Fashion Criticism: An Anthology

The first anthology of fashion criticism, covering the history of fashion criticism in the English language from avant-garde modernist magazines to contemporary style sections, unearthing the work of cultural critics and writers on fashion, and examining the gender dynamics and historical association with the feminine. It will be an essential resource for students of fashion studies, media, and journalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Fashion Criticism is a groundbreaking anthology that seeks to bring the field of fashion criticism to the forefront, recognizing its significance as a vital and long-overlooked area of study. This essential work delves into the rich history of fashion criticism in the English language, spanning from the avant-garde modernist magazines of the early twentieth century to the groundbreaking contributions of notable fashion critics such as Robin Givhan, the first fashion critic to win a Pulitzer Prize, and Judith Thurman, a National Book Award winner. It explores the evolution of fashion journalism, from the "womens pages" in newspapers to the contemporary style sections that now dominate the media landscape. Moreover, Fashion Criticism uncovers the work of cultural critics and writers on fashion, including Susan Sontag, Eve Babitz (Vogue), Bebe Moore Campbell (Ebony), Angela Carter (New Statesman), and Hilton Als (New Yorker). By examining the gender dynamics of the field and its historical association with the feminine, the book demonstrates how fashion has emerged as a subject of critical analysis, leveraging the centrality of dress and clothing in an increasingly visual and digital world. Furthermore, Fashion Criticism argues that fashion criticism played a crucial role in negotiating shifting gender roles and evolving understandings of race. Spanning two centuries of previously uncollected articles and writings, from Oscar Wilde's editorials in The Womans World to the groundbreaking fashion journalism of the 1980s and the proliferation of fashion bloggers today, this book serves as an invaluable resource for students of fashion studies, media, and journalism. It provides a comprehensive and comprehensive exploration of the field, shedding light on its past, present, and potential future.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 232 x 246 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350058804