A status symbol is a visible, external symbol of one’s social position, an indicator of economic or social status. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols. Status symbol is also a sociological term – as part of social and sociological symbolic interactionism – relating to how individuals and groups interact and interpret various cultural symbols.
– Wikipedia (The greatest source of information for Gen Z, but professors considered as their nemesis)
When we think of fashion the first thing that comes to our mind is designer brands. How can you be called a fashionista without owning a Prada. I mean, even the Devil wears Prada. How come you are not?
Let’s not confused ourselves here. What has one’s status has to do with designer brands? You may ask, or as I thought so. To make it simple we live in a world where stereotyping is at it’s finest so, here’s it. Designer Brands sell items that are quite pricey for the average people but fairly reasonable for the rich. Of course those who purchased it and as seen to be carrying products that signifies these famous luxury brands will send out an impression that they have the money to splurge on these items or be seen as someone who has a bad grip of their money and trying so hard to get in aristocracy, though the latter happens rarely.
Here’s how designer brands emerged so that this article will become useful and relevant for you; Designed fashion garments and accessories are defined to as the development of the purpose and goal underlying the design and production.
Back in the day haute couture and lavish accessories is mostly exclusive to the Royals and Aristocrats only. But eventually some designers started making pre-made products that can be sold in the market. The thing is items that are made by designers cost a lot especially during those times, reasons for that is the material that are used in the process are usually high quality, plus the amount of effort by the designer to personally curate each details is also what’s getting paid.
Charles Frederick Worth, the first designer to have his label stitched into the garments he made, began the contemporary business, which is centered on firms or fashion houses operated by individual designers, in the 19th century.
Going back to the main question, Does status really needs a symbol? The answer is no. To be categorized inside the society depending on how much money you make through displaying “branded” things are the lamest form of generalization. The truth beyond the perception of the majority is that you can be a billionaire and never purchased any designer items or you can be broke but still be seen sporting this things.
The thing is we can never really tell a person’s story just by looking at the brand they carry. Some brands are labeled as ‘luxury’ because of the quality of their crafts, the materials that are being used, the time spent creating an art. I personally think that it is offensive for the artists that are making each piece, only for it to become an instrument for societal stereotyping.
Maria Sentinella 