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I think part of this is caused by the lack of a figurehead to follow into something new - since the dawn of time there was always a Jackie O or a Madame de Pompadour or a Chanel or Margaret Howell, but now, after we have this so-desired freedom to do what we wish and dress how we like, we have come to a standstill because we are scared to do something different or unacceptable, and we have noone to show us an alternate option and therefore state it is alright.
We have noone to show us because we don't trust celebrities or designers to dictate style anymore; that would mean that we aren't unique, and that we don't have our own minds and opinions (which we have fought so long for!), it would mean that we are stuck in the past revering our Grace Kelly magazine snippet.
As we used to look for celebrities for inspiration, all we see now is either the extreme of Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj or that generic one-shoulder chiffon gown, that could be designed by anyone, on all celebrities scared of internet abuse.
It essentially boils down to non-conforming is really conforming.
I think it really pressurises designers to create something new and to put celebrities in their newness, removing any sort of gimmick which makes it costume - I think the only way new fashion can really come through is for the great designers to enforce it, but as has been previously stated: what's the point? As long as business is going well and the latest handbag on the stands is bringing in profit, why would any designer want to waste money developing new fabrics or construction techniques?
A visionary martyr is needed in fashion, money is too important at the moment, it's killing design and progression.
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