Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Influential Or Not?

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show being back in 2024 is an insanely important

influence on fashion today. Now there are two arguments as to why this show is

important and why there is the belief that it is not important. The Victoria’s Secret

fashion show is legendary and has been popular ever since it first started being

produced in 1995. In the beginning, the fashion show was considered risky and bold,

but then became a huge success for Victoria’s Secret. The argument that the

Victoria’s Secret fashion show was hugely influential on the fashion industry. It’s

probably more popular than the ladder. The main reason for this is the fact that

before this show, it was not really known for companies to do fashion shows to

launch their lingerie lines. This concept being popularised was hugely impactful on

the fashion industry because it paved the way for other companies to market their

lingerie in the same way. It also opened up opportunities for other lingerie companies

to open up and be more successful within their clothing. An example of this is

savage x fenty by rihanna. This company arose as a florist by also doing fashion

shows for their lingerie. Another reason that the Victoria’s Secret fashion show was

highly influential is the fact that it became known for its beautiful models. Victoria’s

Secret angels became the blueprint for what every girl wanted to be at the time. This

made the success of the company huge. On the other hand of the argument, you

could also say the Victoria’s Secret angels were highly damaging to society. The idea

of being a Victoria’s Secret angel back in the 90s and early 2000s was the image of

being overly skinny and having no flaws whatsoever. The reason this could be

damaging to society is because it taught young girls at the time that that’s what they

should strive to be, even though it was an unhealthy lifestyle. Another reason that

the argument of the fashion show being damaging to the fashion industry is that

having a fashion show for a lingerie line would risk the integrity and damage the

image of the company. The reasoning for this is that people on the side of the

argument would believe that Victoria’s Secret as a company should not be promoting

the sexualization of women. This could be argued because it leaves a bad

impression for young girls. Some could argue that the impression being left on girls

is that they should be showing off their bodies anywhere and everywhere. Neither

argument is necessarily right or wrong but speaking for the overall influence on

fashion Victoria’s Secret infamous fashion show was highly influential on the

industry. When speaking to people on this topic, the important question to ask is

WHY do you think the Victoria’s Secret fashion show has or had a huge influence on

the industry today? The reasoning being that there will always be a different answer.

The Silent Revolution: Asian Immigrants Keep Traditional Tailoring Alive

In a modest Toronto tailor shop, an immigrant couple witnesses a heartening trend: 

younger generations embracing handcrafted cheongsams, bridging cultural heritage with 

modern sensibilities

In a modest shop tucked away in a bustling plaza on Steeles Avenue East, Auntie 

Song carefully guides her chalk across silk fabric, marking precise measurements that will 

eventually transform into a masterpiece of Chinese tailoring. Her hands move with the 

confidence that comes from decades of experience – and a heritage spanning over a century.

"When my great-grandfather started this journey in Shanghai's International 

Settlement in the early 1900s, he couldn't have imagined his craft would find new admirers in

Canada," says Song, who owns LeeYonge Bespoke Tailor with her husband. Together, 

they've maintained this family legacy since immigrating to Toronto thirty years ago.

Working side by side in their shop, the couple has become more than just tailors – 

they're cultural custodians. While Mr. Lee focuses on the intricate pattern-cutting, Auntie 

Song handles client fittings and the delicate embroidery work. "We complement each other," 

she says with a warm smile. "In this business, you need four hands and two hearts working as

one."

The revival isn't just about fashion, it's a cultural renaissance. "Today's young people 

want to connect with their heritage in a meaningful way," Song explains, smoothing a piece 

of intricately embroidered fabric. "They don't just want to wear a cheongsam; they want to 

understand its story, its craftsmanship, and its cultural significance."

This renewed interest comes at a crucial time for traditional tailoring. For three 

decades, LeeYonge has maintained its presence in Toronto, preserving techniques that have 

been passed down through four generations. Each cheongsam requires at least 30 hours of 

meticulous handwork, involving dozens of precise measurements and multiple fittings.

However, the revival faces significant challenges. "Finding young apprentices willing 

to learn this craft is difficult," Song admits, while her husband nods in agreement. "It takes 

years of practice to master the techniques. Many are deterred by the time investment 

required." Despite offering apprenticeship opportunities, they have had only two serious 

inquiries in the past year.

The price point also reflects the artistry involved, custom cheongsams at LeeYonge 

start at $1,500. Yet, customers increasingly understand the value. "When they see the hand-

rolled edges, the precise pattern matching at the seams, the personalized fit – they recognize 

why preserving these skills matters," Song says.

