Every day (actually, several times a day) I read Linda Grant’s blog The Thoughtful Dresser, and her blog is so ingrained in me that I need to read her posts as much as I need my morning coffee. Today she did a post that sums up, brilliantly, what is wrong with fashion, and also why we all sew (not that she meant to, but she nailed it nonetheless.)
Go. Read. You will so agree with what she’s says!
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THE SEWING DIVAS sewing, design, fashion 
Hi I have a great passion to design a couture line of boots for wide legged women. Where can I go to school to learn how to create pattern/templates to bring my vision into reality?
Loving to create , Loving to innovate a vision into reality!
Comment by Aebra Adams — January 19, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
“The fad for cheap disposable style has revved up the speed of design, so trends come and go in a heartbeat, there’s an air of desperation.” Yep. Yes. Mmmmhmmmm. That’s how I feel and I’m fairly easy to fit and love trendy clothes. Yet, I get so put off when I go shopping.
Comment by cidell — January 20, 2008 @ 7:09 am
And that is why we sew! I just finished reading Deluxe: How Luxury Lost It’s Luster and it really opened my eyes to the ‘new age’ of fashion. Just about everything is made in China these days, even high end – although they try to hide it. For example, a designer handbag will be made assembly line style there, everything except for the handles attached, shipped back to Italy where they attach the handles and can then claim it is “Made in Italy”. Sigh.
Comment by cdnmich — January 20, 2008 @ 11:07 am
Interesting. I can certainly relate. I grew up being taught to buy cheap clothes on sale, but eventually I just quit shopping because I just couldn’t stand the poor quality any more. Recently, I had to go shopping for work clothes and I noticed that the cheap clothes are even cheaper-looking than they used to be. I resolved to save my money to shop at better stores and sew more.
Comment by everyday sewist — January 20, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
Thanks for the link. I have read other people commenting on the knock off trend being a detriment to fashion. I certainly can’t afford high fashion and I just can’t bring myself to buy cheap clothes; I can’t stand spending money on badly made clothing.
Comment by Nancy — January 21, 2008 @ 8:49 am
I become more convinced all the time that having a good tailor/dressmaker is the secret. I’d rather have a few things with unbelieveably clever linings and that fit me exactly than all of Topshop and H&M in the world.
Comment by judithgr — January 21, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
A suggestion: I find that I have the most fun looking through Vintage and Re-Sale shops. First of all, no 2 items are alike. Then there is the suprise factor. But mostly, that’s where I find beautiful clothes from past decades. The quality can’t be matched by today’s manufacturing practices, and the fashion styling can be fantastic!
Comment by Jen O — January 24, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
The article “Linda Grant” is absolutely realistic, I agree with everything you said. That he is going to fashion and the world of fashion?. I live in a big city that is filled with shops of all kinds: large firms, and so on. Etc.. And passage of the windows of “long”. I admire a lot more to see a lady who has made her own clothing and carry it with pride in a job well done. This has no basis in a society as consuming as devastating. We can only say: “Long live the seam.” Greetings from Barcelona, Paco
Comment by Paco Peralta — January 25, 2008 @ 5:21 am
So true. I’ve been feeling that way since I was in high school, when I would rather shop at the thrift stores and make my own stuff than wear what all the Abercrombie clones were wearing. (Actually, that hasn’t changed.) And after doing the Wardrobe Refashion challenge last year, buying disposable clothing just bores me. It’s so cookie-cutter and ill-fitting (and my figure is much easier to fit than a lot of girls my age!) I’d much rather make my own garments, tailored to fit me, and with my own choices of fabrics and colors, so now I’m concentrating on just improving my own sewing skills.
By the way, I just discovered this blog fairly recently, and it’s been so inspiring. Especially how in-depth you get on couture techniques. Exactly what I need to take my sewing to the next level, so thank you!
Comment by Becky — January 29, 2008 @ 10:19 am
OMG Phyllis, thank you for this link. I’ve never seen this blog, but just spent quite a bit of time there. Wonderful!
Comment by Marji — January 29, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
I just happened to run across your blog. I was doing some surfing and research. I soooooo feel you. I am a fashion model and recently decided to create my own fashion line with the assistance and mentorship of a hollywood diva friend.
I was so unimpressed with the whole modeling and fashion industry plus the “unwearableness” of rags called fashion at insane prices. I am uninspired with the clothes as a model designer and consumer.
I taugh design and modeling last year in the local high school. I am actually excited that I have a choice to create my own designs for my photos. I am learning photography and am setting a new standard of beauty.
Real women want to see real fashion. They like their curves and beauty and comfort.
Thanks for this post.
Comment by Barbara Nwosu — April 16, 2008 @ 8:42 pm