The clothed body / Patrizia Calefato ; English translation by Lisa Adams.
From tattoos to mini-skirts, to skin decoration, make-up and hair, the author examines the many functions of modern dress. Considering the psychological, cultural, spiritual and symbolic significances at play, she argues clothing is at the root of a complex set of messages, many of which are paradox...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English Italian |
| Published: |
Oxford ; New York :
Berg,
2004.
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| Edition: | English edition. |
| Series: | Dress, body, culture.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Contributor biographical information |
| Summary: | From tattoos to mini-skirts, to skin decoration, make-up and hair, the author examines the many functions of modern dress. Considering the psychological, cultural, spiritual and symbolic significances at play, she argues clothing is at the root of a complex set of messages, many of which are paradoxical. "Dress is everywhere imbued with symbols that reflect different meanings in different contexts. This book demonstrates how clothing is analogous to a working language and is similarly underpinned by deeper meanings and philosophies." "From tattoos and mini-skirts to skin decoration, makeup and hair, Calefato unpicks the multiple functions of modern dress. Exploring intriguing commonalities - for example, between tattooed Egyptian mummies of 2000 B.C. and modern subcultural styles - Calefato considers the psychological, cultural, spiritual and symbolic significances at play in what she aptly labels 'body cartography'. What we wear is a vehicle for the (often contentious) expression of politics, gender and identity, and clothing is at the root of a complex set of messages, many of which are paradoxical. Clothing may, for example, liberate through the pleasures of masquerade and at the same time 'cage' or control the body." "The Clothed Body show how semiotics can provide a convincing template for understanding dress in a wide range of contexts and will be essential reading for anyone interested in the meaning of what we wear."--BOOK JACKET. |
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| Physical Description: | vii, 167 pages ; 24 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 1859738001 9781859738009 1859738052 9781859738054 |
| ISSN: | 1360-466X |