What It Seams To Me: A Fashion Blog

Recently I’ve been rather amused by headlines surfacing the fashion world about its well known figures and how the tides have turned for many designers to survive in the long run. Not only are they exclusively appealing the the most affluent, the wants of the middle-class income is becoming of equal interest as well, probably because they make up the majority of the population. When majority rules in this democratic society, they have a major say in the fate of those affected, especially when members are increasing as the days go by due to the falling economy. Why do you think Claudia Schiffer, one of supermodels that reigned the 90s, is the new face of Yves Saint-Laurent instead of some random model? Because she’s, like Naomi Campbell, more recognizable, therefore many more can connect to the brand and will more likely invest.

So suddenly a $1,800 Balenciaga bag is not as appealing as it used to be, even to those with the most disposable income.

The hunk of a designer escorting Kate Mara to the Costume Institute Gala at the Met.

If you think about it, however, times like this bring magical moments where wishes really do come true, like 70% off that dress you’ve been eyeing on since it hit the racks of a nearby department store, and a lovely fairy by the name of Zac Posen dropped by and blessed us with another opportunity to afford his gorgeous designs. (He did a line for the Australian Target earlier this year, which sold like hotcakes.) A more affordable line is in the talking phase right now for the designer and his empire, but further information is yet to be released. If this hunky designer created something similar to what he made for the Met’s superheroes gala back in spring, I would jump on that even if it was the most expensive piece in this line.

When money (or lack thereof) talks, so does our taste in clothes. Mine has become more particular; nowadays, I pay attention to style and justify whether it’s worth even paying in the double digits. My rule of thumb: If I can get it at a Target or Gabriel Brothers, then I’ll pass – I’ll only pay if it’ll last me a lifetime.

If that’s our attitude towards clothing, I wonder what will happen to “status pieces,” especially luxury bags. This topic was brought to the table thanks to the Cut blog on nymag.com: a wonderful entry about “it bags” and how they have become an embarrassment to own. Take the big three who, whether they planned to or not, have unfortunately latched onto this stigma: Chanel, Louis Vuitton and the mastermind of the status pieces, Coach. Early in high school, I yearned to trot around the Chanel quilted lambskin bag with the giant logo branded off-center, but after living some years and experiencing college first-hand, I wouldn’t dare to be caught in public with one. In retrospective, the bag is not really that attractive.

The downside with the signature bags is the fact that they have heavily cheapened the “luxery” and “fashionable” aspects of the company. As far as fashion, these bags have somehow distorted the minds of many by embedding the idea that even though your clothing taste is unoriginal and smells like dung, at least you got your Coach purse. (I do know some people that are both snazzy dressers and own a Coach bag… but it’s not the signature logo bags.) And because many want to don their own to show off to everyone on campus, the company reacts by mass producing these bags and at such a high rate, that the quality isn’t worth the amount you’re paying for it.

Plus, it’s hard for status bags to gracefully survive through time. If you truly want your money’s worth and you don’t mind splurging your savings account, then you’re best to stick to the true professionals, or perhaps a bag that is not as often made by the designer’s house. In fashion, modesty is forever. Wear the brand in the bag’s interior, not disgustingly purged onto the exterior; make the most versatile bag your true investment and stick to neutral shades.

In the year 2009, high-end designers, especially newcomers (and many of them), will tackle the market Issac Mzrahi style, and the embarrassing “it-bags” will be rid of once and for all.

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In other news, rumors are circulating that “The Devil Wears Prada” moment might become reality when considerations of Anna Wintour being replaced by current French Vogue’s editor Carine Roitfeld. Though Condé Nast has been letting go of a lot of its titles, many created by current Vogue editor, it is not likely that they will lay off Anna due to her relativeness to the middle-class readers who make up most of the subscribers. However, she should do something about how tabloid-like the magazine has gotten, especially with the cheap text that has, particularly for December, intoxicated the covers.

Update: It is not likely. Anna Wintour has recently commented on the latest Cut entry that “she’ll retire when she gets too angry.”