When you first hear the word fashion, I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is the idea of ditsy models strutting around in 1,000 dollar clothes.
   I spent my high school years reading out of Vogue magazines and trying to convince my peers and teachers that yes; I can read a fashion magazine and be an intellectual human being; yes fashion is a place for creativity, culture, love, and art to mix; and yes there are articles in these magazines that are more meaninginful than "what to wear to the beach this summer". I strongly believe that fashion is so much more than clothing on a model, or a beautiful window display; yet many still believe that "fashionistas" are shallow, un-educated, and lack understanding for the "bigger issues in the world".
     One argument I hear a-lot is "how many people can actually afford  Haute-Couture? It's just a scam to get people to buy overpriced clothing" to which I respond "how many people can afford a Picasso painting? Not many. Yet there are still millions who go to museums to admire his artwork." Even though many can not afford a Picasso,  people still appreciate his contributions to the art world... especially since  he jumpstarted the cubist movement. Just as his art can be admired, many can look towards the early designs of Coco Chanel and see how themes of empowerment and activity are shown in her designs. My point is... just like art, fashion is a platform for the big issues that are going on in the world. For example Chanel was one of the first designers to push women equality saying that yes!! women can wear pants, and men's hats.
Whether you currently realize it or not, fashion makes an impact on millions of people every single day without them even realizing it. You are constantly being bombarded with images of clothing on instagram, in magazines, on the side of buildings, etc. Each of these articles of clothing are making a statement, some more subtle than others. Take Diors 2017 collection featuring t-shirts with the saying "we should all be feminists". This t-shirt comes in at a hefty 750.00, extremely unreasonable... but it's not about the t-shirt, it's about the statement it's making! Dior has one of the largest platforms in the fashion world. Millions see these campaigns every day, and it's raising awareness about human rights... not the fact that you are not able to afford it.
Fashion is very dynamic, and once you decide to look beyond the mere surface of tweeds, and suedes; you will understand that Fashion is something much more complex. It is an expression of culture, time, and how we evolve as a society through the years. Yes I will admit that sometimes fashion can be used to merely make yourself feel beautiful (and what's wrong with that?), but once you really look past the surface you will be able to understand it's influences, current events, messages, and history.
The next time you are making fun of the fashion industry, please remember that fashion has major impacts in people's lives and our culture as a whole. There is so much more than what meets the runway.