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Article: The Bottom Line Calls for Magic
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The fashion industry, not to be confused with the garment trade,
is in the unfortunate position of manufacturing merchandise that
many would argue is wholly unnecessary and, when a $10,000 blazer is
strutted down a runway by a teenager, is morally offensive.
There is a strong argument against such a position, namely that
beauty and artistry are never superfluous and that it is impossible
to put a price tag on happiness. But to justify that more liberal
position at a time when the U.S. economy is in a landslide and the
global repercussions are unnerving, designers here have the
challenge of creating clothes that speak of luxury and beauty in a
time of cost-cutting and bankruptcies without ...