The Fashion Industry: Western and Asian Cultural Impacts

This essay examines the profound impact of Western and Asian cultures on the global fashion industry, exploring the dynamic exchange of styles, designs, and influences. It delves into how globalization, increased cultural exchange, and the movement of people have facilitated a blending of traditions, leading to innovative fashion trends. The study investigates how Western fashion has been adopted in Asia, and conversely, how Asian aesthetics and craftsmanship have influenced Western designers. The essay highlights the historical context, from the adoption of Western clothing in Asian countries to the incorporation of Asian textiles and techniques in Western designs. It also discusses the role of media, trade, and tourism in promoting cultural exchange within the fashion industry, ultimately illustrating a complex interplay where cultures continuously shape and redefine fashion norms worldwide.

Essay

ESSAY: HOW DO WESTERN AND ASIAN CULTURES AFFECT EACH
OTHER IN FASHION INDUSTRY?
INTRODUCTION
The culture of an individual is associated with his lifestyle, behaviour, dressing and
traditions which is directly influenced by nationality, religion, society, etc. Therefore, culture
plays an important role within social lifestyle of the people. Fashion is best defined simply as the
style or styles of clothing and accessories worn at any given time by group of people that is
greatly influenced by culture, religion and lifestyle of people. Furthermore, it is examined that
fashion industry is directly influenced by the culture of people so as several designers in all over
the world are offering new collections and clothing range with reference to culture and traditions
along with clothing senses of other countries (Crane, 2012). It plays an important role in
expansion of particular culture in different culture. In addition to that globalization of business
and fashion industry has been addressed as most important motivator for the promotion and
growth of culture in other countries through fashion industry. In this context, this essay is going
to discuss different aspects of fashion industry. In this process, this study examines the impact of
Western and Asian cultures on fashion industry of each other. For collection of wide range of
data, this report considers qualitative approach in which wide range is going to acquire through
several books, journals, online resources etc.
MAIN BODY
Fashion industry is termed as multibillion-dollar global enterprise which is managing
various business operation associated making and selling clothes. In this context, there have been
significant differences between the expensive designer fashions that are shown on the runways of
Paris and New York. In this regard, culture of people in all over the world is creating huge
impact on designers approach along with purchase decisions for clothes in order to meet different
objectives (Power and Scott, 2004). As per the research of McRobbie (2013) it has been
addressed that the fashion industry consists of various activities such as designing,
manufacturing, distribution, marketing, retailing, advertising as well as promotion of all types of
apparel. In this process, culture plays important role in selection of fabric and design etc. In the
context of present era, it has been found that Asian roots, traditions and dressing sense is creating

huge impact on fashion industry in western countries. Apart from that increase in number of
Asian origin people in western nations is also identified as most important element that influence
western designers and cloth makes to consider culture and clothing of other nations in their
collection and design (Bhardwaj and Fairhurst, 2010). In similar way, expansion of business of
western companies in Asian countries has considered as most important factor or reason of
westernisation of dressing sense or fashion industry in Asian countries such as China, India, and
Japan etc.
Manlow (2009) has determined that the fashion industry is termed as a most important
element of modern era. In this context, it is evaluated that before mid-19th century, all kinds of
clothing products was handmade for individuals in the form of home production or on order from
dressmakers and tailors. Furthermore, In 20th century, the rise of new technologies such as the
sewing machine have played most crucial role in order to influence clothing design and their
manufacturing process in different culture in the all over the world (How did the widespread
adoption of western clothing happen?, 2016). Author further argued that the fashion industry
was developed first in Europe and America then spread in all over the world. This time duration
was identified as a most important motivator of promotion of western culture in Asian countries.
Presently, it is the international and highly globalized industry because wide range of clothing
products often designed in one country and manufactured in another then after sold in a third.
For example, an American fashion company might acquire fabric in China in order to
manufacture these clothes in Vietnam (Shen, Wang, Lo and Shum, 2012). These clothes are
finished in Italy and shipped to a warehouse in the United States for distribution to retail outlets
internationally. In this process, culture and traditions of different countries is creating huge
impact on design and appearance of clothes. Therefore, globalization of fashion is considered as
most important factor from the point of view of promotion of culture in other countries through
clothes.
The study of Lemire and Riello (2008) has found several reasons for global popularity of
Western Fashion in all over the world especially in Asian region. In this context, it is evaluated
that Western fashion has something to do with opinion which is considered in the form of
modernism versus traditionalism. This is because Western clothing is often thought to be more
modern than Eastern clothing rends and culture. Furthermore, it has found that culture and

