to be stylish or conventionally pleasing to the eye. For some, this means wearing things that are commonly perceived as unattractive. For others, it may mean adopting a more eccentric style.

If unconventional means not conforming to what is generally done, you may be wondering how this subset of fashion can even become trendy. If not doing what is common becomes normal, doesn’t that become the new norm? The interesting part of unconventional fashion is that it’s different for everyone. What may be abnormal for one person, could be within the comfort zone of another. It cannot strictly be defined, but there are common themes. Mix-matching, wearing elaborate or eccentric pieces and experimenting with fit and fabrics all fall under the unconventional umbrella.

Breaking the Rules

In the past, public figures have often stuck to the trends of their time. Many play it safe and subscribe to the looks that will receive praise from the general public. In recent years, this has completely shifted. Celebrities and influencers have begun paving the way for a new era of fashion, in which rules are made to be broken.

The rule breaking of unconventional fashion can range from wearing clothes that don’t traditionally match to taking unexpected style risks. Influencers have been known to make videos intuitively putting outfits together, mix-matching colors and styles that are not traditionally paired. One of these content creators is Toronto based stylist and designer, Sara Camposarcone. With over 1.1 million TikTok followers, she has become known for her unconventional looks. “My best tip for clashing prints and colors would be to start with prints/colors within the same aesthetic. For instance, if you're a first time pattern clasher, try mixing a neutral zebra print, with a neutral cheetah print. This is a more subtle way to approach a common maximalist technique when styling,” says Camposarcone.

Established designers, as well as up-and-coming designers, have been increasingly pushing fashion boundaries through unconventional style, such as Bella Hadid’s spray-on dress at Paris Fashion Week. This instance is an example of how unconventional fashion may be leading us to the future of style, where technology will play a greater role.

Fashion sustainability has also become prominent in unconventional fashion, as more and more designers are creating unique pieces out of sustainable materials. “The way I look at it, my content often encourages people to essentially ‘shop their own closet.’ What this means is don't go out and purchase more, use what you already have, but get creative with it,” says Camposarcone, adding, “Many of my TikTok videos show multiple ways to wear a single garment. This personally allows me to get more use out of what I already own, and at the same time, practice styling pieces in more unconventional ways.”

Embracing Self - Expression

Unconventional fashion can’t be boiled down to one look, trend or style. In the fashion world today, it is a form of self-expression that steers away from what may be common at the time. For many, it feels out of the box, but you never know what may come of it. Camposarcone says, “My best advice is you won't know unless you try. Stepping out of our comfort zone is how we learn and grow. It took me many, many years of trying to fit in with my style, instead of accepting I was just born to stand out. Sometimes change is good, try shopping secondhand if you never have before, swapping clothes with friends or even upcycling your old clothes to create something new.”

After all, being unconventional is individualistic. As our society becomes more accepting, it’s no surprise that a shift is occurring from dressing to conform, to dressing exactly the way you want to. Wearing whatever you want, whenever you want, is something to be embraced, not ashamed of.

Some of the most defining moments in the rise of unconventional fashion can be accredited to none other than Julia Fox. What’s more unconventional than shopping for groceries wearing underwear, a denim blazer and denim boots? Some saw this look as inappropriate, but despite the criticism, it received praise for pushing the envelope.

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We’ve all heard the classic line made famous by Marilyn Monroe — “Diamonds are a girl's best friend.” Today, however, there’s a new kind of diamond making its way into the fashion world, and it’s slowly gaining appreciation and appeal.

The buzz of lab-grown diamonds has been growing for the past couple of years. While this option may not have been your top choice of diamond in the past, the changing diamond industry has led many to switch from natural to lab-grown.

One question that always comes to mind when talking about lab-grown diamonds is, “Are they real diamonds?” The answer is a resounding yes; chemically, physically and optically, lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are identical. These sparkling creations are real diamonds made out of pure carbon. The only real difference is, just as the name suggests, they’re created in a lab rather than from Earth’s resources. These diamonds are grown in a controlled environment where scientists use technology replicating the natural diamond process, making them look and feel the same as natural diamonds.

Kristy Cullinane is the co-founder of Plum Diamonds, a brand that focuses entirely on lab developed diamond rings. She says an average person wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, and even jewelers with special testing equipment find it hard to differentiate between the two.

“Lab-grown and mined diamonds have the same makeup and crystal structure, so a tester doesn’t differentiate between the two. Lab-grown diamonds have the same visual and chemical components. This makes them identical to natural diamonds.”

You might be wondering how scientists make these creations. Well, it’s much simpler than one might think. There are two methods used to create lab-grown diamonds: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high pressure, high temperature (HPHT). Both are highly efficient and use cutting-edge technology to mimic the natural processes that create diamonds in the earth. Scientists subject carbon to high temperatures and pressures within the laboratory, thus creating a diamond. Scientists believe natural diamonds are formed from this same process of carbon dioxide exposure to high temperatures and pressures, but it happens below Earth’s surface. Over time, this causes diamonds to form, and eventually, volcanic eruptions enable them to move from Earth’s core to its crust, allowing us to mine them.

So, if you’re trying to decide between mined or lab-grown, here’s a few things to keep in mind. Beauty, like a natural diamond, isn’t the only thing that lab-grown diamonds have going for them. One positive revolves around the price. Diamonds aren’t cheap, that’s a clear fact. Lab-grown is a much cheaper option — sometimes even up to 40 percent less expensive. While not inexpensive, lab-grown diamonds are competitively priced, which sometimes means you can get a bigger stone or even a higher quality diamond within your budget. The controlled environment in which scientists make lab-grown diamonds means that flawlessness is much easier to achieve at a fair price.

In terms of rarity, yes, natural diamonds win that round. The fact that natural diamonds form deep in Earth’s core and require volcanic eruptions to bring them to Earth’s surface to mine means they are much harder to get, and there are only a certain number of them in existence. However, Cullinane says that while the technology to create lab-grown diamonds has evolved tremendously, the art of doing so is still quite complex.

“My understanding is that diamond growing is part science and part art. All but some of the very best labs across the world struggle with this process. It’s hard to grow very high-quality in very high-carat weights. So, while this technology can, in theory, produce an infinite supply of diamonds, it is still limited in how much.” One other factor people usually consider when choosing to buy natural or lab-grown is the environmental impacts of each. Mining for natural diamonds puts a tremendous strain on the environment; poor planning and weak regulation have led diamond miners to destroy land, leading to habitat destruction, water pollution and the forced relocation of local communities. Over time, there have also been many instances of human rights issues and abuses related to diamond mining.

Lab-grown diamonds aren’t that much better, however. Since they are created in a controlled lab using a lot of technology, they require a ton of energy to create. This can lead to significant amounts of carbon pollution being released into the atmosphere. The controlled environment also means that certain gasses must be used to extract carbon, and some labs have been accused of using harmful gasses — such as methane — in this process.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to go natural or lab-grown is a personal one. Both options have pros and cons when it comes to

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