Some say that the fashion industry is just excessive, vain and vapid– responsible for over-consumption & twisted standards of beauty.  Others see fashion itself as a marvellous art form– a vehicle for self-expression. And even more just think it is fun– the activity of shopping, and dressing to say something about who they are
As is usually the case, reality falls somewhere in-between all those.

It goes without saying that fashion, the fashion industry and “personal” style are related ideas, but not necessarily one in the same.
What we do decide to wear does speak to deeper social and cultural forces, despite the fact that how we dress is often seen as a uniquely individual undertaking.

“Clothing, as one of the most visible forms of consumption, performs a major role in the social construction of identity.” Begins the book Fashion and Its Social Agendas: Class, Gender and Identity in Clothing, by Diana Crane.

On that point, we can’t disagree.

So This Is Worldtown drops by London Fashion Week (LFW), taking place Feb 19 to Feb 24, sneaking in to a couple of runways shows at LFW’s home at Somerset House, as well as reporting from a range of other events in the city focusing on fresh, diverse and up-and-coming designers to watch.

Do we see fashion being created for the sake of itself? What do we see informing and inspiring current styles and trends?
How are emerging designers “making it”? Where is style being defined, if at all? Who is  doing the defining? Who is following?
And if there really is anything we can glean about who we are from this whole thing.

For this endeavour, we keep in mind the Oscar Wilde quote: “It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.” Fitting?

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If you are at London Fashion Week, or have an opinion to share on the topic, get in touch at: info@thisisworldtown.com

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