ABSTRACT
Self and identity are of interest in many disciplines, including fashion theory, cultural theory, philosophy, anthropology, sociology and psychology. The self comprises multifaceted, interrelated components including self-awareness, self-concept, self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-perception and is integral in motivation, cognition, affect and social identity. Maslow's 1943 hierarchy of needs model is a popular motivation theory in social science and has been used to explain a wealth of behaviours as well as how clothing satisfies human needs. Identity is considered to develop from infancy throughout the lifespan as a result of factors regarded as possessions. Clothing is part of our identity, and fashion provides an obvious means for presenting the self in the most favourable way. Individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations have a long history of being underrepresented in fashion despite decades of protestations about prejudice which would not be tolerated in other industries.
