How is Homelessness High Fashion?

I'm confused.

Amid our worldwide economic recession, homelessness is on the rise. Domestically, with local budgets being slashed, it's not far-fetched to say we have a bona fide crisis on our hands.

So why is homelessness suddenly being dubbed "high fashion?"

To be clear, it's not that every "homeless high fashion" story is negative. Take, for example, this fantastic news: Homeless Tales contributor Bri (who happens to be homeless herself) landed a dream internship at Elle Magazine. It's a really cool story, and I encourage you to read it all here. Needless to say, this inspirational story has garnered international media attention. Which is extremely cool for Bri (whose story, by the way, you can watch here).

But, this is where the positivity stops.

Also getting attention in the world of fashion is Scott Schumann, also known as the Sartorialist. He featured a photograph of a NYC homeless man on his popular blog. He wrote, "Usually people in this man's position have given up hope. Maybe this gentleman has too, I don't know, but he hasn't given up his sense of self or his sense of expressing something about himself to the world."

Perhaps. And not to undermine the importance of self-expression, but what about his safety or basic needs? Aren't these concerns more important than how he pairs his clothes?

Finally, the cover of Italian Vogue features two models touting a look that the blogosphere has dubbed "homeless chic." (See image below.)

Is this cutting-edge, recession-inspired design? Or are fashionistas just short on ideas?

Perhaps this isn't offensive to some, but I think otherwise. As John Joel Roberts of LA's Homeless Blog rightly points out, "homeless chic" is the ultimate oxymoron, not to mention a slap in the face to those who have fallen on rough times and are struggling to get by:

Just imagine. You lose your job, and your home. You end up in a shelter or on the streets struggling to figure out how to get back into housing, or when and where your next meal might be. You take hand-me-down clothing from the local church or homeless agency, desperately trying to find something that matches.

Then some highfalutin, out-of-touch designer wants to highlight your looks like you're some high society caricature. It's a form of circuitous degradation at its worst.

Perhaps we should be asking this question: Why is the fashion world suddenly latching on to a socio-economic issue like homelessness? Is it a tribute? Mockery? Something inbetween? Or are these creative geniuses just out of ideas?

And if homelessness can be dubbed couture, where we will go next? Will future cover girls be dolled up with black eyes and bloody lips, as "domestic violence chic" takes flight? Where will we draw the line?

For the countless individuals around the world who work everyday to end homelessness, it's a slap in the face from the high fashion world to send the message that homelessness is, like, en vogue.

Lead photo from Fashion Week Daily. Photos from Modelinia and the Sartorialist.