.

Todayís latest styles may not be all that new. More often than not, the yearís new fashions are re-runs of the fashions of years before. According to Jenniffer Marun of Sun Palace Fashions, Inc., sales for South America, every 15 or 20 years, the same styles get recycled.
David Page Coffin, senior editor of Threads magazine, said fashions change due to boredom.

"Fashions change because people interested in fashion bore quickly," he said. "Styles get old when everyone else takes them up. When itís old , people donít want to be associated with it anymore."

Julian Sonnessa, marketing coordinator with the Global Exchange, said unique designs are uncommon.

"It is very rare to find a designer who actually has some sort of originality, the majority tend to design what others have designed, but perhaps with the addition of a sleeker cut or stitch, it is not new, it is recycled," he said.

Elizabeth Csordas, fashion director at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, said several factors are taken into consideration when recycling fashions.

"Succinctly- there is nothing new under the sun," said Csordas. "Actually, itís more than that. Nostalgia, past sales, a return to social attitudes, etc., etc., etc. However, every ëoldí style that comes back has a new twist-an updated look that is in keeping with modern proportions, fabrications, construction methods, etc."

Marun said designers look in various places for new styles.

"When designers need new ideas and concepts, they look to the past, change it a little bit and say itís brand new," she said. "They also look to other countries, like China and India. Look at all the silks used and bamboo patterns. Itís new because people in the United States arenít aware of it. Other designers look into street trends. They become popular because of certain groups. Look at sneakers, only rappers and athletes used to wear them. Now everyone does."

Gerald Allen, fashion designer at Beez Wax Designer Studio in Poughkeepsie, NY, said fashion works on a revolving basis.

"Every six months they bring out new styles," he said. "Whenever they are exhausted, the designers have to bring back whatever was the hottest, fastest sellers in years before. They just modify them to match with fashions in now."

Sonnessa said the fashion industry is cluttered with designers who recycle styles.

"In my opinion, fashion is full of rip off merchants and hangers on, there are a few very talented individuals who produce fine looking clothing which compliments all who wears it, where as the majority turn out unwearable trash, draped over anorexic models who look like they have been addicted to skag for the last few years," he said. "I believe that these types of ëdesignersí should start all over. Surely you want to look good, whether it be for your own benefit, your boyfriend or girlfriendís, I donít see the point in dressing to look like a dosser, surely it defeats the object."

Coffin said it takes time for styles to return.

"It takes about 15 or 20 years for an entire era to be re-born and popular again," he said. "Itís a generation thing. Styles change every 18 months to three years. Take grunge for example, that lasted a long time."

Marun, of Sun Palace Fashions, Inc., said recycling of fashions is evident even in this era.

"Every 15 to 20 years the same styles get recycled," said Marun. "Tie dye and little daisies from the 70s are popular now. Maybe 20 years from now they will be popular again."