Today I am going to talk about the globalization of Fashion. Fashion is universal and transcends not only the different regions but also the different eras. Fashion which was once predominantly French and European has now globalized into an international affair. One example to illustrate my point would be how there are fashion weeks not only in European countries any more. Right now, there are fashion weeks in South Africa, Brazil, China, India and also our very own Singapore! By having more fashion weeks around, it is not only encouraging more emerging designers from their respective countries to step out and show their collection but also bringing the collections from the more prestigious fashion capitals to the locals!
Gap, an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California and founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher, is also putting in its best effort to globalize fashion. Gap has recently came to Singapore with stores in Vivo City and Wisma Atrium. As of October 2006, Gap Inc. had approximately 150,000 employees and operated 3,139 stores worldwide not only in the United States, but also Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and United Kingdom. Gap has also recently enlisted 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners Doo-Ri Chung of Doo.Ri, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, and Thakoon’s Thakoon Panichgul to design a limited-edition collection of specially designed pieces that will be sold at Gap stores. Out of the 4 designers, 2 of them are Asian and this proves my point on how fashion is globalizing and giving more people from different cultures equal opportunities to experiment.
http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/Scene/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=420461&itype=8488The designers in the ad campaign with their models, Doo-Ri Chung of Doo.Ri, Thakoon’s Thakoon Panichgul, and Rodarte sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy.Your Cultural Expert, Nicholas!
Labels: Nicholas Chua - Culture Expert
