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Self Expression and Belonging in the Digital Age
A look at how social media has facilitated new digital fashion communities Community and fashion have become closely linked. For many, fashion, and the clothes we wear are a way of outwardly expressing personalities and interests. From this, subcultures and self-made communities within the fashion industry formed and continue to flourish. What are fashion subcultures? Subcultures in fashion generally refer to groups, or communities, of people who dress a specific way, unique to the subculture. Subcultures can often be easily identified, as the clothes worn by people within the subgroup, often emulate a specific style. There are a multitude of subcultures within fashion. A few well-known examples of these within…
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Are Communities Within Fashion Thriving or is it Ruining the Meaning of Community?
Everywhere you look there is a community of fashion whether it’s a fashion brands community, an influencer creating a community or an app, you will never be alone in this industry. This is the beauty of fashion, you can have your own individual style but be apart of something bigger. Most of it you will find online, especially during the weird times of COVID however, Social media has been a life-saver of communication and has kept fashion thriving. Fashion communities can evolve from certain styles, ethical communities and their fashion or following a campaign such as the ‘Black Lives Matters’. Missguided have their own community of Missguided babes, anyone and…
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Support Local: Fashion, Compassion and Community
As we are well into the second lockdown in the UK, it is more important than ever to feel a part of and support the fashion community. And what better way to do this than to support your local and independent fashion businesses! Essentially, you’re unessential Throughout this year, so many workers have been told that their businesses are non-essential. But what the government fail to recognise is that for many, keeping their business alive and profitable is essential for their livelihoods. It is said that it takes two to three years for a new business to become profitable, and for new businesses in lockdown, I will do the math…
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How fashion can unite and divide communities
Fashion can unite and divide communities. It has the ability to shape and identify communities. The iconography it creates within some communities can have connotations which cannot be removed. Communities have a tendency to be intensely insular sometimes to their detriment. Thus, fashion used to identify groups can not only unite the community wearing the items but isolate them from the communities not wearing them. Portraying fashions usage as an instrument to unite and divide communities. Its employment as a political component or social agent to unite people against or in favour of a cause is fascinating. The use of an everyday element such as clothing to express opinions is what…
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Fad Fashion: How Things That Matter Became a Trend in 2020
2020 has been an interesting year; the Australian bushfires, the Coronavirus pandemic, Black Lives Matter rallies, Trump’s impeachment. So many things have happened and so often we have jumped on the bandwagon but how long do we stay on for the ride? Like fashion, politics is a trend, it is fused with a mix of passion and poison. But when a trend dies back, we often adjust our wardrobe for the newest styles. It is the same with our actions and opinions and it is the same in the fashion industry when newsworthy topics come to light. This action you ask? The action of fad fashion. With everything that has…
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The New Digital Fashion Communities on Social Media
Community is sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common. In the fashion industry, the term ‘community’ can mean many things. As a narrative it is always changing. Community is found in the design and making of clothing and in the social aspect of fashion events. In the digital age the term has taken on a new meaning, as social media has facilitated new digital fashion communities. We are more connected now than ever, to each other and to our hobbies and interests. Before apps like Instagram, fashion communities could be found through blogging. Bloggers shared their opinions on fashion with a highly-engaged audience on a singular platform. However,…
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Fashion Focus: the Stories of Disabled Models
The fashion industry has longed for change, inclusivity is no longer a token gesture. The voices of those in isolated groups are now speaking up, using their voice to create impact. People with disabilities are making a breakthrough in fashion, telling their stories as a way to disrupt its norms. Becoming leaders of justice, they are manifesting integrated causes for the disabled community. Banging on the door of fashion and making it bold. Body politics If the essence of fashion is all about vibrancy and expression, then why are people feeling excluded? Inclusion as a concept, holds power. For instance, fashions background is shadowed by over-sexualisation and restrictive representation. It’s…
