Cultural Studies in Relation to Fashion - Essay Example

Task Cultural studies in relation to fashion Introduction The fashion entity has generated numerous development and influence tothe measure that people relate to within the societal setting. Culture has been influenced over the decades with behavioral traits linked to the comfort ability presented in the updated trend. This trend is in the manner that individuals behave of complete assigned duties or strive to achieve a fit within the society. The experiences depicted within a set societal setting has been attributed to the traditions set by the society. However, the traditional influence on the way of life is fast being replaced by the current norms presented within the society. Individuals have found the need to copy behavior of a superior society that serve as the benchmark to developing character in the modern century. These cultures are picked from the western countries who have found the measure to develop fashion based on natural inspiration acquired within the society. In contrast, modern fashion has presented a similar input to incorporate the traditional designs in highlighting the modern fashion trends that are found to be unique. Fashion is presented as a singular entity that would define the image of an individual towards societal presentations in the quest to satisfy beauty. Women more than men have emerged to be the majority of the influential figures in the fashion industry. Fashion had been presented in remarkable women like the actress Emily Monroe, who had advocated for female rights when she delved into the new style of women having trouser designs. Dita Von Teese also promoted fashion in the 1940s with her classic retro image, as she modeled for famous designers. These have been examples presented of images created to generate the influence of fashion on the lifestyle of individuals. Women have been at the forefront of developing attributes that present fashion as dynamic. This paper explores the relationship between fashion and culture picking on leading arguments and styles that have been presented in the recent decades. Corset and Fashion Fashion has been applied to identify vital stages of progression through the decades to present a lifestyle of the individuals that presented the fashion. Each decade throughout history has presented a unique culture to foster an interest level between individuals who seek to gain societal favor in recognition (Welters & Lillethun 2011, p335). Women have been the gender affected mostly with fashion, presenting numerous revelations to uphold a selected trend of fashion. From hair style to the cosmetic worn, there have been leading developments in the women fashion identification. The corset has been a key fashion item that has proven the impact a garment may present on the development in the fashion industry, to help build a culture that progresses with the generation it represents. The corset initially developed to be worn as an undergarment of for a medical purpose has been manipulated into variable shapes and designs that define its purpose. The item had been developed to help them gain what had been dubbed the perfect shape to maintain a physique considered attractive. The ancient development of the fashion entity saw its development in 2000BC in Crete and was worn as an external garment. The earliest corset applied to be used was the Cottee that had been a, tight long, body fitting worn under the clothing. Its composition was that of stiff linen, and the provision saw it gain to be the tightest garment to produce better results. The term corset saw its generation in the 19th century with a description given to fit its composition in the earlier forms (Evans 2007, p22). The history of corsets has been set at around the 1530 due to the figures of subjects in paintings like Eleanora di Toledo, whose shapes depicted the application of the fashion entity. Though, these undergarments were not meant to be seen and stayed as possessions of the inner body garments. They had gained recognition of stays in the early 16th century. This followed a presentation by the queen Catherine Medici who presented a ban on thick waists from individuals attending the courts. The bold application of the corset as a separate body and accessory saw the incorporation of the garment into the fashion industry by the 17th century. This saw women establish a trend that applied corset as an individual fashion provision. The corsets were developed to be underwear by the 18th century worn to provide the desired shape and pull the breast upwards. The incorporation of intricate designs in the makeup of the corsets in this century meant an added incentive in their production. The Stays were designed differently in the 18th century with the application of whalebone with more boning structure application. This mean a shape in the material applied in the development of the garment and its shape. The 18th century development of the stays had been inputted to offer support to the bust, present the conical shape while drawing the back behind. The corsets found use in women from all intellectual and fashion fronts, from authenticated ladies to those in low-class environs. The French women initially wore the quilted waistcoats as corsets to be worn during informal events. However, stays found application in the court dresses falling out of fashion in 1790. Te development had been concurrent with the French revolution witnessing the development of the neoclassical dressing style. A twist had been seen in the 19th century in the advancement of the corset design when men picked the fashion item, to incorporate in their daily routine for curing back pains. The Dandies around the 1840s and 1850s arbitrated these developments. At the beginning of the 19th century, the corsets had been developed to extend to the hips excluding the option of the shoulder straps. The corset has seen its development in the fashion industry to slender the physique and accord it a figure claimed to be the perfect shape. Women apply the use to achieve the curvy figure meant to increase their body appeal and minimize hips and busts. Men had applied its use in the 1820s to achieve a slim figure. Corsets have been applied for medical purposes to sustain the scoliosis and offer protection to the torso. Corsets have been applied for sexual fetishism. An example lie in the dominatrix costume and incorporated with high stocking with heels, covering the bodies with lace to highlight the sexual appeal. The 19th century might have depicted the garment to present an inferior status of women in applying its use, but corsets have been utilized in the 20th century to reduce the stereotype. They have since been redesigned to fit external fashion wear and maintain their form to present the figure desired. Corsets have been since incorporated in shirts and dresses, like in official wear or ceremonial products in weddings. The culture of the 16th century corset has, been preserved in the modern century. The media and the perception of beauty by women The purpose of the media has been to inform and control events that have been established as the major inspiration within the societal setting. The media have applied strategies to create controversial decisions in providing an answer to unexplained phenomenon. The