Fashion Through the Decades: A reflection of economy/media or is it the other way around? Part III

By the 2000s there was the boom of internet start ups and popularity of computers which were no longer considered a luxury item but an everyday device. This also changed the method of media influence, which was becoming more influential than ever. It also gave way to more experimentation as it became easier to become a trendsetter rather than an influential consumer. The economy had been greatly affected by events such as 9/11 and in turn, perhaps as a dramatic opposition to the financial state of the world. people became more focused on fashion and appearance than ever before.

With the entrance of the internet was also the enhancement of globalization due to the rapidly easy sense of communication in the world. There was a sense of unity, which also lead to more influences on fashion as well as more conformity world wide. 

Today, with the economic collapse we are now experiencing after decades of inflation, the world is still in a strange confusion of priorities. While fashion in the past greatly reflected the state of the people (as people were more influenced by the government due to lack of subversive communication) it has no bearing on today's society. Almost as if in a state of denial, people who have deteriorated financially still manage to allow themselves technological toys such as ipods, ipads, etc. 

Media has transformed with the increasing popularity of social media websites, becoming more influential than ever before. 

Fashion currently is a revival of the many decades past, combining a little bit of everything on a mass scale. Perhaps it is that people are choosing to live in a nostalgic dream-like state as a form of emotional survival during such a time of economic unrest. 

Because of the internet fashion, television, and music has experienced a financial decline as an industry. Instead of purchasing items, it is easy to "steal" them through the very media that was once controlled by the industry. Now it is the people controlling the media. In a state of confusion, clothing has taken on an entirely new reflection. It is a mixture of practicality, experimentation, and nostalgia. 

So what does 2012 bring us with the return of reality as the economy slowly starts to recover or change it's own patterns of function? Hopefully it will continue to become more individualistic, free, and experimental. If anything, it would be nice to see that mindset of international connection predict a strong universal state of equality and relaxation, and with it a reflection of that current state in fashion.

With the decline of the industry of fashion will it become more of an artform and example of self expression than an exploitative commercial trade? Let's hope so if it is indeed the people and not the media who continue to rise in the decision.

Fin.