Blog #4

Christina Nguyen

Blog #4

After four weeks of the Go Green compact challenge, I am happy to say that stuck with the rules and did not break. In the last week of the challenge, I ventured into the Aggie Reuse Store that is located in the Memorial Union. I was enticed by the rack of clothing that sat outside the store. Inside, one can find a range of items include arts and crafts, clothing, accessories, supplies, and more. I was surprised by the about the variety of items in the store. If I had more time, I would love to do arts and craft projects like I used to when I was younger. If I do, I would definitely come here to pick up random trinkets to make jewelry or various embellishments that I could add to my clothing. In the store, they had a section of both men’s and women’s clothing. While it was the clothing on the rack that drew me to the store, I found myself uninterested to look through the clothing. It was then that I realized that I felt this way because I knew that I did need anything. Furthermore, I had gone these past weeks without purchasing clothing (new or second-hand). After spending time looking through the store’s collection of trinkets, I left with a stack of black cards and a Klean Kanteen water bottle that I purchased for a total of 50 cents. I will definitely be coming by again as a way to distress on a budget!

Clothing Section in the Aggie Reuse Store

Before thrift shopping became a socially accepted and “cool” trend, I used to be extremely ashamed that my family and I would get clothing from stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill. When I was in elementary school, I remember always feeling out of place and wanting to be like the other girls in my class. I would try to use fashion as a way to fit in. But of course that did not work because I did not have the “cool” clothes like the other kids. I had the hand-me-downs from my older sisters or clothes from second hand stores. My mother would dress me up in outfits and send me to school and make me feel like I had the best clothes in the world. She taught me to dress well and to be prideful. When I reflect on my childhood, I am happy that I experienced this because it has taught me to be humble and conscious of my materialistic consumption. However, I cannot lie when there are days when I feel like my thirfted items are always not as good than the brand named items that I see being flaunted around me. In these times, I feel like my fashion becomes an indicator of my status and reflection of my identity and worth.

This relates to concepts discussed in Kawamura’s chapter “Adoption and Consumption of Fashion." In this chapter, she discusses the various ways in which fashion is consumed. Additionally, she argues that social identity is no longer defined in that same way as it used to and fashion has everything to do with this. She cites Crane who states that “the consumption of cultural goods, such as fashionable clothing, performs an increasingly important role in the construction of personal identity, while the satisfaction of material needs and the emulation of superior classes are secondary” (Kawarmura 2005). Before fashion was crucial to imitation class and privilege of a higher class, but in more contemporary times it has evolved to signify identity. Despite the pressures to conform to what is fashionable from magazines and other fashion aggregates, people are still trying to negotiate and assert their individuality. So how does one maintain their individuality within fashion in a society that encourages, and even enforces, conformity?

This is the topic of an article written by Daisy Goldstein who questions whether individuality is even possible. In her article, she asks the question: “Is individuality the new conformity?” Through the personal anecdotes she shares, she notes that everyone tries to be different and unique in the face of growing conformity but in doing ends up looking the same. This sentiment is also brought up by Hal Niedzviecki in his book, Hello, I'm Special. While lots of people consume the same types of fashion trends and tastes, Goldstein hopes that her “personality, sense of humor, and way of looking at the world are all exclusive to [her]” (Goldstein 2006). If individuality can be muted through fashion (such as through the production and diffusion of fashion), is there a chance that even these aspects can be dictated by fashion and other external factors? We will have to wait and see what will happen!

Inside Source: Kawamura, Yuniya. "Adoption and Consumption of Fashion." 2005. Fashion-ology: An Introduction to Fashion Studies. New York: Berg Publishers.

Outside Source: Goldstein, Daisy. "Is Individuality the New Conformity?" Is Individuality the New Conformity? Maisonneuve, 16 Mar. 2006. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. .

Blog #3

Blog #3

Christina Nguyen

Week three of this challenge went by like a breeze! I have been extremely busy so had not had any time to shop or even venture onto fashion aggregate sites that would tempt me into purchasing something I don’t need. I think it is these sites that get me in the most trouble.  When I look at sites like Pintrest, I start to spot pieces that I like and so want. But since I am on a budget, I would write these items down and bring them with me for when I go thrift shopping and try to look for them there. But in times when I do not have time to shop or money, I spend time trying to mix things up with my outfits and playing around with the items that I already have. In doing so, I have found that I have a handful of clothes I no longer wear and so I hope to be able to find new homes for them.

