"Good artists copy, Great artists steal"

As I began sewing these velvet/corduroy shorts for my autumn/winter wardrobe I began to question nostalgia. Corduroy, a fabric greatly associated with the 60s and 70s, made a re-appearance in my childhood. I remember flouncing around in corduroy flares. Even Rachel Bilson confessed her love of corduroys, them being “ really comfy and cozier than jeans.” Yes, it is a re-useable fabric, however, I begin to question other trends, such as the 90s. A fashion that only roamed the streets a decade ago, yet seems to have reappeared.  I, myself have a fascination with wartime and the period of the 40s-50s. A time, I wasn’t even alive in. So why then are we so obsessed with bringing them back to life?

On researching into it, I discovered an article by author Will Self:

“ I think I now understand why it is that the young are so very nostalgic. They have so little by way of personal history that they polish it up and make it shine like a treasured heirloom.”

And I am encouraged slightly to agree with his remark. After all, can we not create our own decade? When we look back on the 2000s and the 2010s, are we really going to say we had a 90s comeback? That 2013 let loose a 20s flare?

I find myself saddened by the lack of change and development I can see in the future. Even now as I look through the up and coming SS14 collections,  yes, they are beautiful. But are the new? As we reference them, we include previous designers and ideas. 

Even Picasso told that "Good artists copy, Great artists steal"

Is there originality? Yes.

Although my previous argument, strongly opposes this, I am urged to reconsider. After all, J W Anderson, with every collection re-illustrates an idea of unisex silhouettes. Christopher Kane, continues to excite us with his use of new fabrics. Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto's print take us on a journey of new realisation. And Dolce and Gabbana, continue their story to portray an angelic and supernatural beauty, through their collections. Yes, we may be a bit too nostalgic, but as we dwell and even use these previous ideas. We sort through them, taking the best parts and pairing them with a freshness, that will take us into a new future.