By Michael McKown

Since the '50s, fashion journalism hasn't just been about showing off the latest styles; it's been a wild ride of unexpected thoughts, bold statements, and sometimes just plain confusing takes that both entertain and shock us. Let's dive into some of the most mind-blowing quotes from fashion reporters that give us a fresh take on the ever-crazy world of fashion.

Back in the '50s, when modern fashion journalism was just kicking off, Christian Louboutin dropped a bombshell about his dreams: "I never wanted to work in fashion. At age 12 or 13, I wanted to design for showgirls -- for the theater!" Imagine that, the king of red-soled shoes originally wanted to dazzle on stage!

The '60s and '70s got even more revolutionary. Anne Fogarty, in her book Wife Dressing, gave us a peek into the era's gender expectations, saying, "Never ask for whom the belles toil -- we toil at our toilette for the approval and admiration of our husbands and the general appreciation of men with whom we work or meet in other outside situations." It's like, wow, talk about dressing for the male gaze, right?

Fast forward to the '80s, where fashion got all about you being you. Diana Vreeland, the queen of Harper's Bazaar, had this gem: "A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste -- it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I'm against." She was all about shaking things up, telling us to ditch the snobbery and embrace what makes us unique.

Then came the '90s, when fashion journalism started to really get into the meat of how fashion affects culture. Bill Cunningham, the street style guru at The New York Times, said, "The best fashion show is definitely on the street. Always has been, and always will be." He was all about celebrating fashion as something for everyone, not just the elite.

As we hit the new millennium, fashion writing got more introspective. In 2001, Linda Grant hit us with, "Clothes as the story of our lives. And if you were to gather all the clothes you have ever owned in all your life, each baby shoe and winter coat and wedding dress, you would have your autobiography." She's saying our wardrobes are more than just stuff to wear; they're chapters of our life story.

By the 2010s, fashion journalists weren't shying away from calling out the industry's issues. Raf Simons, once at the helm of Dior, mused, "Fashion became pop. I can’t make up my mind if that’s a good or a bad thing. The only thing I know is that it used to be elitist. Maybe it was nicer when it was more elitist, not for everybody. Now high fashion is for everybody." He's pondering if making fashion accessible to all has lost some of its magic.

With the rise of digital media and social platforms, fashion commentary took another turn. In 2015, Naomi Campbell was advocating for change, stating, "Feminism matters. I was taught it as a child, not to overestimate the importance of men." She's pushing for inclusivity and equality in an industry known for its exclusivity.

And now, in the 2020s, the focus has shifted towards sustainability and personal style. Lucy Shea from Futerra put it well: "Fashion is not just about clothes -- it's about art, expression, culture, and, of course, style." It's about recognizing fashion's broader role in our lives, not just as something we buy but as a part of who we are.

(Just a fun note, in 2006, the fictional Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of the equally-fictional Runway magazine, schooled an assistant on the significance of a cerulean blue sweater, highlighting fashion's trickle-down effect from haute couture to the clearance bin at some tragic Casual Corner. Priestly pointed out that the lumpy blue sweater represented “millions of dollars and countless jobs” from designer fashion to department stores, to the bottom.

These quotes from fashion scribes over the years show us how fashion journalism has evolved, critiquing, celebrating, and sometimes challenging the very culture it reports on. Each quote gives us a quirky, insightful, or reflective look at how fashion isn't just about what's on the outside but speaks volumes about our identity, society, and culture.

I’m Michael McKown, co-founder and president of Ghostwriters Central, Inc., a company with an extensive roster of highly-skilled writers under contract. We provide professional ghostwriting services for clients worldwide. In the event you need an article, book, speech or even a fashion-related screenplay, we would be delighted to assist. All you need to do is click the link. Thank you for reading.