A Community for Fashion Minds
FSJ seeks to carve out a space to addresses current issues facing the contemporary fashion landscape, while simultaneously examining these issues through a critical lens of history and theory. As a multivalent practice that embodies not simply concerns of industry and design, but also those pertaining to gender, race, politics and cultural heritage, fashion undoubtedly merits both a critical and celebratory approach, and it is the goal of FSJ to unwrap, analyze and present fashion to our readers in a way that is both true to its spirit while also discerning of its nuanced nature. Our varied editorial approach – from substantive news reporting to in-depth academically driven essays – is not only geared to offer our readership a novel perspective, but also provides a platform for a wide range of contributors, from emerging academics and journalists to established practitioners and scholars.
Beyond publishing, FSJ also seeks to break down the fourth wall of academic writing by forging real, person-to-person connections through our biannual Fashion & Spinach dinner series, book clubs, workshops, film screenings and clothing swaps. Indeed, at its core, FSJ stands as a community for fashion thinkers of all backgrounds, and it is our hope to engage, challenge and inspire our readership to continue building this community and furthering the cause of this common pursuit.
Yet, from the experience of publishing this journal, we gained insight into another lack--a lack of opportunities to make real, personal connections among our peers within the fashion community. Working as adjunct professors, freelancers and students, our network is dispersed and our opportunities to collaborate are few and far between.
FSJ in its new form is not so different from the original FSJ: we have one foot in academia and one foot in the more joyful, fun side of fashion. We strive to cultivate genuine community and to create lasting bonds between like-minded people. Having first met as students in the Parsons MA Fashion Studies program, the core members of the FSJ collective hope to open our arms a little wider, and to recreate that camaraderie and collaborative spirit with a bigger community.
Have an idea for a fashion-related project but want to pool your skills with someone from a different aspect of the industry? We want to help these connections get made and take shape.
Like fashion and academia, we like unlikely pairings (we also like challenges and new conversations). As such, for the past couple of years, we’ve been considering fashion and religion. This spring and summer, however, we’ve got fashion and food on the brain. Feeling tired of cocktail receptions that never have enough to eat or a place to sit, we’re launching a supper club that pairs conversation and laughter with good food and drink, all with a fashion theme.
We look forward to sharing many evenings developing this idea in the spirit of endless possibility. We’re also always open to new conversations, contributions, and collaborations! Please feel free to write to us at [email protected]. If you would like to speak with a particular contributor, you may find her email address on our “contributors” page.
Alternately, you may find us on social media:
Instagram: @fashionstudiesjournal
Twitter: @fashionstudiesjournal
