THE DEATH OF FASHION

Through the use of media and strongly opinionated writers, the fashion industry is depicted as frivolous and harmful to society. A large number of people believe that fashion harms the minds of young girls because they have to live with the 'super' appearance of models seen on TV commercials and magazines. Karlie Kloss for instance, on the March cover of Vogue Korea, she looks skinnier than the average woman. They believe that the industry encourages an 'unrealistic' look in regards to their own bodies and their own looks.

A very skinny Karlie Kloss, on the March 2012 cover of Vogue Korea.

I disagree; the negative connotations are derived from fashion sub-sectors in magazines and newspapers, the content of which is completely useless and irrelevant. For example the mini-article on Cara Delevinge's eyebrows...that's right, her eyebrows. This will create an idea of the industry - petty, ridiculous and useless. Hence, the bad association. Fashion Publicists also give a bad representation - take Kelly Cutrone, "I would never rep Versace. I can’t stand her. I think she makes disgusting clothes. Calvin [Klein] is like, snore! Who wears Calvin Klein? I’m not dissing him. I think he’s built an amazing, respectable business, but I would never want to work for Calvin Klein, ever." People think the industry is cut-throat and downright bitchy; I'm not surprised! However, Kelly only said this to get attention. Take a look at her position, a PR person, she's not the designer, nor is she the client, she's the middle-woman. It's no surprise she'll say something like this. That's what got her onto the America's Next Top Model panel. 

However, the industry is more than that. Fashion allows inspiration to express oneself, culture and identity. Designers create clothes to make women feel beautiful, not to damage their image. Jonathan Saunders once said "I want to make women feel good." Consumers don't buy the items to damage their self-esteems; instead they want to feel good. Wearing the D&G sunglasses to give her confidence, or those beautiful Manolo Blahnik's to add an extra spring in her step. Karlie may be skinny, but does that affect her intelligence? She is currently studying business, at one of the most prestigious universities in America - Harvard University.

Fashion inspires the young to reach their full potential, to become the best. Models weight should be seen as fitspiration. Victoria's Secret has created it's successful sub-brand, VSX where the models work-out and create a healthy image to the public. Did they create it to intimidate their own target audience? The brand knows the models are icons of health; therefore would want to get the audience involved too.

Doutzen Kroes looks super heathly for VSX

Fashion is a very long, long way from death. Fashion is what we live our lives in, everything we wear, the way we wear it, was chosen for us. Fashion is another language - some are very good, some aren't. But we all speak it, in some way. 

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