Unveiling Fashion - (INSEAD Business Press) by F Godart (Hardcover)

About the Book

"For most people, fashion can daze and confuse. It is, however, a fascinating phenomenon that is key to how we define our identities, and it plays a central role in our lives. Proposing a comprehensive and accessible account of the global fashion industry, this book aims to present fashion in all its diversity and richness, to 'unveil' its mysterious mechanisms. Drawing on six core principles from the industry, Frederic Godart guides the reader through the economic, cultural and social arena of the world's most glamorous industry. First, in the everyday-life game of identity-building, where fashion is deployed, between the individual and society. Secondly, the convergence of trends reveals how social influence is played out; likewise, fashion as an art, and how this is characterized by a creative and aesthetic autonomy. Finally, to all these dimensions, contemporary fashion adds the figure of the 'creative genius, ' and gives a prominent importance to brands" - Publisher website.

Book Synopsis

Proposing a comprehensive account of the global fashion industry this book aims to present fashion as a social and cultural fact. Drawing on six principles from the industry, Godart guides the reader through the economic, social and political arena of the world's most glamorous industry.

Review Quotes

'In his book Unveiling Fashion, Frédéric Godart guides the reader through the historical and socioeconomic intricacies of the fashion industry. Fashion is a highly complex topic, and Godart manages to clarify its main principles. His book, while rooted in academic research, will also be relevant to fashion professionals who want to better grasp their environment, and understand how creativity unfolds in fashion. Unveiling Fashion is an intriguing introduction to the fashion industry, and is here to stay as a reference.' - Florence Rambaud, LVMH Moët Hennessy, Louis Vuitton (France)

'Through a very thorough analysis, which mixes social theory with economic insight, Frédéric Godart explains not only how fashion can be analysed and studied, despite its apparent impenetrability, but also focuses on the role that fashion had in the past and has now within society. A useful reading both for scholars in the field of fashion studies, sociology, and economics and for all professionals in the fashion industry.' - Simona Segre Reinach, University of Bologna (Italy)

'Unveiling Fashion is by far the best book on sociology of fashion I have ever read. Frédéric Godart makes a major contribution in the field of fashion studies by providing a unique analytical framework to theorize fashion with six principles of fashion taken from different traditions of social sciences and philosophy, and each principle is elaborated and explained with abundant empirical data.No fashion scholar has ever given such a creative scholarly focus on fashion. This book is a must read for anyone who strives to theoretically analyze fashion which is a difficult concept to grasp.' - Yuniya Kawamura, Fashion Institute of Technology / State University of New York (United States)

'Frédéric Godart's timely and informative book offers exactly what is needed to navigate in the glossy world of fashion: sharp scientific tools and empirical details, which let both the novice and the well-informed benefit from this stimulating book.' - Patrik Aspers, Uppsala University (Sweden)

'Godart unravels the warp, mystery, and wonderful spectacle of fashion, in all of its different, blurred, yet rich and appealing meanings. Using several disciplines, he provides a beautifully tailored, impeccably scientific demonstration that dissects the history and evolution of fashion then projects what that means in the XXI century society and economy. As Paul Nystrom said: to be out of fashion is, indeed, to be out of the world.' - Nicoletta Giusti, University of Bologna (Italy)

'Smart and meticulously researched, Unveiling Fashion is a careful overview of fashion as an industry and as a form of cultural practice. From Plato to Prada, Godart weaves history, economics, sociology, and organization and legal studies into an elegant statement on the nature of dress and social change. Godart reveals the transformation of courtiers into celebrated brands andbusiness empires, which are rooted in the modern logic of distinction, anchored in global cities, and today wield enormous influence in our everyday lives. A must-have for theorists, teachers, and students in the field of fashion studies, and anyone looking to be surprised and delighted to discover how fashion works.' - Ashley Mears, Boston University (United States)

About the Author

Frédéric Godart is an Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, in Fontainebleau, France. Prior to joining INSEAD as a full-time tenure-track faculty, he spent two years there as a post-doctoral research and teaching fellow focusing on creative industries and social networks. An alumnus of Cambridge University (Trinity College), he holds a PhD in sociology from Columbia University in the City of New York. He also regularly collaborates with the Institut Français de la Mode (French Fashion Institute) in Paris and has written several articles, books, and book chapters on creativity, fashion, and luxury.