BANE: The Art of Life

Abstract

The study originated from a need to evaluate the connection between clothing and the body and its relation to society and culture. Fashion and/or styling of the body has had a long presence in human life and has had a lasting effect on culture, making it important to assess how the clothing placed on an individual's body aides in the creation of their social identity. Social identity is defined as "one's sense of self as a member of a social group (or groups)" (Chegg 1). It is crucial to examine how clothing and or styling of the body develops particular perceptions of self both from an individual perspective as well as social and cultural ones. Fashion connects the body, mind and soul and is much deeper than often viewed. As perceptions of the fashion world can often link it to frivolousness and arrogance. The notion of arrogance is often connected to the fashion world for fashion can often be linked to egotism leading the industry to be viewed as a pretentious way of life full of pompous and grandiose behavior. From an outside perspective you may view the individual wearing the 20 foot long train dress as boastful and out of touch with reality but you don't understand the reality of this individual for they were not always a person in a 20 foot long train dress. For they must of under gone a profound realization that it was their right to do dress and express themselves in this manner. I argue that fashion is a vital part of identity construction and an important aspect of life. If the goal of fashion is to connect the mind, body and soul, then fashion becomes a spiritual act in which we construct and deconstruct the notions of self. This is a qualitative study focusing heavily on autoethnographic reflections and art in which the analysis of fashion brings further insight into how clothing allows individuals social agency as well as freedom to develop their identity. This study consists of two parts, a written component and a fashion show. By providing personal experiences mixed with social theory and ethnography, I push past the boundaries of the fashion industry and explain why fashion is a vital aspect of human life.