Is fashion a competition or an attempt at an exhibition of originality?

While being intrigued, looking for inspiration and influence with the ongoings of Fashion week, I started to think about what is considered as 'fashion', and what it takes to successfully become part of the ever growing fashion industry today that has such a huge and influential impact on so many of us.

My view on the influence of fashion at present, is that there seems to be a consistency in the fashion industry of strict limitations that are seemingly enforced in order to achieve a desired outcome. A prime example of this would be the implementation and discussion of what is 'trending' or what is 'in' at that present moment in time. Now, I say this with caution, as every designer is unique in his or her own way and I am by no means criticising curators of the fashion world, as for so many of them, I have such admiration and respect for, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Mark Jacobs, Alexander McQueen ect. However my point is, is that I sometimes see followers of fashion losing there sense of individuality, and seemingly consuming a market followed by somewhat identical characters attempting to conform to what fashion represents at that particular time of year/ season.

Now every garment in its own right, possesses a sense of complete individuality, and what I find; is one of the sole purpose s in taking an interest on the ongoings of fashion, is not just the acknowledgement and admiration of beauty, it is how we as consumers, can find a way to replicate aspects that we have favoured or what has been seen as popular and well received during the course of fashion week. A particular example of a trending element that has appeared in numerous collections such as Mary Katrantzou's, Proenza Schouler's, Erdem and Peter Pilotto's is the use of exotic, floral and ethnic prints that are the centre points of the garments exhibited. So what we then find, is that an array of what was seen as a design concept, that was originally intended to be seen as unique, has been transferred into all parts of not only high-fashion but also down to high-street brands such as Zara's new collection imitating the use of floral digital prints and array of garments in delicate pastel tones such as Calvin Klein collection.

So the thing I find myself questioning, is that are these design concepts an attempt at originality? (As who knows who came up with the original idea to implement it in the fist place) Or is it a competition in beauty on who can do it best through original and unique means?

Till next time

Julia x