Fashion Musings

I have long paused and wondered much about the fashion world in the last few months. Although I am sad to report that I don’t have much to add to the conversation nowadays mainly because there are some things about fashion that I find highly repetitive when it comes to certain things.

Here are some points of observations that I’ve come to realize about fashion:

There will always be new designers with new visions, new businesses emerging, as well as old names dying out, designers leaving their houses, and brands going bankrupt. I believe the fascination lies with the observation of how some businesses are successful and discovering what their secret magic potion is made of. However, it’s a topic I can’t keep up with and difficult to get a straight story from highly successful companies when things go awry. They have a lot of money on the line.

It will be a continual uphill battle for more ethical fashion as well as “green” fashion, which has yet to find a worldwide recognition system of certifying organic products. I frankly have eco-fatigue, and being greener doesn’t seem to many anyone happier. And who said being green meant being ultra ugly in fashion? No wonder their products don’t sell.

Luxury will remain of course - with ample focus on creativity and quality control, at least that’s what all true luxury consumers are hoping for. But in a continually consuming society and with tightening budgets, the need for cheap goods will certainly remain rampant for the long forseeable future. But both extremes never cease to amaze of what they can pop out next. We know how high people can go, but we also have to wonder how cheap will people go for for fashion?

I’m waiting for the future of fashion, especially in retailing. I want the stores to tell me when I scan my item what it’s made of, where it comes from, maybe a video of how it’s made, and all the tid bits you never knew about it. I want to be able to customize my clothes with the buttons I want, the colors I want, with the fabric I want and make it ready the next day. I want my shoes to be multi-purpose, heighten or lower my heels, add optional hardware and “skins”. I even want my shopping bag to be so unique that whenever I make a purchase in the store, that it becomes a billboard in my hand and advertises all the brands that I’ve bought without needing to carry 5 different shopping bags.

The possibilities are there. Who’s going to make it happen?

Image credit: Chile Fashion Week