Workshop: Modernity On the Catwalk: Industries, Identities, and Fashion Cultures from the Postwar Period to the 21st Cen
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The laboratory aims to explore the evolution of contemporary fashion from the post-war period to the early decades of the twenty-first century, with a focus on the relationships between fashion, cultural industries, entertainment, and global visual cultures. Particular attention will be paid to the connections between fashion, cinema, music, and pop media, as well as to the construction of social and gender identities. The aim is to stimulate a critical understanding of fashion as a dynamic and performative language, capable of representing and (pre)determining cultural transformations and the tensions of global society. The integrated analysis of visual, textual, musical, and performative sources will enable students to read fashion as a privileged interpretative key to contemporary society.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the laboratory, students will be able to: identify the main historical turning points of contemporary fashion system (1945-today); critically analyse the relationships between fashion, industrial and cultural production, consumer society and identity construction; interpret contemporary visual and material sources in a historical perspective; use an appropriate and specific disciplinary lexicon in both oral and written communication.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The laboratory will be structured into ten thematic sessions. Main topics include: reconstruction; French fashion hegemony vs. American pop-cultural power; style tribes and subcultural fashion; revolutionary fashion; postmodernism and power dressing; the democratization of luxury and supermodels; globalization and subcultures; mixed messages among global, responsible, slow, and fast fashion.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific requirements. However, a general knowledge of major historical, cultural, and social phenomena of the twentieth century is recommended.
Teaching methods
The course consists of 20 hours divided into 10 lectures, supported by slides and supplementary teaching materials (including explanatory content and iconographic documentation). During the lessons, students will be warmly encouraged to exchange views with the lecturer and the other students.
Teaching Resources
The material will be agreed upon with the lecturer according to the topic chosen for the final project.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment will consist of:
- Active participation in lessons.
- Preparation of a visual presentation accompanied by a short written report on a topic agreed with the lecturer.
The operational modalities (e.g., length of the report, type of presentation) will be defined at the beginning of the laboratory and may vary slightly depending on the actual number of participants. Evaluation will consider students' understanding of the course content, critical thinking skills, clarity of exposition, and the appropriate use of specialised vocabulary.
- Active participation in lessons.
- Preparation of a visual presentation accompanied by a short written report on a topic agreed with the lecturer.
The operational modalities (e.g., length of the report, type of presentation) will be defined at the beginning of the laboratory and may vary slightly depending on the actual number of participants. Evaluation will consider students' understanding of the course content, critical thinking skills, clarity of exposition, and the appropriate use of specialised vocabulary.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday, 9.30am-12.30pm. Students are invited to contact the professor via email to make an appointment.
Entrance B, 3° floor, room 3019 (A11) (see the link below)