"Fashion's Place In The World Today"

[Alura]

Gilbert Boisson, a columnist, explores the role of the creative realms and our everyday lives in light of the recent global events that have gripped the international community. His intent is to try and establish that although there are issues of great importance that continue to face us on a daily basis and on a very human level, that there will always remain a place in the world for the artistic endeavors that consistently enrich our lives on a human level.

"Where is fashion’s place in the world today? It is where it has always been- alongside the beautiful and artistically inclined and across the creative plains. "

It's an enjoyable read that will give you some food for thought and discussion.


http://www.iconique.com/flash/intheknow.html

So what do you think about fashion against political, environmental and other situations... what's the role of designers apart from the creation of their visions or (at a corporate level) sales...

 

[luvkoshi]

i don't think injecting a political message into a designer garment is very effective or appealing, but I do think that the money spent on elaborate shows & pr could be tailored back for something simpler in the name of sending a big fat check to a cause that touches the designers heart. that seems very stylish to me

 

[softgrey]

ok...i got halfway through that article before getting annoyed that the writer was putting global politics on par with the red sox winning the world series...and the fact that he mentioned the death of marlon brando and estee lauder(who were entirely unproductive for many years)...but no helmut newton or richard avedon(who were actively working)...

then i stopped reading...i may come back when i have more time...but so far...i'm thinking this guy doesn't have much to offer in terms of perspective...

 

[Spacemiu]

The article is nice and optimistic, but not very enlightening.

I think fashion is important, art is important, and I think making statments about the world are powerful and importabt.

 

[Atelier]

Just because there's instability in the world and in our own backyards, doesn't mean we have to wear sweatpants. Reining in expression and creativity--even if superficial--won't solve problems. In fact, it's something to look forward to. That's what I think and in a nutshell that's what I think this guy's convoluted* point is.

*I know convoluted (see this very post).

 

[saturnine]

It seems that whenever the world is in significant turmoil, articles about values, and fashion compared to politics and world disasters are churned out.

Well said, Atelier.

 

[Lena]

havent read the article but i agree with atelier..
Historically, times of political turmoil, are extremely important for creativity,
people get more 'original' 'creative' 'ground breaking' while at the same time
'nostaligic' of 'good times/glamour' styles.
Consiousness alert goes hand in hand with 'hard times' and it eventually effects
creative process in unexpected and refreshing ways.

and yes, to me, fashion is a political tool, much needed when the political environment seems 'rough'. its not about escapism, its all about optimism.

 

[Meg]

Just because there's instability in the world and in our own backyards, doesn't mean we have to wear sweatpants.

Well said. I found that so hilarious but that could be because I haven't been to bed yet.

Anyway Lena well said in your last point

 

[Alura]

ok...i got halfway through that article before getting annoyed that the writer was putting global politics on par with the red sox winning the world series...and the fact that he mentioned the death of marlon brando and estee lauder(who were entirely unproductive for many years)...but no helmut newton or richard avedon(who were actively working)...

then i stopped reading...i may come back when i have more time...but so far...i'm thinking this guy doesn't have much to offer in terms of perspective...

I agree on that Softgrey, that annoyed me too. But I used it as a starting point for discussion. I remember that after September 11 the fashion industry responded with a more 'demure' runway. I wonder if the Tsunami will have this kind of influence...

 

[shadow]

The media has turned us into luxury consumers, even when we cannot consume. 99.9 % of people know about Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. 99% of these will never own anything of these makes, except for perfumes or tiny accessories. We are being brainwashed and long for things that 50 years ago our parents did not long for, because they did not know them because they could not afford them. I love fashion, but sometimes there is a little alarm bell which ring in the area of my brain where common sense is located.

 

[Salvatore]

I doubt the Tsunami (eventhough it was terribly tragic) will have the same affect as September 11 because it was just a natural disaster as September 11 was terrorism and was kind of a threat for war. People shut down in times of war. After September 11, fashion went into some type of a rut but it appears it's coming back.

 

[travolta]

i found this site and thought i would be appropriate for this thread--it doesn't just focus on fashion, but on the relevance of design in general.

"The design of garbage should become the great public design of our age."

Mierle Ukeles​

http://www.shu.ac.uk/schools/cs/ead/work/press1.pdfhttp://www.co-design.co.uk/mpress.htm