Abstract
The last century saw mass migration of people across geographical boundaries, owing to industrialization and globalization. These people took with them their cultures and costumes which mingled with the local cultures to create something new. With the growth of the fashion industry, there has been an increasing demand for innovative and individual fashion, from street markets to luxury brands. Exhausted by local influences, designers take inspiration from the so called ‘low’ culture and create artistic products, place it in a different context and the end-product is categorized as ‘high’ culture. It is challenging as to why a design/ culture is ‘high’ or ‘low’. The justification for this distinction is often found not in the design itself but in the context attached to it. This raises certain concerns. Firstly, it is sad that a culture which offers inspiration is looked down upon as ‘low’ culture. Secondly, it is ironic because the so designated ‘high’ culture is a manipulation of the truth from the authentic ‘low’ culture. Finally, it is important to be aware of crossing cultural boundaries and the context attached to a design/ product so as to use it a responsible way that communicates the design without offending anyone. This paper explores the complex, multi-layered subject of fashion appropriation and aims to provoke debate over cultural ‘borrowing’ and create awareness that commodification of cultural symbols and iconography in fashion is inappropriate and offensive and not the same as ‘celebrating cultural differences’.
Presenters
Anahita SuriAssistant Professor, School of Fashion Design, Karnavati University, Gujarat, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
APPROPRIATION, CONTEXT, CULTURE, INSPIRATION, RESPONSIBLE
