Loose Thoughts No. 16 – What does it mean to be a fashion historian?

12/28/23 • 9 min

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a fashion historian. My reflections have focused on a more practical and perhaps even “philosophical” take on what it means to be a fashion historian in the very disturbed world that we live in today. In this episode, I ponder questions like: What is the purpose—if any—of fashion history? How can we use fashion history to actively reshape an industry that is clearly rotten and needs a good shakeout? And what is the role of a fashion historian in shaping contemporary design or even the future of fashion?

**This was first published as an audioblog on November 9, 2023.

Visit my blog: https://laurabelru.com/

Find me on social media: @laurabelru

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/laurabelru

**This was first published as an audioblog on November 9, 2023.

Visit my blog: https://laurabelru.com/

Find me on social media: @laurabelru

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/laurabelru

Previous Episode

Loose Thoughts No. 15 – Indigenous resistance in and through fashion

In this episode, I use Indigenous Peoples Day and Indigenous Resistance Day as an excuse—as if I needed one—to talk just a little bit more about Indigenous fashion, especially in Latin America.

**This was first published as an audioblog on October 12, 2023.

Visit my blog: https://laurabelru.com/

Find me on social media: @laurabelru

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/laurabelru

Next Episode

Introductions: What it means to redress fashion and some notes about the host, Dr. Laura Beltrán-Rubio

In this episode, Laura introduces herself and shares what it means to “redress fashion.” Listen all the way to the end for a surprise giveaway and to learn more about what to expect in future episodes of this show!

Relevant links & references (in order of appearance):