FASHION INFATUATION

21

What is it with fashion week? How can I love it so much and at the same time have thoughts of escape and new horizons when I have to talk about it?
Keeping up with the shows always ends up becoming a frenzied choreographic act which sometimes saps my energy, making me wonder about the nonsensical nature of the theatricality on display! Fashion seems to speak a distinct language, with its transitory and fleeting trends, a rapidity of movement which demands equal rapidity of execution (think Top Shop), it has its own social reality accompanied by a capricious power over others. But despite all this, ever since I discovered my mother’s wardrobe as a child and inquisitively watched her put together the most beautiful outfits, fashion has become an irresistible passion. The shows are an intoxicating experience which often transport me to a timeless and fragrant space, a spectacle sometimes so alienating that 70% of it just remains a fantasy. I’m always aware that there is a radical separation between the beautiful dreams born from creative imaginations and the materialisation of these dreams into daily life. In recent years, I’ve discovered that the key to it all is to approach this circus as a spectator capable of taking a step back instead of immersing yourself completely. Like an amateur detective, you need a speed of perception allowing you to distinguish which pieces will best translate into the streets and sales, you need to find the accessible element. I love deciphering the influences behind collections, recognising the ideas and essence of a show, finding timeless treasures. The bombardment of colours, textures and cuts on the senses is an unqualified pleasure. Fashion is a fascinating spectacle in transition: it’s always been about change, the constant unravelling of the new, individuality and the inventive in any direction. But often its effect is the reverse and encourages conformity. How many fashion editors, stylists, models etc were recently seen wearing Balmain’s structured shoulder jackets? So many that Christophe Decarnin is successfully perpetuating uniformity!
Anyway, now that shows are over I can go back to more normal activities (finishing to watch Ugly Betty season 3, reading “The Magician’s Assistant” and calling my sister two or three times a day – ha ha ha).

Photo: I'm not sure where it comes from. I saved it a long time ago without making a note of the photographer or stylist. 

7 comments:

Liberty London Girl said...

Haven't even started looking at style.com yet! Wallowing in sheer bliss of not having to attend shows this season LLGxx

Anonymous said...

The amount of Balmain shoulders is insane to the point of obscenity!

In any case, I like your writing & this picture.

i.d. said...

I totally agree, fashion week can be to frenetic and overwhelming. To be honest, I don't obsessively follow all the shows, I like to sit back and wait for everyone else's summaries! x

fred said...

Gracias!
Adoro la foto, quiĆ©n es ella?¿

E.K. said...

Too bad you didn't note the photographer, that is a great image!

Moodie said...

Hey Sherlock Holmes ! You are just too good... now SHHHHHHH...
I linked to you article today, it's just so accurate, you inspired me.
Lots of love
x

TheMinx said...

That is such a gorgeous, haunting picture. And I love your words, I agree with your sentiment completely that often what people think is the most avant-garde new trend becomes the most mainstream, common and copied. And it's a shame because those jackets are pretty sick :)