The Fashion System

The "fashion system" refers to the various industries, businesses, and processes involved in the creation, production, and marketing of clothing and accessories. This includes the design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail of fashion products, as well as the cultural and social aspects that influence fashion trends and styles. The fashion system is a complex and dynamic network that involves many different actors, including designers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, media outlets, and more.

Origin of Fashion Systems

The origin of the fashion system can be traced back to the development of clothing as a means of protection and adornment. Clothing has been an important aspect of human society for thousands of years and has evolved along with changes in technology, culture, and social norms.

The fashion system as we know it today began to take shape during the Industrial Revolution, when new innovations in textile production, manufacturing, and distribution made it possible to produce clothing on a large scale and distribute it globally. This paved the way for the development of the modern fashion industry, with its complex network of designers, manufacturers, retailers, and media outlets.

In the 20th century, the fashion system was further shaped by the rise of mass media, which helped to spread fashion trends and styles globally, as well as the growth of the consumer economy, which fueled the demand for fashion products. Today, the fashion system is a complex and dynamic network that is constantly evolving and adapting to new technological, cultural, and social developments.

The Fashion System: Roland Barthes' View

Roland Barthes was a French philosopher and literary critic who wrote extensively about the semiotics of fashion and clothing. In his view, the fashion system is a complex system of signs and symbols that communicate meaning and identity through clothing and accessories.

According to Barthes, fashion is not just about aesthetics but also about the communication of cultural and social meanings through dress. He believed that the fashion system is a way for individuals to express their identity as well as a way for society to regulate and control behaviour and conformity. Barthes also believed that the fashion system operates in cycles, with styles and trends repeating and evolving over time. He saw fashion as a form of cultural code that is constantly changing, reflecting the social and political climate of the time.

In Barthes' view, the fashion system is not just about the production and consumption of clothing, but also about the symbolic meanings and cultural messages that are embodied in fashion products and communicated through dress.

Elements of the Fashion System

The elements of the fashion system include

• Design − The creation of fashion products, from the initial concept to the final product

• Manufacturing − The process of producing fashion products, including cutting, sewing, and finishing.

• Marketing − The promotion and sale of fashion products, including advertising, public relations, and retail.

• Retail − The sale of fashion products to consumers through brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers, or other channels.

• Distribution − The distribution of fashion products to retailers and consumers, including wholesale, licensing, and e-commerce.

• Consumer behavior − The attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of fashion consumers, including their preferences, purchasing habits, and brand loyalty.

• Cultural influences − The cultural and social factors that shape fashion trends and styles, including art, music, film, and politics

• Media − The role of fashion media in shaping public opinion and promoting fashion trends, including fashion magazines, blogs, and social media

These elements work together to create a dynamic and ever-evolving fashion system.

Process

The fashion system process can be broken down into the following steps

• Conceptualization − Fashion designers or brands develop ideas and concepts for new fashion products.

• Design and development − The concepts are turned into sketches, patterns, and prototypes.

• Fabric and material sourcing − Raw materials and fabrics are sourced for the production of fashion products.

• Manufacturing − The fashion products are produced, including cutting, sewing, and finishing.

• Marketing and promotion − The fashion products are marketed and promoted through various channels, including advertising, public relations, and social media.

• Retail − The fashion products are sold to consumers through brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers, or other channels.

• Consumer feedback − Consumers provide feedback on fashion products, influencing future design and production decisions.

This cycle of conceptualization, production, and retail continues as the fashion system evolves and new trends emerge.

Industries Involved in The Fashion System

The following industries are involved in the fashion system

• Design − The design of fashion products, including clothing, accessories, and footwear

• Textile and fabric production − The manufacture of raw materials used in the production of clothing, such as cotton, wool, silk, and synthetic fibers.

• Manufacturing − The production of fashion products, including cutting, sewing, and finishing

• Retail − The sale of fashion products to consumers through brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers, and other channels.

• Wholesale − The distribution of fashion products from manufacturers to retailers

• E-commerce − The sale of fashion products through online platforms

• Fashion media − The promotion and coverage of fashion trends and products through fashion magazines, blogs, and social media

• Advertising and marketing − The promotion of fashion products through advertising, public relations, and other marketing efforts

• Logistics and transportation − The transportation and storage of raw materials and finished fashion products

These industries work together to form the fashion system, a complex and dynamic network that is constantly evolving.

Double System of Fashion

The "double system of fashion" is a term used by Roland Barthes to describe the two main elements of the fashion system: the "fashionable system" and the "obsolete system." The fashionable system refers to the current trends and styles that are considered fashionable at any given moment. This system is constantly changing and evolving, reflecting the shifting tastes and preferences of consumers.

On the other hand, the obsolete system refers to styles and trends that have fallen out of fashion and are no longer considered fashionable. This system is important because it provides the raw material for the fashionable system, as old styles and trends are often revisited and incorporated into new fashion designs.

According to Barthes, the double system of fashion is a continuous cycle, with the fashionable system constantly drawing from the obsolete system to create new styles and trends. The interplay between these two systems creates a dynamic and ever-evolving fashion system that is constantly changing and adapting to new cultural, social, and technological developments.

Features of the Double System

The "double system of fashion" is a concept introduced by Roland Barthes, and it has several key features

• Continuity − The double system of fashion operates in a continuous cycle, with styles and trends repeating and evolving over time.

• Dynamic Interplay − The fashionable system and the obsolete system interact and influence each other, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving fashion system.

• Reflection of Culture and Society − The fashion system reflects the cultural and social values of the time and helps to communicate cultural and social meanings through dress.

• Control and Conformity − The fashion system also serves as a means of regulating and controlling behavior and conformity.

• Source of Inspiration − The obsolete system provides a source of inspiration for the fashionable system, with old styles and trends being revisited and incorporated into new fashion designs.

• Communication of Identity − The fashion system is a way for individuals to express their identity through the styles and trends they choose to wear.

• Evolving with Technological and Social Changes − The fashion system is constantly evolving and adapting to new technological and social developments.

These features demonstrate the complexity and dynamic nature of the fashion system and highlight its role in shaping and reflecting cultural and social values and meanings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fashion system is a complex and dynamic network that encompasses a wide range of industries and activities, including design, textile production, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, e-commerce, fashion media, advertising and marketing, and logistics and transportation. The fashion system operates in cycles, with styles and trends repeating and evolving over time, and it is constantly influenced by changes in culture, technology, and society.

Roland Barthes described the fashion system as a double system, with the fashionable system representing the current trends and styles and the obsolete system representing styles and trends that have fallen out of fashion. The interplay between these two systems creates a dynamic fashion system that is constantly changing and adapting to new cultural, social, and technological developments. Overall, the fashion system plays an important role in our culture and society, influencing the way we dress and communicate our identity as well as reflecting the social and political climate of the time.