Fashion School: How to Analyze Fashion

In in-depth guide to art interpretation and general analysis. Part of my ongoing series "Fashion School" where we talk about resources for better understanding the art of fashion.
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[@BlissFoster]

Book titles Symbolism and Alegories in Art Semiotics: The Basics Experimental Fashion Norton Anthology of Literary Theory Rick Owens photography by Danielle Levitt Margiela: The Womens Collections Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Iris Van Herpen: Transforming Fashion Rick Owens: Legaspi 💫💫

[@dericflairmultiverse4952]

IRIS VAN HERPEN is just out of this world! I saw her collection at the Royal Ontario Museum!!! Thanks so much for your recommendations! Love your content btw!

[@sarahwatts7152]

I think you could do great book spine poetry with your fashion library, just a thought...

[@firstnamelastname7640]

Do you use Goodreads? Can I follow you on it?

[@georgekonstantopoulos2007]

It is fascinating that we have a KZbin fashion channel who takes it a step further,speaking about structuralism and semiotics to analyse fashion. Thought you should have added roland barthes mythologies btw. He's the first that spoke about fashion semiotics ( not in a good or bad way though) in the 1950's. Keep it up!!

[@douglasdacosta2703]

personally i think the best analysis is when you can make the creator of the art realize something they did subconsciously.

[@BlissFoster]

Strong agree. Rick Owens once said that Tim Blank’s criticism does that. I can’t imagine hearing that from someone, I’d probably start crying and hug them 😭

[@minooaid5084]

Well at least scientifically it's impossible to confirm it since the whole part of the idea is subjective.

[@wowimaoi]

why involve the ego? Too freudian

[@koltm1338]

ahh this happened to me at an art show! it was crazy

[@karimd88]

@@minooaid5084 No its not lol. If Rick Owens admits he didn't make that choice consciously, but someone recognises it and Owens admits that he wasn't making that choice consciously it is a subconscious process and it is still in reference to something in the physical world.

[@harusallie6445]

"That big discourage of falling in a trap of lack of knowledge" hits so hard, i was about to cry hahaha

[@tonybarzuna]

😭😭😭😭

[@tonybarzuna]

😭😭😭😭

[@Deenyzz]

Same here

[@s.6917]

incredibly underrated video. gonna be revisiting this for years, thank u

[@BlissFoster]

I’m so glad it was useful for you. Thanks for the encouragement 💫💫

[@lenitarandolph]

Same, i'm on my third rewatch!

[@noshankyouvm]

My favorite Art History professor makes us pick a painting at the very beginning of the term before we've even gotten into any content. A lot of other students hate it, but I love it so much. One of the best papers I wrote was in a class I went in already hating (Impressionism) with an artist I thought was pretty boring (Degas) but through the course of the 15 weeks I spent getting elbow deep into everything, I churned out a very relevant and incredible paper. (Ok, ok, it was titled, "Degas: Making Art Among and for the New Bourgeois".) I am positive that when I finish school, I could go back and read that and find that it's absolute garbage, but it was important when I wrote it. As you said, we are constantly evolving, honing, sharpening, softening, expanding, contracting, and overall learning new ways of seeing, our critiques must remain just as fluid and never settle too long in one place. And also: no one can tell you your critique is wrong because it's all subjective bullshit. Unless you're bungling a purely formal concept, it's pretty difficult to screw it up, if you're hitting the right spots for your intended audience.

[@BlissFoster]

Thanks for sharing! I agree, the process is always evolving

[@arlinejernigan]

I had a similar experience with a teacher in graduate school, who spent a whole semester directing the ready made works or Marcel Duchamp. At first I found it arduous, but I came to appreciate the process and what Duchamp brought to the art world.

[@noshankyouvm]

@@arlinejernigan I was completely prepared to leave that class with a deeper appreciation for my dismay over Impressionism but instead found my absolute purpose in that class. Ugh. Stupid professors, what with their making sense and their teaching and what not.

[@arlinejernigan]

@@noshankyouvm I guess what my experience with regards to this topic, reinforced within me, was that there is always more than meets the eye, and with some exploration, my eyes can be open to a depth that was not apparent at first place. It is easy to dismiss something that I don't care for at first, for whatever reason, but usually when I give it a little time, I can cultivate an appreciation even if I don't love it in the end.

