HSOC-320: Fashion Cultures

Fashion is a way of thinking and doing that impacts all aspects of our lives and is an integral part of all areas of design and media. This class explores fashion concepts and the principles of style through three different cultural case studies -- Japanese esthetic philosophies, materials, and social narratives as represented through fashion culture from the history of the kimono and is design influence, to contemporary innovators Issey Miyake, and Eri Matsui and their engagement with technology, mathematics and architecture. Black style and its meanings, impact and influence, cultural esthetics and values, social and political narratives, and fahsion icons from Church women to the Black Panthers, Diana Ross to Michelle Obama. Fashion in entertainment and media culture -- how personal style defines and expresses character and establishes cultural contexts in movies, television, music and dance, and how it influences fashion. Students will participate in research, presentation, and collaborative and individual fashion projects, as well as critique and discussion.