Is fashion art? ...How long have you got?!

So I've decided to choose my essay title/question for Wednesday's module as 'Is Fashion an Art? Why has it been increasingly viewed as such in the Postmodern Art World?' I've just finished writing a synopsis for it, and have managed to find some really good sources for research. Yay, research. :-P
There are some fashion designers that hate the idea of fashion being described as an "art", but then there are others that love it...and of course there are always ones that sit on the fence. ;-P Karl Lagerfeld detests the idea of fashion garments being shown in museums, whereas Elsa Schiaparelli worked with artists like Dali to create a lobster print dress, skeleton dress, hat that looks like a shoe, and a desk suit. 

And then there's Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy and Alexander McQueen who show expression, creative skills and imagination in their designs. Since the Oxford Dictionary's definition of art is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination”, then surely fashion can be classed as art?

However, the main purpose of clothing is to cover the naked human body and protect it from different kinds of weather. For mass-market retailers it's just a product to sell and make money out of. Art, on the other hand, is less fleeting and is only created when the artist wants to make something.
Fashion garments are increasingly being shown in art's sacred institution, museums (sorry Karl Lagerfeld), and with it comes a focus on whether it's directly or indirectly related to art.
This debate will continue for many more years to come, and the argument between the two sides will continue with it.

BUT WHAT DO I THINK?!

I'm gonna hate myself here, and sit on the fence a bit with this (sorry!) I think it depends on which fashion designer you're talking about, and the garment being looked at. Alexander McQueen and Elsa Schiaprelli are definitely artists in my mind. The creativity behind their clothes is just breathtaking. Whereas Karl Lagerfeld creates quite simple and ordinary garments.

(Not my cuppa tea either...)

So I'm afraid I haven't really got a straight forward answer for this question, but then again, who has?!