The Research Journal of the Costume Culture (복식문화연구)

The Costume Culture Association (복식문화학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A study on the meanings of soul fashion in American pop culture

미국 대중문화에 있어서 소울 패션(Soul Fashion)의 의미

  • Lee, Hyojin (Dept. of Fashion Design, Chonbuk National University)
  • Received : 2015.03.09
  • Accepted : 2015.05.15
  • Published : 2015.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the meaning of soul fashion in American pop culture. This study was conducted using a literature research method based on the prior theses, journals and relevant books. Soul as a concept, originated in African-American communities and evolved from the ideology of Black Power, which prompted Black Nationalism. Soul fashion, which took on two styles in African American culture began to embody black resistance and community pride in the late 20th century. One of these, hip-hop style represented the message of resistance and a sense of beauty outside the mainstream. The other, African-inspired fashion, which utilized a look inspired by African tradition, rejected white supremacy by expressing a proud dignity. As a result, the meaning of "soul" in soul fashion represented by American pop culture resulted in contrasting appearance due to different elements. First, one of its meanings is ironic and sarcastic, and it expressed historical trauma, cultural stereotypes, self-hatred, and self-degradation and, the self-mutilation of African-American by cynically distorting their silhouettes and, using modified materials and patterns, fantastic colors, and extraordinary accessories. Second, the other meanings is the pride and dignity of Black Power, which visualized the concentration of ideas implied by the tradition of African-American, through soul fashion by using fierce traditional of African costumes, unique patterns and accessories.

Keywords

References

  1. Carol, M. (2012). Africa in the American imagination. Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 17-179.
  2. Carol, T. (2004). Black style. New York: Harry N Abrams, Inc, 51-66.
  3. Cynthia, A. Y. (2006). Soul power culture, radicalism, and the making of a U. S. third world left. Duke University, North Carolina, United States, 90-97.
  4. Dilia, L. G., & Joseph, H. (2009). American men and identity: Contemporary African-American and Latino style. The Journal of American Culture, 32(1), 16-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1542-734X.2009.00690.x
  5. Doopedia. (n.d.). 大衆文化 [Mass culture]. Retrieved March 06, 2015, from http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=1081435&cid=40942&categoryId=31614
  6. Duane, T. (2000). Soul style. New York: Universe Publishing, 17-165.
  7. Eom, S. H. (1995). A study on the popular music and fashion of youthful subculture. Journal of the Korean Society of Costume, 26, 101-121.
  8. Eric, J. B. (2008). Black America, body beautiful, how the African American image is changing fashion, fitness, and other industries. New York: Praeger Publishers.
  9. Gates, H. L. (2013). Life upon these shores: Looking at African American history 1513-2008. New York: Alfred Knopf.
  10. Hwang, H. S. (2010). Minority discourse. Seoul: Dong Guk University Publish.
  11. Jennings, H. (2011). New African fashion. New York: Prestel Publishing.
  12. Kang, J. M. (1999). Inside and out of mass culture. Seoul: Characters and Ideas.
  13. Kathy, P. (2011). Zoot suit, the enigmatic career of an extreme style. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.
  14. Kim, H. I. (2007). The perspective of muticulturalism in the US: The impact of globalization and 9.11. International Area Studies, 11(2), 175-202. https://doi.org/10.18327/jias.2007.07.11.2.175
  15. Kim, J. H. (2008). New York intellectuals and mass culture in the 1930-40s. American Studies, 40(3), 5-38.
  16. Knox, K. (2011). Culture to catwalk. London: Bloomburry Publishing.
  17. Ko, Y. J., & Kim, M. J. (2010). A study of cultural power and fashion in the modern and post modern eras. Journal of the Korean Society of Costume, 60(2), 81-98.
  18. Kwon, H. J., & Yang, S. H. (2001). A study on resistance in rapper fashion. Journal of Fashion Business, 5(1), 53-71.
  19. Lee, W. J. (2001). Multiculturalism and August Wilson's black cultural nationalism. Journal of American Studies, 24, 53-76.
  20. Lee, Y. J., & Koo, I. S. (1997). Influence of black street style on the contemporary fashion. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 21(30), 544-558.
  21. Moniqye, G., & Richard, C. G. (1998). Soul black power, politics, and pleasure. New York: New York University Press.
  22. Park, I. C. (2011). American literature of the late 20th century and popular literature: Conflict and compromise. Journal of English Studies in Korea, 21, 41-66.
  23. Porter, M. (2006). Rap and the eroticizing of black youth. Illinois: African American Images.
  24. Shane, W., & Graham, W. (1999). Stylin' African American expressive culture from beginnings to zoot suit. New York: Cornell University Press.
  25. The fashion compilation committee. (1997). Dictionary of fashion. Seoul: Korea Dictionary Publishing Co.
  26. Tricia, R. (2008). The hip hop wars. New York: Basic Books.
  27. Yang, H. R. (2000). Fusion era of beauty: Meeting of beauty, art, mass culture. Seoul: Philosophy and Reality Publishing Co.
  28. Yang, J. Y. (2001). Hip-hop connection: Beat, rhyme and culture. Seoul: Hannarae Publishing Co.