The Secret Of Fashion

It's not that easy to answer the question, "what is fashion?" because it means different things to different people. Fashion is an art. It's a religion. It's a job. It's a peek into a personality. It's playfulness. It's an escape or a disguise. It is a feast for the eyes. But ultimately, fashion is an individual statement of expression for each of us.

French fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is not something that exists in dressesonly. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

It's true. Fashion isn't defined solely by our clothing choices, but is also conveyed through the way we carry ourselves, our personalities and our views of the world.

At its most fundamental (and straight from the dictionary), fashion is simply the prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior.

So, who exactly answers the question "what is fashion"? Who decides what's fashionable and what isn't? What's in or what's out? 

Fashion Designers

The iconic fashion houses - Prada, Gucci, Chanel - are referred to as haute couture, French for "high sewing." These designers lead the way in creating trend-setting fashion. While some of their designs are outrageous and completely unrealistic when it comes to everyday wear, generally the theme is adapted into versions suitable for wearing.

Celebrities

A prime example of a celebrity-driven fashion trend? UGGs. Until Kate Hudson and Jessica Simpson were spotted wearing them around L.A. several years ago, no one had given any thought to UGG boots. Now they are everywhere.

Media

Fashion trends are often sparked by characters on popular television shows and movies as well as adopted from magazine pages. "Sex and the City," "The Devil Wears Prada," these shows introduced us to new, cutting-edge designs. While you might not be caught dead wearing a Carrie Bradshaw original, you might take ideas inspired from her look and piece together your own creation. 

Musicians

Musicians have always been very influential when it comes to dictating fashion. Rock 'n' roll is fashion. Elvis is an iconic example. In the 1950s, everyone wanted to dress like Elvis. What about the heavy metal hair bands so popular in the 1980s? Axl Rose reinvented the head bandana while Poison, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi set the pace for big, rocker hair.

                                                 

When you think about clothes worn in the 80s, what is the most popular style that comes to mind? Madonna!! Her style was the most copied and sought after look. After all, Madonna was omnipresent in 80s culture, appearing on TV in many music videos, on the big screen in movies, on cassettes in every home and car, and in concert.

Madonna had many looks during the 80’s. Her ability to perpetually re-style herself has certainly contributed to the longevity of her career. One was her most iconic looks from the 80s was the wavy hair with highlights. Girls went to the salons in droves to get the “poodle” looking perms so their hair was wavy too. They pulled it up in bows like she did to copy her look in the Borderline video and movie, “Desperately Seeking Susan.” A black tank top, skirt, dirty bleached blonde hair and an attitude.

Madonna may be one of the first pioneers of the messy chic look of the 80’s. She started the layered look, with shirts and coats and more shirts. A lace shirt was often worn over another shirt. Or a sweatshirt with an oversized neck or cut off sleeves was worn over a smaller shirt or bra.

Her layers also included accessories. She wore multiple necklaces and bracelets, some with crosses and other iconography. She also favored pearls and beads. Her earrings were long and dangly, with crosses or religious symbols.

Just because you don't know if a Prada bag is fall 20011 or spring 2012 doesn't matter (unless you work in the fashion industry, of course). All that matters is that you like it and it's an expression of you. That is fashion.