[@risika]

Historically I have a habit of going too hard, not being able to sustain the Herculean effort, giving up and hating myself. So now I’m trying to give a small, consistent mediocre effort everyday. It sounds stupidly simple but its crazy how it adds up. I had to overhaul how I approached taking care of my brain (exercise, journaling, studying etc) by practising mediocre consistency. Now I try to put in consistent 40-60% effort into my journaling habit - to make sure I do it I began recording it and posting it on my yt channel. After a really bad depression phase small efforts everyday, is how i got out of it. Now as I explore my interests (like fashion) I’m realizing this is the way I have to approach it. It’s funny because a few years ago even your channel would have felt too intimidating because you just have so much knowledge. But now I’m excited.

[@aldogoegan3091]

I love how you foster us all to broaden our perspective by sharing your ‘findings’ and then proceed to provide us advice on how to discover our own new ‘findings’ further evolving the global perspective. Full circle.

[@Danhan12341]

Ha, foster *wink wink, nudge nudge*

[@shelbyhiromi]

Something that I think is very useful to keep in mind about analysis is that, your analysis and the meaning you glean from a piece does not necessarily have to have been the artist's intention. Like you said, your unique experience is the most valuable thing. All art, literature, fashion, film, is a dialogue. As soon as someone looks at a piece of art, that art gains an entirely new meaning unique to the person taking it in. When you are analyzing something, there isn't ever necessarily a "wrong" way to do it. If the artist intended one thing, but it means something different to you, that is completely valid and worthwhile, because it MEANS something TO YOU. That's the whole function of art, is to express meaning in different ways. Sometimes, when i really like a piece of art, like a movie or a song, but have dubious feelings about the creator of that art i deliberately analyze it in a way that I know that the creator would hate, but as long as that analysis is backed up with solid evidence about what you see in the piece then it is still a good analysis!

[@paulanunes95]

exactly, as you do analysis you create a new language that doesn't mean its true to what the artist felt, it is just valid to you (Roland Barthes says so, lol)

[@joelschmidt8530]

Answering to your question, I myself have to do a lot of analysis in school, most of the time german lyric, and what I figured out is that if you want to fully understand it, you have to read it again and again, make notes of what you felt, ask other people what they feel when they read it, take your time and in the end try to understand how the author makes us feel like this and why he wants us to feel like this.

[@samueljamesbennett]

I have put off writing an essay for class and something in this video is helping me breakdown my own anxieties and fastidiousness. So thank you Bliss!

[@danchamberlin4780]

Can I just say Thank you. That’s it; just thank you. Never doubt yourself again! 🙏🏼❤️

[@zanbudd]

So, when you sat down by the couch and said Let’s talk about research, one of those amazing, mesmerizing light effects happened in the light coming thru the window. Maybe dust swirling in the sunlight, maybe a smoldering fire in another dimension - I don’t know - but I love the visual. Ideas and swirling light 🙏🏼🦋

[@Deluluvan]

I’m on my third year of journalism and i’m also a fashion blogger since last year, but a fashion enthusiast my whole life lol. I found that knowledge i got from my studies, the ones needed in getting to the truth of the matter and finding out the “5 W’s” really helped me in analyzing fashion and the industry in general. I like to approach fashion in a very philosophical and cerebral way because i think, in essence, fashion is something we all agreed upon since no one is walking out there naked in the streets. I think one can approach fashion (and art) in a way where he can connect the dots in how it affects society and the planet at large, and how it can also be a medium for politics, social change and much more.

[@murielmoloney1043]

Just discovered your channel and I am addicted.i have only begun to watch your videos but I feel I have learned more in your content than I ever learned in any other sphere of fashion.i am a fashion newbie enthusiast.

[@Ghost-jp5qn]

Hey! I have been independently studying art history / contemporary art for about a year and a half and I thought all of these tips are great. Your first point about spending a lot of time with what you're analyzing is so true: both with individual pieces and with the medium as a whole. I find painting to be like it's own language. I started knowing nothing at all about how to approach an abstract painting, but the more time I spend with painting in general, and the more time I spend with abstract paintings specifically, the more I can start to decipher the language. I would also like to point out something you seemed to be thinking about but never explicitly said: in art, it's super important to explore lots of different kinds of art. For example, though I mostly study contemporary art, I also have to do research into literature, poetry, film, music, etc. to understand the context a piece of visual art was made in, thereby allowing me to understand references, influences, etc. and analyze the piece more fully. That's actually why I started watching your, and other fashion, videos. Though I already love fashion, I have decided to take a closer and more studious approach to it lately, it order to broaden my understanding of the contemporary art world and inform my thoughts on artists influenced by fashion. I thought of this when you started talking about certain pieces being references to movies. Great video, and keep up the good work! I love the content you put out.

