Feuding Fashionably

The world of fashion is a tiny microcosm in comparison to other industries that drive the world’s economy. However fashion communes appear in several thriving capitals around the world; in countries like Australia, Russia, India, Brazil and the Netherlands. Of course, the most recognizable parts of the industry are found in New York, Milan, and Paris where the fashion elite gather to celebrate whatever or whomever  is the next big thing to happen to the industry since the last big thing that happened to the industry. Have you ever noticed, whilst browsing the photos of the fabulous parties with the fabulous hors d’oeuvres and breathtaking rooftop/garden views, that the partygoers always seem to be the same fabulous people? The industry is so petite that (almost) everybody knows your name and your business, and everybody has a reputation. It’s actually kind of like…high school.

Remember high school? A small community of hopefuls; sharing the same space and (some, not all) thriving to fulfill the same goal – utterly cool coolness. In my opinion, the same could be said for the fashion industry - small community all striving for coolness. And in high school, the cool girls (read: mean girls, yeah, like that Lindsay Lohan movie), ran the show, same as they do today in the realm of fashion. Most readers must be familiar with the alleged iciness of American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour; or feuding fashion gurus and ex-besties Carine Roitfeld and Emannuelle Alt; or Naomi Campbell versus everyone else; or even fashion frenemies Olivia Palermo and Whitney port of the short-lived MTV reality show, The City. And of course the tussles of fashion designers and models on reality shows like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. As everyone knows: drama, drama, drama and more drama, makes for great reality TV. But what about the (truly) real world examples; what’s their excuse?

Well I’m just going to come right out and say it…women can be some mean bitches. Like I mentioned before, the fashion industry is a small, cutthroat world. Brands can die as quickly as they began and reputations can be destroyed as quickly as they become reputations. It is a highly competitive industry where one needs to watch one’s derrière as there will always be someone on your Louboutin heels, vying to take your place. It’s a lot of pressure and some people choke or put up their guard -and their Chanel nail polish adorned claws come out- as a defense mechanism.  Or maybe…it’s just the media, blowing stories out of proportion, focusing on the she-said, she-said details. And it’s not just the women, you know, men are as equally catty. The long-lasting rivalry between influencers of the industry, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld (personally, I side with M. Saint Laurent) only reportedly ended in 2008, after Saint Laurent’s passing – a feud fueled by wanting the informal title of world’s best couturier.

Admittedly, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and it’s essential for one’s livelihood to defend oneself. But really only acceptable when warranted; like defending your creative vision. But then that’s not necessarily being catty, that’s being part of the conversation. What do you have to say about it? Are women fashionable felines? Weigh-in in the comments section below or follow us and speak your mind.

photo credit: all images hyperlinked

^AM

Social tagging: American Vogue > catfight > editor in cheif > fashion > fashion industry > feud > Karl Lagerfeld > Naomi Campbell > Olivia Palmero > Yves Saint Laurent