You are hitting a nerve with me, I've been analyzing the subject for years. I think it's the following (and if I may sound anti-american, so be it - I know I definitely don't mean to
I think the problem in the US culture is the general lack of esthetics. It's not just abot not being able to see fashion as art, or the beauty of a piece of clothing. I think it's the inability to see beauty at all. Having gone through education in both Russia and here, and having been to Europe many times, I have a pretty strong basis for comparison. I think the basic education is at fault in the US (not to be confused with higher education, which is excellent). It's on a very low level compared with other developed countries. Kids here don't have the sense of beauty that is the undercurrent of all culture, not just fashion. Hence, you don't see that captivation with arts that you see in Europe. I mean, you have arts here, but most of it is commercial bullsh*t. It's done solely for the money. I think in order to create something of beauty, appreciation for esthetics is a prerequisite. The second factor is the over-commericalism and inability to make an independent buying decision by an average customer. The average US customer (who did not receive the prerequisite appreciation for esthetics) is conditioned by the media since early childhood not to make his own choice. He is bombardered by advertising (you MUST have this, you MUST have that). In such an environment, what can we have here? Just look at the major US designers, honestly, what have they done? Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, John Varvatos, and yea Marc Jacobs (give me a break from his blandness, please) - are these the names you associate with innovation, creativity, beauty? Or are these safe, commercial, bleak masters of advertising? I think the latter. So, I beleive that the educaion that does not create esthetical values, coupled with consumerism is at fault here.
All this said, of course I understand that there are exceptions, but I am speaking about the general public. Just take a walk through the NYC's meatpacking district, and you'll see some gorgeous clothes by local NYC designers. But do they get world-wide recognition, even on Jurgi's level? Do you think if Raf Simons, with all his whims, started out in the US, he'd make it? I don't think so.
Pheew, ok, my outburst is over