In every era, fashion has been more than clothing—it has been a mirror of civilization. From the tailored suits of the 1950s to the avant-garde minimalism of the 1990s, style once carried with it a sense of artistry, discipline, and cultural aspiration. Today, however, what passes for “fashion” in much of Western celebrity culture is a hollow spectacle. The case of Jaden Smith—actor, musician, and self-styled fashion icon—illustrates this collapse with startling clarity. Smith’s public image is inseparable from his clothing. Sagging pants, incoherent layering, and deliberately chaotic ensembles are presented as statements of individuality. Yet what do they really … Continue reading Fashion as Farce: Jaden Smith, Upbringing, and the Lost Generation