Be Fabulous
BY Tim, Trevvy.com 26/02/2008
Trevvy's Tim talks about being fabulous, and how to get this compliment lavished on you.
 

 
You’ve heard it lavished as a compliment on that confident fashionista. It’s the prefix for our very own Sunday party, and you can’t step out of a drag show without hearing it at least three times. It’s an essential part of the gay lexicon – I’m talking about the word “fabulous”

For the uninitiated, “fabulous” isn’t just the gay version of “cool”. According the American Heritage Dictionary, fabulous (often contracted to fab,) is defined as:
1. Barely credible; astonishing: the fabulous endurance of a marathon runner.
2. Told of or celebrated in fables or legends.

It’s a wonderfully gay word. With the long 'a' vowel that can be dragged to achieve a camp effect, one can immediately hear its homosexual leanings. The word fabulous has been around since 1609, and its slang shortening of “fab” was first recorded in 1957, but was only popularized by the Beatles c. 1963.

It’s not just one of those words normally used to convey a compliment - this one has the added dimension of referring to myth and legend, and we all know the allure that Hercules and his biceps had when you were younger.

But enough on the etymology. Being fabulous is more than just a word. We all want to hear this adjective applied to ourselves, so thus comes the question - what does it mean to be “fabulous?”

Think Miss. J. of America’s Next Top Model fame. When you can strut down the runway like that, you know you’ve arrived. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, you've got a long way to go.

At the very base, being fabulous needs confidence. The fabulous one does not show signs of insecurity to the public. Bitch fits, emotional breakdowns, dramatic scenes – these are unfab. Don’t be like Britney - if you must have them, make sure no one sees it happening. To be fabulous is to look like steel, or to borrow Ion Orchard’s motto, to be charisma cast in concrete.

As such, criticism slides off the fabulous like Teflon, and insensitive remarks are glossed over with charm and grace. Why? Because being confident is about knowing and being happy with one’s place in life. Inaccurate criticisms are simply dismissed as a product of the ignorant and unenlightened, while accurate criticisms should already be accounted for. Neither of these should catch you off guard.

Being fabulous also means being in touch with the world. To borrow a Chinese idiom, you can’t be fabulous as a frog in the well. Take note of the latest happenings and trends. Be informed. Make sure you know that Singapore’s won the 2010 Youth Olympics bid, gear yourself up for the Singapore International Film Festival and familiarize yourself with the Fall Collections of 2008. Update yourself on the latest parties and happenings relevant to the community.

The importance of this cannot be emphasized. Being knowledgeable not only prevents criticisms of one’s ignorance, but also allows one to make small talk. Never allow yourself to be caught off-guard in any situation, be it a political gathering, a post-production party, or a fashion showcase. You can't be fab if you're just idling there, open mouthed, with nothing to say.

Which brings me to my last point. To bastardize a line from Robert Frost, to be social is to be fabulous. Have a sense of humour, learn how to make small talk, get to know who’s who. People become fabulous by showing themselves to be interested in people apart from themselves. Networking and having the contacts is the first step to being involved in greater things.

Above all, be nice. It is unfab to be a bitch. A direct one, at least. Being offensive is social suicide – you'll never know whose toes you've stepped on. Valid criticism is acceptable if conveyed in a polite yet incisive manner, (or in a comically harsh manner behind the person's back) but vulgar bitching for the sake of being nasty will embroil you in a cat fight that's downright unsightly. Besides, it conveys insecurity – see paragraph above.

This doesn't mean you have to be as plastic as Tupperware. It just means that one needs to express personality through pleasant, socially acceptable means. It's not easy, it takes quite a fair bit of practice – that's why being fabulous is a highly lauded compliment.

So what're the perks of being fabulous? Well, if the thought of being a more gracious human being doesn't appeal to you, how about popularity? Fame? Influence and power? But be careful not to let these get to your head though – the minute you misuse these privileges, you'll be chucked down to unfab rehab faster than Amy Winehouse can sing “No, No, No!”

But oh, the glitz, the glamour - there’s no doubt that being fabulous is in vogue. So what’re you waiting for, go out there, strut down the runway and clink your glasses of Moet and Chandon today!

 
“To bastardize a line from Robert Frost, to be social is to be fabulous. Have a sense of humour, learn how to make small talk, get to know who’s who. People become fabulous by showing themselves to be interested in people apart from themselves. Networking and having the contacts is the first step to being involved in greater things..”