Fashion For Thought 2

When does Repetition Become Boring?
Words by Shinnie Park


December 2nd 2023, Balenciaga presented their Fall 24 collection on a bright sunny day in Los Angeles under the Hollywood sign. Only a year since their holiday campaign scandal, the French house has been attempting to reclaim former glory by inviting estranged celebrities who once distanced themselves during the controversy. The jury is still out on whether public forgiveness is within reach.

Demna’s Balenciaga rose to heights because of his satirical style, over-exaggerated elements of sportswear, and the embracement of "ugly" fashion. His designs challenged the norms of luxury fashion. He brought us out of the skinny, slim-fit era of the 2010s and into the oversized era of now. However, with this latest collection, everything felt redundant. Juicy Couture-inspired tracksuits, hyper-exaggerated Triple S’, and cycle sunglasses were items that we are all too familiar with—a superficial attempt at caricature rather than progression.

Fashion, like culture, evolves with time. Meaning the "look" of luxury fashion is constantly being reinvented. Demna transformed our perception of high fashion, completely changing and widening what is appropriate for the runway. The paradox lies in this: what once was groundbreaking, once you get used to it, does not hold the same shock value as it once did.

Amidst a different industry lies a parallel narrative. K-pop mogul YG Entertainment debuted Babymonster last November, their newest, shiniest girl group. The company behind groups like Blackpink, 2ne1, and Big Bang, YG Entertainment is considered to be one of the "Big 4" K-pop companies. Despite the debut single "Batter Up" grossing 23 million views within 24 hours of release, the public’s sentiment towards the group was rather critical. From the brass-heavy sounds to the visuals that echo their predecessors, the authenticity of the group is being questioned from the start.

The attempt to project a "girl crush" image while the girls are posing in supercars and dancing inside a clinical white void dressed up like dolls felt rather contrived. The K-pop industry's well-established formula of success, from pre-teen training to meticulous planning, overlooked a crucial element—individuality and character.

The overarching question remains, “When does repetition become boring?” It becomes apparent that boredom sets in when the work loses its genuineness, the personal touch that makes something special. And in the case of fashion and pop culture, the two industries that balance commercialism and creativity with an ever-changing nature, this paradox may never fully resolve.

Forever confused,
Fashion for Thought.