Fashion is Not a Punchline!
While browsing the web a few days ago, I ran across an article from Yahoo Shine titled "Those Are Shoes? Fashion Weeks Strangest Footwear". The thumbnail slideshow on Yahoo's homepage used a pair of see-through green Miu Miu heels to urge the reader to click and click I did. You try passing up a news story all about shoes.
The feature consisted of a slideshow of some of the most interesting footwear on and off the runways complete with snarky description. As I flipped through it, there was no denying that these weren't your average everyday shoes, but where I thought I would find conceptual creations not meant for retail, I instead saw shoes that are editorial gems and sure to be mainstream in a year or two. Maybe not in their current form, but most items are "conceptually flattened" once they move from 5th Avenue to Main Street. Not to mention many of the shoes, like the pair above, are already at retail and were worn by attendees.
I scrolled down to the comments to see if anyone agreed with me. They didn't. Most wrote the same anti-fashion diatribes I hear from my friends, but they were much more creative than the typical "Who wears this stuff?!"
It goes on and on like that. I spent more time reading puns than the actual article.
Although I chuckled once or twice (multiplied by 10), I couldn't help but feel a bit of defensiveness similar to the kind I get when I talk to my non-fashionista friends about runway fashion. This led to a tiny bubble of resentment towards Yahoo Shine for this somewhat misleading article. I understand the tongue-in-cheek aspect of posting something like this. Fashion's numerous eccentricites are an easy target when your trying to sell a funny story. However, there are truly outrageous shoes that will never see the light of a retail floor, like this inimitable gem here or these morbid creations here. Had shoes like these been chosen, this article would have been much more interesting and more factual. I understand that neither of those wild shoes were on the runway this season, but with over 300 shows this past fashion week, many of whom were unknown designers, I'm sure they could have rounded up a few unwearables.
So what's my problem? Well, when you analyze the slideshow, there's no context. This had to be done purposely, because showing the shoe actually completing an outfit would lessen the comedic effect. Of course if you see a photo of a shoe that looks like the Parthenon and nothing else it's going to create an adverse reaction. Had the readers been able to see the shoes as they were presented on the runways their opinions may have been different. Check out the side by side above for an example of what I mean. The Dolce & Gabbana column shoes appear much more relatable when presented with a whole ensemble. Also, the readers aren't told to keep in mind that it will take several seasons, maybe years, before they see a more marketable interpretation of these shoes in the stores they patronize.
How many items from the runway have been picked apart in this manner for the sole purpose of making a mockery of a designer's work, or the fashion industry as a whole? Never is anything put in perspective for those readers who don't follow trends. What a world of difference it would make if we were to show past runway "eccentricities" such as sneaker wedges, all over floral prints, boyfriend jeans or high-waisted pleated pants that seemed unlikely on their first introduction but are now popular items at retail. I'd venture to guess that the reactions would have been a lot different. Then again, more hate means more hits. So I won't be holding my breath for change.