When thinking about my sense of style, I realize that I rarely own anything with words on them (unless it is from a conference/retreat/club t-shirt). I really dislike sporting brands, graphics, or words. I think I grew up that way since my dad is like this as well. While my father and I won’t be seen in these types of clothing, I understand that others are quite comfortable with this. When reading Jenny Strasburg’s article, “ Abercrombie & Glitch: Asian Americans Rip Retailer for Stereotypes on T-shirt” I was astonished that something like these shirts could be created and sold. The statements and images printed on these shirts perpetuate stereotypes of “Asians” and as the author writes “denigrates Asian men” (Strasburg). I am also at awe at how the company can justify such an action by saying that they tease everyone equally. While they issued an apology, it would not have been done without the social pressure placed on the company. It is saddening to know that without this external pressure, it may not have been seen as an issue.  I showed this picture to a friend who identifies as API. I asked him what he thought of it and he did not find it offensive. He thought it was humorous and did not take it seriously. It was not until explaining its implications did he become aware that it could be offensive. Fashion can have such a large impact on society since it is far-reaching. How else has fashion perpetuated stereotypes?

Victoria's Secret "Sexy Little Geisha" Lingerie 

Back in 2012, Victoria Secret released their “Go East” Lingerie Collection, which included their “Sexy Little Geisha” outfit. This set included chopsticks, fan, and removable obi sash. On the Victoria website, this outfit was advertised as:“Your ticket to an exotic adventure: a sexy mesh teddy with flirty cutouts and Eastern-inspired florals. Sexy little fantasies, there’s one for every sexy you” (Amaya 2012).  Negative backlash grew in response to the release of this collection. This lingerie has been seen as racist and perpetuating negative cultural stereotypes. While some see this geisha-themed lingerie this way, others do not see it this way. Scrolling through comments some express discontent for the people who seek out racism. One comment reads “There are those that will find racism in everything. That's because they make every effort to find it. I am a little curious as to how they know an "entire continent" was offended” (“imgrumpy2” Fox News).  Another individual, states “It's lingerie, not politics” (“nomoreniceguy” Fox News). It is quite interesting how this individual makes the distinction between the two because as I have learned in this class, fashion is indeed tied to politics and that the “Sexy Little Geisha” is an example of cultural appropriation.

Inside source: "Abercrombie & Glitch: Asian Americans Rip Retailer for Stereotypes on T-shirts." SFGate. N.p., 18 Apr. 2002. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

Outside Sources: Amaya. "BrabbleRabble." BrabbleRabble. N.p., 12 Aug. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

McKay, Hollie. "Is Victoria's Secret 'Go East' Geisha-themed Lingerie Racist?" Fox News. FOX News Network, 27 Sept. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. .

Blog #4

Michelle Tin

The Be Green Challenge is finally over! I am happy to say that after the first break in the pact, I did successfully last the remaining 3 weeks. As anticipated from the very first day, being at school, I was too busy to shop. My money was all spent on food, so I am relieved that food did not fall under the challenge's restrictions. Due to my lack of spending on anything else, I realized how much I spend on food. Perhaps, I will try to cut down on my food expenditures as well.

Speaking of consumerism, in Chapter 6 of Fashionology, "Adoption and Consumption of Fashion," Kawamura discusses consumption and social status. Consumerism is vital to today's society, and material possessions are indicative of social standing. People create, copy, and consume objects considered "fashionable" by mainstream society. Knock-offs and other forms of imitation have made the gap between upper and lower class has gotten smaller and smaller. Between the availability of copycats and the mixing of high and low fashion in all socioeconomic tiers, it is getting harder to tell whether someone is a casual-dressing celebrity or an aspiring fashion blogger with their most-prized, most-expensive bag.

There has been a shift from class fashion to consumer fashion, and according to Crane, clothing is less important than the frames used to sell it, "consumers are no longer perceived as 'cultural dopes' or 'fashion victims' who imitate fashion leaders but as people selecting styles on the basis of their perceptions of their own identities and lifestyles," "the consumer is expected to 'construct' an individualized appearance from a variety of options," and "clothing styles have different meanings for different social groups" (Kawamura). "Fashion" can range from designer labels to vintage thrifting.



 Magazines and websites are both offering readers "Splurge vs. Steal" options for how to dress like their favorite celebrities. In an article from Celebuzz! Fisher helps readers replicate a look from Kim Kardashian. The price drops from $21,000 to $350 for a single outfit, other articles are able to drop the prices even lower, some offering options as low as $50. With articles like this one and the rising popularity of thrift shopping, consumers are able to dress like an A-lister without shelling out an exorbitant amount of money.

Overall, this class and this challenge have made me more aware of consumerism not only in the United States but worldwide. I am disappointed that I was not able to avoid consumerism for all 4 weeks; however, I am glad that I was able to gain more insight during the pact and get a better understanding of the fashion industry.

