90882 - Sociology of the Global Fashion Organization

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to acquire the basic information on the processes of the internationalization of the fashion system, focusing on the different phases, project, manufacturing, distribution and consumption. Through the examination of the main characteristics of the contemporary textile-clothing sector, the student is able to frame the structural and cultural dynamics characterizing the globalization of the fashion system.

Course contents

The course addresses the basic coordinates for an understanding of the globalised fashion system, its characteristics and critical issues.

The following thematic cores will be covered:

1. The predominant fashion system

    1.1. The Eurocentric paradigm

    1.2. Social issues: offshore vs. domestic sourcing, modern-day slavery, the effects of globalisation on local communities;

    1.3. Environmental issues: overproduction and overconsumption, fibres and materials, dyeing and finishing;

    1.4. Cultural issues - case study: Decentralising Fashion or Commodification of Diversity? The ‘West and the Rest’ representations on the pages of Vogue Italia;

2. Towards Plurality of Fashion Systems

    2.1 Post-growth fashion

    2.2 Matters of Care

    2.3 Matters of Rewilding

Readings/Bibliography

Core literature

Fletcher, Kate (2018). Moda, design e sostenibilità, Milano: Postmedia Srl. Capitolo 1: Moda sostenibile;

Moradei, Clizia e Alessandra Vaccari (2023). "Persone, Pianeta, Profitto e Parole. Come la sostenibilità riscrive la storia della moda." ZoneModa Journal Vol.13 n.2: 135-150.

Segre Reinach, Simona (2011). Un mondo di mode, Roma-Bari: Laterza. Capitolo 1: La moda globalizzata;

Segre Reinach, Simona (2010 [2005]). La moda. Un'introduzione, Roma-Bari: Laterza. Capitolo 5: Fare moda oggi;

Suggested readings

Dickson, Marsha A. and Hayley Warren (2020). "A look at Labour Issues in the Manufacturing of Fashion through the Perspective of Human Trafficking and Modern-day slavery." In The Dangers of Fashion. Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions curato da Sara B. Marcketti e Elena E. Karpova. London-New York: Bloomsbury.

Ting Chi and Sheng Lu (2020). "The Dangers in the Fashion Supply Chain: Offshore vs. Domestic Sourcing." In The Dangers of Fashion. Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions curato da Sara B. Marcketti e Elena E. Karpova. London-New York: Bloomsbury.

Teaching methods

Lectures,case studies analysis.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a written test with open-ended questions.

Depending on the number of entrants, there may be specific assessment requirements for those attending, which will be communicated in due course.

Links to further information

https://virtuale.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=40891

Office hours

See the website of Nadica Maksimova