Fashion Theory by Malcolm Barnard - Essay Example

Fashion Theory, a reader is a book edited by Malcolm Barnard, who is an expert on Visual Culture. Malcolm Barnard teaches holds the position of a senior lecturer at the Loughborough University, teaching units on visual culture. Mr. Barnard holds a degree in Philosophy, sociology, and he also holds a PHD degree in Philosophy. Mr. Barnard has written extensively on Fashion, and amongst his books includes Fashion as Communication. This book talks about the manner in which clothing and fashion pose a challenge to gender, sexuality, and social status. By looking at his background, and experience on matters dealing with fashion, we can therefore denote that Malcolm Barnard is highly qualified to write a book on fashion. Fashion Theory, a reader is a very popular book by Malcolm Barnard. This book traces the beginning of fashion in the 15th century. From this book, we can denote that Barnard took an interest in the study of fashion, carefully analyzing the trends of the fashion industry for over the last 30 years. This book contains a collection of surveys, and essays and contextualizes the manner in which a range, and a number of disciplines have developed theories for purposes of explaining the complexity, astonishing variety, and the beauty of fashion (Barnard, 2007). Themes that Malcolm Barnard covers in this book include gender and social identity, communication, consumption, erotic, and individualism. Barnard Manages to collect information from a variety of important writers and experts on fashion, identifying the ideas that they stand for, and theories that these writers advocate for (Barnard, 2007). For example, Barnard brings forth the ideas of Edward Sapir, who wrote on Fashion in 1931. This is found in chapter three of the book, which is titled Fashion and History. This chapter traces the emergence of fashion from the periods of 1760, to 1937, through a fashion circle referred to as the recurring cycle (Barnard, 2007). From this article, we can denote the fashion industry is not a recent issue, and it has evolved over a period of time. From this chapter, we can also denote that fashion occurs in a recycled manner, that is the fashion trends that occurred in the 15th century, can be reflected in the 20th century (Barnard, 2007). This observation by Barnard is right, and it is still depicted in the modern times. Take for example the Afro Hair style which was popular in the 1970s, to 1980s. During the 1990s, this hairstyle no longer became popular; however, in the periods of 2000s, people are starting to introduce these types of hairstyles, mostly in Africa, and amongst the black Americans in the United States. Chapter five of this book by Barnard talks about the impact of fashion and clothing. In developing this part of the book, Barnard uses information from authors such as Elizabeth Rouse, John Flugel, Mary Roach, amongst others (Barnard, 2007). From this chapter, we can learn that fashion and clothing play an important role in the manner in which the society lives. For example, due to the emergence of fashion, people within the community will want to behave in the manner in which the principles of the fashion under consideration advocate for (Barnard, 2007). On this basis, fashion plays an important role in the development of popular culture within the society. This chapter also denotes that fashion and clothing play a great role in the determination of the social class of a person (Barnard, 2007). It is the rich within the society who are always concerned with the latest trends in the fashion industry, and the new designs of clothes that emerge. The main reason advanced is that the rich are capable of affording the lifestyle in which the fashion under consideration represents. On this basis, Malcolm Barnard from this chapter tries to pass out the information that the fashion industry is a luxury, and it is only the rich who benefit from it (Barnard, 2007). Barnard analysis in this chapter is right, and it is true that fashion is an industry that is enjoyable by the rich people in the society. In as much as fashion is enjoyed by the rich people in the society, the middle class also play a role in advancing the various concepts brought forth by the fashion industry. This is because fashion advocates for the popular culture, and once it is out, everybody who is a fun of popular culture will try to follow the fashion under consideration (Barnard, 2007). On this basis, fashion does not only serve the rich within the society, but also the middle class within the society. What we can denote is that it is only the rich who only attend the fashion fairs or celebrations for purposes of entertainment, and depicting a new fashion culture (Barnard, 2007). For purposes of promoting a new fashion, designers usually use popular figures, such a musicians, sports personalities, and even politicians. This is because these people have numerous supporters and they can appeal to masses. Based on this fact, the fashion industry is not only for the rich, but also for the middle class, and anybody who can afford to live such kind of a lifestyle (Barnard, 2007). From the start of this book, Barnard Malcolm links the emergence of fashion from the postmodern to the modern culture, and links it to consumerism, mass culture, and the politics of identity. This book is a well written article, with almost every aspect of fashion covered. From the beginning of this book, to its end, we can tell that Malcolm Barnard believes that there is no clear definition of what fashion is, and what it is all about. From his own view, different authors have their own definition of fashion, which always varies from one author to another. However, it is important to denote that through the collection of a variety of writers and important scholars of fashion, Barnard manages to expose their theories and ideas on fashion. On this basis, a reader will most definitely find information about fashion from the perspective of a variety of writers and scholars. References: Barnard, M. (2007). Fashion theory: a reader. London: Routledge. Read More