Dear friends, after this summer publication break, it is a pleasure to see you again for this ninth episode of Sapristi.
Episode that I dedicated to a big existential question: why is fashion cyclical? Why is something cool one day, then cheesy the next?
Why is fashion cyclical?
In this new video, we will cover many topics: we will talk about old people, and we will talk about young people.
We'll talk about why fashion ages in people's eyes, and how it becomes younger through the same process.
We will also discuss the notion of the “pyramid of influence” , and see how the elite and everyone else mutually participate in turning the wheel of fashion cycles.
And finally, we will risk a little prediction exercise: in the future, will fashion become more cyclical, or less cyclical ?
1. The passage of time and how it rejuvenates fashion
“To become cool again, something has to become unique enough to stand out from the crowd, and at the same time familiar enough to not come out of nowhere.”
This is the postulate of this part, and we will endeavor to demonstrate it via an analysis of the revival choices (stylistic AND musical) of two different “generational groups”.
From there, we will try to see if there is a sort of "pattern" , a recurring pattern. Is there a magic time frame from which a trend can be resurrected ?
But... What is this funny pattern? Well... You'll have to watch the video to find out 😉
2. The passage of time and how fashion ages
After showing how a trend becomes rejuvenated, we will see what causes the opposite phenomenon: how something becomes "chronologically outdated".
We will link with Sapristi #6 on "charisma", and show how cognitive biases affect us when it comes to judging trends that are carried by older people.
3. Runoff to the bottom: from experts to the general public
It is in this part that we will recycle (in our own way) the famous “pyramid of influence”. We will try to establish, according to our own criteria, a sort of hierarchy of influence in fashion: at the top of the pyramid are the smaller groups who propose the craziest, original, or avant-garde ideas.
And as we go down it, we arrive at the most mainstream actors, where the ideas that will become mainstream are retained.
Imagine a tree in the rain. Imagine that water drops are fashion ideas. And imagine that each branch is a layer of the pyramid: the lower you are, the fewer water drops.
4. “When the crowd takes over a space, the elite deserts it”
In this part, we will try to show that the more a trend is adopted by the majority, the more it is failed in its execution. And as a result, the overall perception of a trend deteriorates as it spreads.
Another weird pattern. You're definitely going to have to watch the video to understand what a sandal is doing between two groups of yellow men.
5. The trickle up: the experts who recover the “vulgar”
Here, we come full circle, and show how the elite skilfully reclaims "fallen" trends and brings them back up to date...
Step 1: Take the expired ingredient and place it in the magic cauldron, over low heat.
Which will allow us, for example, to explain to you what happened with the famous "shirt", the height of bad taste 10 years ago , and yet at the forefront of the trend today.
Step 2: Let simmer for 10 to 15 years (Credits: Getty Images)
Step 3: Well done, you’ve recycled a trend!
6. And in the future, will the cycle be more intense, or slower?
Nothing is eternal: even major cycles and their patterns can change.
Also, after analyzing the functioning of fashion cycles today and in past decades, we will try to guess whether this pattern will intensify in the future... or on the contrary soften.
7. Conclusion
This episode was intended to be complementary to my Sapristi #2 : in the latter, I explained the trends rather through the prism of a categorization, which intended them to last more or less long.
By using these two methods of analysis, I hope you can increase your perspective and understanding of fashion and trends.
Good viewing !
In this video I wear...
- A Percival Clothing polo shirt
- A Momotaro denim jacket
- Claudio Mariani pants
- Tricker's boots
- A Piece Of Chic scarf
