Images on the Page: A Fashion Iconography

Fashion imagery has stories to tell and meanings to uncover, according to Sanda Miller's interdisciplinary book. She proposes an iconography of fashion imagery based on Panofskys theory of iconography, revealing three levels of meaning: descriptive, secondary, and tertiary. This can be used to shed light on society, class, culture, and the history of dress.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Fashion imagery has a rich history that spans hundreds of years, yet the methods used by scholars to understand it have largely remained historical and descriptive. This belief, that fashion imagery is solely intended to depict a garment and its accompanying wear, has guided these approaches. In her groundbreaking interdisciplinary book, Sanda Miller presents a radical alternative to these well-established methods. She argues that fashion imagery possesses narratives and meanings that warrant exploration. Miller's methodology is an iconography of fashion imagery, rooted in the same theory that has been fundamental to the study of art for centuries. By applying Panofsky's theory of iconography to illustrations from books, magazines, fashion plates, fashion photography, and even live fashion events, Miller uncovers three distinct levels of meaning: descriptive, secondary (or conventional), and tertiary or symbolic. Through this comprehensive analysis, she answers critical questions such as who the models are, what people wore, and why. What's more, she demonstrates that fashion imagery is far from being merely descriptive; it is rich with meaning and can be used to shed light on society, class, culture, and the history of dress. By delving into the stories behind fashion imagery, Miller offers a fresh perspective on the world of fashion, challenging the traditional understanding of its purpose and revealing its profound impact on our understanding of the past and present.

Weight: 768g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350115330