The lecture traces the social and cultural histories 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. The lecture has been entirely rewritten and henceforth focuses on diverse histories as part of a commitment to decolonize fashion history and fashion research. A particular focus will be placed on the exploration of histories about style and fashion from postcolonial, anti-colonial, decolonial and anti-racist perspectives.

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.

Written exam at the end of the term.

Literature:

Giorgio Riello (2020): Back in Fashion: Western Fashion from the Middle Ages to the Present.

New Haven/London: Yale University Press.

Further details can be found in the syllabus.