clothing both are interrelated concept. Therefore, "Western civilization" is it known much newer
than ancient civilizations associated with the China and India (Ralston and et.al, 2008). In these
Asian countries, Western clothing is considered by people for everyday wear and business. On
the other hand, local clothing is adopted by people for special occasions such as religious
holidays, weddings, etc. The people associated with Asian region are considered the clothing
trends of Western = modern and Eastern = traditional. In addition to that the research of Anheier
and Isar (2008) has found that that western culture is creating huge impact on traditions and
dressing style of people. In this context, it can be addressed that most of Euro-American dresses
are either derived from military uniforms such as many jackets styles or some products are
developed to fulfill practical purpose for example jeans. All these development of Western
fashions were mainly influenced by traditional or religious clothing, but these origins have
mostly been removed from the meaning of the clothing itself (Benyon and Dunkerley, 2014).
Presently, some important clothing related west such as Jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, short skirts along
with dresses have addressed significant popularity in last 100 years in all over the world along
with Asian culture. This is because only one hundred years ago, several women were still wore
corsets (never trouser) and men used ascots in day to day lifestyle. In the contrary, Eastern
fashions have addressed several changes but those changes have not been nearly as revolutionary
with reference to different clothes western culture (Mato, 2009).
This growth of Western clothing and culture in Asian region has created negative impact
on the perception of people about the clothing of their own culture. This is because Western
clothing is perceived as "modern" and Eastern clothing as "traditional". The idea that Western =
modern = developed/industrialized was a common perception in some societies. In Japan, the
Japanese political and social authorities have developed strategies towards modernization during
the Meiji era to influence people in order to accept and consider not only the Western military
and technology but also Western culture (Yang, 2012). In this context, it was addressed as an
effort to adopt Western dress as part of overall process of adopting Western thought and
industry. Therefore, people in Japan has significantly influenced by Western culture. It results
distortion of domestic culture and traditions of Japan. The research of McRobbie (2013) has
evaluated that In 19 and 20th century, only indigenous people in Asian nations that are having
high status and educational access could be able to participate in wide range of Western

governmental institutions as a result of dominance of Western culture. In this context, Western
clothing has been addressed as a status symbol and people who wore Western colonizers were
addressed as more powerful and influential (Crane, 2012). This kind of situation is raised in
India where several individual were Western educated, wealthy along with the civil servants.
These individual have also accepted Western clothing. In addition to that people also changed
their behaviour and those always want to become the less "Indian" and more "British" in the
from of their appearance and behavior. This is because this approach has offered the better the
chances and ensures success their success within the system (Power and Scott, 2004). This thing
has also distorted perception of people in India about their own culture, tradition, lifestyle and
clothing. Therefore, it can be stated that Western culture has created huge impact on clothing of
Asian companies.
Anheier and Isar (2008) evaluated that Globalization is also identified as most important
element and motivator that has played crucial role to increase communication among people
belong from of different culture. It results the expansion of Western culture, ideas, and
commodities by entering Eastern markets or Asian countries. On the other hand, culture,
traditions and fashion trends of Asian countries have also promoted in Western countries. But,
there is significant growth addressed in Western culture in the form of "Westernization." in
Asian nations which is much higher than the growth rate of Asian culture (How did the
widespread adoption of western clothing happen? 2016). In addition to that Western music,
technology, food, and clothing have all been greatly popularized in large areas of East which is
deeply associated with the perceptions of modernity. Therefore, in contemporary era, Western
clothing is seen as more "modern” in comparison of traditional clothing in different countries.
Apart from that The popularity of Western media such as movies, television show and
magazines, has played most important and crucial role for exposing and popularizing Western
clothing which is highly addressed among young age people in Asian countries like India and
China (Bhardwaj and Fairhurst, 2010).
In the contrary, research of Manlow (2009) has addressed that globalization leads
relationship among people in all over the world. It also increased the number of Asian Origin
people in Western countries and their lifestyle and clothing is also influenced the local people. It
results multiculturalism in fashion design. In this context, Western designers are incorporating

