Watching TV last night they were interviewing up and coming Welsh fashion designer Ross Jenkins. They mentioned, rather casually, that his last collection was 'based on the holocaust'. I spluttered my tea at this point as they showed skinny models in stylishly distressed black and grey robes. And no-one seemed to think there was anything wrong with this. I see now he is claiming it is a 'tribute'. Oh yeah, of course. It's a tribute in the same way an Auschwitz inspired breakfast cereal would be a tribute, and in no way insulting, shallow and disrespectful. It leads to such deep analysis as: "Ross Jenkins' moth eaten brogues are refreshing and although he used the Holocaust as his theme, there are some unscary high-waisted trousers and fabulous knits which drape around the body."
If Clive James were to use this in a novel we'd accuse him of taking parody too far. And this is the thing I just don't get about fashion - nothing matters, absolutely nothing,except self-adoration. And this is a world so many of our youth aspire to. I mean, come on. It's not just me that finds this appalling is it? Yet I couldn't find any criticism of it anywhere.
Is it just fashion, or does a lot of broadcast media stray into this territory? Reality TV?
Posted by: AJ Cann | 02/10/2007 at 10:42 AM
Sasha Baron Cohen's Bruno character often shows up the amorality of the fashion types, ready to say anything if the camera is on... including making blithe references to Auschwitz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLi7liCC_zs
(Language and good taste warning)
Posted by: Brian | 03/10/2007 at 12:04 AM