Applied Psychology in Fashion: A Research-Informed Approach

The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar industry which employs millions of individuals worldwide and has far-reaching effects on consumers, its workforce, and the environment. Although psychologists have shown an interest in dress and fashion since the end of the 19th century, in the last decade they have increasingly focused on this area. This shift has been arguably driven by the expanded reach of the fashion industry thanks to social media and by a growing recognition of the ethical and environmental issues that this industry presents. It has led to the consolidation and increased popularity of the psychology of fashion, an uprising branch of psychology which explores fashion and the fashion industry from a psychological perspective. Drawing on cutting-edge research, this edited volume brings together psychologists and other professionals who offer a deep understanding of the psychological underpinnings of fashion and its impact on individuals and society. It explores and explains the interaction between the self and fashion. It discusses the place of psychology in fashion marketing. It also presents existing research on the impact of fashion industry practices on consumers and on individuals working in the fashion industry. From self to groups, from consumption to ethics, the book highlights how psychology can help researchers and practitioners to examine the multifaceted ways in which fashion influences and is influenced by the human psyche. The project is led by a team of psychologists who have shaped the content of the world's first university programmes in psychology and fashion: the BSc (Hons) Psychology of Fashion and MSc Applied Psychology in Fashion at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London (United Kingdom). Dr Soljana Çili has taught and contributed to curriculum design on the MSc course since its opening in 2014. Dr Aurore Bardey designed and led the BSc course from 2016 to 2020. Dr Ameerah Khadaroo has taught on both courses and contributed to the BSc curriculum design since 2018. The editors bring to the project their unique expertise in research-informed applied psychology in fashion. This is timely since in recent years there has been a proliferation of literature on fashion psychology which is limited in scope and frequently contains claims for which there is no supporting scientific evidence. The book takes a rigorous psychological approach to fashion, hoping to reduce any existing misinformation. More importantly, it aims to identify ways in which psychologists may harness the power of fashion to enhance lives and may contribute to a more ethical and less polluting fashion industry. The volume is aimed at academics, students, and fashion industry professionals who are interested in the intersection of fashion and the human mind. It is also likely to be of interest to the general public. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-12271-1