The shop's walls tell their own story, decorated with photographs spanning decades: 

Song's great-grandfather in his Shanghai workshop, her parents teaching her the trade, and 

recent snapshots of young clients beaming in their custom creations. Each image represents a 

thread in the continuing narrative of Chinese tailoring tradition.

"What gives me hope," Song reflects, as her husband carefully cuts a pattern nearby, 

"is seeing young people choose slow fashion over fast fashion, tradition over trends. They're 

not just buying a dress, they're investing in cultural preservation."

As fashion trends come and go, this quiet renaissance of traditional craftsmanship 

suggests a deeper shift in consumer values. For the younger generation, wearing a 

handcrafted cheongsam represents more than style – it's a bridge between past and present, a 

statement about cultural identity, and a vote of confidence in the enduring value of artisanal 

craftsmanship.

Back in their workshop, Auntie Song begin another fitting session with a young 

client. As they pin and adjust the fabric together, they're not just creating a garment, they're 

continuing a legacy, one stitch at a time.

Hyperconsumerism; the era of excess

Do I need this or am I just experiencing the essence of ennui? Nowadays, everyone is In dire

need of the comfort of convenience in our daily lives, thus where online retail therapy plays

a big part.

Fast fashion and online shopping; the dangers to mental health

The convenience of fast purchasing through influencer storefronts - with a click of a

button and you too can have all the items shown in said video. Why does it not bring as much

joy to consume anymore?

I have wondered why as a consumer feeling as such. I believe that there’s a sense of

self-soothing as a way to cope with our daily lives. Retail therapy and how this entangles

with our emotions, the Instant gratification from online shopping and the cause of easy

convenience turned to impulsive spending. Online shopping is an easy influence on

impulsivity especially from how saturated the constant advertising and promoting of things

we are told are needed to buy. This is a constant state causing a lack of appreciation for what

has been purchased. Which leads to a lack of specialty in those garments or items that are not

appreciated. The Sense of emptiness when the short-lived happy purchase is not what it

seems, glamorized by the media. This skyrockets the stress levels to overconsumption or

even hyperconsumption. According to an August 15th, 2024 article by ScienceDictect

authors Julia de Koning, Mariangela Lavanga, and Wouter Spekkink, “fashion and clothing

consumption is a Social activity (Briceno and Stagl, 2006). In the social environment of

young adults, purchasing less clothing may not be seen as a normal behaviour”. Fast fashion

and how celebrities and or influencers encourage cheap fashion for paid endorsements rather

than promoting it because they actively enjoy and wear said items. The normalization of

buying garments that are just “ok” when previously it used to be the idea of purchasing

higher quality garments and getting said garment perfectly tailored to your body to be

something you actually love and will wear constantly.

Social media influence on consumerism

The Influence of excess of things furthers the demand for the excess of mass production.

The social media ticket word of categorizing everything to aesthetics, how it comes into play

with overspending when you can’t afford that habit. Social media's constant overexposure to

promotions and advertisements to buying more and more - leads to buyer’s fatigue and no

sense of joy in buying.

The excitement is watered down through the excess of options of basically the same exact

products. Lower-quality items or garments that are not made to be lasting in a way that keeps

having us buying more and more simply because it is not satisfactory in expectation, makes

all sense of a disappointment which leads to trying to find something better to purchase

follow soon after. Hoping that hard-earned money goes to something long-lasting and truly

something to cherish, ends in constant disappointment as many things are made poorly.

The realities of thrifting and its certain cons

Are clothing items being donated because of their cheap quality or because they are not

trendy anymore?

Is donating back cheap clothing that has never been used as an ease to the conscience habit

to keep buying?

There's still a sense of unsustainable practices with constant “thrift haul” videos shown on

social media specifically, YouTube. The outcome of this is still contributing to

hyperconsumption with the added sense of doing this constantly or even daily for

entertainment purposes.

The saying Quantity over quality comes into play as a consumer of second-hand fashion

myself. The pros, buying second-hand clothing is a very sustainable way to consume fashion.

This lessens the chance of over-consuming fast fashion garments and redirects the consumers

to buy clothes that are perfectly good quality clothing that will go to the landfill if the

garments were not donated to second-hand shops. Secondly, consumers can be very creative

with finding clothing that is unique and is possibly made of better quality than fast fashion

items nowadays. Lastly the price. The price of second-hand clothing can be very inexpensive,

which is a better alternative to buying poor-quality fast-fashion clothing, which is

unsustainable and can be expensive.

