The Devil Wears Patagonia

Author: Jordan Nassar

We're gonna talk about fashion. Designers, runways, haute couture. We're gonna gossip about models. We'll dissect magazines, we'll re-cap glamorous parties. Fashion. Over the course of this semester, we can talk about anything you like - but I feel that, considering this fashion column is a new addition to our college newspaper, a small introduction is in order.

You, concerned with international affairs, busy with thesis research and extracurricular activities, might instinctively ask yourself, "What's the point of a fashion column? Fashion is so materialistic and superfluous, why should we care about it all?" Well, allow me to change your mind.

I'd like to remind you of a simple fact - everyone wears clothes. The plain and simple is that you choose what to wear, and therefore fashion has a place in your life. This column addresses a fundamental part of your everyday life, one that you may not even consciously recognize. If that's the case, might I suggest that now is a fine time to stop fighting it, and just give it a little thought.

Fortunately, clothing isn't about protection from the elements anymore. Of course there is that added bonus, but from polo-and-madras to organic recycled cotton, everyone decides what to put on their bodies, working within a sturdy global cultural system of connotations, implications and identification.

Your outfit is one of the most important things about your day. After all, how you present yourself is the first hint about who you are to a stranger before they can talk to you, before they can even clearly see your face. Before you even start getting to know each other, that new friend is already shaping their idea of you based on your appearance.

True, this image can be changed as you get to know each other, but I prefer to start out on the right foot. More than another chore to add to your busy to-do list, your clothing is a tool, to be used to your advantage. So why not grab the reins and (excuse my clichÈ) express yourself?

On a larger scale, I'd imagine that the fashion industry is, in some minds, all that is wrong with the world. Models are pressured to stay thin, overpriced clothing can be impractical and often impossible to actually wear - it's a completely superficial, materialistic realm. I beg to differ.

When you see a picture in a magazine or on a billboard, take a moment to recognize that people worked for days to get that picture exactly how it is. It all starts with the photographer and stylist brainstorming and eventually deciding on the image that they plan to produce. From lighting to props, designing to casting, a photo shoot is a type of performance.

It is also, like a painting or drawing, a process that leads to a final piece of art. Maybe, because we all wear clothes, it's not instinctive for us to view clothing as an art medium, and I think that is a mistake. Fashion magazines artfully showcase the clothes - the works of art. These are artists creating together, and I think it's time to appreciate the work and creativity that goes into every page of a fashion magazine.

Now that we've got that covered, keep your eye out for the next, less introductory installment of The Devil Wears Patagonia.