[@thalesgodoi864]

to me, and this is part of why I was so happy to see you reviewing Margiela's 1997 collections, it has always helped to think about the process of creation of the art itself. we have a tendency to take things as they come and not really wonder about HOW they were made in art. A question that has helped me countless times is "why is this here?". if the artist made the conscious decision to include anything, even the smallest of things, it's because it meant/represented something to him. i don't know if it sounds silly and whatnot but when analysing Basquiat's work (my favorite artist ever) this was crucial to the process. pardon me for any mistakes, non-native speaker from Brazil here

[@c4hsm0d333]

This is genuinely great advice past analysis. Generally good life advice to doing anything

[@ly0rna]

The first time I realized I could understand fashion in a deeper way was when I started simply watching the runway shows and comparing the movements or the shapes of the clothes as everything that it reminded me of. I think that’s how IVH’s collections work for many people, Sensory Seas was a big deal for me because I knew nothing about fashion, I just watched it because I appreciated the movement. It starts from there and then it builds up to a lot of possibilities. There’s no way to do it right and you shouldn’t see fashion as a big pile of informations you absolutely have to learn if you want to appreciate it correctly. On the contrary, everytime you enjoy yourself watching a runway show, just enjoy it, and make it make sense whenever it comes to you.

[@fyodor4436]

Ive reached the far end of the video w/ no distraction because Bliss Foster’s content and himself are amazing. He’s one of my favorite KZbinrs and I’m not even that into fashion. Crazy.

[@TheBunabam]

It's crazy that I'm watching this. I still don't understand fashion. What makes me interested in your content, is the love itself you put into it.

[@mytruecolors186]

I am SO SAD i didn't watch your channel like 8 years ago when I was on the fence about getting into fashion, art, and all sorts of visual mediums and research as a whole. Today, youtube blessed me with one of your videos on my recommended page- as I have slowly started branching out into the research topics i was passionate about in the past, trying to rekindle my interest in them... Since in junior high/highschool nobody at all was on the same level I was it was extremely hard trying to maintain those interests back then. In the 3 videos ive seen so far, you have not only inspired me, but also started this whole like rabbit hole of thoughts of "Wow someone else out there sees all of this the same way i used to". My areas of interest are specifically with the fashion, subcultures, and history of anything alternative. Not only in America, but also UK and Japan. It's been a slow process because i haven't found a way to refine all of the things i love. I draw, i dress, play video games, sew, research, research even more till its 4 in the morning and my heads spinning unable to sleep from being too excited at learning and gaining all this knowledge.... and frankly, most of it feels lost or underappreciated (by others and myself sometimes). I go through phases where i want to do all of it, or none of it, or times where people ARE supporting me in my endeavors and really want to see me thrive but for some reason I can't muster up the energy and confidence. But perhaps that's what you meant about the "10 years ago, i couldn't have done this- other people are doing 'better' than me and thats okay". Just gotta give myself more credit and be thankful of the things i HAVE done i suppose 😁

[@BlissFoster]

Yeah! Big true, this whole thing is a solo sport 🦾 the only one you’re competing with is yourself 💫💫

[@ulindelweratsibe3096]

So, I studied music in high school but now am a final year medical student. It's kind insane how the artistic form of analysis and the scientific for sort of meld together when I look at fashion. Its like the science is very much there in the make, shape, cut, fabric, silhouette etc but when it comes to the colour story, references, history, personality, themes and motifs, my musician side takes over

[@Bella00011]

You're so amazing you make it so clear and less overwhelming when it comes to a lot of things about fashion for learners, i literally binged watched like 5 vids, i learned a lot and I'm so obsessed with your channel rn, thank you so much omg

[@shlooptime]

I've been struggling with my own research without the ability to even put that into words. I suddenly feel the route ahead is so much clearer. Thank you for this video, friend!

[@dianebellora1993]

In general, I'm not a fan of Avant-garde, leading-edge clothing and design because, usually, they don't have a practical application in my life. However, I know that I am limiting myself by not looking at the products of certain designers without preconceived notions and prejudice. Thanks to your videos, I am now looking at these pieces of clothing as art. That's giving me the context to appreciate the designs and the thought that went into creating them.

[@user-nx8mc1qw6i]

just so you know your hand expressions are immaculate, i use them as refs for my designs while listening to video

[@nicolecleric9405]

I love the dark souls metaphor because my partner used to tell me to face every challenge as if I'm just playing dark souls lol. But anyways, I really love this video because it validates research as a real form of labor. I've seen a few people in archivist/fashion circles lately point out that people always tell them they "don't do anything" despite these people doing literally hours of research learning about fashion and curating their wardrobes.

