"Culture" is one of the terms that vary in their meaning according to the way they are used or defined or the period they were used in. Neither in English nor in German is there a clear borderline between "culture" and "civilization". Freud wrote about "Das Unbehagen in der Kultur" and could as well have spoken of civilization. In the 19th century stress was put on "high culture".
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) regarded culture as "The best that has been thought and said in the world" in the "pursuit of our total perfection". (Zitat: Wikepedia).
In this sense culture consisted in (mostly European) elite activities resulting in outstanding art and classical music. The English anthropologist Edward Tylor defined in 1874:"Culture or civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law,
custom and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society." (Zitat:Wikepedia)
In 2002 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) "universal declaration of Cultural Diversity" defined: "... culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in
addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs".(Zitat Wikepedia, Artikel "culture".
Table of Contents
1. The term „culture“
2. Fashion and fashion history
3. Culture and the fashion industry
Research Objective and Topics
The paper examines the intersection between global cultural developments and the evolution of the fashion industry, specifically analyzing how Western social values, historical industrial shifts, and consumer psychology have shaped modern fashion as both a commercial force and a form of personal expression.
- The historical definition and sociological interpretation of "culture".
- The evolution of the fashion industry from early luxury markets to modern mass-market retail.
- The role of industrialization, labor division, and brand identity in fashion.
- The correlation between Western societal norms and the rapid, cyclical nature of fashion trends.
Excerpt from the Book
Fashion and fashion-industry
We can say that fashion is as old as mankind, but in the form of constant change it first occurred in the 14th century in central and western Europe. The acceleration of this change that is particular to the Western Civilization came in later on.
Fashion industry is a relatively recent phenomenon. It started with Jean Baptiste Colbert, the minister of Luis XIV who had to find the money for the court at Versailles and frequent wars. He tried to do this by making France independent from luxury imports and promote the export of luxury goods in this way creating a positive balance of trade.
The trick he used has become one of the main principles of industrial production. He introduced the division of labour. Every worker was trained in a limited skill and the product was the result of the addition of these skills.
Summary of Chapters
The term „culture“: This chapter explores the fluctuating definitions of culture from the 19th century to the modern UNESCO declaration, highlighting the difficulty in distinguishing it from civilization.
Fashion and fashion history: This section details the historical progression of fashion, from the rise of Haute Couture in the 19th century to the impact of the industrial revolution and 20th-century youth movements on global style cycles.
Culture and the fashion industry: This chapter analyzes the complex relationship between Western cultural traditions, the psychology of consumer desire, and the global dominance of the modern, brand-driven fashion industry.
Keywords
Culture, Civilization, Fashion Industry, Haute Couture, Industrial Revolution, Consumerism, Branding, Western Society, Social Mimicry, Globalization, Fashion History, Mass Production, Trends, Individuality, Non-verbal Communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work investigates the role of culture within the international fashion industry, exploring how historical shifts and societal values drive global fashion trends.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the definition of culture, the history of fashion as a commodity, industrial production methods, and the influence of Western civilization on modern fashion.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to understand how culture—as a set of values and traditions—interacts with the commercial machinery of the fashion industry.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The paper employs a historical and sociological analytical approach to trace the development of fashion from the 14th century to the present day.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body examines the transition from elite fashion to mass consumption, the birth of the fashion industry under Colbert, and the psychological role of brands in contemporary society.
Which keywords best describe this text?
Relevant keywords include Culture, Fashion Industry, Consumerism, Branding, Industrialization, and Western Civilization.
How does the author define the "rat-race" of fashion?
The author describes it as a cycle where a new design loses its value as soon as it is imitated, forcing the industry to constantly innovate to maintain the exclusivity that consumers desire.
Why is the "American Way of Life" mentioned in the context of fashion?
It is cited to describe the specific culture of the affluent society that prioritizes progress, change, and the constant creation of new consumer desires.
- Quote paper
- Maria Rocío Gall (Author), 2009, The role of culture in International Fashion Industry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/151231
