Georg Simmel: On the psychology of fashion
fashion is a broad, hard-to umbrella term. It includes not only superficial things like clothing or hairstyles, but may also include behavior or manners. But how does a fashion at all? The German philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel, in his "Psychology of Fashion will attempt to answer this question. 
A fashion is characterized according to Simmel, first of all by the fact that it is carried by only one part of society. This can be a single individual or a small group of people, but never the whole of society, as a mode of living which, as Simmel called it, "according to the same striving entirety." There must always someone to the small section that specifies a certain fashion to the envy and strive to do the same. Otherwise there is no reason for designers to exercise it on. No later than when the "striving for equal population" complete the "whole is now serving with same", a new fashion ago.
The reasons for pursuing a fashion to be Simmel's view in two different needs: first, the need for separation and others in need to belong. It wants to separate oneself, with the choice of a particular style either from the community or be integrated into a specific group. Both needs arise, according to Simmel, however, due to the lack of independence and in need of support from people who need the recognition of other people in order to increase their self-esteem. Therefore, the creators of new modes are also usually the same ones that were previously in that position.
Although Simmel's theory to the social Circumstances of the 19 Century is based and our society is clearly differentiated today, are the reasons for the emergence of a fashion remained the same. The need for boundaries or membership is still crucial.
A fashion is characterized according to Simmel, first of all by the fact that it is carried by only one part of society. This can be a single individual or a small group of people, but never the whole of society, as a mode of living which, as Simmel called it, "according to the same striving entirety." There must always someone to the small section that specifies a certain fashion to the envy and strive to do the same. Otherwise there is no reason for designers to exercise it on. No later than when the "striving for equal population" complete the "whole is now serving with same", a new fashion ago.
The reasons for pursuing a fashion to be Simmel's view in two different needs: first, the need for separation and others in need to belong. It wants to separate oneself, with the choice of a particular style either from the community or be integrated into a specific group. Both needs arise, according to Simmel, however, due to the lack of independence and in need of support from people who need the recognition of other people in order to increase their self-esteem. Therefore, the creators of new modes are also usually the same ones that were previously in that position.
Although Simmel's theory to the social Circumstances of the 19 Century is based and our society is clearly differentiated today, are the reasons for the emergence of a fashion remained the same. The need for boundaries or membership is still crucial.
The cartoon on the fashion people " termed class women " by Erich Kästner:
they are not looking at Pooh diabolical? Suddenly, the color
class women, because it is
fashion, the nails red!
If it becomes fashionable to discourage chewing
hit with a hammer or blue, it's
tuns are also pleased and half dead.
If it becomes fashionable, the breast
to color or - if you do not have - the belly ...
when it is fashionable to die as a child or
hands yellow to tan
Handschuh'n until they resemble, they do it well.
If it becomes fashionable to smear the black, if
crazy geese in Paris
pleat the skin like crepe de chine,
if it is fashion, crawling on all fours
through the city, they do it.
If it would apply to learn Volapük,
and nostrils zuzunähn
and to remove the skull and the leg
to raise lanterns
tomorrow we might behold's with them.
because they fly like Angel wings
always best at first crap.
Even the shin, they would be ironed!
And they are to rein in any way, when they hear
that what is fashionable.
If it's fashion but would, to go gaga!
For in this respect they are great. If it's fashion but would
, zuzulöten these toads
each opening individually
because then we would finally be rid of them.
at [click ] there is a version set to music by Holger Muenzer (1976)
Other links / reading:
- Eveline Müller (University of Zurich), Georg Simmel's theory of fashion, Zurich 2003. [Click to pdf]
- Mörth Ingo (University of Linz), Georg Simmel Modetherien, Linz 2004th [Click to pdf]
Formal:
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blog post by: Felix Sievers
rate: Q 3 / 4 pl1 and pl2
Date: 11/14/2010
topic: Georg Simmel: On the psychology of fashion
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