Against abstract universalisms in fashion theory: For a dialogical process of interpretation and translation

Author:

Delhaye Christine1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. ISNI: 0000000099364293 University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Abstract

Criticism on the Eurocentric character of the concept of fashion has been raised already for almost four decades within fashion studies. Yet, the growing entanglement with globalization studies and postcolonial and decolonial theories has accelerated an epistemological turn within fashion studies. The epistemological turn not only fostered new research on the empirical level, it also challenged the theoretical framework of the discipline. Even the concept of fashion itself, entrenched as it is in modernization theories, has gradually come under attack. The concept of fashion has been held accountable for defining only ‘modern’ western fashion as its research object, while side-lining, even erasing, other ‘traditional’ sartorial systems. In order to redress the Eurocentric character of fashion theory and the exclusionary effects it engenders, fashion has been redefined as a ‘universalism’. Although this view became quite mainstream, in its turn it also became gradually criticized. It has been rightly argued that redefining fashion as a universalism is only another way of re-inscribing fashion scholarship in the hegemonic western ‘modern/colonial’ way of knowledge production. Studying sartorial practices positioned outside the western capitalist fashion system through the lens of fashion obscures an understanding of their own specific characteristics. In this article, I will turn more specifically towards the question of which methodologies we can mobilize if we, scholars versed in western modern knowledges and modern knowledge production, are committed to a multiplicity of sartorial worlds in as well as outside ‘the West’. The article proposes a hermeneutic–dialogical method of interpretation and translation as an epistemological as well as an ethical tool towards a more adequate understanding of ‘other’ ways of wearing, making, feeling, thinking of and living through clothes. Finally, this article offers a tentative analysis that shows what this dialogical approach might entail.

Publisher

Intellect

Reference49 articles.

1. Adriaans, T. J. (2017a), ‘Community dressing: Marken, Episode 2’, Theodorus.Johannes., https://theodorusjohannes.nl/storytelling/community-dressing. Accessed 5 March 2024.

2. Adriaans, T. J. (2017b), ‘Community dressing: Noord-Brabant, Episode 1’, Theodorus.Johannes., https://theodorusjohannes.nl/storytelling/community-dressing. Accessed 5 March 2024.

3. Adriaans, T. J. (2018a), ‘Community dressing: Bunschoten/Spakenburg: Episode 3’, Theodorus.Johannes., https://theodorusjohannes.nl/storytelling/community-dressing. Accessed 5 March 2024.

4. Adriaans, T. J. (2018b), ‘Community dressing: Urk, Episode 4’, Theodorus.Johannes., https://theodorusjohannes.nl/storytelling/community-dressing. Accessed 5 March 2024.

5. Adriaans, T. J. (2019), ‘Community dressing: Staphorst, Episode 5’, Theodorus.Johannes.,https://theodorusjohannes.nl/storytelling/community-dressing. Accessed 5 March 2024.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3