• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.229-244
• /
• 2010

This study aims to discuss the type and characteristics of primitivism in the modern fashion of the $21^{st}$ century and, as a research method, the concept of primitivism as well as the transition of the patterns of primitivism expressed in modern art have been considered and reviewed through a variety of references. In particular, an empirical analysis of the works that have been created from 2000 to 2009 has been performed using domestic and overseas fashion and collection magazines. The characteristics of primitivism in modern fashion possess the following types of expression: First, Sensuality can be cited as one of the characteristics, either by using direct or indirect exposure of the human body, a silhouette which fits tightly to the body, or creating the effect of sensual beauty using animal fur or bird feathers. Second, Incantation: Masks symbolizing primitive incantation are used to cover the human face or primitive incantation is incorporated as a theme of hair accessories or fashion trinkets, etc. In addition, such decorations as tattoos and the body colorations of ancient tribes are reproduced in modern fashion by means of body painting, printing or other accessories, emphasizing the image of occult primitiveness. Third, Naturalness can be cited as one of the characteristics. Naturalness is emphasized in modern fashion not through artificial decorations and processing, but rather through different patterns of exposure by which natural purity can be felt or through the use of non-artificial materials which recalls primitive civilization. Forth, Playfulness is expressed in the form of graffiti or abstract letters and paintings, and the character of the play is often expressed by the use of grotesque images based on various distortions and exaggerations of the human body, the utilization of symbols of primitive incantation and body and/or facial painting. Fifth, Lastly 'folkishness is emphasized. Folk-like objects, facial decorations, exposure of the body and intense color contrasts typically represent the folkish characteristics.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.41-53
• /
• 2014

Contemporary fashion designers are keen on linking the past and the present through culture and fashion by the attempt to investigate and research on the costumes recorded in its history and to reinterpret it on their own terms. Covering the history of culture ranging from the 70s and 80s to the ancient Greek and Egyptian periods, these reinterpretations also reflect the latest fad of the times in which a fashion designer lives and works. Above all, Rococo costume from the eighteenth century is one of the fashion styles adored by fashion designers. What constitute the costume of this period creating the image of sensual women are not only the form of outfit, colors, the design of accessories, shoes and hairstyle but also the details such as frills, ribbons and flower decorations. In contemporary times, the original Rococo style has been modified and turned into various styles in the haute couture and street fashion. These modernized styles include Rock Rococo, Modern Rococo, Lolita Look, Gyaru Fashion and etc., all of which adopt the Rococo style and consider it as the symbol of feminine beauty. However, their approaches to the original Rococo style differ from each other. Hence, advocating the elegance of women is not invariably the case. Often, the interpretations of the Rococo are unconventional, defiant and wild. And, sometimes, these new versions of Rococo are overly exaggerated and emphasized or, reversely, reduced. In this research, various references on the Rococo elements such as colors, forms, accessories and detailed features that has influenced on the contemporary fashion will be analyzed. This analysis will demonstrate how the Rococo style of the eighteenth century has been integrated into contemporary fashion giving birth to new Rococo fashion styles.