The Fashioned Body

Viac o knihe

This book provides a comprehensive overview of fashion and dress from historical and sociological perspectives. Once considered marginal, fashion is now central to economic discussions about 'cultural' and 'creative' work as key drivers of developed economies. The second edition includes a new preface and updated material on the evolving fashion industry, summarizing theories regarding fashion's role in modern society. It explores how fashion is vital in shaping modern identity through its expression of the body, gender, and sexuality. The author synthesizes literature on fashion and dress with the sociology of the body, offering an updated critique of issues from the first edition. The text emphasizes that understanding fashion requires recognizing the meanings attributed to the body within culture, as the body is the canvas for fashion in nearly all social interactions. While fashion originates from a specific Western system of dress, the book argues that all cultures engage in 'dressing' the body, highlighting its significance in social order. Drawing on various theorists, it provides insights into the connections between the body, fashion, and dress, making it an invaluable resource for those interested in the social role of fashion in contemporary culture.