[@BlissFoster]

Yeah, research is exhausting for sure. It would be awesome if it was all bombastic discoveries. But really it’s strategically wasting time. Digging for the right amount of time into dead ends so you can eventually uncover something extraordinary.

[@fool3609]

Did not expect to see dark souls in a fashion analysis video but I’m glad it’s here!

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@BlissFosterwhat do you do for work

[@mayeladelahuerta]

How could I not watch all the way to the end? I learn as much with your videos as I did during fashion school, I dare to say even more. All the attelier was great but theory and history often lacked passion, at least in my school's case. This channel is a great source of information and you do a great job at sparking interest in the analysis of more recent archives and fashion houses. At school I mostly saw the ancient, the origins. The analysis of recent eras is fascinating.

[@florence2430]

I'm coming from a natural science background in which an analysis always revolves around a certain question and you try to find the answer by reading different literature, conducting experiments and just looking at how different things relate to the question. Art and fashion are more spiritual and often you do not even know the question, you just try to find words rather than an answer to emotions and feelings that were brought up by a specific piece of art/fashion. I think that's why fashion analysis is so much fun because it can open your eyes in a totally new way and you really see the world from a different point of view.

[@lululola8080]

I discovered you on KZbin a few weeks ago and I'm obsessed! You're very articulate your delivery is excellent and you are handsome. A joy to watch. I also like to get a male's perspective on fashion instead of watching women talk about it all the time. Thank you and keep up the good job.

[@BlissFoster]

Theres certainly a lot of women who I look up to in this space. Women’s perspective on this stuff is crucial, there’s a whole side of this that’s impossible for me to capture. Don’t stop watching awesome woman critics 😌

[@lululola8080]

@@BlissFoster I'm sorry I did not mean to imply that I don't appreciate watching women. Clearly I am one myself but it's just nice to hear a guy's perspective that's all I meant

[@BlissFoster]

I appreciate the kind words 😊

[@shaneforshort]

I've no idea about fashion, never had an interest in it, but this man's enthusiasm and artful breakdown of the topic has drawn me in. 🙌

[@BlissFoster]

Glad to hear it, homie 💫💫

[@miles7267]

Man I dont know how amyone could not pay attention to this. My eyes wete glued to the screen the whole time i was watching. This video was probably the best fashion video i have ever seen.

[@BlissFoster]

Damn! Thanks so much, homie 💫💫

[@marciamartins1992]

I was thinking the same thing. I love fashion, but must admit half the time, I don't understand it. I will buy something as impractical as it is because of the esthetics of it, because I love art too. Thank you Bliss you're amazing.

[@linemonssi4108]

I'm a little late, but, regarding that "what is satisfying to my brain": I find categorizing both useful and satisfying. I like to look for similarities or patterns and then putting them together and seeing whether that reminds me of something or the other way around I see something, it reminds me of something, so I'm looking if I see it in other stuff. The thing I'm interested in is architecture and design and I have so many folders with obscure titles with different shots from building and interiors that feel are connected, and it often takes me a lot of time to remember exactly what it is exactly. Recently I had plenty of interiors done by different stylist done for different magazines/stylist and the colors were familiar and the weird shape, and it felt both familiar and intriguing and I can't find a way to describe why they feel like they fit together. And then bam, I remember that it reminds me of a government building in France that was close to my grand-parents and I google it, and it was actually done by an architect from a relatively obscure French architecture movement from the 70s/80s and the more modern designs that had fascinated me were clearly inspired. One interview even mentioned a colleague of that architect as inspiration. I felt very happy with my discovery, of course.

[@katie8429]

Am I too late to ask what building and architect you’re referencing? I’d love to look up the interior shots and the building :)

[@user-su1vl8ux5w]

This was so much helpful. I love getting into depth and the curiosity kicks in with every new word and sentence, and then end up reading gazillion things but hardly of any use or knowledge. Loving your videos and getting good knowledge out of it too! Excited for the newest ones!

[@alexandrawild470]

I think writing things down helps develope the loose thoughts that run through your brain. I do it a lot when i read, i just kinda take note of it or highlight a fragment that sparked something and then i sit down with a notebook and go through the idea. It has really helped me understand books, podcasts, art etc.

