• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.199-208
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• 1998

This study forecasts the trend of ethnic theme through market survey, concentrating on Los Angeles market. First, the background of ethnic theme was examined, and the present situation of shops, department sores, and headquarter was also surveyed. After that, fashion trend suitable for market was suggested by analyzing the life style of consumers through zip code. The results of the study are as follows. The conspicuous trend of '97 F/W retail stores is ethnic. This reaction to complicated modern life, and symbolizes the desirable evaluation on the simpleness of basic life and nature. The model of ethnic design is identified in natural clothing, primitive arts, ethnic culture and African theme. In short, this ethnic fashion is expressed as simpleness, naturalism convenience and freedom. On the other hand, the standard of general department stores such as Broadway and Robinson May which are the headquarter of this trend is to satisfy various consumers with various styles. Ethnic goods from Broadway has not arrived at the top for its introducing step. To elevate sales of these goods, promotion through VMD and suggesting various ethnic goods should be done. Besides, when analyzing the consumers of Beverly center Broadway, the target of these goods are mostly professional young people in their 25-34 and 35-44. The life style of these people emphasizes sophisticated life in aspects such as job-oriented activities, and up-to-date fashion. Especially, image is very important. They want individuality different from others. These images are diversified from simpleness, naiveness to sexy character. Accordingly, suggesting fashion trend satisfying the demand of consumers through market survey will make fashion market create infinite possibilities.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.16-33
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• 2004

Up to now, image of femme fatale has undergone constant transformation to be inherited and developed through various genres of movies. With few exceptions such cases have represented sensuality of women by costumes with the most distinctive and exaggerated sexuality. Temptresses in movies are mostly drawn as extravagant and gorgeous one or a gloomy and dreary woman. Such an image is reinforced with make-up, hair style, accessories, attitude and manner of talking. The movie 'Chicago' is a musical film that crosses the boundaries of reality and fantasy with dancing and singing. Its lighting, stage setting, powerful and sexy dancing augmented already exaggerated and sensual costumes. Following is the analysis of costumes for two heroines as images of femme fatale. Strong contrast of color among black, red and blue on see-through & stickingly tight body suit signifies liberal mind and arrogant charisma of Velma. The contrast, haughty gestures, cropped black hair and thick makeups represent sex appeal, aggressive image, and fearlessly determined character of femme fatale. Roxie wears decent dresses in front of public and gorgeous stage costume in fantasy to convey two images of bad girl and angel. Her body suit, showing off lustering materials and dazzling bead decoration, is rather loose but still displays her bodyline to emphasize sexiness for representation of desire in fantasy. Chastity and innocence are implied with the decency of dresses in reality. They were specially chosen to draw public sympathy and indicate cunning disguise of Roxy who desperately wants to realize her desire. These dauntless costumes, which sufficiently express inside aspirations of Velma and Roxie later denote open and realistic social yearning rather than fatal desire hidden behind sensual beauty. It doesn't exist as imperfect, unrealistic and socially disdainful ambition as the image of femme fatale of paintings and movies did before in history. Femme fatale is expressed with deep cleavage, silk dresses that explicitly display bodyline, sexiness of mesh stockings with garter belts. All of these won't be utilized as a negative tool to seduce and destroy someone anymore but rather, they should represent rightful and fair nature of humans such as men's curiosity who secretly steal a look at them or female sexuality that women spontaneously want to show off.