Introduction
The influence celebrities hold on the fashion industry is undeniably substantial, since they are often seen as desirable symbols on social media from how they set certain standards and uncover trends for the public. They embody the very lifestyle that people strive for: fame, fortune, and beauty. Fashion is also seen as an interpretation of one's identity; it is the first impression of someone's personality and creativity. As a result, it's no surprise that celebrities often endorse fashion products: A Taiwanese study revealed that consumers showed a greater recall of products that had been recommended by celebrities – regardless of whether they were actual fans or not. The human brain recognizes celebrities similarly to how it recognizes people we actually know. The effect is that, if consumers happen to be fans, they place a higher value on products that celebrities are endorsing – it is as if they are receiving advice from a valued friend. Celebrity fashion has also been the spotlight of many award ceremonies and fundraisers, as red carpet looks like Blake Lively's Versace gown in the 2022 Met Gala frequent headlines. It's no surprise that the majority of us are influenced by celebrities to find our own look based on what is considered acceptable by society nowadays.
The reality of K-pop styling
The spotlight of K-pop culture often focuses on the artists themselves, and while their outfits are often admired and commented on by netizens, few know of the stories behind the stylists in charge of these glamorous fits. The truth is, the brutal reality of the Korean styling industry can easily match the competitive K-pop industry. Stylists start out with an apprenticeship under a head stylist (assuming they choose to join a production company) and are charged with trivial but tedious errands. They are expected to be at the beck and call of the head stylist, whether there are all-night video shooting sessions or day-long shows, whilst trying their best to avoid an open berating from the head stylist lest they slip up. Even if they hold degrees in fashion design or styling, extensive connections and relationships with professionals or clients are often required for them to have a foothold in the industry. Some assistants may even have to work for a decade under a head stylist before they can operate their own team for hire or express ideas in their own designs.
Met Gala 2022
Donning Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 skintight dress, Kim Kardashian has been recognized as one of the highlights of Met Gala 2022, quickly becoming the subject of many headlines and articles online. The dress, originally bought by Ripley's Believe it or Not in 2016, was lent to Kim Kardashian for the Met Gala after what was reported to be 'months of negotiation and preparation'. The flesh-colored dress, featuring over 2,500 hand-stitched crystals, was only worn by Kim Kardashian for mere minutes on the red carpet as she slipped into a replica for the remainder of the night. However, new evidence from Scott Fortner suggests that the short period of time was enough for the dress to be significantly damaged. On the @marilynmonroecollection Instagram page, before and after photos of the fabric show a clear comparison that the real zipper had been stretched to breaking, and some crystals adorned had also gone missing. While both Ripley's and Kim Kardashian felt that the dress was a symbol of the legacy Marilyn Monroe left behind, with Kim Kardashian personally stating that the outfit was an attempt to introduce the younger generation to Marilyn Monroe's history, members of society still felt that the damage done was inexcusable, as both the integrity and historical value of the dress was compromised.
Kim Kardashian's extreme attempt to lose seven kilograms in three weeks in order to fit in the dress also sparked controversy on the topic of body positivity. Marilyn Monroe's dress was a custom fit, sown last-minute on Monroe's body so that it accentuated her curves and body shape. Kim Kardashian has a vastly different body type, and even the extreme diet would not enable her to fit in the dress in a safe way, for both herself and the fabric. Moreover, some critics pose the question of whether Kim Kardashian was, in a way, encouraging the audience to change their bodies to fit their clothes, instead of the other way around. The truth is, with Kim's power in social media, many expect her to advocate for the right values and mindsets, but the Met Gala experience has clearly set a bad example for many of her followers in turn.
Major controversies in fashion
As more and more fashion trends spread across social media, business opportunities emerge for brands including Shein and H&M. However, the increased profit comes at a huge environmental cost, leading to backlash from the audience who disapprove of fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to clothing made with cheap materials and intended for short-term use, which coordinates perfectly with the rapid pace at which fashion industries evolve. Low-quality garments are mass-produced by underpaid workers, then sold at prices increased by tenfold, which not only wastes resources but produces massive pollution for landfills and oceans. 35% of microplastics come from synthetic fibres, and it is estimated that a garbage truck of textiles is discarded every second. Moreover, chemicals expelled from clothing factories affect those outside the industry. An example of this would be the Aral Sea, which has shrunk by 90% in the past 50 years due to fast fashion water consumption and chemical contamination.
The unethical working conditions for factory workers in the clothing industry have also sparked widespread controversy online. 97% of fast fashion is being produced in developing countries with poor labour and human protections, where in-factory abuse and negligence are often inflicted on children and forced citizens. With an ever-increasing demand for clothes, workers face long hours and low wages, and the undesirable conditions in a factory also exhaust their health. As it turns out, while fast fashion fulfils the privileged with whatever fashion desires they might have, at the same time it disadvantages the most vulnerable within society.
The future of the Fashion Industry
As mental health and body positivity continues to spread across social media, the audience's increasing awareness of environmental and ethical concerns may shift the fashion industry in a positive manner. Companies, faced with threats of being boycotted and backlash, are adopting more sustainable practices. Coupled with enthusiastic consumers willing to cut back on unnecessary expenditure and support authentic brands, the situation in the fashion industry is more than likely to improve in the future. While fashion will possibly remain an outlet for creativity and glamour in the future, stylists and celebrities are being encouraged to work together to shape this form of art in a flexible manner, taking into consideration the world we live in. As Elizabeth Steward once stated in an interview, "if we come out of this with greater compassion and sensitivity to the interconnectedness of the world, then we can use our very public platform to make the world a better place."
Sources
Writing: Gaille Su
Editing: Bernice Lau
Graphics: Ashley Kwok
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