However, that being said there are some cons to thrifting because of how popular it has

become in the past few years. Firstly the cost has gone up, which makes buying second-hand

increasingly more difficult for people who rely on thifting being very affordable compared to

fast fashion which is not great and still can be expensive to many. Also, because thrifting has

become so popular many consumers will buy pounds and pounds of clothing and then soon

after, return all the items which quite possibly be thrown out into landfills if not purchased

again, creating waste. Lastly, if not careful buying second-hand clothing that is fully synthetic

and cheaply made, will deteriorate quicker, thus having to buy more clothing often and throw

out the old falling apart garments in the landfill later on.

On an ending note, I leave you with a question from an April 18th, 2024 article in Fashion magazine by author Isabel B. Slone: “Over time, as I have negotiated my own impulses, I have begun to wonder, “Is it possible to rid oneself entirely of the desire to consume?

Boom or Bust? Impacts of The Vintage Fashion Craze.

As second-hand fashion skyrockets in popularity, both opportunities and challenges are created for small businesses as they navigate a tricky market. 

In Toronto’s famous Kensington Market, it is a hub for vintage apparel, artisanal craftmanship, and delicious eats. One store in particular, Joy Zubair’s shop, Boho Chachies, hums with activity as locals and tourists alike browse the racks of carefully curated vintage pieces. Joy, a longtime vintage enthusiast, opened Boho Chachies in 2022 after initially selling through Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy. She is a joyful, well-known individual within the industry from connections through her previous dedication to Toronto’s much loved pop-up markets. Now she runs her own store as a community hub, giving local artisans and small businesses a permanent platform. Yet, while vintage fashion’s boom has fueled Boho Chachies’ success, it also brings challenges into the market for Joy and other small business owners. Joy states that when she first started, vintage was all about finding unique, quality pieces, and it still is, but others have taken advantage of the market’s growth. Joy’s experiences reveal how the explosion of second-hand fashion in Toronto has impacted the selling market and the habits of those who buy. 

The Rise of Vintage Fashion and Boho Chachies

The steady increase of demand for vintage apparel started modestly and is now on the forefront of everyone’s Christmas list. Unlike fast fashion, vintage items are at the top of the food chain offering a unique story, quality, and sustainability that appeals to a new generation of shoppers. This shift hopefully isn’t just a fleeting trend, but an evolution to how people approach fashion, valuing timeless items that are responsibly sourced. Unfortunately, Joy Zubair perceived this shift in demand way before you and me, which was the spark to opening her own store in Kensington Market.

“I started with just two shelved of my own pieces,” she remembers, “and the rest of the space was filled with items from 20 different local vendors, all women-owned.” The vendor model was integral to her vision, allowing her to not just showcase her collection, but also support and watch grow other businesswomen in Toronto. Nothing screams well-curated more then multiple hardworking women selling in one room. Many of her vendors are people she connected with during the early days of the pandemic lockdown, when pop-up markets and social media were major spaces for small business owners to connect. Joy’s store has become a launching pad for these vendors, they have grown substantially to the point of needing their own HST number and gain the wonderful experience of doing taxes times two. The rise of vintage has given Boho Chachies an enthusiastic audience as people seek out sustainable, one-of-a-kind pieces. For Joy, the success of Boho Chachies has been a gateway to growth, building a community that values quality, connection, and environmental impact.

The Benefits of a Vintage Craze

Increasingly, buyers are drawn to second-hand stores and are more conscious of their choices. Joy notes that customers do their research before they even walk through the door, looking for 100% cotton or expensive, quality fabrics. Her customers are no longer looking for “ cool ” items, they’re looking for lasting, practical pieces which they will wear again and again . Finally, people are thinking past their Shein hauls! Consumers think about their purchases a lot more, “ if they are not in love with the item, they’re just not gonna buy it ” Joy says. This new consumer awareness has been a welcoming shift, allowing greater promotion over craftsmanship rather sheer quantity. Its not just the shift in consumer perspective that opposes fast fashion, but vendor-oriented stores like Boho Chachies that showcases a vibrant community space and promote small-time sellers. It makes you think, will multiple seller spaces be the new normal? Toronto’s rent definitely makes it seem like a possibility . Shoppers are provided with a space and quality you won’t find in large retail chains, driving the force behind small business growth and creating more opportunities for anyone to penetrate the market.

