Why the fashion industry is important
![[ fashion model image ]](http://www.thebargainqueen.com/images/fashion_model.gif)
Being interested in fashion and clothing is considered by some people to be shallow, vain and trivial. In reality, fashion is a huge industry that effects the lives of pretty much everyone.
I’ve had to explain that many times recently, to people in the technology industry who have a big set of prejudices against fashion.
Here’s what I tell people, to convince them that fashion is actually an important industry.
You might recall that a few months ago, I realised that I love blogging about shopping enough that I’d like to turn this into a full-time job. I’ve been working on a few things behind the scenes to make that happen, and you’ll see the results soon.
One of the things I had to do to achieve that was recruit some technical help. I knew immediately who I wanted: my mate Dave, of cafedave.net. He’s perfect for the job for a number of reasons. Firstly, his technological specialty is completely different to mine, he’s great at what he does and he can do a lot of things I can’t. Secondly, he had a blog before I knew what one was, so he understands what this is all about. Thirdly, he knew I’d end up pro-blogging before I did, and said so, and I practically laughed at him.
When I started talking to him about coming on board, we had a really interesting conversation.
To put this into context, Dave and I met while we were both doing Masters degrees in IT, so I guess you could say we’re both geeks. Most geeks pride themselves on being intellectually well-rounded people — for example, Dave is currently learning Ancient Greek so he can read the Bible untranslated and form his own interpretation. You can discuss almost anything with a geek, because an alpha geek’s intellectual curiosity knows no limits… except fashion.
Geeks typically pride themselves on not judging by appearances, and on elevating the intellectual above the sartorial. Since I’ve just said some really nice things about Dave, I guess I can also say that fashion isn’t his thing.
Our discussion went a bit like this:
Me: I’m working on some expansion plans for The Bargain Queen, and I could really use your help on the technical side of things. Fashion blogging’s going to be huge, and I want to be part of it.
Dave: The fashion industry… that’s kind of big isn’t it?
(Of course, I didn’t come up with the perfect comeback until half an hour later, when it was way too late to use it in real life — but not too late to use it on my blog. So here’s what I wish I’d said…)
Me: Erm, yeah. See all those people around us? See how not one of them is naked? That’s the reach of the fashion industry.
Everyone wears clothes, which means everyone buys clothes, which means the fashion industry’s customers include… everyone!
For anyone who thinks that fashion and clothing are unimportant, just ask them to consider the alternative: perpetual public nudity.
If that doesn’t convince people, nothing will!
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seems a bit harsh…
Sorry, you actually dress really well for a geek, so I shouldn’t be mean to you. Especially when you’re doing such great behind-the-scenes technical stuff here!
BQ, I can really relate. Imagine, if you will, coming at fashion blogging from a church-based social setting!
And, I think you are right, fashion blogging is going to be big. While I can see many things I could do to push greater growth now, I’m content with the idea that I will be well-positioned for a career/ministry when my kids are grown and gone (not far off). By then, perhaps I will have a face to face friend who can help me with the technical stuff. (Nothing against MInTheGap, who has voluntarily been extremely helpful.)
I’m excited to see what you have coming!
Hi BQ, I consider myself a Nerd rather than a Geek, and hey! I’m IN the fashion industry. And as for it being shallow etc, that’s just one small section of the industry. Let’s not forget all the charities and causes that benifit from fashion not to mention the boost in personal self esteem it can give someone. It also supplies hundreds of thousands of jobs, and employs many geeks to produce all the technical stuff from advertising to catwalk show co-ordination.
Thanks Rebecca! It must be interesting, explaining to your church friends what fashion blogging is all about — and possibly even more challenging than explaining it to geeks!
Dean, I’m not saying I think the fashion industry’s shallow, I’ve just heard that comment from a lot of other people… but I’ll be stealing all your comments to help rebut that argument next time I hear it :)
i think that’s a very fair statement. hence the question “are you fashion conscious?” would be apt to gauge everyone’s fashion level.
IMHO, maybe the ones who go overboard, thinking fashion is above all else are shallow. while i think the majority of us are only conscious on the level of “need to clothe ourselves daily”, what we don’t realise is our choice regardless of form vs function, comfort over style - is still fashion, isn’t it?
Lily, you’re very right — people do make fashion choices every day, even if they profess to not be into fashion at all.
For example, Mr BQ maintains that how a person looks is not important, and you shouldn’t read anything into their choices… but just try getting him into a shirt with any sort of pattern on it. His reason for refusing to wear them? They’re “not me”. Funny contradiction there, don’t you think?
;)
Hey BQ, I met Mr BQ, and he’s cute enough to get away with wearing anything, ‘cept maybe drag! But then!
I completely agree Dean! He’s pretty much got the body of a male model.
I’d dress him up like my own personal Ken doll, except there’s certain things he just won’t wear. Men!