First and foremost, I want to give you guys an update on my life, feel free to skip this part to the fashion bit if you wish to 👀
In the past few months, a lot has changed.
I have decided to move to England.
That’s it. But this big decision has caused a shockwave of too overwhelming events. Therefore, the amount of content and research I have been able to do in the past 4-5 months have been infinitesimal. Honestly, it is mentally unbearable to leave my stable daily routine and throw myself into a huge lifestyle change (and it is still changing). However, it is for the best in the end.
Those reading this and living in England, specifically near Manchester, know I will be moving there. A potential fan meetup?
I’m getting ahead of myself, but thanks for caring. Let’s get to the fashion bit.
Recently I have been sucked into investigating brands’ (big or small) constant need-to-be showpeople. That sentence may have read a bit distasteful, but I mean it in the most neutral way possible. It seems like social media has pushed labels of all sorts to get creative with runways every time they put on a show in hopes of netizens’ coverage or, even better, discussion. Grandiose, over-the-top, and theatrical runway shows have existed since the concept of fashion was born. Still, I can’t help but think that social media has altered brands’ relationship with the entertainment side of runways.
It all started with this article, Feminine Fashions: The Fall Collections II, by Kennedy Fraser. A crucial point she brought up:
In many cases, the productions have become far more elaborate than the simple, graceful clothes being widely produced for fall. How, then, is one supposed to assess the curious hybrid that is the dramatic new fashion show? To apply the standards of the theatre, the dance, or the art gallery is patently absurd, however designers may seek to cloak their efforts in the trappings of grander and more widely respected art forms than the craft of clothing manufacture.
Let me remind you this article was written in 1977, an era without the bombardment of social media coverage of shows and influencers’ POVs on how the designer performed this collection. This was one of her conclusions from all she could attend and absorb from observing what happened.
To imagine how Kennedy might feel nowadays, her opinion might intensify.
But what is wrong with theatrics?
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