1980s on the runway
Before Fashion Week became global, it was just about the clothes
Forty years ago, Fashion Week in New York was focused on the clothes. Not celebrities. Not streetstyle stars. Not social media. Guests gathered in the often dingy showrooms around Seventh Avenue and photographers took their places along the runway. And the models walked. They sold the clothes with a knowing nod or jaunty strut.
The audience was filled with retailers, magazine editors and newspaper journalists from all around the country. Back then, there was no digital media, but there was an awful lot of print media representing the big cities on both coasts as well as lots of mid-size cities in between — places like Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City, Mo.
The fashion world was small and clubby. Its members set the style agenda. And the news was disseminated in an orderly, controlled manner. It didn’t matter where you lived. Everyone — every woman — took part in the same fashion conversation.
Today, the industry is global, the audience is expansive and the conversation is lively but fractured. As the Fall 2017 womenswear collections roll out this month in New York — followed by debuts in London, Milan and Paris — design houses will roll out their wares to a live audience that numbers in the hundreds. Some shows will be live-streamed and accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. And by the time the last model has sashayed off the runway, the entire extravaganza will be posted to Instagram.
Many of the changes are for the better. More people have access to thoughtfully designed clothes. The industry makes a more substantial contribution to the economy. It helps to shape and define our culture for the future. And it still has the capacity to make people dream.
Fashion is more professional now, but also more corporate. In some cases, it has to answer to Wall Street, and so the stakes are higher. A lucrative new idea is knocked off in the blink of an eye with few consequences. Department stores have consolidated and are under pressure as everything from e-commerce to fast fashion degrades the integrity of the old system. And at a fashion show, you’re more likely to meet a social media influencer from Detroit than a journalist from one of that city’s daily newspapers.
The following are volunteer opportunities in Kitchener-Waterloo. For more information, call the Volunteer Action Centre in Kitchener at 519742-8610 or check the website at www.volunteerkw.ca.
The Volunteer Action Centre of KW & Area is looking for Youth Impact Group Facilitators for the EPYC2017: Inspire Action cohorts in Kitchener (April 23 and May 6) and in Waterloo (April 29 and May 13). Each volunteer would be responsible for a group of four to five students. Under the guidance of staff, you will encourage positive discussion at your table, facilitate small group activities, and ensure participation from each youth in your group. Think of it as a short-term mentoring position. Volunteers can ideally do both dates of a city cohort to strengthen group dynamics. Interested volunteers please contact Lily at lily@volunteerkw.ca.
SHORE Centre is currently accepting applications for volunteer members of our board of directors. If you are interested in bringing your skills and experience to the governance of a prochoice, sex positive, inclusive and accessible organization, please get in touch. The SHORE Centre board meets monthly on Monday evenings and board members participate in fundraising and others events as needed over the calendar year. For more info contact Lyndsey at director@shorecentre.ca.
Are you a positive, outgoing individual who wants to make a difference in someone’s life? Adults In Motion (AIM) is looking for individuals who can work independently with our participants doing various activities, also be able to work as part of a team with staff and other volunteers. No special talents needed — just a big heart and some extra time on your hands. Contact aimvolunteerswr@gmail.com for more information.