Fulton St Critique
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- Apr 27, 2020
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I was watching a short documentary today on the future of fashion titled "Where the future of fashion is headed". In this 50 minute video the topics of sustainability, technological advances, craft, and "fast fashion" were discussed in great detail. Midway through the film the writer and associate professor at Parsons Otto Von Busch provide his interpretation of the current fashion system and how it relates to excess and self-deprecation of the individual. Von Buch spoke on the consumer's relationship to fashion in today's climate stating, "We need to find more wholesome ways of being with clothes and we need to make people feel that they don't necessarily need to buy it as fast food." He goes on, "Look at the role of the designer. I am dependant on you feeling bad about yourself. I need to continuously undermine your self-esteem that you are not good enough so you need to come to me to buy my clothes to feel good about yourself..." (Source: VPOR documentary Where is the future of fashion headed).
I find this view of the designer extremely condescending and dismissive. While there have been countless claims of advertisers selling products based on forcing the customer to view themselves in a way that is subpar, I was puzzled how this related to the construction and design of products. I see "high" fashion as a place laden with problems, yet, also as a magnificent escape into a world greater than oneself characterized by beauty, wonder, and sophistication. For example, when I buy a pair of Prada trousers, it is not because I hate myself or need to prove anything to anybody, but instead because I love the materials, the creative director, and the storied quality behind the brand. I know it will last, fit, and look sharp. Otto's comments were directed to the industry at large. His dismissive tone on the "fast fashion" brands of the world (H&M, Zara, etc.) definitely carries some merit in the sense that their cheap prices undermine the quality of the clothing and make the goods more commercially available. Despite my being in agreement with this point, I do not believe it is possible to hold designers in a negative light based on the nature of the business. Selling a well made, quality item or product is not meant to damage one's ego or slight their view of themselves.
I know I am one person in a world of 7 billion people, but his comments have been stuck in my head all day and I wanted to share this with the forum and read your thoughts. If I am totally off, please let me know and help me improve my thought process behind the current role of the designer.
I find this view of the designer extremely condescending and dismissive. While there have been countless claims of advertisers selling products based on forcing the customer to view themselves in a way that is subpar, I was puzzled how this related to the construction and design of products. I see "high" fashion as a place laden with problems, yet, also as a magnificent escape into a world greater than oneself characterized by beauty, wonder, and sophistication. For example, when I buy a pair of Prada trousers, it is not because I hate myself or need to prove anything to anybody, but instead because I love the materials, the creative director, and the storied quality behind the brand. I know it will last, fit, and look sharp. Otto's comments were directed to the industry at large. His dismissive tone on the "fast fashion" brands of the world (H&M, Zara, etc.) definitely carries some merit in the sense that their cheap prices undermine the quality of the clothing and make the goods more commercially available. Despite my being in agreement with this point, I do not believe it is possible to hold designers in a negative light based on the nature of the business. Selling a well made, quality item or product is not meant to damage one's ego or slight their view of themselves.
I know I am one person in a world of 7 billion people, but his comments have been stuck in my head all day and I wanted to share this with the forum and read your thoughts. If I am totally off, please let me know and help me improve my thought process behind the current role of the designer.