fashion in society- can fashion change society?

After our discussion today, as per usual we are all more confused than when we first walked in the classroom.
We researched the idea of the meaning behind fashion changing society and not necessarily the piece of clothing on its own... Fashion is a representation of the story within the wearer and the meaning or sentimentality of the piece i am a stupid smelly head to that person, ie, Jane Shrimpton wore a mini skirt to Randwick races in 1965, caused an uproar and ended up symbolises the freedom and future role and social norms of the mini skirt in modern society.
Other examples of pivotal fashion pieces that have impacted on society include the t-shirt, originally popularized by icons such as marlon brando and james dean. The t-shirt was originally underwear, and again, caused outrage when it was worn as everyday clothing by the screen icons. So, in turn, these aspirational figures paved the way for the rest of society to wear the t-shirt as an acceptable form of outerwear. So is it to make a true difference in the fashion industry, a mediator, an actor? a sportstar? is needed to promote an idea and present it to society, who in turn accept it with open arms because of who has presented it to them?
Is it naive, or ignorant to only accpet fashion that is presented to us, the trend of the time? are we by doing this, conforming and contradicting our constant want to be percieved as individual and 'out there'?
So as Megan pointed out, if we seek individuality, we need to sacrifice our need to belong, and thus to belong must we sacrifice out desire to be individual???
i have no answers....