Fashion: An Intersection of Economic, Cultural, and Social Capital that Creates Identity for Protest Movements

Authors: Tristan KeaneNegri, Samuel Galloway

SUNY Campus: Purchase College

Presentation Type: Oral

Location: UUW 325

Presentation #: 6

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: The central question of my research paper is: Is fashion as a byproduct of social, cultural, and economic capital, a functional and viable means by which to engage with protest? I analyzed two different social movements that were reliant on fashion to progress the movement. These are the Women's Suffrage movements of the early 1800s to the mid-1900s, and the Black Liberation movement of the late 1960’s defined by the Black Panther Party. After my research, it was found that fashion helped build capital through its multifaceted interaction with the autonomous and derivative methods of protest. The development of this capital was a necessary aid to the advancement of the discussed movements. The purpose of isolating fashion is its relation to culture as both a function of expression and utility. I further argue for the viability of fashions as a means to functionally engage with protest and build capital by expanding upon transgender liberation efforts as a modern intersection of my two cases. The importance of this project stems from a need to establish creative methods of resistance and unity for citizens during this time of intense political extremism. Isolating fashion's impact through utility and culture adds another lens to the intertwined study of art and political action which can be further leveraged to aid resistance movements.