The State of Fashion By Kelly A. Jack

One year ago, the fashion universe was paralyzed by the sudden tumble of John Galliano sending shockwaves around the globe. Speculation, gossip, the pointing of fingers was at an all time high as the House of Dior scrambled to salvage its prestigious reputation. Scandal and finger pointing is nothing new to the world of fashion but the events that occurred during Milan Fashion Week has once again cast a colorless but pungent odor among the fashion elite.

Stefano Pilati was dethroned as chief designer at Yves Saint Laurent and is reportedly being replaced by former director Hedi Slimane. Details remain hush as we wait to see what direction the house will take. Raf Simons, creative director at Jil Sander since 2005, took his final bow at the end of Milan Fashion Week as the designer herself is reappointed to the helm of the empire. Long speculated that Simons was in the running to replace Galliano at Dior, perhaps this latest move is a sly one…only time will reveal the answer.

Several questions remain in this game of, as Nina Garcia tweeted, “fashion musical chairs.” Is the fashion industry being shaped only to reflect the sometimes twisted and obnoxious yet highly influential presence of the social media monster with these seemingly sudden moves? Or are we still in the business of fashion for the love of fashion?  Fashion is big business, no argument here. It is a trillion dollar a year business that generates employment around the world yet the selling of one’s soul to bask in fame for a few seconds with such an unfaithful lover hardly seems worth it. We certainly aren’t ignorant to the necessity of change and evolution, we just prefer it to be for the love of the art, for the betterment of the entire fashion utopia.