Why We’re Worth It

"I think what I often see is that people are frightened of fashion and because it scares them or makes them feel insecure, they put it down. On the whole people that say demeaning things about our world, I think that’s usually because they feel in some ways excluded or not part of the ‘cool’ group, so as a result they just mock it. [Enjoying fashion] … does not make you a dumb person. There is something about fashion that can make people very nervous” Anna Wintour in ‘The September Issue’.

Fashion is often compared to art; both are subjective and value is placed on sometimes intangible qualities. The Mona Lisa is worth millions; footballers get paid outrageous sums of money for their profession and yet ours is often considered frivolous.

But here are the facts: Fashion is a multi-billion dollar international industry, providing over 100,000 jobs in the UK alone and is a vital part of our economy.

Fashion is part of our cultural zeitgeist, representative of political and sociological change. For example, the sex fuelled mini skirt of the sixties and the power shoulders of the eighties.

When the ‘fashion industry’ is mentioned one immediately thinks of the designer sector. But it also encompasses the high street fashion businesses, from which the majority of us purchase our clothes. Designer fashion is more often than not about fantasy; The high street then translates these fantasies into wearable pieces for us 'normal people' to tap into.

Those of you who have seen ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ will remember this little speech which to me, hits the nail on the head with such accuracy...



But whether you shop at Primark or Prada, you are still making a sartorial choice. Which is what it’s really all about, everybody has the right to choose.

Not everyone can be a rocket scientist (though who do you think designs the material used in spacesuits…) or a Nobel peace prizewinner.

People will continue to have their own opinions about fashion but at the end of the day we’re doing something that we’re passionate about. Am I right in thinking that having a job you love doing is every bit as, if not more, covetable than any shoe or bag?

Now Wearing: Grey sweater and black leggings. Mui stylish =P

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Now Coveting: Jeffery Campbell Lita Boots

Post written by Libby Jewell @libby_jewell

Want to get involved? Email us at uomfashion@gmail.com