Backlash Against Street Style Continues: "It Makes Monsters"

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Garage, a Russian culture magazine, produced a video about the current state of street style, and let's just say opinions are running high. The basic debate here is the same one that's been going on for some time now: is the street style phenomenon (which has officially been upgraded to frenzy status these days) a signal of the democratization of fashion, or is it the end of genuine style?

In one corner are the believers, who think street style photos have opened crucial doors. "For us it's really important to see the clothes that you'd normally see on the runway on a model in real life on a person," says Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough.

Vika Gaginskaya, a Russian designer, agrees. "Of course now it's one of the strategies... It's a great opportunity for the young designers who have no budget for advertising."

And in the other corner are the industry vets who think the fad has peaked. "Perhaps there's a little bit of peacocking going on now. People are coming to stand outside the shows or attend the shows just to get photographed." Imran Amed, founder of Business of Fashion.

"It's empowering, but it's empowering in the way that reality TV has been empowering," says Tim Blanks, editor at large of Style.com. "It makes monsters. It doesn't make gods; it makes monsters." Burn.

We're curious: What do you think? Are the street style stars of today the Real Housewives of the last decade? Which blogs to you continue to find inspiring? Speak your mind in the comments. (Also, feel free to share any thoughts you might have about why Phil Oh did his interview in the bubble bath.)

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