BLOG 1 Lecture Reflection

During my first Better Lives lecture I was introduced to the idea of clothing as a sign system, meaning that clothing has a role in order to structure our society, clothing has a meaning and an agenda thus showing the real value that sign and symbolism are in inferring certain rules and ideals. In the sports-wear culture clothing is seen as a sign of wealth or a status symbol, which is a concept that has permeated throughout history, for example, European royal families used fur as such, and slowly this act has shifted in the world of fashion where athleisure has morphed into the daily clothing of the youth. Another way in which sign systems are prevalent in the fashion industry is when clothing is used to signify a job or a role, a nurse uniform or a police man are all industries in which their clothing has a role integrated with the profession as their attire has a meaning and function behind it, we as a society have adhered to these roles accepted them thus setting them in stone. On the other hand, it could be argued that through clothing as a uniform takes away the humanity behind a profession, creative director Alessandro Michele recently used as inspiration a military uniform for a show, through this it could be deduced that the purpose of that clothing has been stripped and is now a commodity for fashion but is this respectful to the workers? Or is it just art gaining inspiration from the outside world? These questions can also be linked to the idea of fashion gaining inspiration from the outside and taking it inside the industry. Furthermore, the idea of fashion having a negative effect on the outside can be contradict by the concept that uniforms have been created with the idea control in order to regulate and help our society function. Like previously stated doctors and policemen all wear an easily identifiable uniform but is that for us or them? Is this so we can easily identify them or a shield to protect them from us? A uniform can be seen and acknowledged but always removed will this take away the 13 or plus years of knowledge from a doctor though, so are uniform still amicable in are day and age, does everything need to be labelled? Through this understanding it is admissible to argue that a uniform has a higher function that just identifiability, like materials, comfort, and durability a uniform can also be created to help a person in their field of work, to help them navigate their job. Instead, uniforms in environments such as schools might not hold such a function but rather unify and control the situation, this can be seen as a negative as it reduces originality and one’s uniqueness but throughout history we have seen that a uniform will never stay intact with its original purpose as people will always find a way to detached themselves from the crowd.