Saturday 11 August 2007

Us Vs. Them

I've been looking at a LOT of streetstyle blogs and been very inspired and intrigued by what I've found out there- look out for an update in our links list!

By far the 2 most interesting things I've found are this article titled "Are These Clothes For Real Australians", ( http://yoursay.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=285003 )about the catwalk shows for Myer and if these clothes are in touch with what "real" australians want to wear, and Hel Looks, a Helsinki street style blog.

There were a few comments on the ninemsn article which STUNNED me. Such as this, from sunumabridge, Adelaide-

"An interest in fashion is one of the the primary signs of an immature brain. Fashion is an artificial construct whose main purpose is to extract money from weak-minded people. The fact that fashion continues to exists shows that our society is not yet mature enough to act in a rational, adult manner."

Most other commenters had fairly generic things to say ie sick of muffin tops, design for larger sized women, most women arent size 8 etc etc, or they are negative ie fashion too expensive, no one wants real designers etc, and it came as a massive contrast to what I found on Hel Looks.

There I found that the same words kept popping up- Second-Hand, Innovative, Individual, Colour and Creative! How exciting are they! My 2 favourite quotes are

"You must wear high heels when you go out" from a girl in GREAT shoes, and

"Outcase people are interesting and inspiring" from a guy in green tights and a crazy cardigan.

I wish the people commenting on ninemsn had seen or read that blog. It seems to me a lot of these people dont see Australian fashion the way I do. Where is their sense of adventure? Where is the call for innovation and interesting styles? Are they all happy to wear generic boring things they can buy at Chadstone or Highpoint, do they not appreciate our more adventurous designers putting effort into making individual clothes?

Of course I know not everyone is like that. And maybe I havent done enough research, but there are a LOT more people out there wearing polar fleece and "smart" black pants to work in the morning than there are people wearing fascinating, beautiful, carefully put together outfits.

What do you think? Is the majority of our society content with the chain-store glum offerings? Do they not have a want or need for anything more? Are they even aware this stuff exists? Or are we really a culture of black wearing people who cant afford the more exciting stuff?

4 comments:

Emily said...

yes i love colourful adventurous clothes i would definitly go and talk to a person wearing beautiful "loud" clothing than someone wearing black pants and a white top
xxx

Anonymous said...

i've been visiting a rally of different street style blogs dare i say religiously over the past year and a bit. and hel-looks is def. one of my favourites. though you have to stop and think how it applies to fashion pop culture here in Melbourne, i think i try to spin in eccentricities (if thats a word) into my wardrobe through more interesting ways.. cos lets face it.. in a sea of black too much of a good thing WILL make you look like ur trying too hard. the object is to dress effortlessy 'cool', original and absolutely yourself, i just don't think it is a MUST to compare us to overseas fashion hotspots on a head to head basis.. more look at how fashion grows at home.. sharing style habits may make the world a herd of sheep but i agree.. a new attitude toward fashion needs to be taken in!

i must say too, that i don't think fashion is a state of 'if i can afford it' or not, i find chain stores make me vomit slightly LOL, or atleast gasp at the price, knowing i can get something better and more original for 3 bux at an op shop.

its not fashion thats the issue, its style in melbourne that needs to be nutured.

Anonymous said...

ditto anonymous!

maudrey said...

GO FINLAND!