St Mary's Academics Edit Clothing Culture Journal

Dr Maria Mellins, Senior Lecturer in BA Film and Screen Media, and Dr Brigid Cherry, Research Fellow, at St Mary’s University, Twickenham have edited a special issue of the Clothing Cultures Journal, due to be released in May. The edition entitled Subverting Fashion contains articles on the sartorialism of young African males, gay fashion, David Bowie’s glam style from 1969-1972, and Bollywood costume, amongst others. The opportunity to edit the issue arose from the Subverting Fashion conference hosted at the University in July 2014, which explored how fashion is a paradox. On the one hand representing consumerism, conformity and repression, and the other recognised as a means to communicate individuality, cultural and subcultural affiliations, personality and tastes, and expressions of identity. Brigid Cherry said of editing the journal, “It was our intention within this volume to bring together different experi­ences of how people use clothing and lifestyle accessories to subvert domi­nant fashion trends and modes of dress. Our contributors explore a wide range of varied and thought-provoking ideas that demonstrate how clothing is used to convey national and cultural pride, expressions of subcultural identity, devotion to a group, or individuality.” To find out more about Clothing Culture or to order a copy please visit the website.