“Society and Culture together forms the Fashion Industry”-
What Exactly We Mean By Society?
A society, or a human society, is a group of people involved with each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.
Judgement- the harsh part
How many times a day are you judged by the way you dress or the kind of car you drive? Today we live in a society that stereotypes; where sadly judging has become a norm, one that not many actually realize how it can be detrimental to the community. Every single day, people are judged or commented on for the character they portray or the actions they perform. We are condemned for not doing enough, or for doing too much. And too many a time do we come across situations where we are judged by the colours of our skin, instead of the beauty in our hearts.
Society’s Role in Fashion Industry-
Collaborative effort along with the Tangible and Intangible Aspects-
In this society we all are interconnected with each other in the same space and with similar products. A product can be classified as tangible or intangible. A tangible product is a physical object that can be perceived by touch such as a building, vehicle, gadget, or clothing. An intangible product is a product that can only be perceived indirectly such as an insurance policy. Services can be broadly classified under intangible products which can be durable or non durable.
The tangible and intangible aspects are inter-related to each other.
In fashion industry, tangible aspects are related to human senses, the feel of the product we get while looking at it or touching it. Also, in intangible aspects everything is related to our “Wants”. Our products can rise and do better in the market only if we understands the wants of a human being, their intangible aspects.
Feedback plays an important role in relation to product cycle-
Feedback is about listening actively, taking the time to analyze, and then thinking of the best possible solution to perform better. It brings people together and creates a healthy communication flow. By having a feedback about the products we get a clear idea of how our product will do in the market and what can be the future aspects.
CULTURE INFLUENCING THE FASHION INDUSTRY-
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. … Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group.
Culture is a part of biological and geographical origin-
We all come from different backgrounds, we have different culture depending upon our upbringing. Culture is also based on which place do we come from, as the locations brings the culture of that particular region. The place we stay and we are living sometimes influences our culture.
Communication also reflects our culture-
Sometimes how we talk also tells about our culture. How we talk to our elders, friends, accquintances etc. we learn from our family how they behave with the surrounding and learn from them.
Religious, Political and Traditional Aspects-
Our culture gets influenced by our religious and political aspects. Our thinking and beliefs poetry our culture. Family tradition which we follow since years somewhat leaves an influence on our culture.
Culture and Fashion-
All the above aspects are very important in order to make our product successful in the market. the word ‘fashion’ also means something popular or in style, something ‘of the moment’ — a zeitgeist. What’s ‘in fashion’ at any one moment speaks to wider trends in society, politics, and the arts. Trend forecasters like WGSN and others look at what’s happening in culture, to whether or not countries are becoming more nationalistic, or fluctuations in the economy, and relate that quite directly to the length of skirt hems and the silhouettes of garments. The clothes we wear represent who we are and, more importantly, who we want to be. Clothes are literally embedded in the fabric of our daily lives. But they have a hidden history: a past that goes hand-in-hand with the history of the human race itself. When we put on a shirt in the morning, wrap a scarf around us when we’re cold, or slip into a fancy dress for a party, we’re inhabiting our history, our politics, and our culture, creating a visual shorthand of who we are.
Example of traditional fashion newly adapted-
Ponchos- Ponchos and poncho capes have circulated in and out of style for the past few years, but it’s no secret that they’re truly unique statement pieces. They originated in South America, from places like Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.
Again, fashion was just as fluid as it is today as historians still debate the exact origin of the poncho. Most agree though that the poncho came from a number of South American civilizations. The Mapuche civilization, however, were the ones who really popularized the poncho. Originally weaved meticulously by the Mapuche as an article of clothing to keep warm in the colder seasons, ponchos have evolved into fun layers to wear for winter.
Kimonos- Up until a few years ago, when you heard of a “kimono”, you probably only associated the word with the traditional Japanese garment worn by women on special occasions and holidays. Now, popular department stores and malls ring their racks with the floral printed, daintily thin and wide-sleeved cardigans known as the new “kimonos”. They are definitely not the long straight skirted, high collar loose sleeved silk traditional garments Japan is known for, but rather a casual outfit cover-up people love to sport in the spring and summertime.
The Western “kimono” has become quite popular for its elegant everyday casual appearance. Japanese kimonos, on the other hand, were symbols of Japanese class dynamics and keeping the Japanese tradition alive after the West infiltrated Japan. Traditional kimonos are seen as one of the most beautiful pieces of cultural wear around, for their delicate sleeves, silky fabrics and threaded flower detailing. These elegant elements of the kimono inspired Western designers to create the kimono cardigan we all know and love.
