Like many of my friends, you maybe interested in knowing the answer to a few questions like…
How does a blind person know what colours look like?
How does a blind person choose what to wear?
Why is Lorin so interested in buying himself custom tailored suits?
Does Lorin’s fascination with fashion and colour all seem a bit strange, particularly when he can’t even see it?
Well… come to the front of the class and let me explain.
How would you explain the colour blue to some one who has never seen it? Or any colour for that matter. What about those who are black blind; how would they even conceptualise the idea of light? In fact it would be absolutely overwhelming for them to experience the flood of light and colour for the very first time. The reality is that those who are totally blind have no idea how to conceptualise light and colour, because they have never seen it. Fortunately most people deemed legally blind, which is less than ten percent vision, can still see light and many can probably see most colours to varying degrees. My sight was just good enough throughout my growing up years to see colours reasonably well, although sadly my sight has slowly diminished throughout my adult years to less than five percent, which has made it almost impossible to distinguish colours any more. Interestingly when I dream at night, I can still see colours and often can recognise faces up close and even walk around unassisted. This is because I can still remember what it was like to with somewhat limited tunnel vision as a young boy.
My mother was quite artistic and loved colour and design and taught me all the various shades of colour, such as midnight navy, dark navy, light navy, French navy, airforce blue, royal blue, sky blue, azure blue, baby blue, powder blue. I could also recognise the difference between pink, peach, apricot, tangerine, lemon, lime and mint and which colours work well together and more importantly, which colours clash.
Dad on the other hand was one who liked to dress up when we went into town, or to an event or out to dinner, so we developed good dress sense from a young age.
Nowadays when I go shopping, I usually take a my wife Lisa, or a family member, or friend to firstly get me to the right shop. Then they help me out by describing various colours and styles, so that I can create a picture in my mind of what it looks like, and if it’s something I’d like to add to my wardrobe. Obviously they have some input too, regarding it’s appeal and suitability. When I’m at home, I try keeping my shirts, shorts, trousers and suits in some kind of order, so that I roughly know which one I’m putting on. I also use various cues such as fabric texture, type of buttons, collar, cuff and styling to know which one I am choosing. Now I’ve got too many shirts, so I often have to ask Lisa, what colour is this shirt… To which she answers, ‘You’ll have to turn the light on so that I can see it!’ 😉 Oh, I thought she could see in the dark like me!
In more recent times with the invention of the new AI glasses, I can put them on and say: Hey Meta, what colour is this? The answer might be blue, but I know it probably has a pattern, so I follow up by asking for more information. Meta then says something like: This is a light blue business shirt with fine dark blue check, or: light blue shirt with white dots. So that’s pretty helpful, although I still need to turn the light on. I’m not sure what’s wrong with everyone!
In my adult years, there are several reasons why I like dressing well.
- I’m often working in corporate environments, where it’s nice to look the part.
- As a keynote speaker, my belief is that I should always be the best dressed person in the room. When guests walk in the room and look around, it should be obvious who they VIP guests are in attendance.
- Further to that, I’ve learnt hat you never feel awkward at a function if you are over-dressed, but you always feel awkward, if you turn up under-dressed.
- Dressing well for my audience is always an act of respect and appreciation. Thank you for coming and thank you for inviting me to speak or perform.
- It’s always interesting to note the respect people give you when walking down the street, or through the airport, when ever I am dressed in a shirt, tie and jacket. Can I help you sir? Sorry sir! Mr Nicholson, is there anything else we can do for you? Of course I always ensure that I respond with equal respect behoved of any gentleman.
- A lovely tailored shirt, trousers and suit jacket are extremely comfortable to wear and probably the most comfortable outfits I own. Jeans are thick and tight, T-shirts look sloppy, but a well fitted suit should feel as though you aren’t wearing anything, not quite like the emperor’s new clothes… But what you are wearing is so nicely fitted that nothing is pulling and tugging around your neck, or across your shoulders. The sleeves aren’t to short and restricting movement, or too long and getting in the way. There’s enough room in the seat of your pants to sit down without cut off circulation and your pant legs glide smoothly over your knees without getting caught and restricting movement. (I would travel the world to get a good suit. I really enjoyed the service and support from Binh Tailors in Vietnam.)
- Finally, I seem to stand a little taller, feel a little more confident, with head up, shoulders back and ready to present myself to the world.
Only one problem now remains… Does this tie match? 😉
