Fashionablity vs. Commercialism

Mihara Yasuhiro spring 2010

After reading 'The Death of Fashion Criticism" on The Imagist as well as Dirk Standen's post "What Was the Best Show for Spring 2010?" on Style.com, my mind is full of different thoughts and ideas that I'll need time to compartimenatlize to make any sense!

1. The Powerful influence of Commercialism certainly dictates a designer's collection, (for those who don't have a financial backer with deep pockets) creating safe and wearable clothing in the era of finacial crisis only makes sense, but why should I pay designer prices for the latest white button up shirt when I already have various styles hanging in my closet? Is designing a safe collection risking a designer's integrity for marketability? Yes they need to put food on the table at the end of the day, but are sales really gauranteed from today's savvy consumers?

2. Progressive designers that challenge traditional men's wear. I love designers like Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, Rad Hounari, Mihara Yasuhiro, Rick Owens, Raf Simons and Damir Doma, because they continue to offer (in their respective aestheics) a new direction in men's wear, that mainly appeal to fashion forward males who don't want to look like Ralph Lauren clones. Though some fashion critics may argue that these designers rehash the same ideas each season, I say that these men are our beacons of hope in transforming the male aesthic and promote individuality a notion that commercial fashion and media erases.

3. Stylists are the new fashion gate keepers. As Wayne mentioned in his post on The Imagist, uber stylist like Katie Grand are the new arbiters of fashion, instead of a rave review from Suzy Menkes. But again only those in the fashion world pay attention to fashion editorials in European glossies, I've yet to see a creative shoot in INStyle..... and yes you won't read a review by a top critic in a mainstream mag as well!

I know at the end of the day it's just clothes that we need to cover bodies, but we may as well create a fantasy, have fun and express ourselves with these items!