the future of fashion

I am currently partaking in a great discussion on Linkedin about the future of the fashion market:

Is today's fashion consumer driven more by discounts or does unique, quality product still have a chance to sell at regular retail prices?

With fashion retailers and wholesalers dealing with a difficult global economy, increasing the challenge to move inventories, have they educated the consumer to seek out or wait for "the deal" and only buy off price, or is it just that there isn't much exciting being offered to entice consumers to spend at regular prices?
In today's fashion market there are more brands than ever before, but you could probably count on two hands the number of truly unique styles being created and offered by most brands.
It probably doesn't help that most brands are available at places like Century 21, TJ Maxx, Gilt.com, etc. for up to 75% off...all year long.
Have fashion brands and retailers created this dilemma?

Read all these interesting comments and comment yourself - I did!