What Is the Appeal of Fashion to Youth Culture - Research Proposal Example

WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF FASHION TO YOUTH CULTURE? Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 2. Research question and Objectives 3 3. Literature review 4 What is Fashion? 5 Why is it important nowadays? 6 How does fashion help us? 6 Does fashion give youth power? 8 4. Methodology 9 5. Time management plan 9 Bibliography 10 Introduction Youth culture is the way of life shared by young people (S. Frith 1984-8). The British describes youth culture as a specific pattern of values, activities, beliefs and symbols. The definition of youth culture is in two parts. The first part; culture can be defined as the processes of transforming and maintaining symbolic systems shared by people. The second part is that youth culture is specific to young people and is different at least partially from older generations’ culture. Youth culture elements include behaviors, interests and beliefs. An emphasis on sports, clothes, vocabulary dating and popular music set youths different from the other age groups, making them have what majority believe is a significant culture of their own. Within the youth culture, there exists’ many sophisticated, distinct and constantly changing youth subcultures. These subcultures’ values, styles, norms and behaviors vary broadly and differ from the known youth culture. This is a reasonable topic for it captures the varieties of fashion in the society. It would be a splendid idea to demonstrate what people of today think about the invasion of fashion in the society. I also chose this topic because many think youth culture does not exist. Through this research, I will prove that youth culture exists’. 2. Research question and Objectives The objective of this research is to collect data that will help determine the factors that lead to fashion appeal amongst youths. The following are the research questions that the research will try to ascertain 1. What is fashion? 2. Who started it? 3. Why is it important nowadays? 4. How does it help us? 5. What is youth culture? 6. Does fashion gives youth power? 7. What are the factors that lead youths to have certain appeals to fashion 3. Literature review Youth culture is a recent field of study in modern history. Theories that explain the emergence of youth culture have been proposed by several theorists and philosophers. Youth culture theories suggest the effect of psychological, historical and economic factors amongst youths as the major cause of emergence of youth culture in the 20th century. Lury (2011), argues that schooling has been a big influence on the emergence of Youth culture. Age is seen as the major cause of separate youth cultures. Modern schooling has made it possible for interactions of youths who share experiences and definitions that facilitate the growth of a new youth culture (Lury, 2011). Frith (1984), notes that youth culture is amajor player in the development for an identity amongst youths in the modern times. Whenever youths do not have a clear role in their life, youth culture helps them to achieve a certain identity. Youth culture is hence a way in which youths reconcile confusion and identity issues. Fashion, is one of the most powerful youth cultures that have emerged in the 20th century. Fashion helps youths to identify with a certain class or culture and hence, fashion is a youth culture that helps in providing youths with an identity. What is Fashion? Fashion is an expression that comes out through appearance. It is often informed by ones liking of an era. Fashion is not only about clothing but also perfumes, accessories, body modification and cosmetics. In French, high fashion is as haute culture meaning creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing made from expensive fabric; of high quality, Charles Fredrick Worths original work produced in the mid nineteen century and produced in Paris. The famous couturier; Fredrick Charles Worth (October 13, 1826 is the father of high fashion. Born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, England, he created his mark in the Frenchs fashion industry. The perception of fashioning dresses was revolutionized by Worth leading to his fame as a fashion designer for rich and wealthy clients all over England. He created a portfolio of designs that was show cased by models at the House of Worth. He mixed individual tailoring skills with standardization developing his line over the period (McRobbie, 1999). Worth was a pacesetter in the industry with followers to his footsteps like Dior, Schiaparelli, Fortuny, Chanel, Patou, Lanvin, Poiret, Vionnet, Mainbocher, Balenciaga, and Callot Soeurs. A number of these fashion houses are in existence upto date, under modern designers leadership. In 1960s, talented young fashion designers initially trained by Dior and Balenciaga left the established fashion houses and opened their own establishments (March 10, 1895). The most successful of the young designers were André Courrèges, Ted Lapidus, Yves Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro and Pierre Cardin. Hanae Mori a Japanese native living in Paris was successful in creating her own line. Paris is still pre-eminent in the fashion world, though it is no longer the sole arbiter of fashion (Finkelstein, 1997). Why is it important nowadays? Fashion involves the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to perfume, accessories, clothing and body.( Thomas, 2012.) Fashion design is influenced by socio-cultural latitudes varies over time and region (Valenti 2012). Fashion satisfies a persons desire for designed cloths and trends to fit diverse functions and events. Clothing that are worn on a daily basis serve a slim range of conventional elegances. They usually become unusual garments worn for specific occasions such as evening wear or party dresses (Ritter, Ron 2002). It is particularly vital for one to be fashionable as the society demands a lot from us especially if are of a certain position. It drives a lot of command from your peers and this goes a long way in making one feel comfortable and at ease. Nowadays, people want to look current and updated hence fashion helps them make the statement non verbally. One can actually get employment just by how presented they appeared. For entrepreneurs, making more money is easy when the stock is courteous with fashionable trends and designs as people do not care on the pricing as long as the client gets a real deal (Finkelstein, 1997). How does fashion help us? Fashion is the primary instrument in creating positive first impressions superficial is the nature of human beings, not just as a cultural phenomenon, but as a hardwired intuition dating ages back. Most people tend to judge and come up with opinions about somebody before knowing who they are, hence; ones fashion has a directly proportional effect on default assumptions. The better dressed one appears the more attention and respects he or she gains from the society. Fashion increases ones perceived status among your peers, even after done with the first impression clothing can help improve people’s reactions. The society is mostly visual-based, and people with better fashion sense routinely experience nicer treatment and service than the sloppier counterparts. Fashion serves as a substitute for character in the eyes of people who do not know well enough to judge by