YSL 1970Clothing can be as simple as the cloth on your back, as individual as a personal statement and, every once in a while, as transcendent as a work of art. I don't want to sound like some vain little girl cooing over designer jeans and ugg boots. Clothing trends, while fun, do not embody true style- they are fads. Fads are part of our consumer culture: They have no meaning, no purpose, no end goal- except to make us buy more.
True style is different from fads on two levels.
The first is that true style, unlike fads, doesn't require you to buy more all the time. The perfect pair of heels, your favorite trench coat, or that fitted black sweater, can all be worn year after year and remain in style. Don't get me wrong- fads are fun- but they aren't as honest as true style. From time to time I'll discuss current trends, but you should know my love of clothing is deeply rooted in minimalism, not frivolity.
On a second level, style differs from fads in its ability to transform textiles into art. In my opinion, clothing can absolutely be art. Alexander McQueen's 1995 "Highland Rape" show is an excellent example of a designer's ability to turn clothing into a political and artistic statement worthy of acclaim outside the runway. Non-political art also had its place in art museums. To my, fashion can encompass architecture, sculpture, canvas, and performance art all at the same time.
So on one hand, style should be minimalistic in our every day lives. On the other hand, fashion can be an extravagant if not absurd piece of art brought to life when it kisses the body. And then there's fads...but that's for another blog.
Chanel 2009
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