FASHION standards in South Africa are plummeting and fashion writers are to blame for putting up with the mediocre work on the ramps.
Many fashion writers have turned into little more than mouthpieces for fashion brands. They sit pretty, like Z-list celebrities in their sought-after front-row seats with goody bags between their high-heeled feet cheering and celebrating the mediocre.
Some even go as far as wearing free garments from the very designers they critique. And the result? After big shows like fashion weeks, fashion writers are often afraid to give their real opinions about designers for fear of repercussions of not getting anymore freebies and invites.
Some journos form cliques with designers and woe betide any writer who dares criticise shabby work. Those who write honest, critical articles risk their names being besmirched on networking pages and being subjected to ridicule at parties.
After criticising the dropping standards of one well-known designer during the 2008 Audi fashion Week, I got a lot of flak from him and his media cheerleaders.
The Africa Fashion Week held a few months ago showed us up. Quality was noticeably high and creativity just galloped along the ramps.
However, the recent Cape Town Fashion Week is more proof that the fashion industry is slowly, but surely, going to the dogs. A lot of designs were limp and lifeless in terms of creativity and quality.
Stoned Cherrie showed, wowed and walked away with accolades, but most designers failed to pull together a collection worthy of Fashion Week.
Some collections were not commercially appealing at all.
First-timer Coppelia took the cake. The collection reeked of immaturity, lack of style, substandard finishing and a misunderstood perception of the fashion event .
And David West's 1950s-inspired collection looked dull and irrelevant, as if it were meant for a home economics class.
Though Sunday Times' Lin Sampson got flak from bloggers and designers for her critique of Cape Town Fashion Week, titled Naught Couture, on August 22, she hit the nail on the head several times.
One strongly hopes that over time and with more participation in fashion weeks, designers will prove to be good learners.
With South African Fashion Week starting in October, let us hope that inspiration is at epic levels and the so-called couturiers will earn their stripes, spots and frills.
Fashion going to the dogs in South Africa
FASHION standards in South Africa are plummeting and fashion writers are to blame for putting up with the mediocre work on the ramps.
Many fashion writers have turned into little more than mouthpieces for fashion brands. They sit pretty, like Z-list celebrities in their sought-after front-row seats with goody bags between their high-heeled feet cheering and celebrating the mediocre.
Some even go as far as wearing free garments from the very designers they critique. And the result? After big shows like fashion weeks, fashion writers are often afraid to give their real opinions about designers for fear of repercussions of not getting anymore freebies and invites.
Some journos form cliques with designers and woe betide any writer who dares criticise shabby work. Those who write honest, critical articles risk their names being besmirched on networking pages and being subjected to ridicule at parties.
After criticising the dropping standards of one well-known designer during the 2008 Audi fashion Week, I got a lot of flak from him and his media cheerleaders.
The Africa Fashion Week held a few months ago showed us up. Quality was noticeably high and creativity just galloped along the ramps.
However, the recent Cape Town Fashion Week is more proof that the fashion industry is slowly, but surely, going to the dogs. A lot of designs were limp and lifeless in terms of creativity and quality.
Stoned Cherrie showed, wowed and walked away with accolades, but most designers failed to pull together a collection worthy of Fashion Week.
Some collections were not commercially appealing at all.
First-timer Coppelia took the cake. The collection reeked of immaturity, lack of style, substandard finishing and a misunderstood perception of the fashion event .
And David West's 1950s-inspired collection looked dull and irrelevant, as if it were meant for a home economics class.
Though Sunday Times' Lin Sampson got flak from bloggers and designers for her critique of Cape Town Fashion Week, titled Naught Couture, on August 22, she hit the nail on the head several times.
One strongly hopes that over time and with more participation in fashion weeks, designers will prove to be good learners.
With South African Fashion Week starting in October, let us hope that inspiration is at epic levels and the so-called couturiers will earn their stripes, spots and frills.
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