Part two: Siri, Play ‘Money In The Grave’
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last where a high profile designer collaborates with a fashion retailer- J.W Anderson did it with Uniqlo and the Karl Lagerfeld did it with H&M. But for lack of better words, the mere thought of such designers working with these retailers still makes it feel extremely cheap.
Christian Dior 1997 Fall/Winter Ready to Wear Collection by John Galliano
Zara over the past decade has seen a 180° change in their target audience. I remember walking past shops during my teens and thinking why on earth would anyone want to shop in Zara- it’s so old lady. Fast forward to today, I am now 24 and I’ll admit, it used to be the first app I opened when payday hit. In my defence, said shopping habits have ceased to exist due to 1. an active attempt from my subconscious to be more financially stable and 2. I no longer conform to the hell that is micro trends. Nevertheless, they owe their designers a raise.
Tatiana (center) one step closer to financial freedom, one less Zara basket at a time
But what does this have to do with Galliano and his archives I hear you ask?
Luxury fashion and Fast fashion exist in their own respective lanes- so it’s uncomfortable for me when the two intersect. And as much as this could be a cause for celebrating the craft of a man that is insanely talented, a man that lives and breathes true couture, it doesn’t land that way. Instead it feels like a power move from your average leading fashion conglomerate, once again highlighting that we will never be free from capitalism. I heard the sighs. Yes I took it there.
If capitalism hasn’t evolved enough, this ‘relationship’ feels more like exploitation. It feels like they’ve found yet another gap in the market. One where consumers, such as all 24 year olds alike, can feel part of the elite without suffering an ‘elite’ size hole in their wallet. It offers consumers (aka victims to capitalism) proximity to status without doing much but purchasing a top designed by the John Galliano.
This is no shade to John G; he ranks top three of my favourite fashion designers of all time and I understand that designers have to eat.
It’s strange that capitalism has a funny way of making you feel like you’re a bottomless pit, always craving more when the irony is that artists always make their best work when they are starving with nothing but a pack of Marlboro Golds’.
Kate with her Marlboro Golds’