Can a fashion show be treated as a theatrical event?

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2013 im Fachbereich Kulturwissenschaften - Empirische Kulturwissenschaften, Note: 1,0, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: My concern in this work is an analysis of the history and theory of fashion in terms of the idea of a spectacular parade (fashion show). These issues are grouped under three headings. Chapter 1 deals with fashion theory and its historical background. I start off with explaining what the fashion is. I proceed with the historical background of the fashion and notice its great influence on contemporary visual culture e.g. by organizing fashion shows as kind of carnival. I will explore such phenomena as performance, spectacle and theatre in relation to fashion show, considering early mannequins from the mid-nineteenth century in Paris 'Haut Couture' and New York of the early years of the twentieth century. I will search for art elements in contemporary fashion show looking at how the fashion show as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano displays take on the appearance of the spectacle. After all, my work looks at the way which fashion mutated in the late twentieth-century spectacle. The central question of my work is whether fashion can be treated as theatrical, eventually artistic event. Many people consider fashion as much as an art as painting or sculpture for example or at least consider the fashion design to be an applied art. There is, then, debate as to whether design of clothing, is an art or a design activity. Do the models wear dresses or costumes like the actors in the theatre? Is that right that fashion design enjoy today a lower status than any of the so-called fine arts? Although my purpose is not an attempt to conquer fashion catwalk (show) under the flag of theory, but rather an attempt to create a place for dialogue, exploration and questioning.