Fashion as a Form of Communication - Assignment Example

Drawing on the concept of fashion as a form of communication, critically analyze the role that fashion and clothes have in shaping peoples identities. Fashion as a form of communication has grown over the years. And this seems to have continued on a regular basis. There are many opinions and perspectives related with fashion that dictate how well it has been represented over the years and what more can be done to bring about a basis of attachment amongst the people all over the world. The times much like the present one see that fashion is being taken as one of the most ‘in’ and trendy elements of the society. There are a number of reasons behind this disposition and all of them surround the basis of a person who wishes to look smart, out of the league and classy. This is the reason why fashion is spread out so as to make people understand where they are coming from and how they shall be seen within the related scheme of things. This is the exact manner under which their relevant selves will be highlighted and their personal beliefs shall be bolstered. This paper will discuss how the concept of fashion has evolved over a period of time and how it closely linked with culture and the identity basis. How people’s ideologies have been shaped up with respect to fashion is also something that this paper shall delve upon. Before fashion can be studied in-depth, it is required that the role of society under which it exists is taken note of. This is because this very society adopts and adapts it so that the people can have it within their lives to give out a statement. Why society can pose as a serious problem for the fashion domains from making its mark is a significant aspect that should be taken note of. This is because fashion pinpoints the basis of societal representation from vastly different ideologies. These concepts can change with the advent of time and be based on the beliefs of a select few, which is another point of much consideration. It must be remembered here that the society has the final say in making up the realms of fashion and how it is culturally adopted across the board. The leaders within any society of the world would have their own opinions when it comes to fashion and its inter-related pointers (Kim 2013). This discusses the tangent of cultural adaptations which can be had within the relevant thick of things, and which always remain necessary to comprehend. Hence fashion needs to be given a chance on a proactive basis for it to make its mark on a local as well as a global level. This is when it is truly and wholly manifested. The role of fashion and clothes in shaping the peoples identities has been immense and this has been the case for a long period of time. People like to connect with what is up to date with fashion and how they can be a part of these changing patterns. Fashion has become a part of an individual identity since people like to adopt it for their clothing needs. They want to relate with one another socially and this is one of the way through which fashion is manifested in the truest sense. Fashion is therefore an important facet of any societal basis which needs to be understood in a proper sense to gain a good know-how of the people who are an essential part of this society. If they like to adapt to changes, it is their understanding and praise for fashion that is in play. No matter it comprises the Western or the Eastern fashion styles, each of these represent fashion in one form or the other. The needs, wants and desires of the people in keeping with fashion should always be taken note of because this provides a good enough knowledge of what they aspire and what they seem to reject when it comes to clothes and different styles. How identities have been shaped up by fashion has a number of viewpoints by the people. Some suggest it is the right of the common man to dress up as he likes, and same is the case with fashion. Then again, it is the prerogative of the common man to adapt it to his own liking and during this process; he can come up with his own fashion statement or style which he wishes to spread through his meticulous ways. Some have very distinctive fashion styles which are not appreciated by the society at large but then again its unique nature allows it to grow beyond a certain means. This identity is specific to an individual or to a select audience and hence forms the basis for their peculiar identity when it comes to fashion. If it picks on, the identity becomes a major facet of how the society understands it and adapts it for its own betterment. Even though this takes on a lot of trial and error, it has been seen that fashion tends to repeat itself over a period of time and becomes repetitive for a number of diverse reasons. This is something good about fashion which resonates with the people. How fashion is communicated remains a very strong perspective that needs attention on the part of the people who are directly involved with fashion and clothing in one form or the other. Communicating fashion can take place over a number of mediums and hence becomes an easier task in this day and age. The changing trends of fashion are dictated by globally acclaimed designers and fashion journalists. They are coming up with all sorts of designs and trends which are communicated on different channels, through newspapers and magazines, on social media, and a number of other platforms (Barnard 1996). The world seems to have become a global village where even the slightest of change in fashion is easily conveyed within a few hours’ time and hence is adopted elsewhere across the globe. The communication mechanisms are in full force and this is the reason why fashion is in the news for all the right reasons. The different above the line and below the line channels ensure that fashion remains in the