References:

Kawamura, Yuniya. "Adoption and Consumption of Fashion." 2005. Fashion-ology: An Introduction to Fashion Studies. New York: Berg Publishers.

Fisher, Kendall. "From High End to Low End: Get Kim Kardashian's Look for Less." Celebuzz!..

Blog #3

Michelle Tin

After the third week of the Be Green Challenge, I am still going strong. As expected, this challenge is no challenge at all when I am at school. The biggest expenditures have been on food and chinchilla supplies. I may long for clothes on Instagram and fashion blogs, but I shall save my shopping until after finals.

In "Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion," Kawamura studies the social organization of Japanese street fashion and the influence of Japanese teens. Japanese fashion has inspired Western fashion designers for years, but who or what inspires Japanese fashion? Japanese street fashion is not trickling down from famous designers, but rather trickling up from high school girls. These young girls not only set the new trends, but also spread them to everyone else. Japanese fashion is heavily female-dominated and strives to appear as youthful as possible.

Known for wearing short plaid skirts and knee-high socks that resemble their school uniforms, they sometimes wear lots of makeup and fake tan. This led to the Ganguro subculture where girls have long light hair, tanned skin, and dress in bright clothing. Ganguro led to Amazonness, which was short and extreme. These looks later evolved into the modern trends like CosPlay, Gothic Lolita, and Lolita subcultures. These looks are far less outrageous, the last of these more cutesy. Rather than "black face," girls dress up as their favorite characters from manga or anime. Gothic Lolita is like the opposite of Ganguro, striving to be like Victorian dolls. Femininity is exaggerated, featuring pale skin, Victorian dresses, stockings, and neat hair. Different variations focus on monochromatic palette, pastel colors, leather and zippers, or almost all white. All of these Japanese fashion trends seem costume-like and can seem over-the-top to those not in the Japan fashion districts.




One example of Lolita fashion in America is Kalel Cullen from YouTube, blogspot.com, and Instagram. A young girl who is constantly inspired by Japanese fashion, she has integrated everything from CosPlay to Lolita trends into her style. This look is not as common in the United States, so Kalel receives thousands of messages of judgment and criticism online. In fact, so much hate that she posted a blog titled, "You are a canvas," where she tells her readers to dress how they please and do what they like that makes them happy rather than to please anyone else. While there may be backlash, Kalel does what she wants, and that's what all girls and guys should do.

References:

Kawamura, Yuniya. "Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion." Current Sociology 54.5 (2006): 784-801. Print.

Cullen, Kalel. Frilly and Fancy. 2014. . Web.

Blog #4

Timmy Huynh

As I reflect on my final week of the Be Green challenge, I’ve learned a lot about my habits and myself. I’m learning to invest my money and time more into making memories instead of collecting materials. This challenge has really forced me to step outside my comfort sound and choose to live a more simple life. I’m becoming a conscious consumer.

Previously in class, we discussed Japanese fashion style and culture. We learned about “Kawaii,” a quality of being “cute.”  According to the Kawamura article on "Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion," many girls choose to associate themselves with cuteness merely for the sake of feeling “young” or attraction to bright colors.

This article reminded my of Lady Gaga’s visit to Japan this past November. Lady Gaga an international pop stars finds a lot of inspiration from Japanese fashion culture. Known for her ridiculous and bizarre fashion, Gaga’s costumed was Kawaii inspired. In a costume contest Gaga beat Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a Japanese pop star in a costume contest. I’m really curious to know what the Japanese audience reaction is. It appears like the Japanese love her. What do you think of Lady Gaga’s re-interpretation of Kawaii?

Outside Source:

Ashcraft, Brian. "Lady Gaga Just Out-Cuted Japan." Kotaku. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. .
Inside Source: 
Kawamura, Yuniya. "Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion." (2006). Print.

Blog #4 by Yee Xiong

After four weeks of the Go Green Challenge, I believe I've been able to not only resist from buying from online or at the store, but also become more aware of what items are essential to my every day life. I've learned that not a lot of things satisfy me more than the people I care about. Clothing and looking good only last for a while, but not memories made with those who we care about the most. I believe I have become less materialistic after my personal goal to not buy anything for almost a year; I've always had hand-me-downs when I was going through elementary and high school, and I never really thought about how bad it might have looked in other people's eyes. When I came to college, I thought about creating my own identity through a unique clothing style. I started wearing blazers to complete my look and I became well-known for my blazers and how many I owned in different colors. After wearing different blazers for a year and a half now, I can say I've been able to influence others to wear it, however, because everyone else is wearing it now, I feel I have to set another trend and wear a new style to define my personality. It's important to understand that trends are starting from the bottom now and it diffuses up in a bottom-up model. In Kawamura's article, "Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion", he illustrates how they have created their own identity without the reliance of high-fashion designers. For example, one may wear something and it can be seen as a "cool" style and it will be followed by those who like it. If one is popular at school and he/she wears something cool, it will be automatically followed by those who like this popular person.

