Arguably, 80 per cent of the Nepalis have problems making their ends meet. But the situation is changing fast. Cities are modernising and the urban society has its own dreams, style and a modern way of life. Fashion, an art of becoming a well-groomed person, has strongly influenced this part of the population. Fashion trends are what the fashionable minority is trying to institutionalise. However, this process does not seem to be very agreeable to the poor and the deprived.

“Fashion mocks poverty,” say those advocating the cause of the poor. But do such unfounded statements justify the desire of the others to live in style? Will they stop being fashionable for the sake of the poor? Will they stop wearing trendy clothes in order to keep poor people’s morale high? Those who consider fashion being polluting, as a bad Western impact, and unsuitable to the country’s situation have failed to get the definition of fashion right.

What is fashion? It is not about wearing skimpy clothes or tinting the hair purple. Walking down the street without fear or holding the head high is fashion. Confidence is fashion, politeness and charity are fashion. The power of being able to influence and inspire is fashion.

I have heard some people saying, “I wish I had more money to look good.” This inferiority complex is one of the major causes of the growing vacuum between the rich and the poor. Fashion is not about being extravagant. People still have not realised that fashion comes in all sizes and budgets. There is something for everyone. Perhaps, the dimensions have never been explored. Everyone is not fortunate enough to flaunt an Armani or a Prado. Those who cannot afford high fashion should look at whatever suits their budget.

Money is only a tiny factor; fashion comes from within; it’s an art. And in today’s modern era, fashion industry has a great potential in generating revenue and employment. No wonder fashion can help reduce the level of poverty. More than just being a matter of luxury, fashion can be an ego-booster as well. We all must be optimistic about the future of fashion and refrain from making statements like ‘fashion makes fun of the poor’ and ‘it mucks up the society’.