PCA/ACA Call For Papers: Fashion, Appearance, & Consumer Identity

In April, I presented findings from my master’s thesis about fashion PR at the PCA/ACA conference in New Orleans. It was a great experience and one I highly recommend. If you have any sort of fashion research or insights to share, please consider applying to present at next years conference in St. Loius March 31- April 3, 2010. For full conference information see this link. If you live in the area, I guarantee an inspirational and educational time. There are so many facets related to fashion that can be explored, and this is a great conference to attend to learn more about the many aspects of fashion studies.

Fashion, Appearance, & Consumer Identity

• Fashion, Appearance, & Consumer Identity is concerned with all areas of clothing, apparel and fashion that include: historical methods, design, manufacturing, aesthetics, marketing, branding, merchandising, retailing, psychological/ sociological aspects of dress, body image, and cultural identities, in addition to any areas relating to consumption, purchasing, shopping, and the methods consumers construct identity.

• Papers from all disciplines are welcome! Innovative and new research, scholarship and creative works in the areas of fashion, the body and consumerism are encouraged!

• Please email a short 25-word bio with contact information and 150-word abstract of your proposal paper by December 15, 2009 to Joseph H. Hancock, II, PhD. 
Drexel University, jhh33@drexel.edu

Subcultural Style and Identity

• Subcultural Style and Identity is a significant and influential component of contemporary fashion and dress. Information can be retrieved from the media, fashion, design, music, social, economic and other cultural histories, as well as sexuality. Subcultural dress is ultimately associated with the wearer’s identity and lifestyle, whose attitude, hairstyle, makeup and context form a critical part in the examination of dress.

• Papers will explore the way in which subcultural style impacts mainstream mass fashion, high fashion and the music industry, all of which have drawn inspiration and in return fed ideas back to the street. It will examine the way in which subcultural groups appropriate items from mainstream culture subverting its original meaning.

• Papers are sought from those engaged in the fields of cultural studies, sociology, media, film, music and fashion studies.

• Please send a short biography and a 200 word abstract by December 15, 2009 to to the National Area Chair, Dr. Vicki Karaminas, University of Technology, at Vicki.karaminas@uts.edu.au

If this kind of thing makes you giddy in your skinnies, Drexel University in Philadelphia is also hosting a series of lectures on the topic of “Multicultural Appearances, Attitudes & Style,” taking place in November 2009 and May 2010. Contact Joseph H. Hancock, II, PhD. 
Drexel University, jhh33@drexel.edu for more information.