Isn't it ironic how all fashion houses have a history of failing, and rising back again? In fact, most brands: Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci- weren't led to great heights by the people they're named after. Nope, nada. That said, fashion was an art back then. An era of awakening- not only in terms of fashion but also sexuality, fashion was a mix. Today, we find, it is but a market 'gimmick' for anything that might sell. What I'm trying to indicate, is the fact that fashion sells now more than ever. But it has all to do with branding, none with fashion.
All things Gucci in the age of the commercial, 'are all things selling'. Flip through the pages of Vogue, and all you ever find across the first 30 pages is advertisements: Tom Ford, Prada, Versace- its all there. That said, is the section that 'Vogue Loves'. More advertisements, people. Appalling is the fact that in an expected 60-40 ratio to be maintained by all fashion magazines- 60 being content, 40 advertisements, I find, that in effect, are actually quite the opposite.
Fashion houses and designers, exorbitantly priced- can we honestly vouch for originality and quality? Where is the reason for the existence of Fashion? The essence of creating clothes that are artistic, is all but non-existent. Of course there is the need for creating a brand and hence necessary to price all style at unattainable prices. How many of the clothes we see today- all designer, can we actually wear out to the streets or to parties? Few, I'd say. For a lot of clothes 'created' by these designers are but unwearable for their bizarre cuts and stitches.
In a world that has gone commercial- be it food, water, life: is fashion not prey to the same?
Food for thought.
VERY well stated.
ReplyDeleteWhy high fashion is so unattainable is beyond me. Even in those rare moments when we can indeed afford to invest in a nice designer high-end statement piece, good luck trying to find it. A lot of those advertisements display items that are never released or had such a limited supply only the privileged (and not the rich—those with connections in the fashion industry) can get their hands on.
Hearst briefly had this magazine named "Shop, Etc." It was fantastic. It had clothing, home stuff, and more fashion. Low end to high end. It was discontinued, unfortunately. But what I would do with that magazine is tear out the advertisements before I would read it so nothing could distract me from the great content. It would end up SO skinny, but I enjoyed every minute of it.
Great article!
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