anything else. Appearance may have less significance to individuals whom we interact with on a daily basis. However, criticism from other people may help us to have a feeling of performing better on a daily basis (McRobbie, 1999). Some minutes spent looking in the mirror before leaving the house reinforces the idea; deserving success and good treatment from the world. The requirements of fashion teach responsibility and care for oneself. This prepares one to be a more responsible person. Winding up and keeping track of details like which shoes need to be shined and which shirts need to be pressed, reinforces mental behavior, being keen to detail and planning ahead, translates usefully into any career or skill. It makes one pay attention to details of collar shape, pocket square selection, and all the other little details of dressing well. Putting some time and effort into your appearance, leads to approving nods from other fashionable people (Tronnetti, 2009). An extraordinarily well put-together outfit is like a masonic handshake for introducing one into a secret and elite society of people. Fashion helps us improves efficiency and performance. It certainly does not matter what your occupation is, which organization, or whether he is the boss. If well dressed, one can step away from work and into a meeting with a client, customer, or supervisor without advance preparation thus saving on time. Having the casual, day-to-day presentation to step into any situation and look respectable is an enormous advantage in the working world. In fashion, colors and patterns speak when one start learning more about them. Specific colors and patterns always display unique advantages. Blues convey youth, browns openness and trustworthiness; deep greys somberness and dignity, each can be the best choice for a situation where many other colors would be equally appropriate, though not ideal. Think about colors and patterns in a meaningful way rather than just throwing anything. Fashion pieces make more subtle effects, which convey detailed, information for a man who takes his time to plan the outfit well. Clothes can proclaim everything from your profession, to your passions, or both at once. Most good looking people call the shots the best reason to take time with your clothing and appearance is to take charge of your life. Fashionable people have already taken the way the world sees them into their own hands adding respectability and authority people accord them. This allows them to call the shots in group situations. Great appearance is a way of caring how much control it has over life (Finkelstein, 1997). Does fashion give youth power? First impression plays a critical role when it comes to fashion; it determines how people perceived others. Appearances matter in real and fundamental ways that affect a man’s daily life; from how he greeted when meeting others for the first time to whether or not he will be harassed while travelling. A man does not need to stay on top of every passing trend. However, he should think about his basic appearance every day. Fashion is exciting, fun, but at a time can be a headache. Fashion is the unique cliques like Emo, preppy and Goth where people visit. Fashion made youths believe they need to represent everyone around them (Marx, 2005). Fashion should not portray this, but portray individuality and uniqueness instead. Some icons have used fashion to differentiate themselves from everyone else such as Lady Gaga. What we need to teach the youth is; the challenge in life is not being perfect, but accepting who they are. It is significant, to dress appropriately. Fashion is something that even the shy ones can have a loud, clear voice for everyone to hear. Most youth do not have voice; fashion gives them the opportunity to be loud! Through fashion, a youth can design a shirt for certain awareness and use the money to give back to the community. With fashion anything is possible. The way a person dress is an easy conversation starter and a way to define ones attributes. It is something that defines oneself. Dress fashionably and get your point across without saying one word (Burns and Bush, 2010). 4. Methodology The research will employ a qualitative research methodology in collecting data. The data will be collected through two major means which are collection of data from secondary sources and interviews. The secondary sources that will be used include books and other written sources that have recorded information on fashion. This will provide background data and also help in answering the research data. Interviews will be carried out on key industry players who will provide the data needed in order to meet the research objectives. Key issues from interviews will be recorded. The interview will take the form of questionnaires which will be randomly executed. This is key in ensuring that all the needed data is collected easily. The data collected through questionnaires and from secondary sources will be recorded in a systematic manner. The data will then be analyzed and the results recorded. 5. Time management plan A clear time plan for conducting the research will help in managing and ensuring that the correct information is collected over a short period of time. In collecting, recording and analyzing the data, a period of four weeks will be enough to ensure that the report is ready. WEEK ACTIVITY Week 1 Compile a list of all those to be interviewed including industry leaders Week 1 Collection of data from secondary data and other recorded sources Week 2 Formulation of interview and questionnaire questions Week 3 Interviewing and issuing of questionnaires to the subjects of the study Week 4 Compile all the data systematically and record it for analysis and presentation 6. Conclusion Understanding the context in which youths have certain appeals to culture is important in ensuring that future positive trends in the fashion industry are mapped. The literature review gives the context in which youth culture and fashion interact so as to provide an outline for the study. The data collected from this research will provide data for future studies that are related to the fashion industry. Bibliography 1. Burns, A. C and Bush, R. (2010). Marketing Research, An Applied Orientation. 6th ed. Pearson Education Limited. 2. Dick Hebdige., 1979, Subculture the meaning of style. 3. Finkelstein, J. (1997). Chic to chic. austrailianhumanitiesreview.com. http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/emuse/Chic/craik.html 4. Frith, S. (1984) The Sociology of Youth, Causeway Press Ltd Publishing.  5. Hawkins, J. (2001). The Creative Economy. 6. Hofstede, G. (5th, October 1928). Culture., geerthofstede.com: http://www.geerthofstede.nl/ 7. Lury, C. (2011). Consumer Culture. 8. Sturken, L. C. (2001). Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture. 9. Marx K. 2005. ‘The Fetishism of Commodities And the Secret Thereof’ (orig1867) http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/ch01.htm#S1. 10. McRobbie, A. 1999. In the Culture Society: Art, Fashion and Popular Music, Routledge. 11. Saunders M. L, and Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students, 4th ed. Harlow, Pearson Education Limited 12. Tronetti, E. (2009, June 8). The Impact of the Fashion Industry: You Cant Have Fashion Without Victims. voices.yahoo.com 13. Williams, R., 1958, ‘Culture is Ordinary’, extract rpt. in A. Gray and J. Read More