Extravagant Works of Clothing

Extravagant Works of Clothing

Fashion designers are always trying to find the most weirdest and original ways to get the public's attention through clothes during fashion week. One way they do get our attention is by making crazy avant-garde looking outfits, but why is that? Don't they know that people will most likely not wear them out on the streets, unless they are either Katy Perry or Lady Gaga? In doing research, I found out that runway clothes are pieces of art that demonstrate a designer's central theme or trend they are trying to get across. They are what you call a FASHION STATEMENT! The outfits that the models wear are not necessarily meant to be worn on a regular basis, but merely give a preview as to what trends are yet to come. Usually, only bits and pieces of the material are used in clothes that will be normal for us to wear. For instance, flavors for the season were avocado and orange, so fashion designers decided to style their clothing in the color and shape of these produce items. Upon further research, I found out that six graduates from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts called the Antwerp Six were the first people to bring a form of radical, unusual views of aesthetics to the fashion world in the start of the 1980s. Since then, fashion designers use different styles, patterns, prints, and fabrics to make all those crazy pieces of clothing we see on the runways. However, in order to show off the designer's masterpieces, runways have to be created. Runways began in 1943, when a fashion publicist named Eleanor Lambert organized an event called "Press week". Her goal was to give editors the opportunity to see and write about the works of American designers. This event allowed designers to finally receive the credit they deserved instead of staying behind the scenes and it opened doors of praise toward American styles. Some examples of fashion runway trends are the "Chainsaw Tulle" where parts of the skirt are cut out by a chainsaw. Fashion week 2008 featured Pac-Man helmets, and a Wizard of Oz inspired collection. Milan's Fashion Week also had outfits "Made of Cards", and a recent event showcased T Alexander McQueen's 10-inch stiletto boots. Another reason why flamboyant clothes are strutted on the runway is because they are entertaining to see and they provide conversation rather than a simple t-shirt and jeans. 

Sources:
http://firsttoknow.com/ridiculous-runway-fashions/

             "Most Ridiculous Runway Fashion." First to Know. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 April 2016.           

http://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/the-antwerp-six-belgium-s-most-influential-avant-garde-fashion-collective/
                           "The Antwerp Six: Belgium's Most Influential Avant-garde Fashion Collective." The Culture Trip. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 April 2016.                                                 

http://www.smashinglists.com/20-weirdest-fashion-runway-trends/

                           "20 Weirdest Fashion Runway Trends." Top Ten Lists. N.p., 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 22 April 2016.                                                 

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/fashion/2006/02/how_the_runway_took_off.html

                           Fortini, Amanda. "A Brief History of the Fashion Show." Slate Magazine. N.p., 08 Feb. 2006. Web. 22 April 2016.