Reality TV

When you think about fashion’s past, the runways seemed to have a great influence over what became regular occurrence in popular culture. Today, however, roles have been reversed. Instead of fashion influencing the public, many times it seems as though the public — and what the public will pay for — is what influences fashion.

Unlike 30, 20 or even 10 years ago, today we have we have myriad celebrities designing their own lines and reality TV shows making a giant splash in the style scene. And with the Internet greatly decreasing magazine sales and creating more competition for designers (it seems that nearly every one with an inkling for clothing design can now put their work out there for the masses to see and buy), more and more magazine editors and fashion designers are preoccupied with creating a product that’s easy to sell, as opposed to a product that’s purely innovative

Kristin Chenoweth, Lisa Rinna and Brooke Burke  wearing the Women’s Ottoman Pencil Dress from Kardashian Kollection.

Credit: KhloeKardashian.Celebuzz.com

We would be unimpressed with art that was driven only to please the eye. True art lovers want to be inspired, influenced and even changed by what they see. A beautiful picture of a flower has its purpose, but flower after pretty flower gets boring very fast.

Fashion is like art. It should strive to provoke and evoke. It should dare to go there and not merely be manufactured for the sake of a quick and easy paycheck.

The History of Fashion Design entry on Wikipedia says, “For many of the own-label designers who emerged in the early years of the 21st century, financial factors became increasingly critical. Many new young talents found they now depended on investors (to whom, in extreme cases, they would even surrender their names) and were always burdened by the risk that their partners, motivated by market realism and the desire for quick returns, would severely restrict their autonomy.”

If this continues, do we risk having a “blip” in the fashion timeline — a period when fashion is uninspiring to future generations? What are your thoughts? How do you think today’s fashion will be remembered in the years to come?

Fall 2011 – 60s Vibe!

The 60s were back on the runway for fall 2011 – brightly coloured tunics, oversized buttons, peter pan collars, pea coats, kitsch plastic trims and huge sequins. Swing in to fall 60s style.

Credit:  Style.com

70’s/Boho Trend
Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear

This spring I am most looking forward to the retro, earthy trends that have been spotted on the runway from designers such as Derek Lam, and Etro. Awaken the hippie in you, dig out those vintage pieces, and mix em in with the new!

Credit: Style.com

By Wendy Rose Gould

Remember the heady days of the early 2000s, just ten years ago? Reality TV was just starting to become A Thing and the word “blog” was just entering the lexicon. Yes, it was a more innocent time indeed. Today, reality shows account for what seems to be upwards of half of all television and everyone and your mother has their own blog.

Reality television and blogs have more in common than meets the eye. On the surface, both allow us a window into the lives of others. Whether it’s the schadenfreude engendered by watching a Teen Mom marathon or the train-wreck fascination of reading the blog of a high school acquaintance you always hated, the voyeurism can be addictive.

But there’s a more sinister side to the similarities between reality television and blogs. Reality television is cheaper than scripted shows, but it’s also not as good. We like The Bachelor as much (okay, more) than the next person, but it’s never going to hit the emotional highs and lows of The Wire, or even Cougar Town. Similarly, it’s fun to click around The Huffington Post, but it’s not exactly offering the journalistic excellence and integrity as the New York Times.

Unfortunately, both scripted shows and legit news media seem determined to sink to the level of reality television and blogs: witness the Times increasing focus on hyperlocal blog sites like Fort Greene Local and the increasingly cheap look of most television comedies. We can only hope this trend reverses itself. In the meantime, we’ll just be sitting here, suffering some major early 2000s nostalgia.