The Progression of Fashion in Tandem with a Discussion of Feminism - Essay Example

 Abstract: The following analysis discusses the progression of fashion in tandem with a discussion of feminism. Naturally, even though feminism has only gained a degree of acceptance and widespread impact over the past several decades, the level and extent to which it has impacted upon fashion, and vice versa, is profound. As a function of measuring this interrelationship and commenting upon it, the following analysis will deal with those elements of interrelationship that are shared between these two sociological constructs. Introduction This paper aims to examine the conceptual nexus between feminism and fashion. In this regard, I wish to underscore the contention that feministic ideas have been more strongly established with the rise and evolution of the fashion industry. To provide focus and succinctness in the discussion, the analysis will divide this paper into three parts. The first part will give a brief background on the roots of modern feminism, the second part will discuss why and how feminism can be regarded as a motivating force in culture/fashion, and the last part will state how the images portrayed in current fashion practice have influenced the fashion industry. As a means of accomplishing each of these varied goals, the analysis will draw upon scholarly journal entries as well as books to support and draw upon the beliefs of the writer as well as the beliefs of prevailing scholarship upon these issues. Feminism and Its Impact As with most social movements that have taken place over the span of human history, the shareholders of key ideological positions seek to envision the way in which the world might look if everyone ascribed to their particular point of view. This is helpful in understanding many ethical and/or moral nuances of a given point of view as well as helping the view-holder to come to a greater and more appropriate level of inference with regards to the way in which it might appear in universal practice (Hillman, 2013). With respect to such an understanding, this particular analysis will seek to answer the question of whether or not feminism has had a discernible impact upon fashion. Those that put forward the belief that a form of global feminism has impacted upon the world provide support for this approach based upon historical and sociological/demographic data that necessarily points to the fact that a this impact has been profound (Bourke, 1996). Yet, fashion in and of itself can and should be considered as a determinant factor in the level of recognition, sexual freedom, and ability to integrate with the workforce. Moreover, as a function of these recent development in the rights of women, specifically within the Western world, but increasingly in other parts of the developed and developing world as well, proponents of such a point of view point to the fact that is merely only a matter of time and human societal evolution until a true and complete understanding of global feminism is realized (Strasser, 2013). Feminism and Fashion The central tenet of almost all forms of feminism is predicated upon the desire and tacit belief that women should be able to enjoy equal status and ability within society; commensurate with men. Contrastingly, the central understanding and definition of fashion is anything that is indicative of popular style or practice (Fawcett, 2006). Naturally, the connection between these two seemingly dissimilar definitions has to do with the defining and evolving level to which feminism has been able to impact upon that which can be culturally understood as “fashionable”. Moreover, for a very long period of recent history, the theme of liberation and the sexual freedom that fashion could inspire, as well as the promotion of gender neutrality/equality that androgynous clothes could promote, were immensely supported by feminists (Kremmer, 2013). The core and primary reason for this was because fashion had opened another venue for reinforcing empowering images of self that feminism so desperately attempted to effect (Gibson, 2013). As clearly explained in an article entitled Thoughts and Reflections on Being a Dominant Woman, reasons why feminist understandings have impacted upon fashion should not be hastily deemed as a direct consequence of frustration with a patriarchal society. While these factors have influenced men and women within fashion for decades, these are not the only influences and theories that should be promoted. Theory Modern Fashion and Lifestyle Populist Model of Fashion The increasing exposure of feminist ideals has not taken place in a vacuum. The subsequent change in fashion that accompanied the societal shift that has been witnessed over the past several decades is stark and noticeable. One of the most effective theoretical interpretations of the way in which fashion has come to represent this reality has to do with what many scholars have termed the populist model (Chui-Chu, 2013). This particular model is one in which different groups, based upon age, socioeconomics, location, culture, and other identifiers create their own fashion. Evidence of this populist model of fashion can of course be seen with regards to the subtle, sometimes obvious, differences that exist within a region/age/socioeconomic group with respect to fashion. Yet, those that focus upon the impact that feminism has had upon historical fashion, as well as the present era, point to the fact that intrinsic needs have been able to circumvent and otherwise co-opt these populist trends in a more unified manner. Naturally globalization and the methods through which large clothing manufacturers mass market and promote their product lines has had