A Renaissance in Asia: The Saving Face of Fashion?
The question, "when did fashion stop being fun?", has been echoing in my brain for the past few months. Many fashion critics agree with the sentiment that fashion has been missing something. Sleek looks and boring repeats of past successes occupy the runway and red carpets. Yes, we liked that look in the 80s on that actress because it was that actress. Imagine some future celebrity wearing a restored version of Tyla's sculpted sand dress from the Met Gala...it would be without impact. Fashion has become dull. Artless. Stale. At least, that's the case for the famous Western fashion houses and their invite-only shows.
Photograph by Khoa Võ
Catching the train in Taipei and it's like a loud collision of colour and artistic opinions. Cosplayers with their purple, blue or green wigs. Alternative Y2K rears its head in the chains around that girl's waist and on her partner's studded shirt. Whimsical cottagecore sits elegantly and neatly pats down the tulle and lace skirt over her knees. Relaxed trousers and oversized t-shirts are complemented by branded sneakers and an attitude of nonchalant comfort.
The train has dropped me at my stop and I'm shopping at the grocery store when two sisters giggle past me, wearing traditional dresses for a local ceremony happening outside organised by a nearby school. Gucci glasses prowl the fresh fruits, their owner a grandmother in designer platform shoes, white fitted pants and a leopard print sports top. An amalgamation of statement pieces to create the final boss.
And the tote bags? School bags? Miu Miu handbags? Charms swing with each step or sit idly while waiting for the traffic light to change—capybaras, anime characters, beloved Sanrio icons and the odd Labubu. Each and every person cultivates a unique identity, ensuring that boring is never used to describe them. But its effortless. It’s the awareness of unawareness—because what are the odds that you will see a stranger again in such a populated city?
Perhaps that is the underlying issue with fashion in the West—caring too much. Seeking societal validation to the point of conformity. It's like fashion became a self-conscious teenager entering puberty, after having been a highly successful finance CEO in New York who thrived on taking risks and travelled to Milan for lunch and a glass of wine. Asia, on the other hand, runs three international companies, couldn't be bothered by tabloids and tries something new each night for dinner.
Friends who have travelled to Japan and China speak of the spontaneity and a love of explorative fashion. Just a hop across the pond from Taiwan, Japan is (and has been) violently alive in the fashion community. With an attitude of "who cares because I know I look great", Japan is the eldest teenage daughter. On the other hand, China is the stylish mother blending the past with the present in a flair of elegance. And the West? They're the dad on the stoep reminiscing about the old days with the same stories we've all heard before, but we nod politely with interest and respect.
photograph by Ruby Ruby