ABSTRACT

This book explores how clothing consumption has changed in Russia in the past 20 years as capitalism has grown in a postsocialist state, bringing with it a "consumer revolution." It shows how there has been and continues to be a massive change in the fashion retail market and how ideal lifestyles portrayed in glossy magazines and other media have contributed to the consumer revolution, as have shifts in the social structure and everyday life. Overall, the book, which includes the findings of extensive original research, including in-depth interviews with consumers, relates changes in fashion and retail to changing outlooks, identities, and ideologies in Russia more generally. The mentioned changes are also linked to the theoretical concept of fashion formed in postsocialist society.

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

“We started to dress more better”

chapter 1|21 pages

Media and the ideology of consumption and fashion

The case of Krest'ianka

chapter 2|25 pages

From shuttle traders to shopping malls

Retail trade transformations and consumer experience

chapter 3|17 pages

“We are not rich enough to buy cheap things”

The middle class as a clothing consumer

chapter 4|20 pages

“People dress so brightly here!”

Exploring social distinctions through clothing

chapter 5|20 pages

“When I put on a fur coat everyone knows I am Russian”

Clothing consumption of Russian migrants in Finland

chapter 6|17 pages

From Russia to Finland

Exploring cross-border shopping

chapter 7|20 pages

Fashion and time

The lifespan of clothing

chapter 8|10 pages

“Semiotic baggage” and fashion

chapter 9|3 pages

Conclusion