CONFUSED ABOUT FASHION?

Fashion isn't something that everybody understands. For some parts of it you must be interested and constantly engaged. One thing that you must understand is that fashion is all around you whether you are actively engaged or not! These are my responses to some of the most frequently asked questions about fashion.

Is it all about clothes?

Not in the slightest. Fashion is influenced by the world around us, everything and anything. The things in life that we hold close to our hearts are often the ingredients to our creativity. Designers all over the world use the life they live and other people's experiences as inspiration. And it's not just Designers! Everybody who has a creative role in the fashion industry is influenced by what they see, hear, taste, smell and feel in their lives. For example, Alexander McQueen was originally inspired by watching Harry Potter for his 'It's Only a Game' show at LFW S/S 2005. However, after consideration and development he ended up with a chess themed catwalk with influences from the trade battle between Japan and America... madness isn't it? When I said everything and anything can inspire fashion; I mean everything and anything.

Why do people in fashion wear sunglasses inside?

Ok so if you know about this trend you've probably guessed that the main influence is Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld. For anyone who doesn't know, Anna Wintour is the head of Vogue US. Her strong personality has been featured in films such as 'The Devil Wears Prada' (Miranda Priestly) and some say in the more modern versions of '101 Dalmatians' (Cruella de Vil). When I met Anna Wintour at Topshop Unique A/W16 she never took her sunglasses off (yes, even when inside). I didn't dare to ask her why but after some research I found out that she wears them so that no one can see when she's bored... Yes... That's right. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself! I've linked the whole interview at the bottom of this entry. When Amy Odell (NY Magazine) interviewed her Anna explained "I can sit in a show and if I am bored out of my mind, nobody will notice… At this point, they have become, really, armor."

Unlike Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld (Designer for Chanel and Fendi) actually uses dark glasses to hide for a different reason. The man is a perfectionist. Therefore, by wearing dark glasses his styling is far more organised. However, this isn't the reason he has explained to the press. In 2011 ELLE Magazine asked Karl why he wore his signature black frames everywhere and he responded with "black glasses are very flattering, everyone looks better and without them they don't look as beautiful." Apparently Karl doesn't like having his photograph taken which is why he uses the glasses to cover the majority his face. As Anna said they're a type of "armour" from cameras everywhere.

You'd never wear that out so why have a Fashion Week?

Firstly, fashion weeks are one of the highlights of the year for most people working in fashion. It's when we can internationally celebrate the work of great Designers and their incredible creativity. So why do we fuss over clothes we can't wear on the street? It's simple. People like me who live, breathe and wear fashion are always wanting to see more. Fashion weeks allow this to happen. Secondly, the key to answering this question is that fashion is an art form. Most people would look at a painting they see in a gallery they don't fully understand and accept it because it's art. So why not do that with fashion? Fashion is art that is modelled, experimented with and presented in a completely unique way.

If you're still not convinced then look into 'trickle down' theory by Blumer (1969). This fashion theory basically explains that trends start at the top in all the shows and couture, and trickles down into the public's hands. This is evident in the way our high street stores work. Their collections that we buy are simply trickled down trends from the current couture.

Fashion is so hard to get into and once you're in then you're under so much stress, why bother?

Every job brings stress. At some point in your career you are really going to feel the pressure what ever you do. Working in fashion is tough. You have to get noticed first of all which can take years or worse... never happen. However, once you have been noticed in some way then you can work your way to the top! If you want a career in fashion then you've gotta work for it. There's no use in staring at your icon's Instagram wishing you had met them. GET OUT THERE. If you believe in yourself and your ability to succeed then you will. Don't you want a day to come where people ask you for an interview or a photograph? Making a name for yourself is what it's all about. Once you have then the sky is your limit!