No one is forcing you (or women) to listen to “them”. Women have long been leaders in the clothes design business. And if I were to guess, leaders in the business probably care more about earning more money rather than subjugating women so that they satisfy men’s eyes.
Sorry, but it's a bit naive on how fashion works. A few people decide what trend is going to be, then they have enough communication power (via media, "stars", social media, etc) to brainwash everyone into thinking they absolutely need to look like to this standard. It's key for the fashion industry to work this way, so that they can change the standard every 6 months and sell more things.
I think women are do more analysis than just buying what is being pushed via advertising.
Also, I see women (and men) wearing many different styles every day, so not sure how effective your supposed fashion cabal is. Just dropping the kids off at daycare, there must be at least 4 or 5 distinct looks just amongst the women in their 20s.
I'm sure the fashion cabal as you say is able to come with a bunch of different looks every 6 months. Of course everyone is more or less sensitive to these stuff, but overall it works extremely well (and if like me, you think "this stuff doesn't work at all in me, I don't give a shit about clothes", be sure that someone in the cabal have thought of you and decided what people who don't give a shit would wear too)
