Catwalk Fashion- Is it stylish?
As fashion buffs, we get to see an extraordinary amount of couture collections strut down the runway each season, but how much if it is actually wearable?
We seem to accept that whatever is presented in front of us is fashionable, and that in turn filters down into the high-street and shapes the trends for the autumn/winter, spring/summer collections.
So really, we as consumers have no choice whatsoever in what we buy each season, it's all predicted, packaged and sold to us and we just wear it without thinking.
Now that's all very well, but what if some of the trends are pretty horrendous and hard to pull off. Let's take the 80s comeback which will be huge news on the high-street this summer, who wants to rock head scarves and shoulder pads again?
Topshop Unique's collection for SS09 was interesting from a fashion point of view, but at the same time it looked totally trailer trash too.
Models with black roots, smudged eye make-up and a collection of style don't's from the 80s strutted down the runway, re igniting the trend for the decade fashion had tried to forget.
Balmain's collection also sampled looks from the 80s, as did Henry Holland, with the only difference being that these were actually quite appealing from a consumer's point of view.
Cute dotted crop tops and patched jeans kept the look fresh and exciting, while Balmain showed us how shoulder pads could be fashionable, by creating a green sequined mini-dress, which oozed sophistication and style.
Luella and Marc Jacobs do a great job of creating great, wearable and fashionable clothes for their clients, and while many of us can't afford their prices, the inevitable high-street copies that appear make us all the more likely to wear that trend, because the designers have been clever with their looks.
Dolce & Gabbana however, who gave us PJ pants as fashion this season may have one of the best reputations in the world, but their Pyjama style won't sell this summer, it's just too un wearable for us ordinary fashion folk.
Same goes with inventive designers Gareth Pugh and Giles, who recently showcased what looked like a penis at London Fashion Week. Theirs may be fashion for enjoyment, but never ever looks to be copied and worn by the likes of you and me.
FemaleFirst- Laura Terry