In reply to Galileo's Universe:

Well gee, thanks, but not helpful.

I really don't understand. Is it because it's me that posted this topic that nobody can be arsed? Is it the way I've phrased my questions?

In the fashion world, is 'functional' a dirty word?

I admire fashion when, with design, it transcends the purely decorative or functional, even while serving these in some way. That's why I'm interested in this question of cycle chic. And I'm obviously not alone in this, in fact I'm late as usual, but...

Elsewhere on this site there is Helen Storey doing amazing, innovative things with biodegradable materials. SHOWstudio is also proning fashion as political - and is cycling not an environmental, and therefore a political issue? So in what way is fashion contributing to this?

Is there any chance of an exchange of info or even some kind of conversation about it?

In reply to f:lux:

I'm sorry if it wasn't helpful to your question ... it was just a compliment for the event in question ... in any case it was not meant to give an answer to your question ' can safety be stylish ?....
To be rather honest and forgive me but I find the question very vague, but then it must be me !... Are we talking about dangerous sports or just ordinary sports only ? .... of course you can be wearing stylishly and safety designed ... everyday clothes and yet still be knocked down by a bus ... but then again it must be just me who doesn't get it ... I'm sorry about that .
The one type of clothing that I can think of that that is used for safety is a bullet proof vest ... but that particular item is mostly used in extreme circumstances...

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

OK, sorry...

And here's an example of the sort of standard hi-viz safety gear I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd rather die than wear, but still. Style-wise, there is a massive amount of room for improvement, no?

Cheers!

In reply to f:lux:

I don't know - looks quite A/W '08 to me.

In reply to Sandrine:

Well now I don't know either - does he look like a traffic cone to you?

In reply to f:lux:

Oh that one !!! .... I see what you mean now... ok that type of reflective gear . Yes it would be a nice idea to use the materials in a more stylish way, nevertheless I'm wondering how commercially viable such gear would be ? .... because practicallity and safety are the top priorities when making such item , but having said that using such materials in a fashionable way it would certainly create a rather futuristic effect .... futuristic fashion ....

Walter Van Beirendonck's collections in the far past is the one who comes to mind... less intricate in cut and with the use of colours almost shouting at you ... but then perhaps to extreme for the conventional taste ....
a very limited market unfortunately ...

In the end the question could be... does the manufacturing cost justify the idea for the sake of fashion when the purpose is simply to fulfil a basic function ? .... and how many people would be prepared to pay more for a beautifully stylish safety gear ? ... unless it becomes de 'IN ' thing to wear ... even when catching the tube safely to go home ....

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

Bingo! And the question is, how can fashion take something like this beyond the basic function aspect but still be useful?

Otherwise, is the market as limited as it might at first seem? There's potential for crossover applications into biker wear, for example. Plus, as you say, it could then become the in thing to wear irregardless of the practical applications.

Actually, take last year's biker chic trend as an example. The whole black leather jacket thing, that for bikers is in fact about safety first and then a style statement, was translated up (and with very little in the way of innovation in the genre as far as I've seen) from the street to couture and has since been superficially filtering back down through high-street outlets.

So, where stylish safety gear is concerned, will the impetus have to come from street level before couture catches on, or might couture trendset again?

I hope there's good coverage of the Wheels and Heels thing during London Fashion Week. I'm really curious now!

In reply to f:lux:

I'm not so sure that couture is that much ' alive' and tuned to the times ... for one thing couture today seems to be drowning to fast in its own ' bubbling champagne' and far... far .... far away from real reality.... I think it will have to come from the street level where a ' revolution ' may indeed begin, so lets hope that the underground designers will tune themselves to ' Future Radio ' .... one candidate for me personally would be Gareth Pugh ... he has the vitality.... the fantasy and the conviction .... but then again that is just one opinion !!

In reply to Galileo's Universe:

Pic of the ever delectable Galliano, by Jason Lloyd Evans, spotted in this Sunday's Observer Woman supplement...

I don't think anybody expects couture to be about "real reality" - but then isn't this it's very strength? What the genre of clothing we're talking about here could really do with is a massive infusion of fantasy, and some sex probably wouldn't go amiss either. Something to take it out of the should-be-a-good-idea-but-actually-no-thanks zone. Sort of, something more successful than chocolate flavoured condoms, as it were?

In reply to f:lux:

.............................. FROM : //www.moncler.com

" I don't think anybody expects couture to be about "real reality"' ....
very , very true indeed ! and yet the difference is that now we are waking up to a different 'reality' .... having said that ...I was actually referring to the idea that Couture ( as I personally see it ) used to be also a kind of laboratory to experiment with new ideas and new 'developments' ...it was kind of 'Alice in Wonderland' by mixing fantasy and innovation to certain extent .... Of course what you saw on the catwalk wasn't ' reality ' very often but it didn't diminished its role as a kind of providers of new ideas in fashion ....

You do have a point as I see it and the sad truth is that there are a vast range of new and exciting fabrics that would fit in what you are just talking about but somehow those fabrics don't seem to reach us for whatever reason , perhaps cost or they don't know how to apply them in a design ..... who knows ! but the possibilities to experiment are really great ..... and the Swiss are just one the best ever in the field ....

Ah !... Mr J. Galliano ! Ok... how can I put it without been totally misinterpreted, ... I'll try my best :):).... Yes he is truly indeed one of a kind , incredibly and faboulously talented .... I used to think he would go on to create wonders of beauty ..... but beauties that wouldn't just stop at 12:00 midnight , the moment Cinderella had to go home ..... before the spell was broken to go back to 'reality' ... unfortunately Cinderella stills dancing ... alone ... and forgot to go home.... with time standing still .... that is my very personal view ..... but then again why not ? ... It is up to him to create what he personally thinks brings success in all fronts to the brand that put its faith in him .... Sometimes I wish he would turn really ' wicked and naughty ' and let us see another fantasy tale .... with a title ... such as ' Back To The Future ' ..... but then again this is just one opinion and no offence meant to his faithful fans!