“I like everything to be clean, and gray is clean. Gray is between black and white, so it’s a noncolor, almost. I feel messy and unclean if I wear other colors.” -- Rebecca Turbow, fashion designer.
When I first read about Rebecca Turbow’s safe clothing line in 2006, I was utterly fascinated to learn that the designer only wore one color, which at the time was turquoise. Turbow wore turquoise for 8 years before switching to gray in 2008. The idea of wearing only one color resonated with me, I thought that level of control must feel safe, almost like a boundary, comfortable and easy… though maybe a bit boring. It also sounds a bit like synesthesia: a condition where sensations are mixed, numbers may be colored or perhaps words with taste. I think I’ve always been somewhat of a synesthete, considering my dislike for the name Josh and it’s soggy sandwich consistency and the game my sister and I played as kids, where we’d ask each other what color numbers and letters were to see if our views matched.
I kind of got where Ms. Turbow was coming from but I still thought it was extreme and a bit campy. Then in Fall of 2008 that I realized I had been wearing black almost solely… because it felt good and safe. When I wear black I feel untouchable, like I’m okay and protected. Once I acknowledged what was going on I just decided to embrace it. As I heaved a large black pile of clothing onto the check-out counter at American Apparel, the girl ringing me up asked “So…do you have to wear all black to work? Or do you just wear it?” “No, I just really like wearing it” I responded, “Me too” she said smiling, looking down at her black leggings and black dress. Letting myself go with this helped me feel in control of my life during an emotionally tumultuous time. I’m not sure if it’s true but it also does seem like a safe way to feel in control, as opposed to other mechanisms like eating disorders, cutting and drugs.
I think this obsession with one color has gone on in my life before but I just saw it as a change in my personal style. A few years ago I obsessed over wearing all-white, I felt as if wearing white could change things inside, could erase the past, make me new, make me grow. Wearing white felt very freeing, I also dyed my short hair white-blonde. Years before that I remember thinking that if only I could always wear green, green with my long black hair then I could reach what I was looking for. I’m still wearing a lot of black but I think I am ready to add some other colors to the mix. What about you guys? Am I the odd one out here?
More weird color people: be sure to click through them alll my fave is the pink and white guy
Bonus vids, Rebecca’s super cute videos of her clothing line
Spring 09 collection
Spring 08 Collection (fave)
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2 Comments
i’m not obsession with one color, i love all color.
It’s funny how self imposed restrictions in one area(like color)can redirect and expand creativity in others aspects of life.
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