Nystrom’s Framework for Observing the Zeitgeist
Dominating Social Groups
Though the Black Panther Party was founded in the 60’s, it still has a huge influence on today’s current events. The Black Panther Party was founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in October of 1966. The party’s core purpose was to challenge and bring light to the police brutality many African Americans faced during this time. The duty of members of the party was to monitor the behavior of police, originating in Oakland, California, thought the issue existed all over the United States and other countries around the world. Under the party several other social groups spurred as well in order to help the Black community. My specific article is about the resurfacing of the Black Panther Party in celebration of founding member, Bobby Seale’s 80th birthday at an Oakland restaurant. The article speaks of the history of the Black Panther Party in ode to Seale. Though it is not a part of the black Panther Party, the Black Lives Matter movement is a current society that is also in response to ongoing police brutality reawakened by the tragic death of Trayvon Martin.
The Black Panther Party is still influencing fashion today. Beyonce’s Superbowl Halftime performance costume was clearly influenced by the party’s signature attire with the black beret, afro, hoop earrings, leather jackets, etc. It is still being used to bring light to the unequal treatment the African American community unfortunately still faces to this day. There is also a movie coming out this month called The Black Panther that has clear influences of Black Panther attire in the costuming of the characters. The main character is seen wearing a turtle neck and black leather jacket, some of the women have their natural afros grown, etc. The fashion of social groups is still being used to bring light to issues in today’s society. Researching both the Black Panther Party and the Black Lives Matter Movement I was also able to see how this party influences the movement today.
Dominating Attitudes
The idea of the “traditional family” is gradually starting to become a thing of the past. Though societies’ attitude is still split on this issue and unfortunately continues to have some negative connotations, the concept of a happy family is no longer the “cookie-cutter” traditional family. It started with jut the idea of a single mother. This was always viewed as a sad and difficult way of life. People generally assumed that it was not in the mother’s plan to be a single parent. Today there are many single moms who are hard-working and proud to be that way. In fact, many choose to have it this way by using sperm banks, adopting, or other ways to mother a child without a father. The same goes for single fathers. This concept is also more broadly accepted and can also be a chosen lifestyle. It is also more widely accepted to have a child out of wedlock. Whether the couple has gotten pregnant with the intent to someday wed or not. The idea of a stay-at-home dad has also earned a less critical connotation because of feminism challenging society’s typical gender roles. Another is having two parents of the same gender. This is one of society’s main issues today. Many believe that parents of the same gender cannot properly raise a child because either the child will “turn out gay” just like the parents, or that the child will have issues because they are either lacking the mother or father figure. One more that I wanted to touch on was interracial marriages. In the past, this was a highly discouraged behavior because of the unfortunate closed minds of people in the past. Unfortunately, racism is still an issue in today’s society and many couples still face this discrimination but there has been some change and we are moving towards a more accepting society moving away from what most have always found “traditional.”
I see this affecting the fashion industry in a way that maybe people will be more willing to dress more boldly for a more accepting society. I also see this translating to the issues that have already been discussed in such that single moms, dads, or role reversal in the work place have all been issues touched on by the feminist movement. I have stated that I believe gender neutral clothing, movement graphic tees, masculine dressing for women, the power suit; are all potential fashion trends to come from the feminist movement. This also applies to the gay rights movement in that some moms choose to dress more “masculine” or gender neutral than their wife. For example, Ellen DeGeneres’ style is a highly desired look for many moms. Lastly, interracial marriages can be affected by parents trying to dress in clothes maybe more influenced by their culture in order to expose or help their child understand a little more about their background, their culture, and who they are as a person.
Dominating Events
World War I: As men went to war and women moved out of homes to work, comfort became a priority and long skirts moved out to make way trousers for workplace, with Coco Chanel being the revolutionary designer who borrowed her boyfriend's suits and wore sailor pants as she began designing trousers for women.
Dominating Ideals
With the conversations and emphasis on social topics such as equal rights and the environment, fashion is being impacted, inspired, and called to respond. With the emphasis on equal rights for men and women, it has broadened and redefined gender norms. This can be seen in more gender fluidity and the concentration and emphasis of unisex clothing from more and more brands these days. Additionally with people’s concerns for the environment, companies are being called to take a social and financial responsibility to seek new sustainable ways of producing— be it in the manufacturing process, or the actual physical materials that are chosen for the product.
Dominating Technology
North Face released the first “softshell rain jacket” in March of 2017 designed specifically for raining. While most rain jackets are made of Nylon, this polyester Apex Flex is a much more comfortable knit material. It allows for better movement and a stretchier fit. The fabric is more “plush” and then laminated with a waterproof GORE-TEX coating. It is then before treated with a Durable Water Repellant coating, “providing the breathable knitted polyester jacket.” This was designed specifically for rainy environment with comfort and wear ability in mind. Typical rain jackets are very stiff, shapeless, and noisy.
I believe this was a great innovation for the fashion industry and will find great success. Especially in climates like Arizona where rain is not a typical occurrence, people do not own a lot of rain gear. So when it does rain, most people do not have the proper clothing. Rain boots and umbrellas and rain jackets are typically seen as “extra.” Here at Baylor as well, many people will go to class for a day and when they leave in the morning it may not be raining but will rain later in the afternoon on their way back, so wearing a rain jacket all day is not the most comfortable. I think this rain jacket will pave the way for more technological advancements in apparel. I think this will advance practicality and wearability in fashion.