The Challenges of an Oversaturated Market

As anything goes, the rapid growth of vintage fashion isn’t without downsides. The Toronto market has become oversaturated with sellers who just don’t care. Numerous stories arise of people buying bags with dirty tissues (like really, you can’t even check the pockets?) or items not as described. More people jump to the scene wanting to capitalize on the profits and skip manditory cleaning and quality checks. Joy is concerned that this is getting out of control with those who are in it for the money not washing, repairing, or caring for the items they sell. Not to point fingers, even though I am, recently small time Depop sellers have gained this trait. Customers end up with ripped clothing or dirty items leading to customer disappointment, which overall, risk damaging the trust in reputable vintage shops. There’s also many misconceptions circulating that lead to some questioning the ethics of second-hand sellers . Theres a common belief that the clothing is overpriced, and sellers are profiteering off their items, but there are costs most buyers don’t calculate. Joy counters that sourcing high-quality vintage items involves extensive time, effort, and skill which the prices accurately reflect. You don’t have to see it to believe it, the overhead costs are there, especially from dedicated vendors . The market’s expansion is exciting but brings competition and misconceptions, raising questions about the standards and ethics of the market’s future. 

Navigating the Future

Despite these challenges, Joy remains optimistic about the future of vintage fashion. She envisions multiple vendor stores like hers helping maintain high standards, support ethical practices, and provide platforms of growth for small businesses. She is proud of the impact her vendors have made, “ if they (vendors) want to open their own boutique, then do it. I want everybody to succeed.” Joy hopes to see more spaces like Boho Chachies, stores that value sustainability and craftsmanship. To her, building a network of genuine locally owned boutiques that prioritize quality is key to preserving the spirit of the Toronto vintage scene. As a buyer, pay close attention to who you’re buying from, and not to encourage your shopping habits, but please remember, high quality pieces are worth it.

Fast Lane Fashion: How Social Media Drives Trends

Social media has advanced the fashion industry, transforming how trends are created, 

spread, and consumed. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok have become virtual 

runways, where styles and trends can go viral in an instant and new designers can showcase their

creations to a global audience. Viewers become easily influenced which is why this is the new 

affordable marketing technique. Although, the way in which trends come and go has begun to 

heavily contribute to overconsumption, leading to struggle when it comes to sustainable fashion. 

These micro-trends further promote disposable consumption rather than pushing timeless, high 

quality style.

Trendy today, Gone tomorrow

It is quite obvious that there are more issues to social media fashion influencing than just 

staying in the loop or attempting not to waste money. In an interview with Stella McCartney, she

discusses the impacts social media has on the fashion industry, specifically, micro-trends that 

encourage overconsumption. McCarthy states that this cycle not only pressures consumers to 

constantly buy but also creates challenges for sustainable brands that focus on quality and 

longevity over rapid trend cycles. For consumers, it’s becoming harder to prioritize quality and 

longevity when trends change so quickly. She highlights that sustainable brands face an uphill 

battle, as they’re competing against the allure of cheap, fast fashion that social media constantly 

promotes.

Style and Sustainability, Learning Balance

The struggle between staying fashionable and supporting sustainability is a constant 

challenge for many consumers. Social media fuels the demand for new styles at lightning speed, 

making it tempting to buy inexpensive, trendy pieces from fast fashion brands like H&M, which 

rapidly churn out new collections. However, brands like Reformation offer an alternative, 

focusing on sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. While

Reformation’s designs are stylish and trendy, they also come with a higher price tag, reflecting 

their commitment to sustainability. This leaves consumers with a tough choice, to follow the 

latest trends affordably but unsustainably, or invest in brands such as Reformation that prioritize 

ethical production but require a larger investment. This balancing act highlights the shift in 

consumer awareness as people try to adapt while having a love for fashion with a desire to 

reduce their negative environmental impact. Ultimately, consumers are at a turning point, faced 

with the choice between staying on top of every single trend and embracing sustainability. As 

social media continues to promote rapid fashion cycles. High end quality brands show that it’s 

possible to prioritize both style and ethics, although this often comes at a higher cost. The 

challenge now is for both consumers and the fashion industry to find ways to make sustainable 

fashion more accessible and appealing, creating a balance between the desire for new styles and 

the responsibility to protect the planet and not feel the need to dress like everyone else.

