Aphorism 1-Fashion can be about confirmation, of self and others. But it is also about anxiety, ambiguity and worry. As an aid to understanding psychological complexities it is unsurpassed.
Like any other art form Fashion is extremely personal, it is a form of expression, an outlet and a source of comfort. The designs say as much about its creator as a piece of writing says about its author. Subconscious characteristics reveal themselves when a designer creates without doubts. Fashion is meant to be showcased to the world, and this leads to doubt and anxiety. Showcasing a piece of a one’s self is extremely challenging and nerve wracking. A designer’s work can often be a window into their psychological status, but the designer’s work cannot be the sole reason for diagnosing them psychologically. Similarly, clothing and accessories a person chooses to wear are indicative of their personalities, but not the only piece of the puzzle. Saying that “As an aid to understanding psychological complexities it is unsurpassed” is not something I can agree with. One’s work and choices in terms of how to visually present themselves is an important component to understanding them but it is not the most important nor is it the most reliable.
Aphorism 2-Fashion studies has always thrived, as many disciplines do, by positioning itself between borders and at the periphery. Its apparent lack of respectability provided energy. Now there are many journals and conferences to serve its purposes. They give more space for multiple points of view, but the field must strive to avoid co-option and exhaustion.
Fashion has retained its position of power due to a wide range of reasons. Its aspirational value however is largely attributed to its mysterious aura. Its 2.4 trillion dollar worth pushes people to see it as a largely influential industry, but it maintains its allure by projecting the idea that it exists in its own dimension devious of the constraints that other industries face. Fashion has always had a rebellious side, it provokes and pushes the boundaries of society, this has led to the impression that the fashion industry is largely without morals. This idea has somehow only increased the fascination with the world of fashion. With the increasing popularity of the industry and imminent overcrowding, the unsustainability of the industry increases. I agree with this Aphorism in the sense that Fashion definitely has aspirational value and appeals to a wide range of people because of the fact that it exists on the fringe. I also think multiple points of view provides the industry with a wide range of topics to debate and discuss and allows the fashion world to always be an interesting place.
