What does “Fashion” mean?

“The very word "fashion" is derived from the Latin word "factio", which gave birth to the politically sensed "faction".  The word "faction" applies to differences and conflicts among groups with further connotations of the possession and exercise of power by them.  Read more

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Fashion becomes a signifier of class structures.  Such is the nature of social class that the elite never mix well with the commoners.  We live under hegemonic structures, whether we like to admit as much or not, and we use fashion to not only preserve our differences but also to legitimize them.  When the well heeled order haute couture, they order dresses that establish them as different.  Wearing that expensive outfit becomes a statement that seals these differences once and for all.  Thus, fashion is used as a fence to keep away lesser citizens by the elite.  But it doesn't stop there.  The commoners use it as a bridge to become nearer to their social superiors. This explains the almost pathological rush towards designer labels taking place today, and also leads to the branding of fashion as meaningless.  But the truth is that fashion is an aspiration towards creating meaning.  Such class struggle may seem frivolous and fashion may seem to be the culprit.  But fashion is only a symptom that communicates the illness. The illness lies in society itself.”   

From google, wikipedia, bwdow.com