Nostalgia goes Viral

Social media has even gone as far as created new names for existing trends in order to 

make them more popular and trending. It has taken aesthetics like cottagecore and Y2K from 

niche interests to fashion movements. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have turned these

styles into viral trends, where influencers show off outfits that fit specific “vibes.” Cottagecore, 

with its floral, feminine, vintage inspired look, gives off an innocent, simple feel. Whereas, Y2K 

fashion brings back the fun, flashy vibes of the early 2000s. Think low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, 

and tiny sunglasses and diamonds. These aesthetics have become so popular that mainstream 

brands are jumping on board, offering their own cottagecore dresses or Y2K-inspired pieces to 

meet demand. It’s no longer just about individual taste; social media has made these aesthetics 

into lifestyle choices that influence what we buy and wear. This takes away from uniqueness, 

forces people to hop on trends as soon as they can and gravitate to fast fashion brands that are 

also quick to stock their shelves with the latest trendy aesthetics.

Why Building a Capsule Wardrobe is Worth the Investment

Eliminate clutter from your life! Build a timeless and sustainable wardrobe full of quality pieces to reduce overconsumption and de-clutter your life. Here's why splurging on timeless, classic, long-lasting items can increase sustainability, save you money, and make getting dressed easier every day.

With fashion trends moving faster than ever, capsule wardrobes offer a refreshing solution. A capsule wardrobe is essentially a strategic selection of a small number of high-quality staple items. Think of classic jackets, good-quality jeans that are a great fit, and thick and cozy sweaters. All of these pieces could be mixed and matched an endless amount of times. Your capsule wardrobe does not need to be filled with 50 items to keep you in style. The best part of a capsule wardrobe is only needing a few pieces that you actually love to wear! Why does everyone want a capsule wardrobe?

Quality Over Quantity

The principle of a capsule wardrobe is based on the idea that less is more. It's not about buying tons of super cheap items, unlike fast fashion, but instead, it is about building off of quality pieces. According to Who What Wear, the key is choosing clothes hewn from quality materials like wool, silk, or responsibly sourced leather so your pieces will look good longer and will stay intact with regular wear.

When investing in high-quality pieces you will see that your clothes are staying in style for years. High-quality materials tend to not only look better but they tend to hold up through seasons, so you're not replacing things constantly. Upgrading your closet will also help in tackling the fast fashion problem, where cheap disposable clothes add up to an environmental wasteland. According to RTÉ, building a capsule wardrobe around durable, timeless pieces is one of the best ways to fight back against the "throwaway culture" of fashion, Beard Guru Australia.

The Cost-Per-Wear Benefit

While it feels like a lot to be spending on one piece, items that last longer often end up saving you money. Cost-per-wear is literally just the price of an item divided by how many times you'll realistically wear it. So, that $200 coat you wear 100 times actually costs $2 per wear, which ends up being a lot better than that $40 that falls apart after 2 wears. 

Think about a classic trench coat or a leather handbag. According to The Elegance Edit, these are the types of things that will fit into a capsule wardrobe and hold up for frequent wear. 

However! These pieces will be more expensive upfront, but in the long term, they will hold their value. The cost-per-wear benefit also relates to sustainability. Each quality piece has a longer life which will cause fewer replacements and overall less waste. Instead of buying low-cost, low-quality items on a regular basis, you are buying staples you actually will be able to keep around.

From impulse buying to informed investing! Not only does this save you money in the long term, but also makes you feel good about your purchases knowing that they will last you a long time. Building your capsule wardrobe is also a more sustainable way of consumption. Each piece of your wardrobe is intentional. 

Capsule Wardrobes Make Everyday Dressing Easier

Another great reason for building your capsule wardrobe is how much easier it's going to make your daily routine. Simply with fewer clothing items which you all love and work well together, you can make your favourite outfits so much faster. 

Instead, you're working with a streamlined set of clothes that are versatile and fit your style. It's also such a fun and feel-good way to find your personal style by building up a capsule wardrobe. Invest in yourself! Begin investing in pieces for your daily needs: well-made jeans, neutral tops, or a classic coat. And you don't need to go out and buy everything at once, take it slow. You can build up a capsule wardrobe over time, adding investment pieces here and there. 

This way, you can also avoid impulse purchases and actually make selections that actually suit you and your lifestyle. 

The capsule wardrobe will help you wear timeless basics over the need to follow every trend. However, this does not mean everything is boring neutral basics, but are more so full of pieces that can be styled in different ways and will feel relevant for many years. As fashion experts have pointed out in the RTÉ article, capsule wardrobe is not about limiting style; it is rather about creating a meaningful connection with your clothes and moving towards your sustainable lifestyle.

How Your Investment Pieces Impact Fashion Sustainability

Capsule wardrobes and investment pieces are not only about simplifying your closet but also about the shift in the way we consume fashion. According to experts, high-quality, timeless essentials might be worth the higher upfront cost because, with longer wear, they are less frequently replaced. Your wardrobe will contribute directly to sustainable fashion in that it reduces demand for inexpensive, disposable items of clothing. 