a massive impact with respect to the way in which these different groups integrate with a solitary idea or a more broad understanding of the tacit relationship between levels of feminism that are represented within society and the level of impact that this can have upon the stakeholder within society. Regardless of the overall applicability of the populist model, the reviewer can easily note that the likelihood of individuals to behave, dress, and engage with the world of fashion in a singular manner has greatly been expanded as a result of the proliferation of media that currently defines the world in which we live. Whereas the populist model is may not be the most effective in helping to explain the manner through which feminism has come to be represented in fashion, and vice versa, a more thorough understanding of this primary fashion theory is necessary to engage before delving into other more specific theoretical interpretations. Gender and Dress: Without question, one fo the most powerful means through which gender construction is physically demonstrated is with respect to fashion. This has been the case as long as history has been evident. More often than not, women’s clothing and fashion has been constrictive, dainty, with an ideal of perfection in mind; regardless of the challenging and daunting tasks that have been required of women around the globe. Naturally, there are of course cultural exceptions to such a broad statement; however, by and large, fashion has tended to be something that has liberated men while constraining and quantifying women. One need look no further than the way in which girdles and other such troublesome schemes have been used to accenturage female beauty and chaste; whereas men do not often suffer from the same analogous desires to heighten physical attractiveness by such seemingly absurd manners. As will be discussed at greater depth further in the analysis, the underlying reason for these types of fashions cannot only be traced to the fact that a more patriarchal society was extant at that time. Instead, the mores and norms of society were not of a democratic level; thereby allowing the moneyed elite to set the bar for what was suitable and could be chastely worn by women at every level of society. As can naturally be assumed, such an interpretation created an un-representative level of constraint through which societal members were forced to integrate. As fashion continued to evolve and as more and more stakeholders began to have an impact with regards to what was considered suitable and what was not, innate and tacit levels of feminism began to be evidenced (Groeneveld, 2009). This was partly out of a desire to rebel against the norm, partly from a desire to break from the constraints of a class society, partly the result of the emergence of the middle class, and partly the result of the increase in technology that came to define the way in which fashion was represented. Pursuit of Modernity: Another salient theory that is applicable for helping to expound upon the way in which feminist theory has impacted upon the realm of fashion is with respect to the approach referred to as the pursuit of modernity. Naturally, as a cosmetic venture, fashion has primarily been concentric upon providing individuals with a way to integrate with the world and define themselves as compared to others for centuries; if not thousands of years. However, the degree and extent of dissimilarity that exists within fashion is not the primary issue of not that should be focused upon with regards to the exhibition of feminism within fashion. Instead, the pursuit of modernity approach engages the reader with an understanding of the fact that expressing modernity, change, and futurism is an intrinsic benefit that fashion provides; allowing an individual to promote their own degree of self image, world view, and expression of self into a world that exhibits a number of views, trends, and identities. Scholars who have spent a great deal of time seeking to understand feminism and its relationship with the progression of fashion have heavily leveraged the pursuit of modernity theory as a means of explaining why some of the visually boring designs of the war-era came to be represented within women’s fashion. By leveraging a patriotic zeal to finish the war, furthering feminist agendas of equality within the workplace, and dispelling many patriarchal definitions of what was and was not proper attire for a woman of a particular age group, the pursuit of modernity theory is especially impactful with regards to seeking to understand women’s fashion as it has progressed over the past several decades (Yuniya Kawamura, 2005). However, from a non xenophobic worldview, it can also be noted that the desire to abandon convention and integrate with newer types of fashion is represented in the way in which the past hundred years have seen tens of thousands of ethnic interpretations of dress be discarded; in favor of Western fashion and the degree of respect/freedom that this is expected to engender. Although this particular analysis will stop far short of making a value judgment with regards to whether or not the expectations that such individuals envisioned to take place once they accepted a more modern form of fashion have taken place, the trend in and of itself helps to further underscore the impact that media, feminism, and global norms of fashion have been able to impact upon otherwise diverse populations. Democratization Theory and the Impacts of Mass Production: Without question, the impacts and theoretical approaches that have thus far been discussed have had a powerful role in transitioning fashion towards a more socially aware endeavor. However, of all of the