Oh, these designers, they would bring everything to the point of absurdity! They didn’t have time to look back, and the tendency to dress inconspicuously and comfortably grew into a whole direction of “ugly fashion”. And the new collections of well-known and expensive brands look so that you can’t look without laughing … Let’s look at the original models with humor and try to understand who they were created for.
Unusual styles, strange decorative elements and high price tags are the “three whales” of modern “ugly” fashion. Seeing such clothes at fashion shows of famous brands, we think: “Who will wear this? And where?..” And they wear it, and with great pride and love.
And while some people buy luxury «ugly» clothes, others are trying to understand why they are needed at all. Just for the latter, the project “Fashionable Iron Failed” was created, where its author, Alla Korzh, shares a sober and sometimes cynical look at the most ridiculous luxury items.
The channel content consists of two components: an image of a thing and a commentary on it. And the joke is often the key part.
“A conditional microbag of a well-known brand for 10 minimum wages in itself is unlikely to be very funny,” says Alla Korzh. “My goal is to make this subject absurd in the eyes of readers. To hook and pull out on display what they would not have paid attention to at another moment. Nevertheless, the very first question that I ask myself when choosing a model is: “Did the “fashion iron” refuse its creator or not?” So in any case, I have internal criteria for selecting material.”
Where did «ugly fashion» come from?
About seven years ago, it became a trend to dress simply and unpretentiously in order to look “like everyone else”. From two English words: normal and hardcore (one of the translation options: “hard style”), the name of the style “normcore” arose. Those who are “tired of fashion” have opted for underlined non-originality, simplicity and rejection of extravagance.
Picking up the trend and leading it, designers began to create their own versions of functional clothing. And, as one would expect, they brought the idea to the point of absurdity. There were strange styles, ridiculous accessories, ugly shapes and strange prints. So the trend to dress «like everyone else» in the fashion industry turned into a desire to stand out — even in this direction.
In itself, this concept is subjective, so it is impossible to distinguish the ugly from the beautiful, this line is too thin.
“The same thing for the same person can be ugly now, and perfect tomorrow. The mood has changed, and the view of the subject has become different, — the author notes. — In addition, the inner feeling of a person when wearing certain clothes is easily transmitted to others. If you feel like a «freak» in this fashionable hat, then do not be surprised that you may be perceived that way. It is noticeable in the posture, look, gestures — no magic.
It is worth distinguishing between the concepts of «ugly fashion» and «ugly clothes». According to celebrity stylist Dani Michel, ugly fashion is a particular trend or design that may not look aesthetically pleasing. Whereas ugly clothes are «just badly designed clothes».
A strange bag for 10 minimum wages, an absurd belt for a hundred thousand, the same expensive bag in which nothing more than a matchbox will fit … It seems that such a fashion can cause not so much laughter as indignation, hostility and even disgust. Why does it work differently in the case of a project?
Disgust in people is usually caused by potentially dangerous, threatening objects, the author explains. There are enough of them in the fashion world: imitation of blood on fabric, shoes with heel modeling made of human flesh, even harmless styling in the form of tattoos or piercings on transparent material. Here they can provoke discomfort.
“And the choice of unusual, but obviously safe items of clothing can cause a smile because of its unexpectedness,” adds Alla Korzh. — In addition, our surroundings also affect perception — what a resident of a small city will laugh at is perceived in the capital as commonplace. We saw something else.”
Why do people choose «ugly fashion»?
- Out of a desire to be like everyone else. Now, when almost everything is available to us, it is very difficult to stand out from the crowd. There will always be someone who prefers the same brand, even if it is luxury. On the other hand, people are afraid of simplicity and the mainstream. After all, the fashion industry is quite cruel: for being “basic” you can be ostracized here. «Ugly» fashion gives a lot of choice and allows you to feel and show individuality.
- To enter the club of the chosen ones. Although we strive to stand out from the general mass of people in order not to be “like them”, we still do not want to be alone. “The choice of clothes gives a sense of belonging to a certain circle of people. Buying a recognizable item, we seem to declare: «I am mine.» That is why there is such a huge number of fakes of famous brands, ”says Alla Korzh.
- Boredom. Home, work, work, home — one way or another, the routine causes boredom. I want something different, something out of the ordinary. If a simple change of outfit can cheer you up and add variety to your daily routine, what about choosing a risqué dress or suit? He can almost give us a new life. And the desire to shock the audience, to stand out among the boring masses is not in last place here.
- Because they like her. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, many strange, even frightening clothing options can have their loyal fans. In addition, “every ridiculous thing can be styled so that everyone gasps,” Alla Korzh is sure. “Don’t underestimate the potential that a designer put into an item.”