Case Studies of the Fashion Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study examines the fashion-related concerns of women in their early twenties and their personal thoughts on sociocultural factors through fashion. Data were collected twenty-seven female participants in their twenties in order to examine their traumas related to fashion and how these experiences affect their attitude toward clothing and fashion. Based on this, this study sheds light on what effects traumatic experiences have had on participants’ self-esteem. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the problems underlying and reasons for the study participants’ fashion choices, and attempts to demonstrate their self-reflection through fashion. Finding of the study was that the participants had a passive attitude toward fashion and built a wall against it. The study results suggest that the very first step to going beyond oneself and developing an active attitude is to try to be proactive and face a challenge related to fashion or clothes that one chooses oneself. Therefore, it is now time for Korean society to shape a culture that respects the unique qualities of every individual and allows free expression of diversity.