ABSTRACT

In one of his July 1978 seminars at the Tavistock Clinic, Bion considered the notion of ‘vogue’ as an immensely powerful force which induces individuals and groups to conform to passing fashions, in ideas as much as in art, clothes or anything else.

In the same way, you find that you become a fashion yourself – you are under extreme pressure to act or behave as if you were a person of importance.... It is the vogue, and for the time being you are under its pressure. It then becomes clear that the honours are showered upon you in the hope that you will not emerge from deep under to the abuse levelled against you.

(Bion, 2005b, p. 66)