Semiotika 7

Summary

This presentation explores semiotics in fashion, examining how clothing serves as a symbol of cultural identity and personal expression. The speaker explains how fashion, originating from the Latin word 'manu factus,' is used to convey deeper meanings within society. By discussing examples like punk fashion, traditional Balinese attire, and casual versus formal wear, the lecture emphasizes the two social tendencies shaping fashion: conformity and isolation. Drawing on Roland Barthes' theories, it illustrates how fashion is represented visually, textually, and in real life, offering a rich perspective on how clothing communicates values, beliefs, and social dynamics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fashion is a cultural phenomenon that reflects the lifestyle and identity of a community, symbolizing societal roles.
• 😀 Semiotics in fashion involves the study of signs and symbols within clothing, and how they convey meaning.
• 😀 Fashion can be categorized into three types: Image Clothing, Written Clothing, and Real Clothing, each with its own form of representation.
• 😀 Image Clothing refers to fashion depicted in photographs, images, and advertisements, serving as a visual signifier.
• 😀 Written Clothing includes fashion described in written forms, such as encyclopedias, advertisements, and texts, combining language and visuals.
• 😀 Real Clothing is the actual clothing worn by individuals, directly representing their identity and social position.
• 😀 According to George Simmel, fashion serves two social functions: blending into society and isolating oneself from it, each with its own motivations.
• 😀 Punk fashion (e.g., mohawk, jeans, tattoos) symbolizes resistance, freedom, and solidarity within its cultural context.
• 😀 Traditional Balinese attire carries deep cultural meanings, such as purity (white clothing) and spiritual focus (headwear pointing upwards).
• 😀 Fashion is not just about style; it is a form of communication, conveying values, resistance, and societal roles through clothing choices.
• 😀 Understanding the semiotic meanings in fashion can help enhance the message that clothing conveys, whether visually or through written narratives.

Q & A

What is the definition of fashion according to the transcript?

Fashion is described as something that refers to actions done by individuals or groups, evolving from the Latin word 'manu factus,' meaning 'to make.' It is often seen as a popular way of dressing within a culture and can reflect one's lifestyle and identity.

How does fashion reflect social identity?

Fashion can be seen as a 'social skin' that mirrors the lifestyle of a community and expresses specific identities. It serves as a visual representation of an individual's or group's place within a society.

What are the two social tendencies that shape fashion according to George Simmel?

The first tendency is the need to conform and blend in with society, while the second is the desire for isolation, where individuals seek to distinguish themselves or separate from the mainstream.

What are the three dimensions of fashion according to Roland Barthes?

Roland Barthes outlines three dimensions of fashion: 'image clothing,' which refers to fashion as visualized through images or photographs; 'written clothing,' which describes fashion through narratives or advertisements; and 'real clothing,' which refers to actual clothing worn by individuals.

What is 'image clothing' and how is it represented?

'Image clothing' refers to the visual representation of fashion, often in photographs or images. It emphasizes the characteristics of clothing as seen through visual media.

What does 'written clothing' mean in Barthes' theory?

'Written clothing' describes fashion through textual narration, such as in advertisements, encyclopedias, or other written forms that explain or depict clothing styles.

What is 'real clothing' as defined by Barthes?

'Real clothing' refers to the actual clothes worn on the body, as opposed to how they are visualized or written about. It is the physical, tangible clothing that individuals wear in their daily lives.

What is the meaning of a mohawk hairstyle in punk fashion?

The mohawk hairstyle in punk fashion symbolizes anti-oppression and the desire for democratic freedom. It is inspired by the Mohican people from the Mohawk Valley, as portrayed in the 1963 film 'Drums Along the Mohawk.'

How do other elements of punk fashion, like jeans, tattoos, and chains, convey meaning?

Punk fashion elements like jeans, tattoos, and chains represent resistance, empowerment, and solidarity. Jeans, originally worn by marginalized groups, became symbols of rebellion, while tattoos and piercings signify control over one's body, and chains symbolize solidarity among punks, who are often ostracized from mainstream society.

What is the symbolic meaning of traditional Balinese men's clothing, such as the white shirt, fabric pleats, and head covering?

In traditional Balinese men's clothing, the white shirt symbolizes purity and neutrality, the pleated fabric pointing downward represents a connection to Mother Earth, and the head covering (udheng) directs the wearer’s focus towards divine purpose, symbolizing a spiritual connection to God.