fashion: art or usability?

i think that fashion is both art and usablility. we started wearing clothes to keep us protected from the weather and diseases. today, most people see clothing as an art. it certianly takes a lot of time and planning to accomplish a simple peice. people use clothing as a way to express themselves and make themselves look and feel better. fashion can also be used as a status symbol. for instance who is wearing the biggest designers and who has more expensive things to show off. All in all i think clothing and fashion can be whatever you want it to be.

problems facing the fashion industry

The major problem facing the fashion industry is that also facing the country. Our economy is weak and we are going through a major recession. People are not buying high priced designer pieces anymore because they simply dont have the money to splurge on unnecessary needs. With that being said, the designers are then affected and not making as much money. Another problem facing the fashion industry is the environment. People are starting to "go green" which is even more expensive. I personally would not buy something "green" that cost more than something that was the same thing, and wasnt "green"