Introduction
Fashion is an integral part of the social life of an average youth in the world today. Perhaps the most mysterious thing about fashion is the fact that various designers come up with extremely similar design at a time (Wolfendale & Kennett 2011). It may not be easy to understand what inspires the fact that the designers, who are in most cases worlds apart get to know what time to design which style. However, somehow, they all move in response to the market forces. Fashion, which has been described variously as a trendy distinction as far as clothing is concerned, is a complicated concept, since no single explanation can shed light on how fashion comes about. A common misconception among many people is the assumption that fashion only refers to clothes. On the contrary, fashion as well refers to such things as shoes and other accessories. Looking at fashion from this point of view, it is worth concluding that fashion repeats itself. Arguably, more than half of what is considered fashionable today was considered fashionable in the 1960, 1970s and the 1980s. Additionally, fashion draws a lot from culture. Fashion borrows from, and reflects the culture of origin. This paper endeavors to explain how culture and fashion are connected, as well as how culture repeats itself in a mysterious cycle.
The relationship between culture and fashion
Fashion dictators are described as those factors, including people, which influence the fashion that is trending as at a particular period. The culture or the origin of a certain people influences fashion. At international beauty contests, for instance it is a common sight to see the models sporting clothes that reflect their culture. Most notably, many models have been seen using fabric and colors that represent such ancient cultures as the Chinese, Indian and African cultures (Bruzzi & Gibson 2000). Arguably the oldest culture, Chinese culture is considered a unique factor in the world of fashion. However fashionable a piece of attire may appear, it must bear some cultural characteristics. This is especially so in the classical times. Arguably, it was quite easy to differentiate Chinese made attire from Indian attire in the 1960s. Today, it is not easy to differentiate clothes and fashion, thanks to globalism. Cultural syncretism is among the major factors behind the fading away of the cultural aspects of fashion. A Chinese dress in the 1960s could be recognized by the patterns and designs sewn into the fabric. Similarly, the Indian fashion had the same properties. The fact that the Chinese people are reserved and treasure the aspect of respect is reflected in their long dresses that do not reveal much of the body parts of the wearer.
Western culture is in such a way, that people do not regard reservation as a serious aspect of culture. As such, western clothes and fashions are in such a way that the wearer does not mind most of her or his body parts exposed (Wolfendale & Kennett 2011). It is for this reason that the Chinese people found it difficult to embrace western ideas during the coming of the Europeans into their territories. Judging from the way the westerners dressed, the Chinese considered them a threat to morality and discipline. In other words, fashion can indicate the difference in the cultures. The cultural practices of one culture cannot be exactly the same as that f another culture. It is for this reason that fashion is said to be a mirror of society’s cultural practices.
As a matter of fact, creed is a fundamental feature of the way of life of a people. For this reason, religious aspects of the people define the lifestyle of the people. Arguably, the most notable example is the Islamic religion. Such Islamist cultures as the Arab culture are characterized by a lifestyle that reflects their religion. The fashions in such communities as the Arab community are affected by culture a great deal. Apparently, such fashions as bikinis and miniskirts are not and cannot be embraced in the Arab world. The major reason behind this is the reality that Islam, the religion observed by the Arab people does not allow such things as miniskirts and bikinis as the culture considers such things extremely indecent (Bruzzi & Gibson 2000). On the contrary, a lady in mini dress or short skirt can comfortably go to office and work with men, with no offence committed.
That which is ethical in one culture could be unethical in a different culture. Most cultures have distinct beliefs and traditions. The ethical conducts and traditions of one community could in some cases conflict with another. It is likely that in preservation of ethical standards, a community can decline adopting fashion from those cultures whose practices contravene the ethical standards of the buying community (Blaszczyk 2008). Talking of ethics and tradition, oriental societies are the most prominent. Indian and Chinese cultures are best known for their Buddhist ethical standards. As such, it may be pointless trying to introduce some fashions in such communities as their cultures will not embrace the fashion. The rate at which fashion dictators are tending towards oriental culture is a clear indication that fashion is progressing retrospectively, which classical fashion taking center stage.
