Comme des Garcons, spring/summer 1997 - photos by Jane McLeish
VIA http://blanc-pale.tumblr.com/
Colour Me Red celebrates style, fashion, illustration and photography. It allows me to explore and share my thoughts on the fashion industry and to gather images that reflect my taste. I hope you enjoy what you find here.
Friday, June 15, 2012
KENZO A LA MAISON.
Styling: Nobuko Tannawa
Models: Flo Dron & Ania K
Photography: Atlanta Rascher
All clothes and accessories Kenzo AW12.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
"They just don't make things like they used to."
Image VIA http://seensense.tumblr.com/
Recently I bought a most unfortunate pair of stockings from a reasonably well-known Australian designer. They were packaged in a cute jam jar, so it wasn't until I opened the jar, tried the stockings on at home and faced the laughter of my brother and a friend that I realised my mistake.
How does a designer get away with selling cheap home brand stockings with a few pompoms glued on for $50? If I wanted to wear stockings that laddered within 24 hours and had random pompoms so low on the ankle I couldn't wear shoes without removing them, I'd pop down to Coles / Spotlight and experiment blindfolded.
I genuinely think we need to address the questionable standards of the
lucrative fashion industry, or perhaps we as consumers need to address our own
standards and question why we are settling for less than we were 50+ years ago.
I just refuse to believe that my standards are too high.
When did we stop caring about the longevity of our clothing, and the overall
quality of a garment? People used to not only take pride in their appearance,
but also in the craftsmanship behind the items they bought. They expected
something to last, and therefore designers designed to meet this expectation.
These days, people have somehow forgotten (or have never known) what it is like
to wear something of good quality.
This notion obviously extends beyond items of clothing, and can be seen in many
industries. IKEA, for example, shows how cheap and convenient overrides long
lasting and well crafted. Many people are convincing themselves that things
aren’t in fact meant to last and they are becoming more concerned with trends and
less concerned with how things are made.
In saying that however, this does not apply to everybody - a
certain level of quality is still important to some. Those who do not want to be part
of this throwaway society might choose to buy clothing second hand, as second
hand generally yields better quality items. Recycled clothing gives people the
freedom to wear something unique; whilst also giving them the chance to wear a
quality garment they wouldn’t necessarily have access to first hand. The fact
that these items of clothing are still in wearable / sellable condition, often
decades after being manufactured, is testament to the point I’m trying to make.
Recently when speaking about the new Lanvin book, Alber
Elbaz spoke about the ways in which his label still values craftsmanship:
"…I wanted to show how many threads you have to put
together to make one rose; how much thought goes into a button. I wanted to
show a shoe in the factory in Italy being held like a baby by an old man and
then attached to a machine as if it was going to the dentist."
Without trying to sound too dramatic, good craftsmanship is being bulldozed to
make way for cheap, high-profit junk peddlers. Those passionate about making
beautifully crafted garments are now an endangered breed. Soon there won't be heirlooms,
only short-term junk items destined to unravel or deteriorate shortly after
being received.
It seems that packaging is becoming longer lasting than the garments
themselves, yet people are not questioning why they’re left with a closet full
of empty shoes boxes and garment bags.
I’m still haunted by the image of me in those cheap
stockings but hey, at least one year on the jam jar will still look good.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
