Fashion Forward?

What does it mean to be "fashion forward?" Does it mean trying every trend on the runway, or does it mean having the artistic ability to interpret different design concepts and come up with your own cohesive thought? After the Neiman Marcus Gala, someone suggested that people like me are the reason Seattle isn't fashion forward. Why? Because I didn't like a Chanel ankle bag. However, some things just seem like they're going backward! A house arrest anklet will never aesthetically appeal to my senses.

I saw The September Issue a few weeks ago, and woke up the next morning and cried to Valentino the Last Emperor. Sounds silly, but the era of couture is over. What do we have left? Everything's already been done. Can we look to new designers to bring emotion to fabric? Will we still have creative directors like Grace Coddington who stand up for natural beauty?

I'd like to think so, but after I read this article on Blue is in Fashion this Year, I have doubts. It's come to a point where designers are drawing inspiration from Halloween costumes - the epitome of cheap and disgusting. If I can clear anything up in regards to fashion, it's the fact that even high end designers produce unflattering and disappointing garments. Just because I don't suckle at the tit of major designers doesn't mean I am not forward. I simply recognize what is backwards. I love embellished headbands, don't get me wrong. Put a big flower on my head, and call it good. However, there's something insane about putting lace bunny ears on my head, and tentatively wearing them to work! I don't think the trend will ever filter down. Design should be able to be interpreted, and this trend is so beyond that. Desperation has sunken in.





I'm taking this as a sign that there are few brilliant designers left...