limelight and hence is easily taken on by its proponents and supporters. Also the critics find it easy for their work to get an insight of what is happening on the global scene and adapt it locally for the local markets. How the movers and shakers within fashion take it up as a statement is the basis of understanding fashion in essence. These include the fashion journalists, the style gurus, the models and just about everyone who is related with fashion in one form or the other. These stakeholders of fashion decide what is culturally acceptable and what does not warrant much significance. They have a positive influence over others who try to make this fashion a must have within their lives. These fashion managers essentially know what the society will accept and what it would not culturally see as doable. These movers and shakers therefore have a much bigger role to play within the fashion circles than one can think of. Then there are the models themselves who have their say at making up the context whether fashion is doable on their part or not. These models dictate how fashion is interpreted by wearing it on ramps, in commercial modeling, in television and print advertisements and so on. Then again, when it comes to the people, it is their prerogative to decide what is right for them in terms of adoption and what is not deemed appropriate. This is the basis of knowing how success shall be achieved within the ranks of fashion. Cultural basis within any society of the world is a manifestation that deems much importance. The role of culture discusses the aspects due to which people get involved from a fashion perspective. Culture is a set of actions, beliefs, emotions and understandings that seem to linger on within a society and that too for a number of reasons. If fashion is adopted in a culturally acceptable way, it will have a number of positives for it to be adopted in an easy way. However, if there are transgressions and that of exorbitant sorts, then there will be several problems which may emanate from a number of different angles. All said and done, fashion has to be understood as a commodity that shall reign in success and harmony within the related ranks and give all and sundry a sign and hope for a better change within the lives of the people. Fashion will continue to make its way within any culture as long as it is socially feasible. Hence identities shape up when people get representation through the different touch points like clothes, fashion, music, language and other basic pointers. These echo the fashion icons and statements which remain embedded within any society of the world. This has been the case for a long period of time now and shall be like that in the times to follow. The representation discusses centers on the premise of bringing about a tangible change within the lives of the people who adopt fashion and want to live it this way. This is the reason for their social existence. They like to be seen as individuals who believe in the changing trends and for this they are ready to make amends within their current life domains. This is the way they like to be treated and this is the manner under which their best selves are manifested. This is how they would like to be seen and hence much success emanates from such related ranks. Having said that identities shape up when people wish to make a particular entity a part of their norm (David 1992). These might also come about ever so quickly which is another important element that needs much study and afterthought. Fashion will continue to be seen as a necessary element of any society and hence its communication remains a very significant entity so as to let people know how they can be represented in an able way. This is the reason why fashion is hailed all over the world and that too on a number of different counts. It is the connected feel of fashion that makes it grow and develop beyond specified means. The creative basis through which it is manifested is another reason why fashion will continue to be represented on a global level time and again. Its role cannot be denied its due place and this is the reason why it is given space in nearly all news segments, print magazines and all forms of catalogues locally as well as internationally. Since this is an advancing age of science and technology, fashion shall continue to document itself back and forth for everyone, and be seen as the in thing in the future. After all, clothing needs and trends will not come to an end and hence the need will always grow for all the right reasons. With this the conclusion bit of this paper is mentioned in the following paragraph. In the end, fashion is a depiction of the personality basis of the people who believe in it and are willing to go an extra mile to adopt it for their betterment. They would tend to do something differently and hence make it their peculiar mark for it to be termed as in fashion or in style. This paper therefore summarizes the basis of fashion acting as an agent of change for the varied people of this world. It gives them hope that they can do something different within their personalities by changing their attires and looking after their own domains. This is an effort that reaps them many dividends because it looks to harness the benefits spelled out by fashion and its related undertakings. The need of the hour is to know how fashion acts as a catalyst of positive change within the lives of the people and how it caters to the changing desires and wishes of the people. Bibliography Barnard, M., 1996. Fashion as Communication. 2nd ed., London-New York: Routledge David, F., 1992. Fashion, Culture and Identity. Chicago & London: The University of Chicago Press Kim, K., 2013. Who says what to wear? Examining tensions between conformity and individuality. Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 7 Read More