TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY : VICTORIA SIMPSON
FASHIONWEEKEXTINCTION
Fashion Week was once seen as a celebration where designers would come together to showcase their collections . A major shift has been said to of took place over the years , and in order to conjure up an accurate stance , I ’ ve set out to speak with the professionals to find out their personal views .
It has been said that showing in fashion has lost its purpose over the years . According to an article in the New York Times on New York Fashion Week , it was said that designers felt fashion week is nothing more than a ‘ panic-inducing ’ and ‘ depressing ’ experience . A far cry from what we anticipate and hope it would be .
Speaking with Shaun Kearney , creative director and designer of Cynthia Steffe , situated in New York , I set out to discover whether he felt this theory was indeed true . Shaun explained how after participating and showing in fashion for a number of years , he has seen a dramatic shift . ‘ The calendar for one is insanely packed and essentially anyone with a big cheque with zero talent can show , just as there are many people becoming fashion designers because they are a celebrity ’.
‘ The panic-inducing is also precise , mainly down to there being such a multitude of shows within a small time-frame , which leads to conflict with editor and buyer attendance overlapping , as well as model-bookings also overlapping .’ Kearney also made the point of saying how it has vastly developed into what could be considered as one big circus . ‘ Everyone has a blog and thinks they ’ re entitled to be at a fashion show to promote their own sites and style , which has led to them taken so much attention away from the brand or the designer .’
From working at London Fashion Week this year , I had first hand experience in witnessing this ongoing case that has formed a reality over the years . The vast majority of models I came across would have less than ten minutes to rapidly catch another show on the other side of London , which is physically impossible in this city no matter what time of day it is . Unless , however , you have a jet on hand .
As of late , the dramatic shift does not just include celebrities and bloggers . TV reality ‘ stars ’ are now being branded as designers ; many of whom have now even established their own independant labels . The designs they are producing , however , are those that have been established throughout the high street for the past decade . There is no creativity or thought process . No concept or appreciation . Although it may sell for a small period of time , to designers and fashionistas alikethis can be seen as a form of dishonesty and lack of courtesy to those who thrive of sheer creativity and have worked years upon years to build up their empires .
What was once the norm is no longer apparent as unfortunate as this may seem . Each year will forever consist of an array of bloggers , along with others alike who class themselves as genuine devoters to fashion , flock to the scene in a dress code that becomes more outrageous than the latter .
LIGHTS . CAMERA . ACTION . PAUL SMITH LFW S / S ’ 14
One must not forget why fashion exists today . Why we ’ d do anything to be at fashion week , whether it ’ s in London , Paris , Milan or New York . Fashion is about appreciating the arts . It ’ s about the eccentrics whom have created an outcome that has been inspired purely through the means of devotion .
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FASHION WEEK IS NOTHING MORE THAN A PANIC-INDUCING AND DEPRESSING EXPERIENCE
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Speaking with British Vogue ’ s editor , Alexandra Shulman , a much respected woman who certainly has the knowledge regarding this specific subject , I asked whether she felt Fashion Week has not just lost its purpose , but whether there ’ s compelling evidence that the future of it is in deputy . To my surprise she answered immediately . Short , yes , but nevertheless she gave me everything I needed to know in order to conjure up an accurate conclusion .