Disseminating Dress: Britain's Fashion Networks, 1600-1970

Disseminating Dress is the first historical study of how fashion communication networks functioned and evolved in an increasingly global material world. It focuses on Britain and asks questions about the extent of global influence on fashion and the intertwining nature of written, printed, visual, and material fashion news. The collection brings together innovative scholarship from historians, art historians, and fashion scholars to consider how global and local networks of dress dissemination converged to shape fashionable dress in Britain and how British methods and aesthetics spread outwards across the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Disseminating Dress is a groundbreaking historical study that delves into the intricate networks of fashion communication and dissemination across the globe. This comprehensive volume focuses on Britain, a nation that, despite its geographical separation from mainland Europe, has experienced significant global connections. Through a detailed examination of the pathways made by print, image, and commodities, the book reimagines a connected material world, challenging traditional narratives of fashion history.

The influence of innovations in dissemination is central to this volume, raising important questions about the extent of global influence on fashion and the interconnected nature of written, printed, visual, and material fashion news. The collection brings together innovative scholarship from a diverse group of historians, art historians, and fashion scholars, exploring how global and local networks of dress dissemination converged to shape fashionable dress in Britain and how British methods and aesthetics spread outward across the world.

Contributors to Disseminating Dress develop narratives of commodity and knowledge exchange to examine how fashion circulated. They trace the routes taken by dress across different regions, including 19th-century London, 19th-century Australia, and other parts of the globe. By examining the exchange of goods, ideas, and aesthetics, the book sheds light on the complex processes that shaped fashion and its global dissemination.

One of the key themes explored in the volume is the role of print and image in the dissemination of fashion. The rise of print media, such as magazines and newspapers, played a crucial role in spreading fashion news and ideas across different continents. The illustrations and advertisements in these publications not only showcased the latest styles but also influenced consumer preferences and fashion trends.

Similarly, the development of photography and cinematography in the late 19th and early 20th centuries revolutionized the way fashion was presented and consumed. Photographs and films allowed for the widespread distribution of fashion images, enabling people to see and emulate styles from far away. This, in turn, contributed to the globalization of fashion, as different regions and cultures were exposed to new fashion ideas and trends.

Another important aspect of dissemination is the role of commodities. Fashion was not just a matter of style but also of commerce, and the exchange of goods played a significant role in the dissemination of fashion. The rise of global trade networks, such as the Silk Road and the East India Company, facilitated the movement of goods and ideas across different regions, enabling the spread of fashion and its associated aesthetics.

In addition to the global dissemination of fashion, the book also explores the local and regional influences on fashion. Contributors examine how fashion was shaped and adapted to different cultures and societies, highlighting the diversity and complexity of fashion practices across the world. They also explore how fashion was used as a means of self-expression and identity formation, particularly by marginalized communities and individuals who sought to challenge dominant fashion norms.

Overall, Disseminating Dress is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of fashion history. It offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which fashion was disseminated and consumed across different regions and societies. By examining the complex networks of fashion communication and dissemination, the book sheds light on the power dynamics and cultural negotiations that shaped fashion and its global influence. This volume will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the history of fashion and its cultural significance.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350181021