system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Fashion shows. Why are the clothes so goddamned ridiculous and people treat it with such seriousness?
gpt
The Fashion Shows you see with the 'goddamned ridiculous' clothes are not about producing clothes for people to actually wear. They're more like 'concept art' of directions fashion designers would *like* fashion to go in, but don't have any hope of selling. Sometimes designs are thrown in that are intended for celebrities to wear to big events, like awards shows. They are opportunities for designers to show off, stand out, and get noticed, which is the number 1 priority for fashion designers, especially if they are new and not entrenched in the industry.

The Fashion Shows you DON'T see are 'Ready to Wear' fashion shows, which showcase clothes that are prototypes for designs that will actually end up in stores. These don't gain nearly the TV coverage that the 'Concept' fashion shows do because they're a lot more boring. They're a lot more likely to be attended by buyers for chain stores than paparazzi or fashion photographers. These shows are for established designers who already have a market and are not worried about making a name for themselves because they already did that. Think Calvin Klein or Versace (before he died.)

Occasionally you will see one of these well-entrenched types at the 'Goddamn Ridiculous' shows because they have some concepts they want to show off that are not 'Ready to Wear'. When that happens, it's just like an artist having a public showing. They have new ideas and new concepts they want to get out, and hey, if some of it sells, then that's butter on the biscuit.