Mission

Style Dialectic is a platform for the open questioning, discussion, and provocation of and about the world of fashion; its place in society, in our lives, in our closets, and in our psyches.  Where have we been, how did we get here, and where are we going?  Fashion stirs the imagination, shapes our self identity, and reflects the values of our times. It is in the mirror, and it IS the mirror.  It is a silent dialogue we have with ourselves every day.  We can chose to expand this conversation, and thus further our self awareness, or not.  But it is always there.  On any given day, at any time, we can experiment with a new way of seeing ourselves.

We have reached a time in history when the lines of identity are more blurred than ever.  There is increasing freedom to find one’s place at the extreme end of the spectrum or anywhere in between.  Our right to exercise this freedom has changed society, changed relationships, and changed our aesthetic sensibilities.  Images, motifs, and designs that may have, in the past, been indicative of a specific social or economic class can now be used anywhere.  Graffiti prints used on a luxury bag, calf hair sneakers, the mix of hi/ low is common practice.  A different diffusion line hits the racks of a high street retailer every week.  Is this progress? Maybe yes, maybe no.

The “Democratization of Fashion” is a worthwhile goal, but at what price?  Does it threaten the place of the incredibly talented designers working today who shape the entire industry with their vision?  Does it encourage excess consumption by offering more and more “seasons” every year to pique consumer interest?  Does it contribute to the growing problem of landfill overflow, when retailers manufacture clothing that is worn once and then thrown away? These are just some of the questions posed here at Style Dialectic.  Please feel free to add your own to the conversation. Tell me, what do you think is the                                                                                                                                                                           future of fashion?