lemonde.fr
Checkered Patterns Unite Fall Fashion
The fall fashion season features a unifying trend: checkered patterns in various forms (tartan, gingham, Prince of Wales check, windowpane) are replacing summer's stripes, polka dots, and florals, reflecting historical uses of checks as group identifiers (Scottish clans, grunge, gangsta rap).
- What is the dominant fashion trend this season, and what are its unifying characteristics?
- This season, checkered patterns—including tartan, gingham, Prince of Wales check, and windowpane—replace stripes, polka dots, and florals in fashion. This trend unites diverse styles under a single motif, with variations across different designs.
- How has the checkered pattern been historically used to signify group identity, and how has this impacted contemporary fashion?
- The checkered pattern's unifying power is exemplified by its historical use in Scottish clans, where tartans distinguished different groups, with colors linked to geographic origins as noted by Louis Enault in "Angleterre, Écosse, Irlande." Vivienne Westwood later appropriated tartan in the 1970s, creating her own "MacAndreas" version.
- What underlying social or cultural factors might contribute to the cyclical reappearance of unifying fashion trends like the current checkered pattern dominance?
- The checkered pattern's resurgence reflects broader trends in fashion, mirroring similar unifying patterns seen in grunge fashion's adoption of lumberjack shirts and gangsta rap's embrace of oversized checks. This suggests a cyclical pattern in fashion, with unifying styles recurring across subcultures and eras.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the unifying aspect of checkered patterns in fashion, showcasing its prevalence in high-fashion brands and its historical association with various subcultures. The headline, though not explicitly provided, likely reinforces this unifying theme. This focus could inadvertently downplay any potential negative connotations or controversies associated with specific uses of checkered patterns.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. However, phrases like "most unifying pattern" subtly suggest a subjective judgment. More precise language could be used to avoid such implications. For example, instead of 'most unifying', the author could use 'widely adopted' or 'frequently used'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the fashion aspect of checkered patterns, neglecting other potential cultural or historical contexts. While it mentions Scottish clans and grunge/gangsta rap subcultures, a broader exploration of other groups or uses of checkered patterns throughout history and across different cultures would provide a more complete picture. The omission of these other perspectives might lead to a limited understanding of the checkered pattern's significance.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the use of checkered patterns in fashion, noting its adoption by various subcultures throughout history, from Scottish clans to Grunge musicians and Gangsta rappers. This illustrates how fashion can act as a unifying symbol across different social groups, potentially reducing social barriers and fostering a sense of belonging. The use of tartan, initially a marker of clan identity, being adopted and reinterpreted by Vivienne Westwood demonstrates this power of fashion to transcend social boundaries.