A decade ago, fashion and feminism appeared to be finding common ground, with clothing becoming a site of political expression and personal liberation. Today, that promise feels hollow. The industry, once animated by creative risk and social engagement, seems increasingly captive to groupthink and the pressures of late stage capitalism, prioritising luxury spectacle over meaningful design.

An evening in a nearly empty luxury mall in Mumbai captures this shift: grand storefronts, soaring prices and relentless expansion, but little visible enthusiasm or individuality. Influencers promote brands rather than ideas, celebrities blur into identical styling, and prices across the spectrum feel disconnected from value. Fashion's creative core appears overshadowed by corporate investment and the pursuit of scale.

At the same time, the industry has retreated from its recent commitments to body positivity and diversity, drifting back toward exclusionary ideals. Controversies over cultural appropriation and tone deaf advertising reveal how political and economic winds shape branding decisions. While sustainable fashion, thrifting and consumer boycotts signal resistance, they struggle against the dominance of global luxury conglomerates.

The result is a fashion landscape driven more by aggressive business strategies than artistic vision. As luxury brands double down on spectacle and profit, questions linger about whether fashion can still capture the spirit of its time or if it has traded its soul for scale.