The more people who begin to build their capsule wardrobes the more brands will have to shift to more high-quality, ethical production. Once more consumers begin to swear by well-made, lasting items over trendy pieces, the industry has to catch on. Brands that have gained a lot of attention in the last few years highlight great quality craftsmanship and responsible sourcing as more and more consumers become conscious of their purchases. Ultimately, capsule wardrobes are about building a wardrobe that doesn't just look good but also aligns with your values.

One purchase at a time! We can create a wardrobe that makes our lives easier and has less environmental impact by purchasing fewer, higher-quality goods. After all, a closet full of things you truly love to wear is worth more than a collection of items that you barely ever wear. Invest in yourself and feel proud of your purchases.

Wearing the Laugh: The Curious Union of Internet Memes and Fashion.

Internet memes are becoming more than a source of humor; they’re turning into fashion statements. How are consumers responding to meme fashion, and what strategies are brands using to bring memes to life?

Wearing Humor: The Rise of Meme Fashion

Internet memes have become an everyday language, blending humor with quick, shareable messages. Today, memes have expanded beyond the digital space to influence the world of fashion, as brands actively incorporate them into marketing and design to engage with consumers.

Young people, in particular, have embraced meme fashion. Twenty-something college student Andrew Lee explains, “Meme fashion isn’t just clothes; it’s a way to express my personality and sense of humor.” He points to his shirt, which prominently features a popular meme character. “It’s cool because it connects me with people who get the same jokes,” he adds.

From Meme to Fashion: No Seriousness Required

One reason for the popularity of meme fashion is its lightheartedness. Fashion is often perceived as serious, but meme fashion invites consumers to take it less seriously. Fashion psychologist Dr. Emily Kang notes, “Meme fashion allows people to express humor through their clothing, giving them a fun way to show who they are.” She adds that “meme fashion even acts as a coping mechanism, helping people relieve stress through what they wear.”

Brands’ Meme Strategies

Some fashion brands have turned to memes as a key part of their marketing. Gucci and Balenciaga are prime examples, both known for their “meme campaigns” that capture consumers’ attention. Gucci recently caused a stir by posting images of popular meme characters wearing Gucci items on their official social media. Gucci’s digital marketing manager explains, “Memes make our brand feel more relatable.”

However, the longevity of meme fashion is uncertain. Some fashion experts believe that humor-driven trends tend to be short-lived. Because memes are consumed and discarded quickly, for brands to establish meme fashion as a sustained trend, they need to back it with storytelling and consistent content updates.

A Passing Trend or a New Form of Self-Expression?

Whether meme fashion will pass as a fad or become a new form of self-expression is still up for debate. Fashion scholar Catherine Chung observes, “Meme fashion should be understood differently from traditional fashion because it’s based on fast consumption.” She adds, “There’s no rule that fashion has to last long. If it gives consumers a fun way to express themselves, it’s valuable in its own right.”

Meme fashion breaks the mold, offering consumers a way to feel joy and freedom through what they wear. As digital culture continues to shape our world, it remains to be seen whether meme fashion will establish itself as a lasting trend or simply another fleeting craze.

Service Pieces, Fall 2024

•  From the Battlefield to the Streets
• All Washed Up: How dirty is your laundry?
• Why are garments made so poorly nowadays...
• Broke Girl Memoir
• Trend or Faux: 5 wardrobe pieces...

 

Last Look: Unwrapping the New Year: Sustainable Fashion Trend...

Why are garments made so poorly nowadays and don’t last? What is sustainability and how to tell when brands achieve this and when they do not

Sustainable clothing and ethical garments have been a buzzword for many brands that claim they are doing this, however, in hindsight, this could be untrue…

Overconsumption and Environmental/ Ethical Importance in Fashion

I have noticed that in the fashion industry, to make something sustainable and ethical such as leather being replaced by faux leather. It makes you think if this is sustainable.

Generally, fake leather is made out of either polyester or thermoplastics. Thus when creating the garment the process still creates a lot of pollution and is bad for the climate. Also, it’s not sustainable by not being long-lasting and, therefore going into a landfill. In order for a company to be ethical by not making garments out of leather or fur, why replace them at all if the result is still unsustainable. Generally, for most independent brands, there is a bigger sense of attention and care when it comes to sustainability and ethical practices. An example of this is handmade garments such as knitted sweaters that are made from wool and will last a long time but are a bit more expensive, instead of a synthetic sweater that goes into the landfill from a big brand after 2 years of wear.

