How do you remain passionate and inspired by the fashion industry when much of that world is superficial?

Answer 1

Although the fashion industry is indeed extremely superficial, I stay informed because I like to see new ideas. I take ideas from the magazines and shows and make them my own. If I never see what everybody else is doing, how will I get new ideas for what I am going to do? I'm not a slave to fashion, I'm more of a curious onlooker - I simply take the ideas and personalize them to fit me and my likes.

Answer 2

Fashion by itself is not superficial, it is an art form. Comparing the fashion industry to other art based industries you realize that all popular art forms are surrounded by a superficial and celebrity obsessed bubble. Some more glitzy than others maybe but the bubble is still there. Being superficial is so widely celebrated and enjoyed (and has been for a very long time) that maybe we should stop giving it such bad connotations. Personally I have zero fashion sense, but I can appreciate fashion for it's beauty and spirit. Superficial basically means trivial, but a lot of the things we enjoy are trivial. The fact that they are so shallow is probably the main reason we like them. I have a great time reading literature, but I still pick up a People magazine every now and then. So I will continue to be passionate about my favourite jeans and inspired by my handmade scarves, for the same reason I lick the icing from the inside of an Oreo, 'Cause it's fun and I like it!

Answer 3

Hi Jeannie,

You are right much of the fashion industry is superficial. The way to remain passionate is to get more involved like you yourself have done.

I see you as being a very positive role model and encouraging the good side of the profession. Being in the public eye, interviewing for Fashion television, designing and of course being a judge on Canada's next top model. I have heard you make comments about being concerned for the welfare of the young models on the show. As well as them being able to handle the money and the fame and at the same time looking out for the unscrupulous elements that goes along with it all.

Many in the fashion industry could learn a lot from you! You go Girl!!

Answer 4

We can all look at any type of art with a superficial eye. The difference is looking at what affects you. Even if you're the the greatest undiscovered fashion designer on the planet, there are details that you might not have thought of or colour combinations that you've never put together. Simplicity in design can be so jarring in it's impact that most great artists overlook it. There are numerous ideas that have been, and will continue to be recycled. But when that recycled idea gets filtered and re-interperted by that artist who has that quirky discerning eye....it can be spectacular. I studied fashion for years until I realized the superficiality and deception of it all. But these traits can be found in all things that at one time, we thought was faithful and pure. Is it still superficial if we think it beautiful, functional or beneficial to the masses? Why would that change how/if you feel passionate about it? Take superficiality in stride: it's just another fascinating, challenging and entertaining part of fashion.

Answer 5

superficial exists ; on various levels in a human 1. in a human's thoughts 2. in a humans actions
passion exists just the same as highlighted prior
the fashion industry is a work from the hand of individuals and there is depth and innocence : when a person who is not shallow looks at the industry. So it is not hard to be passionate about an industry when raised as an open minded and industrious indivdual . the effects of superficiality are like the eyes looking upon something and only having one's sight return to them with the picture but lacking the story that describes the pictures past and future . Peace and Blessings 2 all u .. Auliya

Answer 6

Jeanne, fashion is superficial. I'm sorry to put it bluntly since I know you devoted your career to the industry.

The majority of the world's population are impacted by global problems like poverty, starvation, AIDS, war, torture, and lack of economic upward mobility.

Your work watching runways and following models around really contributes nothing to humanity. You merely provide a distraction from issues that really matter.

Have you reached an age where you see how meaningless fashion really is?

Need some prospective?

Why don't you take a trip to a third world country, and see how the majority of your fellow humans live. Spend a couple weeks living with a family of 6 in a one room shack, sleep on the floor and use outdoor toilets in a shanty-town. Eat nothing but beans and rice for 20 meals in a row.

Then try to talk about Chanel's new line ... you will see your commentary is a slap in the face for the majority of people ... who will never be able to get anything from Chanel.

Answer 7

Why you remain passionate and inspired depends very much on how you can and want to be a vital part of the movement.
The fashion world remains largely "superficial" is true:

(1) models are usually not reflective of the population that the clothes and accessories are meant to fit
(2) fashion show clothes and colours remain largely a "work of art" in the minds of most people
(3) lives of people connected with the industry are part of a managed script
(4) coupled with scandals and outrageous behavior, atypical and abnormal, mainly intended to develop audience attention and perhaps a following
(4) is entertainment.

All art, like your fashion industry, is superficial. It can change and influence, so this is your platform.
Use this visibility of yours to champion issues, causes. Use this opportunity while you can to change things that you do not like. They do not have to be involved with the arts and fashion industry.

Be passionate.
Then be effective.

Answer 8

Remember the song by Spirit of the West "if Venice is sinking, then I'm going under... It's beauty's religion, and it's filling me with wonder"? Care about the planet, the suffering and your community, but don't be afraid to celebrate beauty.

Our planet is filled with gifts and it’s pessimistic and wasteful to not appreciate it.

I feel like I pray at the temple of beauty sometimes. I give myself permission to, because I try to stay aware of things that are soul crushing and unjust in the world at the same time. Too often, I feel like switching the channel or turning the page, when I see a war story or a starving person. But, I stop myself a lot and sob for days and weeks when I think about it and sometimes I have to send a donation and I maintain an active role in charitable organizations. I know this sounds like some pathetic justification, but being aware of my world as well as celebrating it gives me peace.

I get excited when I see really beautiful shoes and skirts. I give myself permission to take part in these superficial things. Everything has it’s opposite, and where there’s serious sorrow and issues that require activism, there has to be something light hearted and absolutely superficial – it’s a law of the universe (isn’t it?). I don’t know if I could ever read another news story if I didn’t know that I could participate in something frivolous too.

Don’t get me wrong – if you worship at the church of beauty, you also have to experience some guilt. I treasure my guilt. If I didn’t feel guilty then I think my spirit would be dead. You have to be really thankful that you can watch a fashion program or read a magazine and for a second, even fantasize about the luxury and the glamour.

It’s not just frivolous either. The people who create fashion are artists. They are expressing society’s (any society’s) current view of beauty. Designers and models do seem like they live on another planet, but what they do is still a gift and I’m glad it’s a part of the diversity that makes life such a fantastic ride.

Answer 9

Fashion is above all, art. And there is nothing more inspiring than knowing that your creations are unique (or at least a creative spin on something), and that your design could be a part of history (e.g. Gauthier's cone bustier)!

Another aspect to consider is that many designers and models are passionate about the work they do - and like laughter, passion is infectious! Superficial or not, fashion is an exciting and unpredictable world to be in.

Answer 10

I try not to concentrate on the superficiality of the Fashion World. Instead, I stick to what the Fashion World is about to me: the Clothing. The art that shines through the designs of beautifully sleek or amazingly flashy clothes and makes you think, "I wish I could dress like that."

That is what keeps me passionate about the industry. It's not the personal lives of the models who are merely beautiful accessories complimenting the clothing they wear. When I think of the classy outfits of Tom Ford's Men's Collection or how Karl Lagerfeld can make female beauty illuminating through simple dresses, I am inspired to enter that world where beautiful clothing exentuates who you are.

For me, it will always be the artwork associated with the Fashion Industry that will always keep me in complete awe.

Answer 11

Fashion Falls Within The Realm Of Esthetics, So One Persons,Criteria For Beauty May Not Always Be Shared By Others It Isn't A Science Like Physics With Laws So It Will Always Be Open To Interpretation As Well As (Misinterpretation)