As fashion weeks take over New York, Milan, London, and Paris this fall, filling headlines and social media feeds, teachers are observing how these trends on the runway translate off the runway.
“I love fashion. I think it’s a good outlet to express yourself,” Chinese teacher Juei-Chuan Hung said. He describes himself as a trendsetter and closely follows major designers. “I’m always like paying attention to these big accounts for fashion news…what’s hip, what’s trendy, what’s cool right now, what are people wearing.”
Hung says shows in the fashion industry play a key role in setting the tone for the year ahead, comparing them to iPhone launches.
“It’s kind of like an Apple conference,” Hung said. “This is what everybody is going to go back to their office and work together and say, ‘Oh, this is what the trend is going towards.’”
But not everyone is drawn to the mainstream.
“I feel like I would prefer some sort of DIY or underground thing,” visual art teacher Isabel Hartmann said. “I don’t really tend to like mainstream big brands or anything like that.”
Instead, she finds inspiration in vintage clothes, friends, and creativity.
“Fashion…has always been a way of exploring your interests and identity and a way to express yourself creatively,” Hartmann said.
Both Hartmann and Hung agree that the fashion industry could benefit from more diversity and inclusion, particularly in major shows like fashion week. Hartmann points out how high-end fashion can feel out of reach in terms of cost.
“Most people see those clothes and they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s thousands of dollars.’” Hartmann said. “What would be more interesting is finding a way to make those things more affordable for most people or… using recycled materials or things like that.”
Hung focuses on the people involved in the industry, observing how both fashion week and fashion in general can lack diversity in its designers.
“People from different backgrounds will definitely bring in different perspectives,” Hung said. “As a designer… you need to design something that… fits [everyone].”
He added that the industry is evolving in the digital era.
“I mean, we’re already in that era, right? Where digital promotions and social media…play a big part of campaigning or the new season reveal,” Hung said. “[Fashion week] has already evolved from just a regular show.”
Hung also notes how quickly access to fashion has changed over time.
“From my era, I get all these references or the fashion trend through magazines, by prints,” Hung said. “But now it’s through social media, and it is so powerful and easy to access. So I would say it’s not going to stop—it’s going to continue [evolving] and even make it a bigger and easier way to reach out to more people in the world.”