traditional Asian crafts, textiles as well as techniques that are mainly associated with India and
China. In similar way, Asian designers are also allowed the Western culture in order to influence
their work (Shen, Wang, Lo and Shum, 2012). Therefore, some important examples are
addressed that indicate combination of culture in fashion for Middle-class Indian women related
to migrant communities in West originally considered the Western styles for particular occasions
in the 1960s and 1970s. But, they are wearing a stylish Indian dress for special occasions as a
status symbol which is equivalent to chic Western fashion in present era. In similar way, a
traditionally Indian garment that has been significantly influenced by Western fashion that is
termed as kurta suit (Yang, 2012). It is addressed as a reversal of the accepted tradition of
Western fashion which is associated with the Asian design.
The investigation Lemire and Riello (2008) has found that all countries of Asia mainly
India and China have addressed significant success in expansion of their culture in Western
countries like US and UK. The main reason behind this is increase trade relationship with among
these countries along with increase in interaction among people. Furthermore, it has been
addressed that India and China have been identified important tourist destinations for western
people. In addition to that both these countries along with other Asian countries are enriched
with great culture, art, craft, history, traditions etc (Ralston and et.al, 2008). That play most
crucial role to attract visitors from all over the world. This thing has played most crucial role
and created significant impact fashion industry of West. In this context, it has been evaluated that
like any culture, China’s is having deep, ever-changing, and multifaceted culture with a
combination of various variable and intangible. These elements are also addressed in their
fashion trends (Fury, 2015). In addition to that tourism activities in all over the world is termed
as most important element in order to promote China’s deep well of art, cuisine, literature and
innovations along with sociological underpinnings. All of this developed gradually over more
than five thousand years, a remarkable length of time for cultural traits to survive through. All
these elements have created significant impact on the perception of people and western designer.
Benyon and Dunkerley (2014) stated that Indo-Western clothing is identified as a best
example of intersection of Indian and Western culture. In the contemporary era, Western styles
were well established as an important part of Indian fashion that results some professional Indian
women are considering the Western-style dresses along with saris for office wear. In addition to

that Fashionable Indian women are also wear traditional shalwar kameez and the kameez (tunic)
is wear with jeans that is identified as precinct example of combination of culture that has
emerged new trends in fashion industry in both Asian and Western countries (Mato, 2009) . In
similar way, people of European nation are also using cloths related to Indo-Western
combination.
In this context, the evaluation of current trends in Fashion and textile sector has
addressed that China has kept around 45% of global trade. Inspite of its significant growth trend,
China's rising costs has influenced multinational producer in various other low cost production
companies. India has also managed 20% share in the global trade by 2010. As per the result of
growth of economy, India is rapidly expanding its role along with its capacity for increasing in
proportion in world trade of clothing and textile. Vertically integrated companies are organized
in a hierarchy and share a common owner. In addition to that various designers of India have
managed great success in western fashion industry (Industry Overview, 2016). Apart from that
Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh are being addressed as important destinations on
their low manufacturing costs due to cheap labor available. The research of Lemire and Riello
(2008) has found that the future global market for textile and fashion industry is going to expand
in a significant way. The reasons for such expansion contains several element such as growth of
new consumption markets, growth of modern retail business, boom of air and sea shipments
along with logistic related activities. Furthermore, the growth of textile and related production in
Eastern Europe, ex Russian block, Turkey, Middle East, South East Asia, India, China as well as
South America is addressed as most critical factor in order to increase interaction among people
and their culture that leads great impact on fashion trends and perception of people (Ralston and
et.al., 2008).
In addition to that there are several ethical issues raised due to Westernization of Asian
countries and culture. In this context, distortion of traditional lifestyle, clothing and traditions. In
addition to that it is also increase inequality among people because people who wore western
cloth in Asian region consider themselves more important and influential (Manlow, 2009). It is
also creating huge impact on traditional cloth manufacturing and crafting practices. Therefore, it
can be stated that Asian and Western culture is greatly influencing fashion industry of each other.

CONCLUSION
On the basis of above assessment, it can be concluded that Western culture has
significantly influenced clothing in Asian countries in which globalization is identified as main
critical factor. This essay has found that growth of Western and Asian culture in the fashion
industry of each other countries have led several positive and negative impact such as
development of new fashion design and promotion of traditional craft in all over the world along
with distortion of traditional clothing etc.

REFERENCE
Books and Journals
Anheier, H. K. and Isar, Y. R. Eds., 2008. Cultures and globalization: The cultural economy.
Sage.
Benyon, J. and Dunkerley, D., 2014. Globalization: the reader. Routledge.
Bhardwaj, V. and Fairhurst, A., 2010. Fast fashion: response to changes in the fashion industry.
The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research. 20(1). pp.165-
173.
Crane, D., 2012. Fashion and its social agendas: Class, gender, and identity in clothing.
University of Chicago Press.
Lemire, B. and Riello, G., 2008. East & West: textiles and fashion in early modern Europe.\
Journal of Social History. 41(4). pp.887-916.
Manlow, V., 2009. Designing clothes: Culture and organization of the fashion industry.
Transaction Publishers.
Mato, D., 2009. All industries are cultural: A critique of the idea of ‘cultural industries’ and new
possibilities for research. Cultural Studies. 23(1). pp.70-87.
McRobbie, A., 2013. In the culture society: Art, fashion and popular music. Routledge.
Power, D. and Scott, A. J., 2004. Cultural industries and the production of culture. Routledge.
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managerial work values: A study of the United States, Russia, Japan, and China. Journal of
International Business Studies. 39(1). pp.8-26.
Shen, B., Wang, Y., Lo, C. K. and Shum, M., 2012. The impact of ethical fashion on consumer
purchase behavior. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International
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Online
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