Hey! It's Mitalee Deshpande

Have you ever wondered who on earth would wear such crazy clothing while watching a fashion show on television or online? I know I have. I remember watching FTV as a young adult and being amazed and baffled by the weird and unwearable garments that the models were strutting on the runway. I thought they looked like aliens, not like real people.

When I first started studying fashion and was exposed to a wide range of designers and fashion ideas, I was in awe of the talent, originality, and work that went into making these clothes. But I was still curious. If no one was going to wear them, what was the point? Because, believe me, nobody with a rational mind would wear those in public. And I’ve seen some very odd clothing on the streets of Paris.

It took me some time to understand that fashion shows should be handled similarly to exhibits. Consider the clothing to be pieces of art. Designers typically follow their intuition; there are rarely any restrictions on their inventiveness; instead, the only constraint is their level of audacity.

Fashion shows frequently feature bizarre and unwearable clothing because clever marketing tactics are used to promote them. Designers can generate buzz and publicity for their brand and collection by coming up with something unusual and attention-grabbing. They may distinguish themselves from the competition by showcasing their originality and vision. A fashion show with an unusual or unexpected component is more likely to generate media coverage and public interest than one with an ordinary or predictable component.

However, this does not imply that the designers are merely having fun or using their imaginations for no reason. There is a method to their madness. The weird and unwearable garments are not meant to be sold or worn as they are. They are meant to be translated and adapted into more wearable and commercial versions, that will appeal to a wider audience and generate more sales. The weird and unwearable garments are like prototypes or experiments, that test the limits and possibilities of fashion design. They are also like artworks, that express the designer’s aesthetic and message.

There’s a big difference between the collection of Uniqlo and the collection of Alexander McQueen. You’re not supposed to look at them the same way. And that was the mistake I’d been making all this time.

Apart from the obvious distinctions like haute couture, luxury, streetwear, etc., it was difficult for me to distinguish between the two labels because I was raised with the idea that comfort should always come before style. The vast majority of individuals consider clothing to be functional. I had the same opinion even while I was a fashion student. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I couldn’t help but be shocked by these designers’ ridiculous collections and judge them for it. Which is the wrong side to be on considering that, in all honesty, I lack even a fraction of their imagination and courage. Furthermore, judgmental people are rarely receptive to understanding. And that was something that needed to change.

Here’s something that helped me: the next time I saw a fashion show, I concentrated on the skills of the fashion designer and their team rather than thinking about the outrageousness – see where they come from, where their mind wanders, how it is a reflection of the society.

At the end of the day, I know I’m going to Uniqlo or H&M or even Primark for that matter for my clothes but at least I would have a deeper appreciation for something that I was so fascinated by as a child. An industry I was so curious about that I majored in it. And maybe, just maybe, I would be inspired to try something new and different, something that expresses who I am and who I want to be, something that makes me feel good and look good. Because that’s what fashion is all about, right?