majority of the popular characters and figures applied in the media industry have been individuals termed as celebrities and role models. The fastest and most informative media have gained recognition as the reliable measure to gain access to information (Worell 2001, p193). In fashion, industries and influential individuals have applied variable platforms to advertise their merchandize and show the innovative designs presented. Visual media that have promoted the available fashion trend has been in the form of print and motion media (Serder 2011). Print media have been in the forms of magazines, newspaper and billboards. Motion media have been updated to be included in cinemas and television channels presenting variable information. However, with the development of the internet, information has been easily accessed with updates on the latest fashion and information trend accessed by the tough of a button. Majority has accepted the media as the reference tool to set the pace for the desire to lead a fulfilling life. This measure has been presented in the models in magazine covers, to the television sitcoms that have offered values leading to the desirable lifestyle (Sands & Wardle 2003, p194). The measure has been linked to lifestyle living with behavioral trends set to issue personal satisfaction that is gained through the provision of presented expectations. The informing companies offer an endorsement or demonstrate the application of the product that would generate comfort use celebrities. They have been considered to hold the key to present the perfect body image and lifestyle. Women being sensitive of their appearance have imitated their role models to offer advice on the measure to implement in achieving their desired status quo (Baugh & Martin 2009). Most women present an impossible task to obtain a perfect body physique and seek the best fashion item and cosmetic to complete the gap. These presentations have included unrealistic promises in delivering satisfaction with most of their standards witnessed to be fictional. The problem with the women image lie in their appearance, physique, odor or lifestyle achieved. Research conducted has made presentations that women have been affected by exposure to models and the unrealistic lifestyle presented. The lifestyle presented in the leading TV stations and advertisements have made the global perception of fashion be similar to the western society. A separate lifestyle is deemed imperfect and unwanted. Women highlight fashion to be never satisfactory, a figure that is not thin or average to be fat, overweight to be ugly, and a lack in the latest fashion shoddy (Schwitzer, Bergholz, Dore, & Salimi 1998, p203). Losing weight and holding no body wrinkles like in the models within the ad covers appears more appealing. This has been the culture generated in the definition of beauty by women in the 21st century. The Gaze The theory had been developed to present the psychoanalytical reference by Jacques Lacan proving individual’s knowledge that they can be admired. The theory presents the realization by a person that they are viewed as attractive elements and present a physical appearance. The male gaze is generated by his appreciation of the beauty of the female with the distinctive features in the body shape and curves (Calogero 2004, p16). Feminists have argued that the theory is unjust as it promotes inequality with women presented as objects. Lacan linked the development of the theory to boost psychological maturity and appreciation of the presented features. The western fashion ordeals have been presented to represent an ideal lifestyle that is considered fulfilling. However, with women considering their outward appearance, a form of attraction and competition is inevitable. Presentations have been made to show off features and physique to the society to gain psychological fulfillment. These factors have been projected to attraction of the mates. Women would present attractions to promote sexuality and appreciation from admirers. Women are growing in their interest to suggest their superiority to their fellow women. This homo spectaotirla gaze does not necessarily present sexual interest but may be subjected towards measuring influential achievement. Women in the modern society have been involved in leading decision-making sectors and thrive to present power. The growth of the economy as women behind the inspiration of the sectors has attested the might held by the group that had been powerless in the preceding years. This provision has proved that in fashion and completing the beauty make-up; the motive might have changed from attracting the male spouse to personal satisfaction. Women gain confidence from appearance and believe in satisfactory task completion in a decent appearance. Women have dressed to gain attention from both men and fellow women to gain attention. The western ideals have been presented to both male and female gaze to promote the beauty. Unlike the homosexuals who mostly dress to attract attention and drain desire from their mates, the feminine and the male gaze have developed to appreciate the confidence, and power gained from fashion. Conclusion Fashion has been applied in the society to express desires that confront the set trend from those controlling the western ideologies. With the presentations centered towards achieving a psychological comfort, women have been the exceptional developers of the industry. With new ideologies, a culture is generated that is centered on maintaining a balance between sanity and satisfaction. Fashion is dynamic and does not discriminate against a culture or era. The development of the media has broadened ideological exchanges to spread the proper articulation of the necessary presentations to issue in fashion. This then creates a recognizable culture that sustains development of personal virtues. The relationship of fashion with culture has been involved in the generation of the gaze the eventual presentation is to gain attention resulting from the physical appearance. List of References Baugh, J. E. and Martin, L. C. (2009), Minority Women, Media, and Body Image, EDIS, Retrieved 15 March 2012, from: Calogero, R. (2004), A Test of Objectification Theory: The Effect of the Male Gaze on Appearance Concerns in College Women, Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28 (1): 16-21, DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2004.00118.x. Evans, C. (2007), Fashion at the edge: spectacle, modernity and deathliness, New Haven, Yale University Press. Schwitzer, A. M., Bergholz, K., Dore, T., and Salimi, L. (1998), Eating disorders among college women: Prevention, education, and treatment responses, Journal of American College Health, 46(5): 199-207. Serder, L. K. (2011), Female Body Image and the Mass Media: Perspectives on How Women Internalize the Ideal Beauty Standard, Wesminster, Retrieved 15 March 2012, from: Sands, E. R., and Wardle, J. (2003), Internalization of ideal body shapes in 9--12-year-old girls, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 33(2), 193-204. Welters, L., & Lillethun, A. (2011), The fashion reader, Oxford, Berg. Worell, J. (2001). Encyclopedia of women and gender: sex similarities and differences and the impact of society on gender, San Diego, Calif, Academic. Read More