Seasonless Clothes

Last October, Australian Fashion Week went ‘trans-seasonal’ as a response to the seasional change the (European) fashion industry has traditionally dictated. Now we see more signs of this change in attitudes within fashion: In an article on the JC Report, Robert Cordero looks at the trend against fashion ’seasons’. While the autumn/winter and spring/summer collection cycles have always driven a fast pace within fashion (and the fairly recent trend of mid-season ranges have just added to it), Cordero argues that a growing number of designers are beginning to question the need for speed:

A growing number of designers, however, are beginning to question this headlong pace and its relevance to the way we live, instead promoting flexible, seasonless collections… Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer of Project No. 8, a discerningly merchandised fashion and design outpost in New York’s Chinatown, also believe in seasonless garments. In addition to stocking Kostas Murkudis’ 96 dresses, a collection of chic frocks meant for all seasons that’s been covered in these pages, the duo also have their own seasonless line under the Various Projects umbrella. “What excites us about the seasonless approach is that after decades of forced obsolescence by design in retail, people are beginning to rewrite the rules on what is an acceptable rhythm in the fashion cycle,” says Janusiak.

…While it would be easy to view these initiatives as strictly anti-establishment efforts, there are compelling signs that a truly seasonless fashion future may be on the horizon. First and foremost, global warming is rendering seasonal temperatures increasingly unpredictable. At the same time, subtler shifts are occurring, such as retailers placing increased importance on resort/cruise collections. As Diane Von Furstenburg did in her s/s ‘09 resort outing, a number of designers are beginning to include more seasonless pieces in their collections to give their jet-setting customers more flexibility. Soon, a truly global, all-weather lifestyle could be within our reach.

JC Report