Politics of Universe Making

[tweeds]

From a sociological point of view, looking at the social investigation of Fashion as an institutionalized practice of conformist behaviour and assert the concept of Fashion, it is ultmately a process of transformation from which tangible items of clothing attain intangible value. This applies extentively to the rants over ccp,harnden, carpe, augusta and so on...cus the primary understanding of Fashion resides in the collective obedience of an ambiguous process of diffusion, adoption and accumulations.

Historically, from the provincial manifestations of class and social order, the concept of Fashion is now becoming a process of producing practices of social ethos, rather than the notion of a conspicuous historical social ranking.

the much discussed universe is interdependent with a coherent connection of creations, in order for us to understand the contextualised sphere, otherwise we will not adhere to its structures.

Merz has his finger on the point, though.

[Faust]

Why necessarily idolization and not simply comradery?

[quiet noise]

im not sure if i got this right, maybe i misunderstood the OP but i really think you are reading to much into this, Its all about money in the end. From a corporate perspective, expanding your business can be a viable way to increase your profit, by using an already established label to market and sell cologne, dog toys or whatever you might come up with.

Im pretty sure its more about raising profit and making money than "creating a new universe" or expanding your aestethic vision. This is pretty obvious when you look at a corporation like IKEA, but it gets more complex when you try to apply the same thought-process to the world of fashion and arts.

Still, i dont really believe that a designer like Rick Owens has an honest artistic inspiration and ambition to design and create iPod cases and bath towels, nor does he really care if a few people around the globe carries their phone in a leather case with his name on it. He wants to milk his famous trademark for some additional $$$, and i dont blame him for that, i would have done the same if i were in his high-top sneakers. I just think its naive to believe that it has to do with some intellectual/artistic desire to construct a parallel dimension where everything has Rick Owens printed on its backside. But what do i know...

[Faust]

No denying that the examples you give are commercial piffle, but you can't say that Rick does not have a clearly defined aesthetic universe. I mean, Rick is the prime and rare example of that, and it's really easy to see the connection between his work and his life.

In fact I taught a course on his work this Monday, and the theme was just that - to draw parallels between how intangible ideas and experiences manifest in the clothes.

[quiet noise]

No denying that the examples you give are commercial piffle, but you can't say that Rick does not have a clearly defined aesthetic universe. I mean, Rick is the prime and rare example of that, and it's really easy to see the connection between his work and his life.

I cant disagree with this, maybe the question wheter motives are commercial or artistic (or both) is irrelevant for this topic, really. What's interesting is the fact that (and how) mr. Owens manages to transcend his aestethic vision to new mediums, without losing his "soul". Because there are so many examples of designers turned lifestyle-brands gone wrong. Ill get out of this topic now and leave it to you people with more insight. Please go on!

In fact I taught a course on his work this Monday, and the theme was just that - to draw parallels between how intangible ideas and experiences manifest in the clothes.

You should start to record your lectures and upload them as podcasts. im pretty sure some of the SZ community and your students would greatly appreciate it

[Faust]

Thank you, you are too kind. They are actually seminars, so probably not worth recording.

[michael_kard]

Faust, what do you teach?

A seminar on Rick Owens...

[AKA*NYC]

gothik ninjitsu 101

[Faust]

gothik ninjitsu 101

305!

[quiet noise]

did you literary think i was TOO kind, Faust? i dont want to come of as a mindless yes-sayer
but i do thinkthat it would be a pretty cool idea. who wouldnt want to listen to a academic seminare about rick owens and the transcendency of his artistic vision?

also, do you think your average student appreciates and find something ineteresting in rick owens and his work? or are most of them just karl lagerfeldt and marc jacobs people?

[Faust]

No, I was genuinely flattered.

Yes, some of my students are interested in Rick's work.

[pierce4]

im not sure if i got this right, maybe i misunderstood the OP but i really think you are reading to much into this, Its all about money in the end. From a corporate perspective, expanding your business can be a viable way to increase your profit, by using an already established label to market and sell cologne, dog toys or whatever you might come up with.

Yes, it is all about money or more the creation through esthetics of an elite. National Socialism used architecture, art, clothing...all to protray those at the top as being part of a higher elite, who are better than those further down the line. Those further down bought into the lie, they wanted to be part of it... Fashion marketing 101.

[docus]

.....who wouldnt want to listen to a academic seminare about rick owens and the transcendency of his artistic vision?.....

I'd guess roughly 99.9999% percent of the population of this planet!



(No offence meant, I'd count myself among the minority who would be interested...)

[Faust]

bump.

[pierce4]

Just was visiting and re-read my post. It is so true that there is no argument that you can level against it.

Thats what I love about rick owens, he is smart enough to realize this and builds his whole "world" around this concept of failed ideals.