The Independent On Sunday

14th March 2010

This Article answered a lot of questions for me, its interesting to hear opinions of people in the industry, i have picked the answers i liked the most........

IS FASHION GOING OUT OF FASHION?

Expensive, exclusive, out of sync with our bodies and our weather... an expert panel discusses whether the catwalk show still command our attention.

How has the way we buy clothes been affected by the recession?

Lucy Yeomans editor of Harpers Bazaar -

I dont think fast-fashion is over, though many of the high-street brands have brought in different ranges that give slightly better quality at a slightly higher price.

The high street is still strong because it has reacted quickly and is more in touch with customers than anyone else.

Anita Borzyszkowska, vice-president of PR, Gap -

The recession has absolutely shifted the way that the catwalk collections are going to look – classicism, minimalism, simple pieces that will serve a function and will live from season to season so that you can build up a wardrobe over years, for years to come. I think that has come from more disciplined buying by customers and more disciplined design from the designers' perspective.

Amy Hutson, founder, Gossip PR -

I'm not sure if it's the recession that's changed how I shop, but I tend to think more about what I want to buy. Rather than just buying something I like, I think about how much I'll be able to wear it and what it will go well with in my wardrobe. I also buy a lot more investment pieces than I used to. Shopping in expensive shops during the sales can be a great way to pick up that expensive dress you've been lusting for but couldn't afford to buy.

Does the high street now have more influence than the catwalk on what real women wear?

Lucy Yeomans editor of Harpers Bazaar -

It's a difficult question. The reason our British high street is so strong is that it is aware of the catwalk and conscious of the trends. You see what happens when you put Stella McCartney with H&M. But I think people still want the catwalk magic. In the last five to 10 years people have become so much more fashion-savvy. They know who designers are and they are much more sophisticated about how they want to express themselves.

Amy Hutson, founder, Gossip PR - I'm not sure the catwalk and the high street are hugely separate, as the catwalk has a huge influence on what we see on the high street – but it's often a toned-down and obviously cheaper version. I think there's been a movement away from following distinct trends to an extent, with the rise in popularity of vintage, one-off designs and customisation, which is set to become huge. Where independent designers really come into their own is with producing really unique and interesting pieces.

In view of the recent economic crisis, and growing environmental concerns, how do you think fashion will continue to justify itself?

Lucy Yeomans editor of Harpers Bazaar - You could ask that question of many industries. But I do think this is where catwalk fashion comes into its own, because it's less disposable and the cuts and fabrics stand the test of time. But that doesn't mean there has to be an end to creativity and experimentation – people still want escapism and fantasy. I don't think anyone likes the idea of us all walking around in identical uniforms. There will always be a place for fashion, as there is a place for art.

Military and nautical pieces were back on the spring/summer catwalks – themes that are continually reinvented. Are there still new things to be seen in fashion? In what directions do they lie?

Lucy Yeomans editor of Harpers Bazaar - You can say that the same themes recur, but I do think those ideas evolve each time to fit with our lives as they are. As in art, it can seem like there is nothing new left to do, but there will always be new ideas. Look at print – these beautiful digital computer prints that are huge this season would have been impossible only a few years ago. I think technology will bring the biggest innovations.

Amy Hutson, founder, Gossip PR It's time now for "social fashion", with the new looks and trends coming from the streets rather than the fashion houses.

So, is there a difference between 'fashion' and 'clothes'?

Lucy Yeomans editor of Harpers Bazaar - Clothes are simply practical – for warmth and protection. Fashion is about self-expression. In the same way that people want their homes to look beautiful and to reflect their personality, people want their clothes to say something about them and fashion gives them lots of possibilities. And fashion can also have the practicality of simple "clothes" too.

Claire Wilkinson, businesswoman - Fashion is emotional; clothing is functional