THE WHAT AND THE WHY AND THE HOW OF FASHION “Who are you wearing?”
Most of us, who have at some point in time watched celebrity talk shows or fashion events, have heard this phase. This simply means asking someone which Designer’s brand of clothes, shoes or other lifestyle accessories they are representing at the event… whether it a Louis Vuitton handbag, or a Gucci evening dress, or a Sabayasachi wedding lenhenga, or an Armani suit, or a Dior perfume, these celebrities, musicians, and media influencers are responsible for setting ‘Fashion Trends’. So, what is fashion and why is it so significant in our lives?
Fashion, simply put, is the form of clothing, or other lifestyle accessories, whose purpose is to give an identity to the existence of an individual or a tribe of people. Fashion also tends to establish a person’s social status and their individual taste, also known as, style. Fashion is ever-changing, which depends upon factors like seasons, revolutions happening in industries, and also activist movements.
The fashion industry is massive. This industry has cleverly exploited the various social media platforms available, to propagate itself amongst people of all demography, at an exponential rate! Famous retailers have come up with smart strategies to provide trending clothes and other accessories to people, at relatively affordable prices.
Having said that, the fashion industry also has its dark sides. Many famous companies are accused of exploiting their employees by over-working them and not providing them with promised-basic income. Some manufacturing methods used by the industry are harmful for the environment. There were cases reported where the models walking in the fashion shows were found to be dead, due to extreme dieting and exhaustion.
With all its good, bad, and ugliness, Fashion has always been an integral part of the human civilization and it will continue to be so in the years to come.