Fashion passion
Lots of discussion about fashion this morning in the wake of the death of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent. The legendary French designer was responsible for creating the first tuxedo for women and for making elegant pantsuits that didn’t merely mimic what men were wearing. At 71, he is the last of a generation that included the names Dior and Chanel and over the years, the who’s who of fashionistas sashayed down red carpets wearing his gowns.
I’ve been on the planet a while, but I don’t think I understand the world of fashion yet. The crazy stuff that goes down the runway (thankfully) doesn’t trickle down to my local retailer. But it’s not so easy to find something different.
This season, for women, it’s all empire waists and maternity-look tops which is fine if you’re 25 and a stick-person, but if you are a little older and your ribs are not protruding, they just make you look pregnant. Many of my contemporaries don’t seem to care because they wear them anyway. Others are just avoiding them altogether - but it’s a major challenge to find something else for a non-club-going female that’s not appliqued with kittens or tulips. If one store has a “look” the rest tend to leap on board.
What’s wonderful about bigger designers is their classic looks. You spend a little more, but you get something that looks wonderful for years to come, even if maternity wear happens to be the current trend. But even if you have only worn Levis and flannel jackets since high school, the fashion industry still impacts your life, even if it’s only because it changes the looks of the people you see.