Zwischen Ästhetik und Funktion. Begriffstheoretische Perspektiven auf digitale Mode

Abstract

The recent phenomenon of digital fashion is often considered non-functional because garments cannot be ‚worn‘ to provide protection from the elements; however, popular designs frequently incorporate elements of functional clothing, such as sportswear and outerwear. Against this scaffolding, this paper reevaluates the relationship between aesthetics and functionality within digital fashion. Tracing the terms of aesthetics and function through various discourses and disciplines, including psychological considerations on the purpose of dress, aesthetic and design theory, as well as more recent research into functional clothing, I argue that digital fashion may not only be theorized through the lens of aesthetics but also through functionality. Specifically, the aesthetics of functionality work to produce a disciplined body and mind of the wearer. Further, digital fashion is placed both within a human environment as well as the digital environment of social media platforms and their affordances.