Seasonless Fashion

As many sources for fashion news reported on the runway shows and street fashion this past fashion month, they also included commentary the future of fashion bloggers and street style - whose importance seems to have reached an apex.  Tommy Ton, one of the first few street style photographers recently told The Wall Street Journal, "To see someone wearing something of significance from a certain past season reflects more about their knowledge and passion for fashion," he said. "It shows they're not caught up with the idea of being photographed, that they actually feel comfortable wearing their clothes."

Runway-debuted pieces appearing on fashion elite hours after the show, and fast fashion ensuring interpretations appear on selves months before the originals hit store shelves.  Trends boomerang between merchandise levels (designer - fast fashion - mass - fast fashion - designer and back).  There is no longer a distinct fashion cycle for each season.  

Off-price retailers, both store-front and online versions including Outnet.com, have given fashion credibility to post-season fashion.  Designers of iconic houses are looking more frequently to archives, and knowledgeable consumers are seeking out previous-seasons designer's work.   In the same WSJ article, the owner of Webster boutique is searching for Balenciaga from seven years ago.

The industry's (former) six-month cycle of a seasonal refresh is no longer applicable, but does this mean the consumer is more appreciative of fashion and design?