Apparently, media is a central part of the world culture today. Following the effects of globalism the ways of life of the world are incorporated in such a style that the practices of some cultures have faded away. The media, being a central part of world culture, has made fashion a cultural mirror. The media is both a cause and effect of the relationship between culture and fashion (Wolfendale & Kennett 2011). The fact that fashion borrows a lot from media is a clear indication that media is the determinant of the relationship between culture and fashion. The average youth will prefer to dress up like the celebrity in the latest movies. This is because the actors from the movies are seen as the pacesetters and dictators of fashion. This way, they bring the world culture into the field of fashion.
According to psychologists, fashion tends to reflect the mindsets and ideologists of people. This is to say that the manner in which a particular person dresses can tell a lot about the individual’s way of thinking and behavior. Such a mindset, which is reflected in fashion, is the basis of culture. A culture is described variously as a unique way of living, which is made up of such aspects as religion, dressing, eating habits and generally accepted codes of conducts. In other words, fashion is both a part and a result of Cultural Revolution. As the culture of the world changes, so does fashion. Another factor explaining the relationship between culture and fashion is the aspect of uniqueness (Blaszczyk 2008). The cultural preferences can as well be modified by the physical surrounding. Worth noting is the actuality that there is a strong relationship between culture and the physical surroundings. For instance, the fact that desert people do not put on heavy clothing, integrates a sense of cultural fashion into their common life in such a style that they always tend to prefer light clothing to heavy clothing.
The impact of culture on internal design
There is a relationship between interior design and culture. Talking of interior design, it is in reference to such things as curtains, furniture upholstery, carpets, wall drawings, and other decorations (Sparke 2004). Arguably, the decorations in the house tell a lot about the culture of the owner. Similarly, the interior design may not tell a lot about the culture of an individual, but will tell much about the cultural preferences of the owner of the house. In oriental cultures for example, it is common to find home owners hanging such works of art as drawings on their walls. The drawings in most cases reflect a lot about their culture. The most prominent example of causes is the sign of Buddha. This is a religious gesture in the Asian cultures. Similarly, people in India and china use such designs as drawings on their curtains. Typically, the drawings and writings draw a lot from culture. Most of the drawings on the walls and floor mats are religious sayings and quotes. This is a common occurrence in the Arab world. Their curtains and floor mats bear religious writings and drawings, which in most cases are in their native language (Sparke 2004). As one could expect, such Arab writings, which appear fascinating to many people, find their way into foreign markets. At some point in the late 1990s, the interior designs, especially curtains and furniture upholstery, from Arabia had a high demand in the world market following the perceived aesthetic value of the Arabian writings and drawing. As such language and cultural aesthetics can influence interior design a great deal.
Fashion Repeats Itself
Classical fashion was characterized by such things as miniskirts and fitted shirts. In the 1960s, people did not seem to care much about their hair. It is for this reason that people, both men and women maintained long hair, either in the form of dreadlocks or afro. The most popular footwear back then was big block soled shoes for all males and high heeled footwear for women. Men sported what was referred to as bell bottom trousers. Thus was the fashion back then. Today, fashion designers are back at it. There modern office lady prefers a decent short skirt and high heeled shoes. The fact that the modern lady dresses just like the lady from the sixties has been masked by the little modifications made to the clothes by the designers. Such small changes as modern material and designs are just meant to make the clothes appear new (Breward 2003). Even so, the inspiration remains to be the fashion of the sixties. Similarly, high heeled shoes are back on trend. Women find it fashionable to wear high heeled shoes accompanied by short dresses or skirts. This is a clear indication that trend never dies or fades away; instead, it just keeps recurring after decades.
Just like the case with ladies, men are back at wearing the fitted shirts and bell bottom trousers. In the recent past, bell bottom trousers have been trendy among the youth, who are more fashion conscious than the old folks. The bell bottoms, which are both formal and casual wear, are popular among college and university students in most countries. Research indicates that fashion is a recurrent social phenomena in almost all cultures (Craik 2004). Even so, there hasn’t been a universal explanation for the recurrence of trends and fashions. Many social scientists and artists have associated the changes in trend with the effects of the media. Media has extensive effects on many elements of social life. Fashion, being a central part of social life, is no exemption to the effects, both negative and positive, of the media. Explaining the changes in fashion takes many approaches since the various cultures of the world are heterogeneous in many aspects.
