Lubaba Abbas Kazmi
Spring Elective 2019
Fashion and Culture
Subculture: French Bohemian
Noun – a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts.
The original definition of the word was “a vagabond or a wayfarer”. It is derived from the French word “Bonhomme” which means a good-humored fellow.
It is the practice of an unorthodox lifestyle, usually in the company of like-minded people, involving music, art or literature.
Fasted growing new religion though its origins date back to ancient history.
Elements of theology, ideology, mythology and spirituality.
Focuses on individuals and their impacts on the world.
First appeared in English language in the 19thcentury in the European cities to describe marginalized artists, writers, musicians, actors and etc.
History
Emerged in France in the early 19thCentury when artists wanted lower rent in gypsy neighborhoods.
Bohemia is a region in Czech Republic and a group of gypsies are called bohemians in French.
They are known for their merry poverty and pursuit of music.
By the mid 1800s French authors such as George Sand and Honore de Balzac started using the word bohemian in their work.
The English writer William Shakespeare initially popularized it in his novel, “Vanity Fair”, published in 1848.
In 1845, Bohemians started migrating to the United States.
In 1857 in New York City, a group of young 15-20 journalists became self-proclaimed Bohemians until the American Civil War.
Since its birth in Paris in the 1850s and success of plats like Scenes De la Vie de Boheme by Henri Merger, it spread rapidly.
Bohemians clothes became all the fashion, with a boho-chic style that lives even today.
Doctrine of Bohemianism
Life is a gift (individuals should use their power to become unique).
Human Beings are significant.
Afterlife is our impact on earth (after death you continue to live in minds and hearts of others).
People and Culture
Outwards signs of membership (clothing and rhythm of life)
Novels such as Les Misérables, Scenes de la Vie de Boheme, and Trilby became best-sellers, and everyone was intrigued by the idea of a carefree life.
Bibliography
.Log in – New School SSO. Accessed February 21, 2019. https://journals-sagepub-com.libproxy.newschool.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/0263276498015003006.
“Bohemian Paris.” Google Books. Accessed February 21, 2019. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=TnUgrSFm1YIC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&dq=bohemian culture&ots=-OywI03Jem&sig=PPygbtchY0Cvni4uEqvhoYPz3Es#v=onepage&q=bohemian culture&f=false.
Walker, Andy. “What Is Bohemian?” BBC News. March 11, 2011. Accessed February 21, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12711181.
“Bohemian Definition.” Subculture List. Accessed February 21, 2019. http://subcultureslist.com/bohemianism/bohemian-definition/.
