Posts Tagged ‘fashion trends’

Is Fashion Itself Out of Fashion

June 21st, 2009

This year is the beginning of a new era; a New Look in fashion will be characterized by the challenging time we now live in. What becomes unfashionable is influenced by this shifting economic change and what becomes fashionable will be an emotional reaction.

From the excessive gluttonous, ’take all that one can get’ years to a future of growing financial concerns and constraints, we have now entered into a time of more restrictions placed on our daily choices. How will this play into fashion. We live in an era of greatly diverse fashion choices than ever before, when just a few decades ago fashion designers produced a look by virtue of the times. Wars, economic boom times as well as downturns dramatically made their effect known on the world of fashion as well as the world of music and food, interior design, cars and gadgets.

‘What’s in, what’s out’ are determined by are value system and the new financial restraints dictated by this capricious time. The days of consumerism and opulence are over for now.

The monogram bag and showy studs, metal and tacky gemstones, silly frills are about out. Statements of worth by virtue of corrupt financial worlds are out and a more authenticity and simplistic styling are certainly gaining admirers. Society has a way of imposing what we wear by the changing times. What comes with a time of economic criticism of capitalism, possibly a greater independence from the social hierarchy with a growing emphasis on clean simplistic classical lines that avoids fashions excesses.

The 1970’s and the financial crisis of deep economic recession brought us longer hemlines, trousers for women, denim, thrift store hippy finds, and a retro return to the 30’s emphasizing the romantic nostalgia.

Time is right for denouncing gimmicks, monograms on bags and extolling a discreet minimal look with earthy hues. Hmmm, where are we going with this? This is 2009, fashions time for a transformation. So how does the fashion industry deal with this added constraint by consumer resistance to pay high prices for trendy looks. It may be a practical time but with women still holding on to elegance and glamour with a sense of power yet romance and allure while avoiding the unwelcome attention of gimmicks.

Women are admired for their intellectual and perceptive powers, their enigmatic clever wit, their good sense and their lively enthusiasm. Innovation is in the hands of designers to define this new era of fashion that will compliment the woman of today whether she is a housewife or a businesswomen, a doctor or an artist, living in the countryside or a cosmopolitan city. Fashion demands something new like elegance and practicability.

By Gabrielle Ruvolo

feminine silhouette . . .

feminine silhouette . . .

Fashion’s New Mantra: Politically Driven

November 22nd, 2008

 

As fashion trendsetters, female political candidates will have a new influence on fashion while becoming the new icons.  We will see a new look ahead.  With women standing forward in politics this could be a return to the classics, while drawing a fresh new distinctive style.  What could that distinction be?  Possibly a modernized version of the classics, with the focus on simple feminine lines; the opposite of frivolous, shabby, or funky.  A chic, deliberate, confident, sophisticated, smart sense of self should prevail.  The woman of today must be prepared to face greater conflicts, set new precedents, and this shall reflect in the new look.

This is the first time in history that women are at center stage in Washington.  They are liberal, stylish, fashion-forward women.  Could this set Washington as a major fashion capital?  I believe it is the beginning of a new era and in this exciting new time a new image emerges.

Politics traditionally is a symbol of masculine power.  The very notion of a feminine, liberating, social order among the conservative ranks of male politicians signifies a shifting movement.  What can we expect to see as the new dominant trends of this new era?

Man style tailoring for women is not the answer; fashion will be inspired by a different power, a power that represents authoritative femininity.  With this dramatic political change, the impact will profoundly affect the coming theme. Unlike the power dressing of the 1980’s, when women were excelling to the top of executive positions in corporations, this new era will create its own version of dominant fashion that signifies a more credible sophistication due to a more relaxed acceptance of that power.

This is the new era of positive change in a time characterized by excess and bullish behavior.  The alternative exchange will be to honor new values and express a new identity as an active participant in a changing time inspiring fashion to evolve into a new culture.  This movement will reflect different desires and will not be overindulgent in style or consumerism but be defined by forward thinking leaders of fashion acknowledging the successful independent political icons.

We can be assured that there will be a new defining characteristic of fashion, the feminine politician. Provoking symbolic power will bring clean simplicity that shows a courageous, pragmatic, uncluttered style. A return of sophisticated refinement, which launches a new trend for the modern time.  Fashion will reinvent the new woman.

What emerges will reflect the individual designer’s interpretation of world politics and its influence on the fashion world.  The inspiration comes from the celebration of mature women in power as intelligent role models indicative of the political woman’s will to rule.

By Gabrielle Ruvolo