Quinn on London's Haute-couture

Ok, so it's not technically "haute couture" if they are selling it to the general public is high end stores on Oxford and Bond streets, but it might as well be.

Tonight was London's Fashion's Night Out, which is basically a night during Fashion Week when all of the high end designer retail stores stay open late, offer cocktails, and host celebrity appearances to celebrate fashion and the new season. It's really a lot of fun. But honestly, I would have to recommend New York City's FNO to anyone new to the fashion scene. Overall, there is more to see and do at New York's FNO. Almost no celebrities showed up in London and most stores weren't offering anything very special.

But that doesn't mean it wasn't an interesting evening! No, it was a fascinating night. You see, most Londoners are more stylish than even the best dressed American. It's true! I noticed it the moment I stepped out of the airport. Men here know the power and sex appeal of a good suit, everyone understands shoes, and women take beautiful risks with their style and understand that it is not always about the clothes you're wearing but about how you wear them.  In Europe it is not a bad thing for a man to be stylish and care about how he looks. If a man dresses well, he is not "gay" or even "metrosexual", which is really very refreshing.

Now, why Europeans are so much more fashion-forward than Americans, I don't know.  My marketing professor actually addressed this in class today and said that it is the US's "gym culture" that was the downfall of our fashion senses. He observed that in the US looking good is based on 80% body and 20% clothes, whereas Europeans base appearances on only 20% body and 80% clothes. 

If we lived in a perfect world and I got my way, everyone would understand and appreciate the importance of both a fit body and good fashion sense.