MA Fashion Studies: Fashion Practices

What are the premises and paradigms underlying current spectacular fashion practices and how are they constructed? This class will look into notions of capitalism, narcissism, mass production, division of labor, neoliberalism, and consumerism. The course will explore the role of the media and how we currently define our selves and success in relation to the spectacular. We will look at pivotal moments in western fashion history that helped shape and define todays paradigms. Through an exploration of a variety of deeply embedded, more mundane or sacred, social, cultural, historical and traditional practices in relation to dress, we will slowly move away from practices that are exclusively driven by monetary incentives, identifying the premises and values that underlie more integrated relations to dress, identity and community. We will discuss and explore notions such as we, the gift, reciprocity, trust, success, joy and abundance. How can these notions shape more inclusive, integrated, sustainable fashion practices? This class will employ different methodologies including dialogue, experiential learning, ethnographic research, literature review using philosophical theory and texts. The class will result in a written proposal for or/and an exploration of an alternative fashion practice supported with substantial research.