CONTENTS

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgements

1    Overview

Introduction to theory

Why use theory?

Methods of inquiry

What is fashion?

Who has fashion?

Fashioning the body

The tipping point

Semiotics

Modern, postmodern, post-postmodern

Organization of text

Boxed case 1.1: Rudd/Lennon model of body aesthetics

Boxed case 1.2: Maslow’s hierarchy and fashion

Boxed case 1.3: Fashion is a meme

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Notes

Further reading

2    Fashion and the Individual

The Public, Private, and Secret Self

Body image

Aesthetic perception and learning

Shifting Erogenous Zones

Historic Continuity theory

Symbolic Interaction theory

Boxed case 2.1: One individual starts a trend

Boxed case 2.2: Fashion leaders: Celebrities and fashion

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Further reading

3    Fashion and Society

Trickle Down theory

Trickle Up theory

Scarcity/Rarity

Conspicuous consumption

Political use of fashion

Boxed case 3.1: Cinderella’s glass slipper

Boxed case 3.2: Ethics focus: The diamond monopoly

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Notes

Further reading

4    Fashion and Culture

Zeitgeist

Spatial diffusion

Subcultural or style tribes/collective behavior

Cultural authentication

Fashion as modernity

Boxed case 4.1: Yakuza as subcultural style and spatial diffusion

Boxed case 4.2: Ethics focus: Akihiko Izukura

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Notes

Further reading

5    The Fashion System

Market Infrastructure theory

Trickle Across theory

Innovation theory

Historic resurrection

Branding

Boxed case 5.1: Ethics focus: Knock-offs

Boxed case 5.2: New technology of body fashions

Summary

Key Terms

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Notes

Further reading

6    Conclusion

One phenomenon, many theories

Fashion blunders

Boxed case 6.1: Ethics focus: Offensive fashion

Boxed case 6.2: Classics can have fashionable details too

Summary

Discussion questions

Learning activities

Notes

Further reading

Bibliography

Index