How Fashion Is A Global Phenomenon
Fashion is a global phenomenon that is influenced by many factors. These factors include the Social context, Subcultures, Styles and the Environmental impact. As a result, it is an essential part of societal development. But it is not as simple as it seems. What really makes fashion great is not just the appearance of clothes, but the stories behind them.
Social context
In post-industrial society, fashion has been increasingly viewed as a catalyst for consumer behavior, rather than a product. Herbert Blumer, for instance, suggested that designers’ roles were primarily to identify collective taste. Kawamura, on the other hand, regarded fashion as an evolving process that influences the way we act.
In addition to influencing our behavior, fashion can also reflect current events, cultural values, and social change. For example, minimalism emerged as an artistic movement in the 20th century, which challenged the idea of consumerism and gained widespread adoption. As a result, minimalism became an inspiration for the fashion industry.
Subcultures
For a subculture to exist, it must share a common theme in values, behaviors, and style. Subcultures of fashion and lifestyles have been investigated for several decades, but there has been an increase in interest in these aspects of contemporary culture. Several authors have examined the fashion trends and subcultures of different decades to find a common theme.
Subcultures of fashion often involve young people. Many of these groups adopt a certain urban style. This style translates into the clothing that they wear. This style has a large bearing on their self-image and helps to shape who they are within society.
Environmental impact
There are numerous environmental challenges posed by fashion. For instance, the washing of clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibers into the ocean every year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. Most of these fibres are polyester, the synthetic material used in 60 percent of garments. This material is not biodegradable and releases two to three times the carbon emissions of cotton. Moreover, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of freshwater every year, accounting for four percent of the total global freshwater extraction.
Fast fashion is also a major contributor to pollution. It contributes to the dumping of solid waste in landfills, water pollution and negative effects on human health. A study by Washington University found that 85 percent of clothing in the United States is discarded as solid waste. In addition, over 3.8 billion pounds of clothes are dumped each year.
Political stances
Many fashion designers and brands are using fashion as a platform to promote their political beliefs. Whether it’s highlighting certain groups or deconstructing social conventions, fashion is a powerful way to influence public opinion. But there are some people who don’t like the use of fashion to make a political statement. Others view it as cynical or even disingenuous.