Fashion Conspiracy?

I'm not exactly sure what type of conspiracy this would relate to, or even if it is a conspiracy of any sort; I only know that this is something that I have noticed and it has bothered me enough to start this thread about it. This isn't "my" thread...it's just a general posting for discussion.

What I've noticed that disturbs me, is that it seems, to me, that America is in an even more advanced stage of "Super-Consumerism" than it has been in several years...maybe decades. Women seem to be especially subject to purchasing more now. Fashion importance seems to have reached a new high. New fabrics are appearing, and the Fashion Designers are rising to the occasion. Women are going all out (even starving themselves, yet again), to own and wear these fashions!

Could this be an insidious conspiracy? A conspiracy to keep the women of America, and even the world, in a state of complacency? Our minds on other things besides what is going on in the country/world. Why should we dwell on horrible things when we can just shop and plan how we'll wear our new purchases? Why question, when we can enjoy ourselves, our new clothes/shoes/purses and revel in each other?

This came to my attention because I, too, have been bit by this bug, and it bugs me. I've always been the practical type, but would insert fashions into my wardrobe on occasion. Now, I seem practically obsessed to myself!

IMHO it's just capitilism creating new markets for an unnecessary product.

And as you mention people fall for it because they want to fit in to the artificial World that capitilism has created.

Fashion has to be one of the biggest scams ever, because it is so ingrained in our minds that to be excepted in society, and even to get a job, you have to be "in fashion".

Who really benefits from this? The corporations and the government (from taxes) of course.

The whole process feeds on our need to fit in and be excepted. It also gives an instant "fix" for your unhappy life. But in the long run it solves nothing.

The sad thing is it is perpetuated by the very people it's fooling.

Just think what could be achieved with the money waisted on that latest pair of shoes, or that "outfit" you only wear once.

this argument goes both ways for every hyper consumerized women outthere there is a man just as obliged to get all the complex necesities out of the corperate interface. that hold just as much water. ie sporting gear

Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy # we don't need.


[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

Originally posted by Whompa1

Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy # we don't need.

[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

I'm actually going to school to be a graphic designer (to start out) so I can change this. It has annoyed me to no end, that I quit my Engineering degree halfway through and am trying to gain access to the Ad agency. Hopefully, I can make ads more appealing while teaching people the right way tto do things with their money and be a 'pro-sumer', ha. All those poor parents who have 6 kids and on welfare will spend that check to buy chrome rims, $80 dollar shirts, etc. Stupid. Hopefully some other responsible people will help me carry this out. I hate being in country (USA) that was once a very great nation, now one of the dumbest/poorest (on average). It's my life's goal.

Originally posted by FallenOne

Originally posted by Whompa1

Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy # we don't need.

[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

I'm actually going to school to be a graphic designer (to start out) so I can change this. It has annoyed me to no end, that I quit my Engineering degree halfway through and am trying to gain access to the Ad agency. Hopefully, I can make ads more appealing while teaching people the right way tto do things with their money and be a 'pro-sumer', ha. All those poor parents who have 6 kids and on welfare will spend that check to buy chrome rims, $80 dollar shirts, etc. Stupid. Hopefully some other responsible people will help me carry this out. I hate being in country (USA) that was once a very great nation, now one of the dumbest/poorest (on average). It's my life's goal.

Thats what I went to school for and now do for a living. Every week I work on various ads advertising # I don't want or need, for that matter no one really needs. But it makes money and thats what makes the world turn.

[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

Whompa1

That's cool. I can't wait until I get out of school. All of my ads will incorporate deep underlying math and symbology. That's where I'll start...I hope I can help the US's comsumers get their brain back!

Originally posted by FallenOne
Whompa1

That's cool. I can't wait until I get out of school. All of my ads will incorporate deep underlying math and symbology. That's where I'll start...I hope I can help the US's comsumers get their brain back!

Word of advice if I may? You can have the best intentions in the world, but its not going to mean # if the companys don't understand it. One thing I have learned is that generally speaking is your advice and values or goals mean little to nothing in the end. The company paying for the ad wants something that the consumers can relate to and understand. They are not going to want something thats heavy on symbology if it mar's the product or is unrelated to it. Your gonna have to find a way to blend it into the overall design because the product will always take center stage.

[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

Originally posted by Whompa1
Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy # we don't need.


[edit on 3-9-2005 by Whompa1]

Pull a lever, push a button, and then you die Just had to

Originally posted by FallenOne

I'm actually going to school to be a graphic designer (to start out) so I can change this.

You've got a good intention which is applaudable for sure. BUT I'm afraid the old, "change-the-system-from-the-inside", has proven to fail miserably under consistent pressure of having to earn your living.

What usually happens is you end up very frustrated, and either quit the profession you chose, or bow to the pressure and carry on a bitter angry employee.

Best way to change the system is to boycott it. Trying to change it from the inside only creates a system run by pissed-off employee's who change nothing but the office atmosphere.

You'll change more by not participating, don't buy their products, than being a resentful, reluctant contributor.

Just my tupence, do with it what you will.

We don't want to change advertising; we want to kill it dead.

I'm happy just buying decent skirts and tops from Goodwill. I don't like today's fashions.

Then again, by today's standards I'm a prude.

Though i wouldn't call it a conspiracy, i do believe that the fashion industry obviously prefabricates the latest trends

if you look at any of those hottest fashion websites, it will tell you what color people are wearing, what styles are in this year, and what is out.

now, unless thousands or millions of people suddenly all decided to wear pink, "because its the new black," i think that the fashion industry decided what will be hot, and force the materialistic people of our nation to buy their next product.

think about what it would be like if they didn't force new fads. women wouldn't be starving themselves so they can have the latest dress (which will quickly be replaced in a few months) and the clothing makers would make less money

i guess it could be a conspiracy, albeit an obvious one, but at least its likely