The lecture traces the social and cultural history of fashion from the early 20th century to the present, and provides an overview over the historical significance of fashion in relation to cultural and social processes.

This lecture aims to develop a broad understanding of the historical development of fashion and explores the values, ideas and aesthetic concepts underpinning historical and contemporary fashion cultures. Key fashion designers, styles, movements and events which have shaped fashion in the 20th and 21st centuries are examined in relation to the ways in which fashion communicates social identities and discusses concepts related to identity politics, gender, race and ethnicity. The lecture explores the historical and contemporary links between fashion and art, design, material culture and media studies from the perspective of fashion history, cultural studies and sociology.

Active student participation during the lecture is absolutely essential for this course. It is your responsibility to sign in every class, as attendance will be taken at the beginning of each meeting. Signing in for a previous day is not possible so be sure to sign in each day. Signing for another student is a form of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated.

To receive full attendance credit you are expected to:

• Attend every meeting and to attend the entire session
• You are allowed to miss 1 lecture but must excuse your absence in advance via e-mail

• Take notes during the lecture
• Participate in group discussions

Hand in a research portfolio at the end of the term (submission date: TBA)

DATES: every two weeks on Wednesdays in Seminar room 3

November 6th - 16:15 - 18:45

November 20th - 16:15 - 18:45

December 4th - 16:15 - 18:45

January 8th - 16:15 - 18:45

January 22nd - 16:15 - 18:45