Menswear & Uniform

Uniform is defined as "an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a group of a given profession, organisation or rank", and ironically the word uniform (outside of fashion deifition) represents "identical" or "consistant". So here we can see where the word comes from and what it is all about.

Uniform has been used for centuries for many different reasons, but essentially it is like branding, i think. You see someone in a perticular uniform and you autimatically feel a certain feeling, whether good or bad, and you know what this person represents and where you stand immediately. Even wearing a uniform of some kind can empower you. Army uniforms give a sense of belonging and protection, police with power and aggression, and a sports uniform with belonging, personal empowerment, confidence and contribution. They are obviously functional as well, but i think its the feeling they impose on others that is most interesting here.

Careers requiring strong uniform and uniformity generally appeal to those who strive to belong to a group, or contribute as a group. they wish to be identified in some way, especially as a member of the group they are associated with. Many of these people thrive on taking orders and need the social interaction and security a group provides. I would bet that any artistic professional, designer, entrepreneur or inventor (who are renoun for their high creativity, making them more 'fearless and individual') would cringe in the instance of wearing a uniform, or by being identified as a member of a group. They are individuals.

In the case of school uniforms, it is all about control and uniformity. They keep children from expressing creativity and individuality, and if you do you will be punnished. At the same time, however, they also ensure that the students are 'classless', so you cannot identify the rich from the less rich by a means of what they wear, which in turn assists in keeping all children equal. I dont think this works, however. As a creative person myself i feel that it inhibits creativity, as in school we had a colour code with strict rules. Pushing these rules, not enough to get in trouble, but enough to feel like you are different to the others is empowering as an individual.

Overall i feel it is about conformity first, individuality last. I think some people take the feelings associated with the uniforms to instil power over others. Studys show that most people arent all that trusting of those in uniform.

Gender & Sexuality

Fashion, gender and sexuality go hand in hand, and they have, to varying degrees, done so since clothing existed. Contemporary society, however, suggests that you can be as masculine of feminine as you desire. You can chose how you want to be portrayed through your clothing depending on the clothing that you buy, and the range is so large and varied in this case now that it is your choice.

Femininity and Masculinity are determined homonally at birth, and different balances will make you more one gender in apperance, and generally behaviour, than the other. This, if accompanied with the confidence to express this, will be shown in what you wear. The ultra feminine in appearance will be the highest in eastrogen, and the 'blokey' male will be the highest in testosterone. Studys prove this. So just being male or female should not conform you to dressing in a certain way, as gender goes much deeper than this.

It has been depicted in society throughout history what geneder roles are, what you should be, how you should look. These roles are not 'real', as they change with societies demands, context and needs. So conforming to these gender roles and stating that females are closing in on males in the way they dress has no reflection on where femininity is headed, but reflects on what society 'trend' we are in at the moment. And the trend is certainly about women pursing careers and delaying motherhood, but for humanitys survival this trend will need to shift again in the future.

Reaching your 'gender role' satisfactorily is the same as trying to be as perfect as a high fashion runway model. the trends change, priorities shift, and what is 'feminine' or 'masculine' now will change in the future, as it has throughout history

Subcultures & Individualism

I think that the title of this topic is contradictory, given that a subculture generally consistst of a group of people wanting and willing to conform to a certain group of beliefs, livelyhoods and way of dress.

Subcultures are particularly attractive to those who have certain beliefs, and society so supports the concept of labeling one's self, and conforming to a group of some kind. Those who want to express these beliefs without the objection or scruiting associated with that group being directly refected on them. It eliminates the personal scruitany you could recieve if you express these personal beliefs on your own. At the same time it gives those who need a group to belong to for security, something to be a part of.

Many of these subcultures are created by one individual, whether they be a person with strong individual expression and beliefs (such as musicians), and studies prove that those highly creative individuals posses certain brain chemistry which results in fearlessness, especially in the case of individuality. The rest of humanity, who have herd-like group insticts, follows these people and conform to their ideals and image.

Subcultures are clearly a healthy and acceptible way to express oneself, while at the same time slip away from personal scruitiny. It allows them to be in a group who shares similar beliefs and ideals, and it is a great area for fashion designers to market to, or create.

Daslu: Luxury, Consumption & Ethics

I found this topic interesting, but in all honesty i feel it represents everything that is disappointing about humanity. I am impressed with the creators vision and ability to create such an empire, but at the same time the reality of this emporium is far less impressive. Sao Paolo is a society which has one of the largest extreme differences between rich an poor, and i feel that this is a completely arrogant and unethical place to begin such as empire. It is also sad how people from other cultures will accept the notion of being helicoptered in (clearly so they arent exposed to the REAL Sao Paolo) and just pretend they are in a whole new world as such. If there was proof of some kind of benefit for the poor in Sao Paolo then this may change my point of view slightly, however there seems to be cno proof of this at this time. Thats what i think.