Mehak Gupta Grover
Fashion and society- both are each other’s reflection. Fashion expresses modernity, symbolising the spirit of times. It reflects social, economic, political and cultural changes. Fashion industry is the most visible of cultural sectors. Malls, streets, magazines, television are all filled with people making fashion statements- some extreme, some angry, some incoherent. These fashion statements are significant because they purport to define what an individual or society believes is and should be attractive, desired and emulated. What we as a society, consider attractive and stylish is no trivial matter, as it reflects significantly on what we value, what we consider beautiful and how we wish to appear and be known.
In words of Blair Waldorf-
“ Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It is movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.”
It is one of the most influential phenomenon in western civilization since renaissance. As soon as man emerged from the cave, clothes took on a social significance. The age of flaming youth, where the influence and energy of young people was unleashed in a new way. They created styles and fads that were imitated across the generations. The fun and carefree freedom of the young was a welcome relief and no style seemed too silly or frivolous to become high fashion. There’s never been a period where shirt was just a shirt. There’s always been a desire to differentiate ourselves through association with a social tribe, announce our ranking in society, or even show off our status and accomplishments. These things have been wrapped up in fashion whether we consider the era of french courts or the emergence of hip hop.
But the real question is how fashion impacts our society? Fashion affects the social aspects of life. It benefits and stimulates the society, in the process promoting creativity; at the same time, it diverts people’s attention from more important questions and activities and affects the self-esteem of people who cannot afford the latest trend. When fashion distracts people, especially youth from more productive activities, they focus more on acquiring the latest and most fashionable wear rather than on education or work. It can be called harmful as well as it creates a society in which appearance is often valued more than character.
Selfie- the most trending fashion these days! Whether it’s to show off a new hair style or cool vacation, posting our face on social media is practically a reflex. But what about ‘ selfies at serious places’ – like funerals; cringe. Selfie- mania is turning us into a nation of narcissists. Finally is this fashion show off helping our self-esteem or sentencing us to lives of self- obsession? It creates the wealthy apart from the lower class.
On a positive side, fashion is an art, which stimulates and inspires people to express themselves. People often show their personal identity, talent and culture through their fashion choices. It also promotes creativity as designers endeavour to outdo one another through their unique and intricate designs. Fashion influences on all individual’s lifestyles- from the way we dress to the way we eat our meals. Fashion is constantly changing trends, it is a wider concept that is narrowed down to fabric, apparels and accessories in recent years that make most people relate to how they dress and what they put on. It is not something that exists in dresses only. It is in the sky, in the street, it has to do with ideas, the way we live.
But why everyone wants to look nice in others viewpoint? Why is this rat race? Why it has become more important to prove our place in society first than in our own eyes? We are not here to spend our lives in looking how other’s see us. How we see ourselves means everything. Our true self is who we are when we let go of all the stories, labels and judgements that we have placed upon ourselves. It is WE – without the masks and pretentiousness.
“Winners edge is not in a gifted birth or fashionable clothing: It is all in the attitude.
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