ABSTRACT
Fashion is a system that comprises varying degrees of interaction across individual, group, and societal levels. As an experiential practice that provides a means for connection and communication, this chapter introduces a research framework through a discussion of sociological perspectives and theories, emerging discourses around fashion, and the changing roles and functions within the fashion system. Design knowledge is presented as the link between designer and individual, repositioning the function of fashion objects and role of individual agency within the meaning-making process. The framework discusses the dialectical tensions posed by traditional theories of fashion and proposes a broad perspective for approaching fashion-related research.
