Fast Fashion

Hubert De Givenchy recently stated that, “fashion should evolve slowly, without any revolution…”. As much as I absolutely agree with him, the Fast Fashion of today has done wonders for our economy.

The fast fashion business model can make your clothes feel outdated very quickly. Retailers such as Zara, have deliveries to store twice a week, H&M and Forever 21 receive new styles daily and Topshop online reveal 400 new styles weekly. There’s no wonder as to why consumer’s feel their clothes become out  of trend so soon after buying them. Having said this, the fast fashion business model is effectively creating and providing more jobs for designers, and retail jobs not only on the shop floor but to head office too, thus reducing unemployment. Simultaneously according to the Office of National Statistics, the Consumer Price Index has grown by 1.2% in the year to September 2014.

This model essentially manipulates the consumer into spending more money. The general consensus of the consumer is that they are able to buy more clothes with their money. What they are not realising is that they are getting what they pay for. More often than not, these garments are of poor quality – witnessing buttons falling off and beading & sequins a sign of child labour. If that’s not enough, over 1100 workers were killed with thousands more injured when 3 factories collapsed in Bangladesh. These factories were host to the likes of Primark, Mango, Matalan and Wal-Mart. This collapse occurred after a fire in a factory in a neighbouring district a few months before. Sam Maher of Labour Behind the Label stated that, “Tragedy after tragedy shows that corporate controlled monitoring is completely inadequate”. This begs the question, is it better to spend the same amount of money on fewer statement pieces that are of better quality, rather than a vast number of garments that are likely to fall apart after one wash?

Garments are less likely to feel dated quickly if the consumer is buying statement pieces for their wardrobe. This also enables the consumer to get creative, to mix and match accessories with their statement pieces, switch up their make up to even changing shoes and bags worn with the clothes to make it look like a different outfit each time.

I appreciate that fast fashion works for a lot of people for various reasons. I feel that Selfridges has recognised this. They do not only cater to the upper market with haute couture and high-end designers, they also have H&M and Primark concessions. Thereby not alienating any consumers, a principle they have stuck with since Harry Gordon Selfridge opened the store in 1909. In effect, this drives sales and further fuels our economy.

Timeless Style

Yves Saint Laurent once famously said, ‘fashions fade; style is eternal’. Although we witness fashions change as seasons do, many things remain timeless when it comes to ‘style’; trends which never cease to become outdated and always look good.

We have had a number women in generations gone by who epitomise what seems to be this effortless and enduring style. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and now Kate Middleton are all renowned for this. What defines their style is not only the fact that their style can still be bought in shops today; but insofar as girls and ladies in today’s day and age continue to admire them for symbolising such eloquence with their style.

From a shining onscreen star to Princess, one of the many things Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco is celebrated for is her impeccable style. It was evident from the way in which Kate Middleton’s wedding gown was designed, that she (just like the rest of us) looks to her for inspiration. Grace Kelly is most famous for the way in which she wore pearls.  When I think of Grace Kelly, I envisage the string of large, timeless, statement pearls she’d wear so aesthetically around her neck; simple yet stylish. Such an accessory has become more available in the form of imitation pearls to those who may perhaps find a string of pure pearls rather dear. Granted, such jewellery lacks quality, but the demure of Princess Grace’s style is achievable in this way.

Philanthropist and Oscar winning Audrey Hepburn became Hubert de Givenchy’s muse. He went on to design one of the most famous dresses of all time; it was a simple LBD for the opening scene of the famous 1961 Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This was accessorised with pearls, a big pair of sunglasses, a tiara along with her black winged eyeliner. Bar the tiara (depending on the occasion of course), the style of this look is effortless and has been worn by women all over the world for decades since. Whilst the original dress was a Givenchy, not only has the style of the dress become more accessible; the entire look and style has been adapted with the dress worn shorter with similar accessories and an updo due to the high neck of the dress. An adaptation of the dress may be worn with a lower neckline, hair down and both bottom and top winged eyeliner for a more dramatic effect.

Though she lived a short life, Marilyn Monroe captured hearts of many all over the world, and continues to be one of the most loved Hollywood icons of all time. Marilyn has always been well known for her voluptuous figure. This is perhaps most important with today’s society; depicting the ‘perfect’ woman to be what’s seen as unrealistic airbrushed models seen on billboards, TV and magazines everywhere. One of her most famous roles was in the Seven Year Itch where she was seen in the white halter dress, which remains a statement piece till today. Females across the globe wear the figure flattering dress from holidays to special occasions such as weddings. She made famous strapless and especially sweetheart neckline dresses; showing off her curvaceous figure and unquestionably finishing this off with white fur. What stands out to me, is her flawless make up. There were no false eyelashes back then; her eyes with the perfect amount of mascara and eyeliner, red nails to match and for me, her statement piece were her crimson lips giving her that sultry pout.

What seems evident with all these icons is whichever era they are from, their style and flair is and has been transferrable for generations since; with the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge as an illustration of this. This goes to show that you may not need mountains of clothes in your wardrobe with every new collection that comes out. a few essential statement pieces, with the perfect make-up combination and accessories should make you feel as though the street is your catwalk!