Artistry should not exclude wearability

It is undeniable that fashion is art. It not only involves craftsmanship but also creative expression for the creator. Maybe the most compelling support argument is the way people interpret fashion. How they wear it, why they wear it and what it means to them. Fashion is art.

Yet. Fashion fulfills a practical function in our daily lives. Garments provide physical protection for the body while simultaneously enabling human movement. Fashion should be wearable. But that does not mean that these two cannot intersect. Stockholm Fashion Week proves that fashion does not have to exclude artistry to be wearable.

During this year´s Fashion Week DSTN presented a collection that represented the minimalist aesthetic rooted in Western style while Temesgen’s collection highlighted Ethiopia’s rich culture and Swedish minimalism. Previous fashion shows have emphasized “fashion is art” by making the garments’ artistic impact the main focus, often at the cost of its wearability.  Instead, both brands showed that creative expression can go hand in hand with wearability. This opens up a broader discussion in the industry about creativity in relation to the human body and how to adapt it to daily life.

It is clear that this is not only a passing trend that the two brands have picked up, but a shift in the industry. It reflects a shift within the industry where fashion is creating space for the ordinary, daily life of people. For the people that wake up at 6:30 am for work, to spend the entire day working, only to get home to eat, sleep and get ready for the next day. These people also want to express themselves through clothes that reflect their personality. It is from these practical needs that the artistic aspect of fashion should emerge.Through the creative process, designers should combine materials, technology, and silhouette to create garments that are both functional and artistic expressions.  DSTN and Temesgen showcase this brilliantly in their respective collections. DSTN created garments that can function in daily life, whether in an office setting or going grocery shopping, but leaned into the western style while Temesgen brought in garments that allow the wearer to showcase cultural heritage.  

In the end garments are supposed to be worn, worn down and thrown out. But during its time it should also serve as a marker of identity, where the wearer should be able to express themselves. Therefore, I want to thank Stockholm Fashion Week for allowing space for fashion to be both artistic and  wearable. To create a room for the everyday person like myself.