What is "post-fashion"?
A google search yields various results, including a reference to the post-pandemic world in which we hope to be transitioning. Or not. It sounds dismal.
An Amazon search draws me to this title:
The summary is as follows:
Scholars have argued that postmodernism is dead and that we are entering into a new era that some have labelled altermodernism, digimodernism, performatism, and post-postmodernism. This book expands on the nascent scholarship of post-postmodernism to highlight how dress, fashion, and appearance are reflections of this new age.
The volume starts with a discussion of fashion, subjectivity, and time and an analysis of temporality, technology, and fashion in post-postmodern times. Later chapters analyse the work of design houses and mass producers such as Vetements, Gucci, and Uniqlo whose products align with post-postmodern aesthetics, hyperconsumption, and hypermodern branding. The book looks at diverse geographic and identity markers by discussing post-postmodernism and the religio-politico-cultural questions in South Asian Muslim fashion, image and identity presentation in queer social networking apps, and by exploring fashion designer Tom Ford's output as a movie director. Two chapters discuss the post-postmodern fashion exhibition with analyses of recent exhibitions and an in-depth look at the work of exhibition maker Judith Clark. The final chapter is written by members of The Rational Dress Society, a counter-fashion collective that makes JUMPSUIT, an experimental garment to replace all clothes.
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Why am I thinking about "post-fashion"? Because it's become quite noticeable that fashion a. is irrelevant at this moment (unless you are oblivious to the current global situation) b. has not really come up with anything new or interesting in the last twenty years.
I say that because photos from fashion magazines of the last twenty years seem interchangeable. I say that because it's time to stop shopping for new clothes and to consume less.
I am trying to practice what I preach. Only purchase from used sources. Unless it's underwear or tee-shirts. I have my limits.
I am also transitioning to a no job (post-job?) life which will mean no more pay check and no more benefits. It's a good idea to practice a more humble lifestyle in order to become accustomed to it.
I have started two volunteer jobs. One is at a non-profit art gallery, the other at a second-hand bookstore. I'm not sure where the "post-job" is heading, both require some adeptness with technology. The gallery job wishes I knew my way around WordPress (I don't, at least not yet). The bookstore requires checking out customers via a computer as well. I am tired of computers (as I type this on one of course). Alas, we are not heading in the direction of a post-computer world. Quite the opposite.
My computer fatigue seems normal given how much time we have been spending on them lately. I have been vaccinated, and so are my friends in my immediate surroundings. That seems like a concrete change for the better.
Time to drive another friend to her first shot.
