The Fashion Calendar Revised? (Time To Discuss This Saturated Topic)

Yesterday morning at 9am, the air seemed fresher, the sun shone brighter, and my NYFW app notified me that I had just missed the Nicholas K show, an indication that New York Fashion Week had begun (and that I overslept). But let's put this news on hold for a moment and reflect on the current state of affairs in the fashion industry today.

Social media has exploded in the past 5-10 years, creating a millennial generation that lives in the now. Though the fashion industry may have been the first to embrace this uprising, the concept of instantaneity is only beginning to have a strong (nay, delayed) impact.

In the last few weeks, a few designer labels, including Tom Ford, Vetements, and Burberry, have announced that they will be following the consumer schedule rather than showcasing their collections 6 months ahead of time. In other words, the Fall 2016 shows will be presented in, yes, you guessed it, FALL 2016.

via abcnews.go.com

As a millennial, and a committed fashion week follower, I've frequently contemplated this particular subject. Though I watched all the shows back in September, I can honestly say, I can't remember what I witnessed. I can only assume florals, stripes, and white lace were involved, but frankly, I draw a blank when it comes to the precise themes of the designer collections. In the past, I would revise them on YouTube or Vogue Runway (previously called Style.com) to give myself a quick reminder of what's to come and occasionally, I would just check out what the shops had displayed in their windows.

Is it possible that there will come a day when this will no longer be necessary? Are the days of feeling depressed every time Fall rolls around and all I see on the runways are short hemlines and sandals I won't be wearing for another 6 months about to come to an end?

Are we even ready for this change? Or rather, have we waited way too long for it to come about? Is it a positive step forward or a sign of conformity?

Are you prepared for a confusing transition that involves Fall and Spring intermingling for the next few years until everyone converts to the new system? I know I'm not. But I'm excited.

Ponder these questions and let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend!

Bella

P.S Stay tuned for my Fashion Month play-by-play in the upcoming weeks!

What's In A Name? Tis Everything.

Dearest reader,

I'd like to wish you a happy second day of Winter and hope that you've had a lovely weekend. Regrettably, I found myself quite preoccupied on Saturday to such a degree that I was unable to post an intriguing piece of work for my beloved readers to ponder with their morning coffee. For that, I offer my deepest apologies. I am uncertain as to why I've adopted a rather archaic tone of voice, but let's "just go with it", shall we?

What is on the agenda for this evening, you may ask? Today, I have decided to address an issue which ails us all due to our constant need to assert our importance within the grander society. I am referring to the human obsession with the latest coveted item on the rack comprising a conspicuously well-established label.

Alas, we are all victims of brand addiction. You and I, along with the lady down the street, have stumbled into the brand trap, never to escape it. As we are all aware, status is everything, and thus, exposing one's wealth or a simulation of one's wealth is crucial to being admitted into the fashion elite. Whether tis a Michael Kors Hamilton Bag or Hermes Birkin, the ownership of one of these accessories places one in a higher class of human being. This is a well-established fact. Must we love the design and craftsmanship? It is not the priority. Rather, if all the ladies in your social surroundings have one, it is undeniable that it shall be an excellent purchase. One simply DOES NOT carry a brand-less handbag, for she would be the talk of the town and gossip runs rampant in these parts. It simply CANNOT be done.

Seeing as your attire indicates your classification in the social sphere, I advise you not to neglect it. Is it necessary to spend an extra few hundred dollars on a Burberry trend coat? Not particularly. However, you do not want to find yourself in the lower echelons of society, now do you? What's a few hundred dollars if it implies immediate status recognition?

Sincerely,

Bella