Only the wealthy (and clueless) could think homelessness is chic

The NY Times reporter Guy Trebay has an article this morning on "homeless chic"-- the most recent infatuation of top clothing designers with the creative attire of the desperate.

From one designer:

“I’m not saying let’s glamorize the homeless,” said Ms. Wasson, who is often cited by fashion magazines as a style “icon” and a “muse” for Alexander Wang, a designer known for outfitting the kind of women who a couple of minutes ago were reverenced by fashion as “It” girls.

“It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Oh, God, that’s so inspiring — you got your clothes from a garbage can,’ ” Ms. Wasson said. What is she saying then? “When I moved down to Venice Beach, I found these people with this amazing mentality, this gypsy mentality — people that you couldn’t label and put in a box,” said the designer, perhaps forgetting that some of those very people live in one.

At the other end of the awareness spectrum is Frank Kelly, named the "Best Dressed Man in America" by Esquire magazine in 2007. He takes homeless people under his wing in his program Project Vacant Streets, helps them build confidence in their ability to get a job, then outfits them at Target. 33TV.

Let's all pretend for a moment that reincarnation is a fact of life (and death). Where will Ms. Wasson wind up on the ladder of existence? How about Mr. Kelly?