“Fashion is not necessarily spectacular (though it often conforms to the theory of the society of the spectacle), it can also be demotic, ordinary, mundane, routine and humble. It is the stuff of the ethnographer and the anthropologist.”

This aphorism states that fashion doesn’t always have to be great, even though it represents the society at a given time period. There are so many sides to fashion, it could be used as sleep wear, uniform, functional costumes, lingeries. The styles of fashion could be bland or boring. The designs or styles are created depends on the designer. I generally agree on this aphorism. We often think that fashion or being fashionable should be something trendy, stylish or even luxurious but fashion could just be a plain tee and skinny denim jeans. Fashion can have infinite definitions, and every definitions is defined by the consumer or the creator. Some may use fashion as their aesthetic, some may use fashion to convey a message to the world, and some may use fashion to uniform people’s appearance. Fashion doesn’t always have to be    Spectacular in the sense that it doesn’t have to be conform in one general population. 

I chose this aphorism because people tend to ask me whether or not I’m going to design fancy clothes for celebrities or host runway shows but that’s not necessarily how I view fashion or the goal of studying fashion. A lot of successful brands might not have enormous runway shows , or sponsorships from celebrities, their clothes can me repetitive or ordinary, but they can still be successful and practical. 

“Fashion is gossip. Never underestimate the power of gossip. Semiológicos are driven into ecstasies of supposition by its whispers.”

Fashion trend is like a drug, it spreads very quickly like a viral gossip. People keep falling into trends , into constant cycle of trends. For example, when a Supreme new product launches, people would stay up until midnight to bid for the latest sneaker or tee shirt. A simple trend can make people throw their whole monthly earning into it, making people feel a different kind of high. The trend is like an addiction, we will always want more things and get new things but we don’t necessarily need it. 

I do agree that this aphorism do take place in our everyday lives but I do not believe this is how it should be. I believe you or me as an individual should create our own fashion. Wear what we truly want or wear what we truly feel comfortable in. People should not confine to trends just because its a trend. They shouldn’t feel pressured to buy the “new supreme hoodie” or “expensive Gucci shoes” in order to fit in in this fashion community. 

I chose to discuss this aphorism because I was a victim in following the trends and I would always want the newest launch in order to show off or fit in. I can feel myself falling deeper and deeper into this everlasting cycle like how gossip will just keep spreading. The power of fashion is huge.