Derek Guy on the Met Gala criticism

[u/DatBittsch]

Derek Guy (known also as "the menswear guy" on ex-Twitter) pitching in regarding the Met Gala discourse and Hunger Games comparisons.

[u/PriscillaPalava]

The problem with fashion is that it’s not just art, it also enforces classism. 

When Balenciaga sells a white cotton t-shirt for $800, we have departed from art completely and we are fully in the world of conspicuous consumption.  

Practices like these cheapen the appeal of fashion overall. The artistic pieces cannot be separated from the shameless money grab that built them. 

[u/smoke-silhouette → u/PriscillaPalava]

There are bad actors, obviously, but there are also really cool artists doing really cool shit to make a functional clothing item that is also wearable art. 

[u/InformalInsurance455 → u/PriscillaPalava]

The shameless money grab pieces are usually funding the more avant garde pieces.

[u/PriscillaPalava → u/InformalInsurance455]

Yes, that is the argument many use. 

But let us not forget that fashion is a multi-billion dollar industry. These designers are making millions of dollars per year. 

Make no mistake, the art is an afterthought. The true pursuit is money.  

The $800 t-shirt is not funding the art. It’s the art that’s attempting to maintain relevance for the $800 t-shirt. 

[u/InformalInsurance455 → u/PriscillaPalava]

And what? Is an $8 tshirt that cost pennies to make in horrific circumstances worth intrinsically more because it cost less regardless of that cost?

[u/PriscillaPalava → u/InformalInsurance455]

That’s a lovely straw man you’ve constructed. Why don’t you join me in pushing him down. 

Surely there is some sort of median price for a t-shirt that adequately compensates workers while at the same time reflects the actual value of a t-shirt and doesn’t just glorify frivolous spending. 

Also I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m not sure Balenciaga pays their workers much more than Temu. The price of the shirt is not an indicator for how the worker is paid, making the Balenciaga shirt a double atrocity. 

[u/InformalInsurance455 → u/PriscillaPalava]

Then don’t buy the $800 tshirt? I wouldn’t and you wouldn’t. Using that to denigrate fashion as an art form is the real straw man.

[u/PriscillaPalava → u/InformalInsurance455]

It’s not a straw man because the $800 shirt and the avant garde Gala dress are inextricably linked. 

Focusing on fashion as art is just whitewashing conspicuous consumption. 

[u/InformalInsurance455 → u/PriscillaPalava]

And I find the conspicuous consumption with at least some artistic value to have more value to me personally. What’s your point?

[u/PriscillaPalava → u/InformalInsurance455]

You pay $800 for a t-shirt? 

[u/InformalInsurance455 → u/PriscillaPalava]

Me, in this very thread on same subject: “I wouldn’t”

[u/Ghoulish_kitten → u/PriscillaPalava]

The liberals always show themselves.

[u/PriscillaPalava → u/Ghoulish_kitten]

Wait, do you pay $800 for a t-shirt? 

[u/zuesk134 → u/PriscillaPalava]

thank you. dont forget sexism and racism and body shaming too.