Polygon Prism Of Modernity:Fashion

As a long-standing cultural phenomenon in the history of human civilization, fashion bred much earlier than modernity while emergence of the latter has exerted profound impact upon development of the former. Since then, fashion has been endowed with vivid characteristic and imprinting of modernity. Meanwhile, with influence of single-dimensional (irrational) development of modernity, it is unavoidable that some negative factors come into being in fashion. The paper starts from reviewing on relationship between fashion and modernity (Chapter 1), puts forwards and explores paradox of fashion's modernity in depth (Chapter 2-4), then further discusses some enlightenments for construction of China's fashion culture from recognition of fashion' s modernity (Chapter 5), arouses reflections on how to construct China' s fashion culture in a more concrete and deeper way (Conclusion). To be more specific, outlines and contents of each chapter go as follows.Chapter 1:Fashion' s modernity.By means of thorough analysis on relationship between fashion and modernity, this chapter lays a theoretical foundation for further elaborating paradox of fashion' s modernity. Firstly, concepts and categories of fashion and modernity are clearly defined and distinguished. Then, all the relevant characteristics of the two are set forth in an all-round way. Afterwards, emphasis is laid on exploring some key relationships between fashion and modernity, which mainly include progressiveness of modernity and creativity of fashion, uncertainty of modernity and contingency of fashion, current experience of modernity and transiency of fashion, identity of modernity and fashion, paradox of modernity and contradiction of fashion, aesthetic appreciation of modernity and fashion. Lastly, the topic on China' s fashion of post modernity is put forward.Chapter2.After detailed discussion on relationship between fashion and modernity, Chapter 2 begins to analyze representation of paradox of fashion' s modernity from the first aspect, which is mainly to recognize and reveal paradox of fashion's modernity from angle of rationality and irrationality. In line with progressive rationality of modernity, fashion reflects revolt against tradition and pursuit of progress as well. However, irrationality of modernity exerts certain negative influence upon development of fashion. To be specific, those influences cover the following three major aspects:dissemination of depth, disenchantment of fashion, commodity fetishism and popularization of fashion.Chapter3.As representation of paradox of fashion's modernity from the second aspect, from angle of rationality and value ideal, Chapter 3 analyzes the negative influences, which expansion of instrumental rationality has imposed upon fashion. Its specific contents cover the following aspects:fashion's moral anxiety under control of instrumental rationality, fashion's anti-ecology brought about by technological rationality under control of modernity risk (out-of-balance between natural ecology and mental ecology, environmental deterioration and healthy threat) It is raising the questions in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 that paves the way for the solutions in the last two chapters.Chapter 4 goes on with discussion on paradox of fashion's modernity from angle of power's dimension. Fashion is taken as a contradiction entity of construction and de-construction of power. Foremost, as practical representation of power, fashion is an accomplice of power. With regard to construction of power, it is shown that totalitarianism is embodied in form of fashion's identity. Meanwhile, the very identity is a symbol of class stratification's product and power. As for fashion, de-construction of power is embodied in form of fashion's differences and fashion's (media) disaggregation of power. At last, being an empirical research, this chapter associates with the current situation of China to illustrate media fashion of disaggregating power. All the analysis provide theoretical reference to the following research on relationship between fashion & cultural identity and some contents relevant with developing China's fashion industry.Chapter5.Aiming to the questions put forward from Chapter 2 to Chapter 4, namely irrationality during the course of development of fashion, this chapter starts from China's current situation, then explores effective approaches and strategies of finding solutions to the problems confronting with China's constructing fashion culture from the various aspects including developing green fashion, accomplishing reconstruction of aura of fashion while highlighting Chinese elements, relationship between fashion's differences and fashion's cultural identity and regulating aesthetic appreciation.In the part of Conclusion, the question is accordingly proposed that, under the cultural context of modernity, what kinds of efforts are of great needs for China to make for sake of reconstructing an image of Cultural Giant and building an image of cultural brands. The very question is necessary consideration resulted from the above-mentioned research. That is to say, firstly, concepts of Culture-Nurtured Country and Culture-Strengthened Country should be set up. Therefore, cultural soft power can be improved by carrying forward the traditional cultures of Chinese nation (fashion of Chinese classics). And then, development of China' s cultural industry of fashion can be promoted by way of increasing cultural added value and innovative added value of fashion products.