This seasons up-and-coming trendsetters

Fashion is constantly developing and changing, from mainstream high-street trends to the weird and wonderful collections that designers showcase each season. But how do we determine what is fashionable? Who decides what tailoring, prints, colours and materials are this year’s big thing? Fashion cannot simply be explained as clothing but as a statement.

Images: Chloe Fergurson
Graphic created by myself 

As an individual you choose what you want to wear and how you want to wear it, even if you say you don’t care about fashion and don’t dress to make a statement, you are ironically making a statement (that you don’t care about fashion). Most pay attention to fashion in small doses, keeping their wardrobes up to date by indulging in a few trends each season. Others use fashion as a way of expression, a source of creativity and an insight into their individuality. It is a language which tells a story about the person who wears it.

We are constantly being bombarded with new fashion ideas influenced from music, television, social networking sites and blogs. The media plays a significant role when it comes to fashion, creating a major outlet for spreading trends and fashion tips that are extremely accessible to a mass audience, impacting on what people will choose to wear.

The trend setters of this generation actively rebel against what is classed as the ‘normal’, they want to create an edge, a unique quirkiness that is not plastered on every magazine, shop window and mannequin.

London is known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, hoarding groups of men and women that elude a certain taste and authority amongst the catwalks, individuals of wealth and position that all worship Haute Couture. Forget the divas of Bond Street and take a closer look into the studio flats and university workshops that are bursting with innovative and unconventional fashion students.

After talking to Chloe Fergurson, a student studying fashion textiles at Middlesex University it was clear to see how anything and everything inspired her. We all know inspiration comes and goes; it can come from anywhere and flow for any amount of time, it is important to grab that inspiration and use it as a starting point.  Exploring different cultures, ethnicities and places are just some of the ways to get inspired, Chloe explains how Indian embellishment, vice documentary’s, fetish wear, erotic photography, the revival of the 80’s and the buzz of London club nights all influence her designs. “I have fashion shows, music gigs and art galleries on my doorstep, I am incredibly lucky to live here, everywhere I go I am inspired by so many different things.”

Images:Chloe Fergurson
Graphic created by myself

Fashion has almost nothing to do with good taste. The clothes that are presented at fashion shows are often exaggerations of a theme and are outrageously designed to create a reaction. Fashion tastes are broad; it is the individual that chooses what they want to wear. Chloe believes that “the night truly brings out peoples more creative side. I myself can dress completely differently; one night I can boarder dominatrix dripping with PVC, the next a glitter explosion Most of the time I  look like a slob in a big merge of black, as if I’m off to a funeral.”

As an aspiring designer Chloe often plays around and experiments with various materials, styles and colours. She recently modelled a collection made entirely out of string, military camouflage material, denim and studs. “The best thing about studying fashion is that we can make the most amazing fabrics, to construct a garment to wear is one of the biggest achievements, it is a one off, and no-one else will ever wear the same garment as you.”

Fashion will never stop, it is constantly evolving. Designers will always strive to be the most original, the most ostentatious; they will push to be at the top of the fashion chain making the industry so competitive. To create a cutting edge trend you have to push the boundaries and explore beyond the normal, the clothes have to grab media and consumer interest as well portraying an artistic expression. Chloe knows all too well about being in the industry, “It is all part of working in fashion, you have to be tough and push your ideas forwards, to get your name known you have to be competitive. It is about being in an environment that is so competitive that it forces you to push yourself every minute, every hour, and every day of the week”.