I have been thinking about how the term Fashion has gotten a bad rap, with all the focus on the detrimental aspects of clothing production and consumption. Another aspect of the word I hadn’t thought about was the elitist and segregational aspects of the Fashion concept, reinforced in an essay my nephew recently sent me titled, “The New and Fashion” from “On The New” by Boris Groys.
In this intense time of re-assessment, perhaps we need a new word that describes the making and wearing of clothes?
“The New and Fashion” is a fascinating analysis of fashion in the largest sense of the word, tracing the concept from perspectives ranging from the sociological to historical memory related to theoretical and artistic production. The essay does a great job of discussing individual freedom and homogeneity, inequality, elitism, and values. These concepts really resonate with my thoughts about how we need to get back to the essence of clothing, return to quality and self-expression, rather than mindlessly following the overpriced, cheaply made clothing that the media feeds us.
Let’s seek a culturally significant new in terms of dress and adornment that is more focused on recognizing very special effort, meaning and purpose.
If we get there, what will we call it?
Fashion Matters II 