Romantizing Nostaligia and Micro Trends

Why do clothes not last and why is this the case, this can be evident through the romanticization of nostalgia, chasing the past and how you can see the differences in the present quality of garments versus back then. The parallels of micro-trends and nostalgia play a big part in fashion today, as these trends are surrounded by particular aesthetics that feed off many nostalgic aspects into one outfit—watching many videos through social media such as TikTok and or YouTube shorts, Micro-trends through fashion influence being at an all-time high. Recreating outfits through multiple influences, are garments pieces that are constructed in noticeably poorer quality than their past influential counterparts. Through the lenses of a fashion consumer myself, purchasing secondhand clothing is not only more sustainable in a lot of cases, but the quality of said clothing is as well. Nowadays, purchasing brand new clothing through fast fashion brands specifically, it is evidence of the quality that you receive versus how clothing was constructed a generation ago.

The Life cycle of garments in the 21st Century

This issue is because of many reasons. One example of this is inflation being at an all-time high in 2024. Good quality fibres and fabrics that would have been affordable a few decades ago are now becoming almost unattainable to purchase nowadays. “The price of high-end women’s dresses climbed an average of 250% between 1998 and 2010” (Lee 14:56). For this reason fast fashion and the use of polyester which is very cheap to use is still huge and prevalent, even with the resurgence of buying second-hand and being more mindful of sustainability. Big companies and corporations such as Zara, H&M, and Urban Outfitters are fast fashion brands that not only cut costs on good quality fabrics instead, use mostly synthetic materials such as polyester, and also cut corners when it comes to the finishes of garments.

This causes garments to not last long and deteriorate quickly, thus creating tons of waste to go into landfills. In general, many people cannot afford luxury items, unlike the higher class, on average many consumers do not sew their own clothing as decades before would. In order to have good quality clothing, sewing your own garments was the solution to not being able to afford expensive garments. Now consumers turn to fast fashion as that solution. However, this is not sustainable and creates pollution when being made and being thrown away.

The Price of Cheap: Hidden Costs of Small Purchases

“You NEED to get that!” There’s nothing like the feeling of stepping out of a fitting room and seeing your friend's jaw drop. It’s one thing for the sales associate to give you a push to make a purchase, but having a friend utter the words “you NEED that” feels different. And hey, who are you to go against your friends' wishes?

Time and time again the purchase is made, only for the garment to resurface months later, tags still on. It’s easy to justify the purchase of that twenty something dollar shirt you only wore once, when you see it next to the thirty five dollar pants you haven’t touched or the fifteen dollar sale shoes still in the box, things change. Before you know it you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on clothes, yet still have nothing to wear. 

So, what are the options? Investing thousands of dollars and countless hours crafting your ideal capsule wardrobe or being held captive to the universe of fast fashion? The reality is for most people, the ideal is probably somewhere in the middle.

Girl Math: Wear it Five Times and it’s Practically Free

The first step to realistically building your dream wardrobe is to shift your thinking while shopping. The phrase “cost per wear” is often thrown around casually, but it is valuable to think about. Of course, this doesn’t mean keeping a tally each time you wear a piece, but taking into account how an article of clothing fits into your existing wardrobe, personal style and lifestyle can lead you in the right direction when it comes to how you spend your money on clothes. Is a ten dollar top really worth it if all it does is hang in a closet? How does that top compare to a one hundred dollar top worn on a weekly basis?

Hit the Thrift (but do it right)

Buying clothes second hand has become the go to for people, opening the door to more experimental, unique pieces and also usually saving some dollars for shoppers. It goes without saying thrifting should be your best friend when you’re trying to find harmony between a complete wardrobe and an affordable one. One quality all good thrifters have is patience, that and time. It can be a long, sometimes exhausting task to sift through racks, especially without the guarantee of even finding something you’d like. This is why having knowledge of what to look for is important.

Yes, brand research is great and finding designer pieces is a win, but fabric and construction can be even more important. Investing time in establishing even a basic knowledge of what clean, secure seams look like or what fabrics are best for what piece can help you make informed decisions and hopefully, allow you to find practical items made to last.

Intention, Intention, Intention…

Finding a balance between indulging in simple pleasures, feeling fulfilled in your wardrobe and still having something in your bank account can be tough. The best thing to do while shopping is staying intentional. Impulse purchases can still happen, but impulsively buying something that adds value to your closet as opposed to something that just hangs there is all the difference. For some, this means investing in neutrals and basics only, creating a capsule wardrobe that makes getting ready effortless. For others, this means paying attention to the colours and styles you reach for most in your day-to-day life and expanding your wardrobe with more similar styles.