theories that will be discussed within this brief analysis, an understanding of democratization theory and the means through which consumer trends, and by extension a further degree of feminism, has been evidenced within historical fashion is perhaps the most salient/important approach that can be taken. For instance, the democratization of fashion does not only refer to the level of political freedom that exists in any one sector of the globe; rather, it refers to the ability of the individual stakeholder within society to have the economic means to engage the market and purchase products to much the same degree and extent to which the more wealthy members of society do. Centuries ago, fashion was something that only the rich could be involved in; as it took a great deal of funding to acquire suitable fabrics and hire seamstresses or tailors to ensure that the garments that were eventually made were of a high quality and ascribed to the norms of fashion that existed within a given time. However, with the proliferation of the middle class, both within the New World and elsewhere, the purchasing power that this demographic has been able to exhibit has shifted the way in which fashion is represented. Previously, fashion had been something that was only available to the ultra rich; however, as the means of mechanization and industrialization allowed for more and more individuals to readily gain access to cheaper fabrics and designs, the degree and extent to which social concerns could be addressed and issues that affected broader society reflected were maximized. The process that has thus far been defined is one that necessarily took place over several centuries. However, the speed and overall impacts that these processes have had upon fashion, and the interpretation/representation of feminism within fashion, has not slowed whatsoever. Instead, the interconnectedness of the world has created a situation through which the level of desired modernity, and the economic democratization of the masses has increased exponentially; with no sign of this trend changing anytime in the very near future. Application of Theory and Representation of Fashion in the Current Era: Thus far the analysis has been mainly concentric upon discussing the different theoretical approaches in understanding the manner through which fashion has exhibited itself over the past several hundred years; with the majority of the focus being on the past several decades. Yet feminism and fashion cannot be understood as to divorced concepts; instead, they are intrinsically related as the fashion that is consumed responds to the demands of the consumer market. Whereas this might not have been the case in ages past, the dynamics of the consumer society and the level of globalization that exists within the current world allows the researcher to firmly note that fashion is not something that is fabricated and foisted upon the population of the world (Ferriss & Young, 2010). Instead, demands are met by existing supplies and fashion must continue to remain relevant to the whims of the market; all the while being mindful of these minute changes as means of carving out a greater level of market share and profitability for whatever firm might represent a given design or fashion line. Perhaps the main level of understanding that can be gleaned from a theoretical interpretation of all of these aspects has to do with the fact that feminism within fashion is not a disconnected concept that somehow acts upon the trends that are exhibited. Instead, it is a primal and fundamental piot of view that has steadily been gaining social recognition. As such, the level and extent to which it has been able to permeate women’s fashions, and to an extent men’s as well, is easily noted in terms of a process that is not sponsored of powered by elites within the industry; rather, it is promoted, paid for, and engaged by those individuals that “vote” with their pocketbooks. The nature of society is shifting, and has shifted a great deal over the course of the past several decades. Conclusion In conclusion, it can be claimed that the rise to popularity of fetish fashion today can be attributed to the openness of women to embrace and assert their sexuality in a more liberating and self-determining manner. Moreover, rather than merely expressing this through sexually neutral means, the women of the current generation have chosen, as has been conclusively demonstrated within this body of research, to seek to express this rise in liberation within more sexually oriented means. Rather than seeking mere equality in the workplace, society, or within the home, the women of the current era are expressing a need and desire for parity within the bedroom. Whereas one may seek to discount this dynamic due to the fact that it cuts both ways as partners oftentimes alternative between dominate and submissive roles, the reality of the situation is that the women of the current generation are not satisfied with former sexual norms of perennial male dominance within sexual matters and seek to engage in more dominant role playing behavior as a way of speaking to this newfound level of sexual liberation. Finally, the fact that the male stakeholders within society have relatively quietly embraced this new dynamic is proof positive that there is little resistance to the topic as perhaps the historical interpretation of male dominance within sex itself is ultimately not a natural construct and is more a result of the fact that puritanical societies have been so profoundly worried about and fearful of female promiscuity that they have sought to eschew any and all representations of female sexual dominance. 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