Frequent Flyer Day is celebrated annually on the 1st of May – I chose an image from Chanel’s SS2016 show, where Paris’ Grand Palais was transformed into a Chanel-themed airport. There were sandals with light-up soles, luggage-shaped shoulder bags, rolling suitcases, and a departures board showing destinations of previous Chanel shows.
The colour theme of the show was red, white and blue in homage to Air France, and aeroplanes showed up as motifs on clothes, and as brooches on jackets and attached to luggage.
If you’re a frequent flyer yourself, you probably think of two things first – comfy shoes, and bag that’s big enough for essentials but not so big that they get lost. A shoulder bag like this one from Goyard is great for holding your passport and wallet, or if you need to carry other things too, something bigger like this shopper bag from Telfar is another option.
For shoes, some sneakers like these adidas x Gucci Gazelle Shoes are great for the airport, and once you’re on the plane (especially if it’s a long flight) you can switch into something comfier like these wool-lined moccasins from Ugg.
I couldn’t really find much information about National Fire Day, other than it’s a celebration of fire itself. I’ve used an image from Balmain’s SS2023 catwalk show, but they’re not the only brand with flames this season.
Most of the time though, where brands were using fire as a motif, it was the 00s, tribal style flames from back when I was a teenager considering my first (very regrettable) tattoo. Luckily I held out and got something a bit less regrettable.
So since I’m now back in 1999, I guess I just wanted to have some fun with the shopping ideas. If you’re over the age of 35, I’m not responsible for any feelings (!) you may have. I can’t say I’m not tempted on these though.
Juicy Couture
Juicy Couture
Next up is National Two Different Coloured Shoes Day for 3rd May, and I’ve chosen this picture from the Pre-Fall 2023 show by JW Anderson Pre-Fall 2023. The point of this holiday is to remind us to embrace our uniqueness and actually show it.
If you’d like to create your own different coloured shoes look, you could either buy two pairs of the same style in different colours, or buy one pair and then paint or dye one foot to be different. Maybe there’s a shop near you having a buy one get one free offer, or a sample sale where you could pick up some shoes for a good price.
If you’re gonna recreate this look, get ready for people to stare and also point out that you’ve possibly got dressed in the dark that morning – it might get a bit old to hear that line.
You could try two bright, basic styles for maximum contrast – I’ve paired these two Vans Old Skool in orange and blue. Or you could go for two pairs with coloured designs on a white base like these two Puma RS-Z Outline with orange/grey and blue/red designs for a lower contrast look that’s still pretty striking.
4th May is Bird Day, in honour of our flappy friends (I’m calling them that instead of feathered friends I guess), and I chose this look from Guo Pei’s AW2019 couture collection.
Speaking of flappy friends, do you remember Flappy Bird? Would you believe that was released 10 years ago?
Here’s some socks you can buy that donate profit to the birds on the socks themselves – gouldian finches, eagles, toucans, and puffins.
Finally, May 5th is Cartoonists’ Day, commemorating comic artists. The image I chose is from the AW2023 collection by Chopova Lowena – Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena often use hand-drawn artwork in their collections, for a cartoon-y feel. These drawings are also used in their accessories and jewellery.
Fashion brands also regularly collaborate with cartoons and comics – there’s been DSquared2 with The Smurfs and Philosophy with Peanuts recently.