• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.45-59
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to discover the present situation of fashion journalism, which is a collaborator and watchdog of the fast-growing fashion business industry, then to proffer fundamental data for the setting of desirable fashion journalism in the field of newspaper. Unlike magazine and internet news service which are focused on a specific group, daily newspaper has a far-reaching influence without regarding the age, gender and social status of the readers. Therefore, how newspaper deals with fashion and fashion phenomena has immense influence on the attitude and understanding of common people on fashion. Defining fashion journalism is an activity of gathering and mediating of various ideas and opinions on fashion, the beginning of fashion journalism of newspaper traces back to the late of 19th century. From then to the period of Japan's occupancy by force, newspaper used fashion articles to lead enlightenment of lifestyle. After Korean War, newspaper was one of the main path of in-flowing western culture and fashion trend till 1970s. During $1980s{\sim}1990s$, fashion articles in newspaper were separated from woman and family section and fashion journalism made their own way to a specialized field. In the beginning of 21st century, fashion journalism in the field of newspaper is armed with more various and profound contents then ever, but it is also true fashion journalism is not free from accusation of commercialization and agitation of preference on imported luxury goods. Today fashion articles of daily newspapers are not subordinated to the common idea, 'fashion is only for women'. Fashion articles deals with men as well as women. Information on new products is regarded more important than fashion trend. Articles are not restricted in the fashion section. It means fashion journalism is expanding its territory to business section, opinion section and so on. However, fashion news dealing with aged people or young children are very rare. It suggests target readers of fashion news are concentrated on the people who have a considerable buying power. An main article usually has more than 3 photos. That means not only photos in fashion news are established as essential visual information today but also commercialization of fashion news makes rapid progress in this field. Also the considerable dependancy on the information sources from manufacturing side can be a problem of sustaining accuracy and impartiality of news.