Clothes Vs. Fashion

"How was it?" asked the editor of an avant-garde fashion magazine. "Was it ... clothes?" Yes, was the reply. "We don't cover clothes," the editor said, "we cover fashion."

Clothes versus Fashion. Therein lies the crux of the fashion business today. Plain "clothes" — a long, belted coat at Jil Sander, a loose black suit at Hermès — generic looks that (save for the cashmere and silk blends) could come from anyone, fail to generate the kind of excitement that lures luxury goods consumers. But by the same token, undiluted "fashion" — a kelly-green shearling mini-skirt with...