Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles (한국의류학회지)

The Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles (한국의류학회)
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Fashion Granfluencers as a Cultural Intermediary in Fashion and Style -A Case Study on Iris Apfel

  • Received : 2022.09.01
  • Accepted : 2022.10.21
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

This study investigated the role of fashion granfluencers as cultural intermediaries in the present digital era. The concept of fashion granfluencer as cultural intermediaries and their fashion style characteristics were defined and examined. The literature on cultural intermediaries, social media, and seniors in the context of fashion was reviewed. Primarily, three characteristics of cultural intermediaries-interactive communication, nonconformist attitude, and aesthetic disposition-were identified and used as analytical variables in this study. Through netnography, 1,452 Instagram posts from the renowned fashion granfluencer Iris Apfel (@iris.apfel) were examined. This study presented Iris as a fashion granfluencer and a senior professional, who uses fashion to express herself and define her identity. As a cultural mediator, she contributes to revitalizing the cultural economy and creating cultural products. Iris Apfel' fashion and style embody her digital persona. Her engagement in fashion activities-producing fashion content or attending fashion events-mediates the relationship between fashion producers and fashion consumers, thereby promoting the aesthetic value of fashion.

Keywords

References

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