A lot of time, spending a bit more time searching, and a little more money investing, is worth it in the long run. In a world where so many of us are forced to be financially conscious, you can’t always afford to be cheap.

Elevate Your Game: Jerseys in your wardrobe?

Sports jerseys in fashion are for IT GIRLS. The come up of sports jerseys in fashion is something that should definitely be brought up when talking about fashion trends today. Now you may be asking yourself… How did sports jerseys become popular? Why are they popular? And why are some styles of jerseys more popular than others? The answers to these questions is simply that they are trendy in the tabloids right now.

Background

Going further into depth on this topic let’s answer those questions more specifically. One of the main reasons for the rise in popularity of jerseys is because so many celebrities are wearing them. For example, Rihanna always comes through with a cute football jersey or even supermodels like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have been really representative of Soccer jerseys recently which really shows the IT GIRL factor of them.

Now as for WHY are they so popular?! The answer is… they’re cute!! Style wise the overall look of a jersey when put with the right pieces can be very appealing to the eye. Pair it with some cute bloomers and a cute boot and you’ve got a stylish outfit! Jersey styles come in and out depending on what season it is.

Over the past summer soccer jerseys were very popular due to it being soccer season, and currently football jerseys are very popular due to it being football season. Sports jerseys are also a great form of self expression. This is one of the main reasons they are so trendy right now. You are able to look cute while expressing yourself through colours, team logos, the team itself, and the city you want to represent. This is why to show individuality you can use jerseys such as, baseball, soccer, football, and so many other sports as well depending on your preferred style!

Fashion Uncovered: Behind the scenes of a fashion stylist: Fashion stylist Mimi Cuttrell’s life, between the stitches and behind the scenes

Mimi Cutrell, 33 years old and Santa Barbara-born and most of all a very well-respected stylist of many celebrities such as the Hadid sisters, Lily Rose-Depp, Madeline Cline, Ariana Grande and Iris Law to name a few. Not only is Mimi a great stylist but her clients are for the most part commended by many on their fashion style, especially in the last decade. 

Most recently, are the Hadid sisters & Lily Rose-Depp has been creating the ideal street style for Gen Z, such as Bella Hadid’s Model off-duty look and street style, Lily Rose-Depp is most known for her ballerina-chic look & popularizing ballet flats once again with her being spotted in her Repetto shoes. 

Mimi has definitely contributed to headlines about these famous stars - and more than just these two it-girls, Between the stitches, a notable stylist's work may get misconstrued in the headline as many will wonder more about the celebrity and what they are wearing, but not thinking about who is behind putting their outfit together. 

Mimi, in 2018 interviewed with a Cristine Brache for the publisher Coveteur, about her career in styling, and styling Gigi Hadid on many occasions “Her aesthetic? The opposite of what everyone else is doing: “I think that you don’t need to show skin to be sexy. It’s more about how you carry yourself and being effortless. For [Gigi], for the CFDAs, I wanted her to make a high-fashion statement. She wore The Row and was completely covered up, and she looked so beautiful.” 

Mimi mentions that Gigis look was beautiful because it is timeless, classic makes a statement but also shows the public that being sexy doesn't have anything to do with how much skin you decide to show, a truly good stylist will commend that as style is subjective, not everyone wants to show skin, it's about the outfit, and making an outfit admirable and bold can create a sexy look for the wearer. 

Mimi overall seems to be inspired by classic looks, she likes timeless staple pieces that can be worn again, she likes vintage pieces and has demonstrated that in her most recent Instagram posts of her styling Ariana Grande, the vintage-looking dress on July 28th, a dress by Thom Browne As pictured above, the dress Ariana is wearing creates a versatile look and can be styled in different ways. The overall silhouette of the dress creates a nice shape for multiple wearers, it can be inclusive to different body types. 

Mimi adds in the same mentioned Coveteur article “I always think less is more, and I love a classic look. In addition to jeans and a T-shirt, I love seeing an amazing set which is timeless and something you don’t see every day. I want my clients to look back on what they wore 20 years from now and be proud of how they looked.” Mimi wants the wearer to feel secure in what they are wearing, her vision is to have classic pieces ultimately styled in different and unique ways, yet still keeping the classic, and timeless look to create a cohesive look that can be admired for years ahead.

Between the stitches, that is truly what makes a stylist create a name for themselves behind the scenes.