The evolution of the F word: Fashion

Every hanger tells a different story, every label expresses different identities. Garments around the world have their own meanings, as nothing is shiny and new. Every single piece has a history, a culture that sustains the evolution of this business that leads to what today we call Global Fashion.

When it comes to fashion, everybody loves talking about those classic and timeless pieces; however, designers have been taking simple pieces into catwalk essentials for couture runway shows. Many of the major western brands had taken into their most memorable collections contributions from African prints, Far East artistic outfits and Middle East robes.

Clothing, and the way everyone makes this pieces look so different, is a clear reflection of who we are as human beings, culturally and socially. Diverse theorists have demonstrated how such a simple thing as a wardrobe, could be used as a code, a language that allows a message to be shaped and understood. Even in challenging times clothing continues to make strong statements; from the American wartime propaganda "We Can Do It!" to the latest controversial discussion about the prohibition of the burqa and the niqab in Europe. No matter the religion or the hemisphere we are pointing our lens into, fashion has been always an emerging subject.

As well as it’s placed on every global market, it is very much representative the fact that the social and economic conditions on every cultures affects on this business directly.  Nevertheless, most labels have overcome from difficult financial and political times in order to re-emerge with a new concept to confront that challenging moment.    

Coco Chanel once says: “Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future”. For that matter, we should take one moment to take into consideration which unique perspectives do we all want to carry on with. Which is the statement you want to create in order to reassure the influence of your culture? Which hanger suits you best? Which label defines your story?

Japan Tsunami's Impact

Have you ever tried to make a long domino snake, putting all the pieces in a line so when the first tile is tumbled, it tumbles the second and on? This very well known game result in all tiles falling down and is also used as an analogy. The domino effect is referred to a linked series of events that occurred in a very short period of time. Nowadays, the perfect example is the Japan tsunami’s impact in the entire world.

Japan is located over a high risk coast; from volcanoes, being part of the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, to earthquakes and tsunamis as a result of the subduction of the Amurian Plate, Okhotsk, Pacific and Philippine Sea Plate. Last March 11^th, Japan suffered a massive 8.9 earthquake followed by a 10 meter tsunami that destroyed everything on its way. After 4 weeks, another earthquake hit Japan, this time measured with a 7.4 magnitude. However, the last tile of this domino effect has still not touch ground.

For a country like Japan, recovering from a tragedy like this should be as quickly as we can imagine. The Gross Domestic Product growth could decline over 0.5 points this year. Although, if the nuclear crisis continues Japan would start facing a whole new level of problems.

As Japan is considered the third largest economy in the world, this catastrophe hit the entire globe. For Western Europe, the major concerns are not the imports and exports from this country, but the rising crude oil prices and high food costs are. Energy exporters, like Australia and Indonesia will be beneficiated as well as Vietnam and its fishing industry. On the other hand, countries like South Korea and Thailand will suffer a major impact as their imports come entirely from Japan. Furthermore, commodities such as steel might experience some changes on its prices, as demand increases for reconstruction.

Nevertheless, many countries and international organizations offered their support to the Japanese people. Uruguay, for example, sent two tons of tinned meat as well as medical supplies.

All in all, this domino effect will not end soon, but we will see consequences of this natural disaster for a few more years.