Fashion and Cultural Studies

by Susan B. Kaiser

Bridging theory and practice, this accessible text provides an introduction to fashion from both cultural studies and fashion studies perspectives, and addresses the growing interaction between the two fields.

Cultural studies relies on fashion to exemplify change as well as continuity, examine identity and difference, agency and structure, and production and consumption. Fashion, meanwhile, benefits from the interpretative lens of cultural studies; its key concepts, contextual flexibility, and attention to bridging 'high' and 'popular' culture, contemporary and historical perspectives, and diverse identity issues and methodologies.

Organised thematically, the book uses a wide range of cross-cultural case studies to explore ethnicity, class, gender and nation through fashion, and explains the ways in which these notions interact and overlap. Drawing on intersectionality theory in feminist theory and cultural studies, Fashion and Cultural Studies is essential reading for students and scholars.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[donnalyn ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've used this sporadically over the years while studying fashion—a super helpful and quick introduction to ~the field~. The writing is easy to understand and it's well organised so very easy to reference : ) I wish I didn't have to return it to the library !!!

[Fer Rodríguez Calderón · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good insights into the fashion studies. She references plenty of good authors in the fields of culture, sociology and more, which is also extremely useful for going even deeper on the analysis she offers. The writing is pretty easy to read, I really recommend it for people who want to start within the fashion analysis world.

[Luiza Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Definitely one of my favourites, if not my absolute one. Kaiser writes beautifully and proposes such good insights. I'm in love with her. This book made me view the world in a different way, and it is extremely interesting. I highly recommend it if you're a fashion student, whether your path is the academic, creative or business area. This should be mandatory!