[demk]

I used to see the fashion industry as inherently narcisistic, egotistical and vain and expensive clothes an attempt to raise yourself above other people. As my views on everything are changing my views on the fashion industry have changed too.

I now see fashion as another form of art and self expression. Its existance justified from an evolutionary standpoint because the experimentation involved in creating new styles and fashions is what pushes humanity forward. As humans we strive to create and find new ways of interacting with our environments.

My belief is that the ego-needs that clothes fulfill should be transcended so you can enjoy experiemntation and creation without fear and for its own sake. Although clothes can be appreciated materialistically (which is potentially damaging to yourself and others) they can also be appreciated for themselves and without superiority.

My views on money and expensive items have also changed over the years. I now see it as justified to spend massive amounts of money on clothes or cars or watches or whatever because it means designers can go on living the lifestyle which enables them to produce more cool stuff and push evolution forwards. Spending is tantamount to giving back to society because you help enable the system that pushes things forward. This is probably part of the reason why richh people continue to be "haves" and find it hard to becoome "have nots".