Reflecting on my first LP post and revisiting the way I attempted to define fashion still seems accurate. From the first reading the quote,” Fashion is gossip. Never Underestimate the power of gossip. Semiologists are driven into ecstasies of supposition by its whispers”, is still very relevant. Delving deeper into the world of fashion and having the opportunity to collaborate and work with other designers from different backgrounds I could understand this more. People feel the need to establish their personalities to stand out, whether it be to discuss their vivid nights out with the rich or to describe a celebrity encounter there is still a need for people to prove themselves by attaching themselves to other people’s successes instead of recounting their own. This is purely driven by the narcissistic nature of being in such a subjective field of work. Although this may seem negative these situations can spark conversations between designers, the gossip seems to add another layer of fuel to some people’s work, some may even be inspired by the need to rise to this level. This doesn’t necessarily mean that gossip is a large aspect of fashion but it’s ingrained in the system of it.
Another factor from my readings that added to my previous definition of fashion is intersectionality and subject positions, terms I haven’t read about or discussed before, although it is very logical, it was good to materialize those thoughts. Susan Kieser’s quotes Entwistle, “the fact that we live in our own bodies is structured in part by our social positions.” Reading about subject positions and their impact on our day to day lives. How things such as my religion and sexuality can contradict and cause interesting effects on my dress practices. Fashion just seems to run deeper in everyone, whether as fashion designers or just regular people, although they may not be as aware of the impacts their subject positions can have on their dress we can see how it is intertwined with human nature and psychology. Affected by both internal and external factors. It is still difficult however to attempt to define fashion in its entirety.
