The news is plentiful in our world these days. We have more than enough information to satisfy any perspective if one is willing to do the legwork and collect enough information for evidence in our point of view. Some of the information is quite clear-cut despite contrasting perspectives, such as global warming. Others are more conditional on where the source lies, such as economics.

Regardless, the perspectives that designers bring to the table come from places where their means allow for the luxury of information abundance, and these creatives aim to dress the population that is at the higher end of the economic chain where cumulative data is more accessible, allowing for a better bird’s eye view of what is happening in the world. That is, the first world where technological connectivity is a given.

Looking at the vast range of news and data is akin to having access to the world’s collective thoughts. It is mind-boggling how much we can access and the sheer volume is enough for one to come undone if not keeping things in perspective.

And that is what we are trying to do amidst the inescapable truths that we face. The recent horrific storm in the Philippines may be post-collections, but there were other never-before experiences that we are waking up to that cannot be ignored. The industry is served with validation of racism and environmental damage. Our political landscapes are subject to revelations that cannot withstand political spinning. Inequities are being pondered from an ethical stance as our conscience sees our full humanity under introspection.

Yes, we can come undone if we think too much about what needs to change as well as facing what is changing. And how we express this can sometimes be simple, such as almost literal interpretation of keeping it together. Some collections did just that, with straps holding pieces in concert to serve new ways of assembly, such as was seen at Alexander McQueen, Anthony Vaccarello, Cedric Charlier, Cushnie et Ochs, Damir Dona, David Koma, Dion Lee, Givenchy, Maison Martin Margiella, Paco Rabanne, Roland Mouret and Veronique Branquinho. Yohji Yamamoto may not have had straps, but a few of his pieces were held with a knot and a prayer. Some, such as Chanel, Juan Carlos Obando and Willow, showed that not everything can be held together, letting the straps that would have held it together dangle and fall.

We are trying to keep it together, to show new ways of being that honor the familiar yet approaches it as we are now as we put together the pieces. Before, we would have found it strange and unconventional. Now, in our haphazard world we find it just another way that we are open to as long as the results are there. At least we’re keeping it together.