Massive Fashion

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." Was Coco Chanel right when she made this statement, perhaps, nearly a century ago. With the turn of the new millennium, fashion has become more accessible to the masses. Luella Bartley debuted her collection in January 2006 for Target's now prominent Go International Collection. The retail chain only holds a certain designers clothing for ninety days, then it disappears and the clothing prices are once again only available in the three-figure range. This idea has become so successful that Target has also had contributers in makeup, jewelry, and shoes.

Though Target's venture has been successful, some of the designers are relatively unknown in the majority of American households. Periodically, H&M will collaborate with established designers, or well-known celebrities such as Madonna, to increase buyers awareness. The first of their feats being with a mega-star in the fashion industry, Karl Lagerfeld. Launching this fall will be Jimmy Choo. His main collection will revolve around women's shoes, but there will be some ready to wear pieces and men's shoes available to complement.

Fashion boasts to be a billion dollar industry each year, and with good reason. The scene is constantly evolving, even in periods of economic stagnation. It is during these times that designers must become creative in finding ways to reach a consumer. Even someone who says they do not participate in the world of fashion does simply by getting dressed in the morning. To the normal, everyday person fashion does not seem to be that important. But this is precisely what Chanel was talking about in her quote. Even without the constant visual over the runways and multitude of fashion publications, an individual must eventually come face to face with the fashion world.