Manchester University Press
3 Icon of fashion
Abstract
This chapter explores the relationship between la Parisienne, fashion and film within three contexts: including historical, industrial and textual contexts. The historical context forms the groundwork for considering this relationship in general. The industrial context considers the possibilities for costuming la Parisienne in a given film. The textual context considers the intersection of the first two contexts in specific films. Reunion in France and Funny Face are both explicitly about the production, consumption and marketing of fashion. Transformation is one of the key concepts or motifs associated with la Parisienne, and points to a deeper ontological mystery about her identity or essence. Transformation also plays a part in both Frantic and 8 femmes; however, in the latter film it is somewhat emptied of its meaning and narrative function, reduced to transformation for its own sake, a pure aesthetic phenomenon.
Abstract
This chapter explores the relationship between la Parisienne, fashion and film within three contexts: including historical, industrial and textual contexts. The historical context forms the groundwork for considering this relationship in general. The industrial context considers the possibilities for costuming la Parisienne in a given film. The textual context considers the intersection of the first two contexts in specific films. Reunion in France and Funny Face are both explicitly about the production, consumption and marketing of fashion. Transformation is one of the key concepts or motifs associated with la Parisienne, and points to a deeper ontological mystery about her identity or essence. Transformation also plays a part in both Frantic and 8 femmes; however, in the latter film it is somewhat emptied of its meaning and narrative function, reduced to transformation for its own sake, a pure aesthetic phenomenon.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Muse 18
- 2 Cosmopolite 47
- 3 Icon of fashion 71
- 4 Femme fatale 95
- 5 Courtesan 120
- 6 Star 150
- Conclusion 180
- Films cited 185
- References 190
- Index 203
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Muse 18
- 2 Cosmopolite 47
- 3 Icon of fashion 71
- 4 Femme fatale 95
- 5 Courtesan 120
- 6 Star 150
- Conclusion 180
- Films cited 185
- References 190
- Index 203
