Un Peu de Tout

No, the post won't be written in my (horrific!) French, haha. As the title implies, it's a little bit of everything.

I find that the blog has become more personal during the last couple of months, and I am writing more on what I think and my opinions and moving away from strictly unbiased articles (of course, not including those critical analyses, where I try and be as fair as possible). Anyway, here is another one of my observations which to be honest, I am pretty sad writing down. It makes it more of a fact, than a whimsical idea that I hoped would not amount to anything much.

But it did.

What on earth is happening to our industry?

After the boom of last year, I firmly believed that things would keep on increasing - designers would quickly be able to build up on their reputations (and some did!), there would be more fashion shows, more positive energy, more everything!

And then, after the Bank One show, things fell flat. After that beautiful show, where three amazingly talented designers showcased their work, to start the year right. There were some events - the In'Am fashion Show at the C Beach Club, the Safire Fundraiser, both which were very successful.

Yet I was gearing up for something bigger, events with more coverage and more exposure.

Such as:

A fashion show where our current designers showcase their latest collections. Like the International Fashion Extravaganza, but only including locals, and the standard set to something more professional. You can't hire every girl in Mauritius that claims to be a model (so many freelancers!I swear you would never think we had any employment problem here whatsoever if you based yourself only on Facebook job descriptions).

A graduate fashion week. I heard that something like that happened at UOM, but whatever it was, it did not receive sufficient coverage and let's be honest - who will buy what you create if people don't know you are a designer in the first place?

A sort of local labels fashion show: Apart from designers,we need to know what other shops (preferably local) have to offer!

It's almost like people think fashion is a fad. A thing of 2011. "Let's move on to serious things now people."

You know what makes it worse?

The fact that designers are rushing out, freshly graduated, with no experience, no know-how, and don't know what to do.

The fact that amateur photographers are taking money away from the professionals by claiming they have equal talent, and some not knowing in which field they belong to.

The fact that fashion magazines being produced that show a lack of artistic direction and

experience.

The fact that most models in this country have no bloody idea what the job even means and requires, and these competitions and what not are making things worse. Women are being given articles in newspapers describing them as models when this is clearly not the case.

The fact that people either take fashion as a joke, or try and cash in on it without even thinking that their total lack of standards and propriety are harming the industry.

Since Fashion Industry: The Evolution (Part 1) I have been increasingly frustrated that there is hardly any evolution.

There are however a few things that I am excited about:

Sweetie Ramlagun will launch her label "77" later on this year. Here's a woman who has both a sharp business and artistic sensibility, who has successfully established Possal by Sweetie Ramlagun last year and is spreading her wings.

The continued progress and evolution of most of our photographers. Some are experimenting with different techniques, composition, framing, with incredible results.

Here are some of my favourite shots recently, by Khatleen Minerve. Check out the composition of the shot!Nothing is out of the place, be it facial expression, facial and body language, scenery, elements, shadows!

Kind of Blue in the Sun

I included two pictures of Summerland: I love the arms, the gaze, posture and presence of the two models above, and I love the shadow effects of the leaves below.

Moving on to things International:

First up, one of the most important changes is about to take place: Hedi Slimane, creative director for Yves Saint Laurent, will change the house's name to Saint Laurent Paris. Vogue reports that:

"A spokesperson for the label told WWD that Slimane will use the house's "original branding" in order to restore "the house to its truth, purity and essence - and taking it into a new era", while "respecting the original principles and ideals". The brand's logo will also remain the same."

I don't like it, to be honest. I think fashion has lost a lot of it's fun, carefree side, it's artistic heritage - it has become a powerful empire, focussed on business.

Changing the name implies removing the founder's name, which is (in my opinion) a tragedy. The house would not exist without Yves Saint Laurent. It is that simple. This is why the youth of today often have absolutely no knowledge of the greatest labels and couturiers of yestergeneration- Madeleine Vionnet, Jean Patou, Paul Poiret...

The names that have established themselves through time have done so because they kept some element of the heritage of the previous house through time. Removing the name - or at least starting to 'rebrand' the house, alters somewhat the essential structure of the house.

That is of course only my opinion.

Resort 2013

Stella McCartney