Quote by Stephen Bayley
Fashion is the most intense expression of the phenomenon of neomania, which has grown ever since the birth of capitalism. Neomania assumes that purchasing the new is the same as acquiring value.... If the purchase of a new garment coincides with the wearing out of an old one, then obviously there is no fashion. If a garment is worn beyond the moment of its natural replacement, there is pauperization. Fashion flourishes on surplus, when someone buys more than he or she needs.
Summary
This quote highlights the concept of neomania, which refers to the obsession with acquiring the new in consumer culture. The emphasis on constantly purchasing the latest fashion trends is driven by the belief that owning new items equates to gaining value. However, if people only replace their worn-out clothes with new ones, there would be no real fashion as it serves no purpose beyond necessity. This quote suggests that fashion thrives on excess, with people buying more than they actually need, and that intentionally prolonging the use of clothing is seen as a form of poverty.
Topics
Fashion
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