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Slow Fashion Forward

S1.E4.1 - Fashion Theory and it's Language

Season 1, Ep. 4.1
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 In this first part of Episode Four of Slow Fashion Forward, we dive deep into the fascinating world of fashion theory. Guided by Ebba, we explore the sociological, cultural, and psychological layers behind why we dress the way we do and what messages our clothing communicates. We’ll unpack ideas from theorists like Veblen, Simmel, Barthes and Entwistle. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding fashion as language, identity, and power. Stay tuned for Part 2!


Love what you’re hearing? Support our journey on Patreon and chat with our hosts, Ebba & Sandra, and get exclusive access to bonus content about the fashion industry, Slow living, and more!


Sources mentioned and used in this episode include:

  • Craik Jennifer. Fashion: The Key Concepts. 
  • Entwistle, Joanne. The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress and Modern Social Theory. 
  • Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) – Conspicuous Consumption
  • Georg Simmel (1858-1918) – Dual Nature of Fashion
  • Roland Barthes (1915-1980) – Semiotics of Fashion
  • Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002) – Cultural Capital and Distinction - Social structures, cultural capital, and the fashion system.
  • Elizabeth Wilson - "Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity"


Additional sources we did not mention but that you might find interesting:

Did not speak about but: Hebdige, Dick. “Subculture: The Meaning of Style.” In The Cultural Studies Reader

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