At the start of the semester I had one clear meaning of what fashion was to me, and that was the way in which an induvial expresses themselves through their clothing. Throughout the course of this semester I have learned that while this is a valid definition of the word fashion, there are also various of other components that go with the term of fashion. For example, when thinking about fashion we must also put into consideration the way the style and dress relate to this term and how all three terms complement each other. When thinking of the word style as it relates to fashion it is important to note that through style we are creating a construction of ourselves, we are given a choice of how to clothe ourselves and at times this is very trend dependent. It is through style that we are shown an interpretation of social and cultural aspects via our garments. Continuing off of style we have the idea of dress which ultimately refers to the materiality of the garments we wear. Dress is in close relationship to the body and it is the physical version of someone’s style. Through style and dress we have the overall idea of fashion, which is an umbrella concept. Through fashion we have concepts that shift across time through seasons and movements. Fashion is a global, social and economic process that influences society as a whole. When thinking about the definition of fashion it is vital to not only think of the definition of style and dress in relation to this term but to also think of the möbius strip, or the idea of a both/and concept. Fashion is all about the balancing of two ideas/concepts that have two different ideas but ultimately are the same, an example of this is space and time. Susan Kaiser expresses this idea the best when stating that, “time and space are both abstract concepts and contexts: the process of deciphering and expressing a sense of who we are (becoming) happens in tandem with deciphering and expressing when and where we are” (Susan B. Kaiser, Fashion and Cultural Studies, New York 2012, Pg. 1). This concept relating to fashion due to individuals ultimately referring to fashion when attempting to find who they truly are, after all fashion is meant to be an expressive art form.
