Fashion Flow Theories: Misconceptions on Fashion and Fast Fashion
D-FH204 Contextual Studies
Project 2: Written Exam
Fashion Flow Theories -- The Instrument of Meaning
Exemplified as an instrument of meaning, the fashion system is a menagerie that takes meaning on an arduous cycle. One that sheds light on how its products are idealized, produced, adopted, and then finally discarded after serving its utilitarian or ideological purpose. Mass communication and other conduits of information dissemination play a role in channeling meaning from its origins to the consumer (McCraken 1986).
The fashion system flows from one end to the other. At its starting, is the creation or reinvention of meaning, undertaken by influential individuals or groups that capitalize on their stature or celebrity status. Their influence help reshape ideologies of cultural categories and principles. Fueled by imitative appropriation by those of lower standing, this innovation of meaning is prompted and stimulated (Simmel 1904). American-born singer Lady Gaga is one good example. By using fashion as an outlet of self-expression, her avant-garde style of dressing caught attention and liking. Taking full advantage of her celebrity stature, she has brought about societal reform in her support for the LGBT community. Her constant feature and highlight of gays in her music videos and advocacy of marriage equality have inevitably given society new meaning. Her influence has trickled across to other influential individuals who then pass it on further, resulting in what we see today as homosexual taboos being slowly abolished (with countries lawfully engaging in marriage equality, etc.). Meaning in this sense, has changed from vociferous aesthetics to a political statement.
Aside from the designers of the goods itself, meaning transfer is accomplished by another group of people – the fashion journalists. They act as conduits of meaning transfer through their work with print or firm media. They act as social observers of social development and reform,
Project 2: Written Exam
Fashion Flow Theories -- The Instrument of Meaning
Exemplified as an instrument of meaning, the fashion system is a menagerie that takes meaning on an arduous cycle. One that sheds light on how its products are idealized, produced, adopted, and then finally discarded after serving its utilitarian or ideological purpose. Mass communication and other conduits of information dissemination play a role in channeling meaning from its origins to the consumer (McCraken 1986).
The fashion system flows from one end to the other. At its starting, is the creation or reinvention of meaning, undertaken by influential individuals or groups that capitalize on their stature or celebrity status. Their influence help reshape ideologies of cultural categories and principles. Fueled by imitative appropriation by those of lower standing, this innovation of meaning is prompted and stimulated (Simmel 1904). American-born singer Lady Gaga is one good example. By using fashion as an outlet of self-expression, her avant-garde style of dressing caught attention and liking. Taking full advantage of her celebrity stature, she has brought about societal reform in her support for the LGBT community. Her constant feature and highlight of gays in her music videos and advocacy of marriage equality have inevitably given society new meaning. Her influence has trickled across to other influential individuals who then pass it on further, resulting in what we see today as homosexual taboos being slowly abolished (with countries lawfully engaging in marriage equality, etc.). Meaning in this sense, has changed from vociferous aesthetics to a political statement.
Aside from the designers of the goods itself, meaning transfer is accomplished by another group of people – the fashion journalists. They act as conduits of meaning transfer through their work with print or firm media. They act as social observers of social development and reform,
References: 2. Simmel, G., 1904. Fashion. From American Journal of Sociology 62. 1957. International Quarterly 10. P130-55 3 4. Suzy Menkes Biography, 2013, The New York Times website. Available from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/suzy_menkes/index.html [23 March 2013] 5 6. Take My Picture, 2013 (video file) Available from: http://vimeo.com/61348049 [29 March 2013] 7 2. Stone, E., 2008. A Century of Fashion. In: The Dynamics of Fashion. 2008. NY: Fairchild Books, Inc. Ch 1. 3. Polhemus, T., 1994. Trickle Down, Bubble Up. In: Street Style, From Sidewalk to Catwalk. UK: Thames & Hudson. Ch. 2. 2. Simmel, G., 1904. Fashion. From American Journal of Sociology 62. 1957. International Quarterly 10. P130-55 3 4. Reinach, S.S., Four Models of Fashion Relationships. In: L.Welters & A. Lillethun, eds. 2007. The Fashion Reader. UK: Berg. Ch 56. 5. Schedules, 2013. Mode à Paris website. Available from http://www.modeaparis.com/Haute-couture [1 April 2013]