Fashion and Society - A look into the Power of Clothing and the Body

Abstract

The foundation of modern fashion has its roots in history, stemming from the very cloth made thousands of years ago to modern takes on material, to how the body and sexuality were perceived in contrast to modern ideologies. The role of fashion remains one of power and control, in that the concept is used to separate and differentiating certain groups from one another as well as individual use for personal expression. The inherent lack of fashion, i.e. nudity, also brings forth many ideas of power and sexual freedom, as well as tackle the many problems that people face in society in regards to sex and gender. Through an analysis of modern literature as well as articles that bring in historical data, I investigate clothing and the lack thereof and what their implications are and have been for the global perspective on such a topic. Concepts such as power, freedom, gender, sexuality, culture, and nudity all play a part in how clothing has held the kind of significance it has had throughout history, and how that history manifests itself in modern discourse and discussion.