In the movie, "Mean Girls", a character's shirt is intentionally cut out on the both sides of the breast areas so she will feel humiliated, however, the plan backfires when she doesn't think anything of it and wears it out. Those who like her automatically follow that trend of the two breast circle cut-outs because they think it's a new style that is worn by that popular character in the movie. Trendsetters sometimes have a difficult job of setting trends because they might feel pressured by their followers to wear something they all will like. Trendsetter consumers are those who inspire fashion followers.  However, setting trends should be more about identifying yourself and wearing what is most comfortable rather than wearing something to have others like oneself.



Inside Source: Yuniya Kawamura. “Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion.” Reader.
Outside Source: Trendsetting Consumers

Blog #4

Amy Lee


       So this is the last week of the challenge! Not only did this experience teach me how to be more conscious of my spendings, but it also taught me how to keep an eye out for sales. I mentioned before that I'm usually really impatient while shopping and I would grab whatever for full price. I hate sifting through all the unorganized sales items. Even since the challenge, I've not only learned to be more patient, but Ive also learned to rationalize my spendings, especially for clothing. I've also learned to budget my spendings. Now I try to seek out alternative prices for everything: from books to clothes, and even necessities. Now it's either sales or no purchases. What I've learned from this challenge is that there are ALWAYS sales and new trends popping up.
   
       Before this challenge, I was so caught up in "the now", like I HAD to purchase that item, as if that moment was my last chance. My mentality about spending and shopping and definitely changed. Im not as impulsive anymore, which was always a vice of mine while shopping. I ten to buy things without taking my time to try it on or decide and then Ill regret it later. Sometimes I get too lazy to go return it, so I'm left with something I only wear once and most likely forget about it. Now, asides from basics, I avoid buying cheap clothing. This challenge also made me more aware of my surroundings, such as how my family chose to spend their money as I was growing up. I know I grew up in a incredibly different country and time period from my mom and grandparents. My family would count every penny, compare every grocery store. They knew which store in chinatown sold vegetables for five or ten cents cheaper. This may sound ridiculous to some people and they might be called frugal, but they are the ones who truly understand the worth of money. Before immigrating to the United States, my family lived in poverty; a family of seven in a one room brick house. Back then, food was scarce, much less money. Back then, they counted the grains of rice, not pennies. Their economic state was the result of the cultural revolution. So for this blog, I am going to talk about the piece: "Material Mao: Fashioning Histories out of Icons."
   
       My grandparents' parents were all landowners back in China. When Mao came into power, and the Cultural Revolution came to in in the late 60s, both family lost everything. My grandparents and their children were ostracized and picked on. The cultural revolution in encouraged the oppressed to take revenge for their misfortunes on people who used to be wealthy. So for my family, the iconic image of Mao brings back memories of hardship.

                                     

                                     
                                            (Mao uniform: green shirt with red collars and hat with a red star)

                                             

                                                

   This article talks about how widespread and popular the face and uniform of Mao became during and after his rule. For supporters of Mao, he was a hero, someone in power that supported the oppressed, the less fortunate. Not only did Mao support the poor and encourage them to "take back what was theirs" (through violence or anyways they see fit), but he also rejected foreign influence and supported the liberalism of students(as long as they were still followers of Mao). As a result, his image was embraced. His face was also plastered on pins, books, and other forms of merchandise. 
         
          This is an example of how politics can tie into fashion and setting trends. In the beginning of the course we talked about how with each new empire, one of the first things to go through a reform- was the clothing. From the Manchus to Mao. 

                                                         

                                                       

    

           The article also talked about how Asian and Asian American designers like Han Feng and Andrew Gn usually gain fame through or resort back to their ethnic identity. Han Feng's fame jumpstarted after her modernized versions of Chinese clothing were known. According to the article, Asian designers who highlighted their ethnicity had an easier time getting noticed in the fashion. Even those who claimed they didn't use their ethnicity as a "stepping stone" into the fashion scene, like Andrew Gn, ended up doing so. Andrew Gn is a designer that was born in Paris, and contrary to many Asian designers, he didn't start off doing designs with extravagant flowers and dragons and Asian silks, yet he "went back to his roots" and started incorporating more Asian themes. Not to say this is a bad thing. 

Inside Source: Tu, Thuy Linh N. The Beautiful Generation: Asian Americans and the Cultural Economy of Fashion. Durham: Duke UP, 2011. Print.

Outside Source: "Andrew Gn." The FMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.