Perspective

Today marks the 5th Anniversary of 9/11.  Fashion is important to many of us, but we need to consider it in perspective with everything else sometimes.

I struggle with my feelings on advertising and fashion and with the idea of promoting consumerism.  Every time I recommend something I feel like I'm encouraging someone to purchase it.  At the same time I do not want to encourage that "gotta have it" attitude with which my generation has grown up.  It seems that we are part of the large consume-make-money-for-the-corporation machine most of the time.  I have no problem with money or making money, but the images set by fashion magazines and ad's basically cause people to consciously or sub-consciously question their self-worth and attractiveness if they are not like the people in the ads.  The message is basically that we need to buy or do more to attain what we do not have.

In the larger scope of things, fashion and beauty are not important.  Having the hottest shoes does not matter.  What really matters at the end of the day is whether we feel we have lived that day to the fullest and contributed to the world and ourselves.

As I revel in the creativity of designers this Fashion Week, I plan to keep these thoughts in mind.  I will enjoy the clothes but will not compare my body to a model's or wish I had money to buy a certain dress or think of all the beautiful clothes that I do not have.

Comments

[Grace]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate this post - very poignant!