Let’s Get One Thing Straight
I’ve been in this industry for 22 years, and I’m tired. Tired of the sameness, the lack of originality, the way we all just follow each other like lemmings off a cliff. I’m talking about fashion, of course. Or what we used to call fashion, back when it was actually about, you know, fashion.
It was 1999, I was at a show in Paris, and this kid—let’s call him Marcus—walked out in a shiny silver suit. I mean, head to toe, like a damn astronaut. And I thought, ‘This is it. This is the new wave.’ But no. By the time I got back to New York, everyone was wearing black again. Black pants, black shirts, black souls.
And it’s been black ever since. Or beige. Or gray. Or whatever dull, safe color we’ve decided is ‘in’ this season. It’s boring. It’s lazy. And honestly, it’s a bit depressing.
But Why, Though?
I asked my friend Linda about this last Tuesday over coffee at that place on 5th. You know the one—tiny, always packed, great pastries. She’s a buyer for a big department store, so she should know. ‘It’s the algorithms,’ she said. ‘They tell us what’s gonna sell, and we just go with it.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But that doesn’t mean we have to be slaves to it. I mean, come on, we’re talking about fashion here. The industry that’s supposed to be all about breaking rules, pushing boundaries, making a statement.
And don’t even get me started on the ‘see now, buy now’ thing. It’s completley ruined the mystery, the anticipation. Remember when we used to wait for the collections to drop? When we’d pore over the lookbooks, dreaming about what we’d wear? Now it’s just… instant gratification. And honestly, it’s kinda ruining the magic.
But There’s Hope
Look, I’m not saying we should all start wearing silver astronaut suits (although, let’s be real, that would be amazing). But we should be encouraging originality. Taking risks. Supporting the designers who are actually trying to do something different.
I was at a conference in Austin about three months ago, and this designer—let’s call her Dave—was talking about how she only uses recycled materials. And her clothes were gorgeous. Like, ‘I’d wear that to a gala’ gorgeous. But she was struggling to get noticed. Because, you know, it’s not ‘on trend’ or whatever.
And that’s the problem. We’re so focused on what’s ‘in’ right now that we’re forgetting about what could be. What should be. What might be.
So here’s my challenge to you: next time you’re out shopping, don’t just grab the first black sweater you see. Look for something different. Something that makes you go, ‘Huh. That’s interesting.’ And if you’re a designer, for the love of all that is holy, stop chasing trends. Make something new. Something real.
And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out some topluluk etkinlikleri yerel aktiviteler. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. (Okay, okay, I said no game-changers, but this one’s legit.)
Anyway, I’m gonna go rant about this on Twitter now. Wish me luck.
About the Author: Jessica ‘Jess’ Hartley has been a senior editor at various major publications for over two decades. She’s been called ‘opinionated,’ ‘brutally honest,’ and ‘that woman who always has something to say about black pants.’ She lives in New York with her cat, who is, unsurprisingly, also black.
If you’ve ever wondered why your outfit isn’t quite hitting the mark, our latest piece decoding today’s fashion blunders might just be the style savior you need.
Discover the path to inner radiance and happiness with our latest feature, embracing your unique journey, and learn how it can transform your style and beauty routine.