The major reason why modern fashion dictators tend to adopt the fashions from the past is the fact that media reflects the past. The modern generation grew up watching the classical movies, in which the classical fashion was reflected. The modern generation therefore, in a bid to reflect the past in their lives, adopts the fashion styles from the era. The modern generation’s artists, in a search for creativity and innovativeness, go back in time to the 60s and 70s (Breward 2003). The old fashions appear appealing to the modern eye, since the television and other forms of visual media portray the same as being outstanding. It is for this point that the contemporary generation is in favor of the fashion that is decades old. Notably, movie makers have started moving from the lure of modern technology movies to the classical-type movies. As such, the movie lovers have as well adjusted their preferences in fashion to reflect the ideology of the movie maker.
The second reason as to why fashion is a recurrent phenomenon is because people want to reconnect with the past. Worth noting at this phase is the actuality that fashion is as well observed by the old folks. The people that are in their fifties today were in their optimum youth during the mid 70s. During this time, they keenly observed the fashion that was. These individuals opt to go back to the good old days through reliving the fashion trends from back in the day (Lehmann 2000). A 2004 research carried out among people above the age of forty in Canada indicated that most people preferred the old fashion as such trend helped them reconnect with the past. According to the research, most people were nostalgic from wearing the old trends. Arguably, the youthful stage of human life is the most active or rather vibrant. It is during this phase that the person lives the best moments. For this reason, psychologists have argued that people, especially the old people prefer fashion form the 60s and 70s as a way of reliving their youth. The current youth, borrow from the old folks, and dress in the sixties out of curiosity.
As time goes by, classical fashion, in its uniqueness is considered beautiful and somewhat sexy. Artists have described fashion from the sixties as the most appropriate way of defining human aesthetics. The short dresses and skirts defined the human beauty as well as the fitted shirts and bell bottom trousers. Unlike today’s fashion, the classical fashion has a unique touch of beauty and decency. As such, the clothes and shoes from the old fashions can be used today for both casual and official occasion. Arguably, the classical fashion is slowly and steadily coming back to modern society as a result of technology (Park 2008). The connection between technology and the coming back of classical fashion lies in the fact that technology makes classical fashion a package of comfort and elegance. With modern technology and use of synthetic fiber, the classical designs can be made cheaply and availed to the fashion arena. Technology is, therefore another reason why fashion repeats itself over time.
It is not easy to comprehend why all fashion designers come up with extremely similar design at the same time. However the main reason for this observable fact is the reality that the designers are inspired to go for a certain taste by the same factor (Craik 2009). Worth noting is the fact that, media and culture, being the most significant determinants of fashion, are universally recognized as such. Therefore, the designers are inspired by the same media. Apparently, globalization is an essential part of the social setting of the average individual. Virtually, everything is taking a global outlook. Perhaps this is the reason why social media is emerging as the most effective source of information. Twitter, for instance is the most influential social arena. On twitter and other sites such as face book, fashion dictators have created forums through which they influence fashion. Such celebrities as musicians are pacesetters in as far as fashion is concerned.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that from the above discussed points, culture and fashion are integrated such that fashion is determined by culture. There are many aspects of culture that affect fashion. Perhaps the most significant factor or aspect of culture affecting fashion is religion and ethics. The religion and ethical standards of a community determine to a great extent, the type of fashion to welcome into a community. The religious beliefs, such as the strong Islamic beliefs are likely to affect culture in such a manner that not all fashions are welcome in a community. Media is another aspect of modern culture that influences fashion. Media, which has been described variously as the mirror of society, is a fashion determinant since it connects the world through information. This is the major reason why various designers in various regions of the globe will come up with the same blueprint at the same time, without having met or discussed. The modern world, where the urban culture is taking over, media, especially social media and television are main determinants of the latest trends. The celebrities in both the movie and the music industry are among the fashion dictators. One of the most notable aspects of fashion in the contemporary world is the actuality that it is taking a retrospective turn. People are going back in time, with most youths advocating for the fashion of the 1960’s and the seventies. Many theories have been structured in an attempt to explain the retrospective progress. The bottom line, however, is that fashion is an endless cycle. Perhaps, two or three decades from now, the youth will be putting on what we consider contemporary fashion today.
Reference List
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