MEDIATIONS IN FASHION

Abstract

This paper deals with the relations between the sociality of cultural economies and the cultural objects traded in them. It argues that the study of cultural economies must work up new methodologies that can account for both. The paper suggests the concept of the ‘mediator’ as a way of highlighting how cultural objects and sociality are co-constituted. The ‘mediator’ is formulated as a methodological tool for by-passing the academic divide between cultural-aesthetic objects and their social contexts.

Keywords:

• fashion
• mediation
• sociality
• aesthetics

Acknowledgements

The research for this paper was made possible by a grant from Centre for Design Research. I would like to thank Astrid Pernille Jespersen and Laura Sophie Jantzen who have assisted me with the empirical work for this paper. Furthermore, I would like to thank Astrid Pernille Jespersen for her insightful readings and comments.