How is the idea of ethnicity used in fashion?

Question

how are different cultures treated within the fashion environment?
how are certain cultrues treated as inferior to cultures of the West?
the great chain of being - slave trade - notion of black being inferior?
black is beautiful movement
how has world fashion replaced ethnic fashion
orientalism
cultural hegemony
josephine baker
eugenics
foot binding in chinese cultures

Answer 1

well, from what i understand with different cultures existing in today's society and age, the traditions and cultural influences as exemplified in numerous fashions and clothing trends give its designers ideas to base their concepts on. orientalism in itself is a cultural theory by means of western influences and conceptions of what is african, chinese, japanese, asian- for example muslim culture, from a western perspective. certain cultures are treated in an inferior way to western cultures by means of the exoticised and often mystifying notions of african, chinese, japanese culture etc. orientalism is an attempt by the west to construct its own versions of blackness, asianness etc.

as for cultural hegemony itself, it is a theory originally coined by an italian marxist, antonio gramsci where he attempts to explain how a culture can be ruled or dominated by a particular class, ethnic group for example, with shared beliefs and systems. likewise, high culture is best known for things such as paintings, art galleries, museums etc and is often ruled by the elite, wealthy and upper class.

the term 'hegemonic' refers to so-called dominant groups or powerful organisations exercising control and authority over sub-ordinate or less powerful groups within society.

i'm not sure about the rest though. hope this helps still. by the way, i will be studying orientalism in the second semster next year at university.

Answer 2

I do not think much of it. My clothes are bought for what they need to provide , warmth in the Winter months, Lighter for other seasons. and bathing suits for the summer months. I suppose they serve fine for an ethnic occasion or dance, as such.

Answer 3

there are ethnic clothes..and fashion industries have used these influences to make their products, making it mainstream. ex: ballet flats (moroccan), tunics (indian)

Answer 4

Sorry I have no idea