[@jasonn5413]

never would i have thought i’d see a dark souls reference in one of your videos. u truly are a scholar

[@BlissFoster]

Praise the sun 🙌

[@DiiNovensiles]

I often notice that people who struggle with analytical work tend to struggle (in various ways) with accepting that they do not yet understand a piece of the thing being analyzed, and trusting that they will later. Whether it's trusting that a piece of a mystery will be revealed later, that they can look up a minor detail later, or that something will likely click in time now that they realize a specific piece is missing... All of these are often necessary in my field of scientific research.

[@jcg_001]

So I'm a university arts lecturer/researcher (photography) and a method I came across to understand a series of images (photos, artworks, runway pieces, etc) is to print them out and hang them in a row - I have a metal wire that runs the length of my office attached between two walls and I peg each image up, but you could easily do this on the floor or on a cork board, etc. Then as I research into each image I attach the ideas to that print. Being able to visually see where your research is going and how each one relates to the next in the row is helpful imo. Plus it helps keep you on track - if you get stuck on one thing, you can physically move to the next one in the row. I think making things tangible and not just on a screen really helps keep it organised and makes it feel real. Progress feels much more satisfying when you can touch it and it's more than just tabs on a laptop, etc.

[@alia4770]

Nice tips. I love seing thing and being able to touch for real too, I don't know why but it makes me focus better and I feel less stress than when i'm doing in on screen. Although there's one bad thing is that it's not that convenient for writing since you don't have copy paste option

[@jcg_001]

@@alia4770 @Alia True, It is more labour/time intensive without the shortcuts of a computer. You can always print out your writing though and then attach the printed sheets.

[@djbhickenwings8122]

Bliss is a Dark Souls Fan!!!! You sir are officially the coolest fashion youtuber

[@ishmaelsantos2275]

I’ve been following your channel for a while and I have to admit that you’re one of the best fashion critics on youtube in my opinion. The way you explain is very enlightening, very much detail oriented, keep that up!

[@sawsaga]

Same thing applies to any form of art and this video is SO underrated 😍 Thanks again Bliss

[@ErynnLynn]

I just found this video after watching 5-6 of your previous videos and the first thing i said was, “Aw you look so cute today!” I-

[@autumncosandaffect9735]

Oh my goodness.. I have been soo stuck chasing my tail bout something I'm intimidated by.. I'm going to just sit with it - the best advice I've had in years!

[@renataq.yuvone9273]

hi there! im 18 and currently feel very lost about what i want to do regarding my future, i just wanted to tell you how much i appreciate this video and how helpful it is. i like the way you communicate your knowledge and life experience, makes me feel less lost and also helps me realize it is not the end of the world when i don´t master certain skill at the very moment i start practicing, i need to be more patient with myself and just sit with things. anyway, thanks so much! love your content, greetings from argentina

[@emmasmyspace]

This video is in my “watch again” playlist

[@elinmelyn1]

I watch your videos all the way through whilst on my knitting machine if that counts lol, great content, helping me to love fashion again

[@dangelolane7153]

Best video I’ve seen on KZbin in a while

[@BlissFoster]

Welcome in! Strange that you found a video from so long ago 🤔 check out our most recent video, we put these principles into practice for vintage Yohji, Margiela etc 💫💫

[@DankaOliveira]

I’m studying semiotics this semester (for graphic+industrial design major) and for the final paper I’ve been writing this analysis about an ad from the 2000 - It’s an Absolute vodka poster and it seems like it’s sooo simple, but everytime I re-read my text I can draw more conclusions. I think I’ve been able to do it well because I take it very lightly, and you did mention the problem about expecting too much from yourself, not spending quality time with the thing. That’s so real, most of the time in uni I overuse perfectionism and it makes things I like so stiff to write about. Practice is indeed the answer, specially the observing part. Lovely video !

[@BlissFoster]

Semiotics is such a rich study. I need to go back to it and spend more time there. Thanks for sharing 💫💫

[@kerrkristie]

I've came across your videos a few days ago. Since then, getting home after work to chill, light some candles, have my food, watch your videos and take notes has been one of the moust value I got on my time. So much knowladge explained in a very captivating style. it feels like you are here with me, chilling, eating and talking about our passion... Fashion... If you ever come to Brazil, you're welcome to stay with me

[@MissMariela100]

This is crucial information I would've liked to have before my thesis.

[@elishevakikht623]

I really like your videos thanks!!!I'm linguistic student(studying foreign languages) and your advices are really cool especially about time that you spend with some piece of art. i can spend all day just doing my translation homework because i have to somehow understand writers references and it can be so specific ... sometimes i hate this process as much as i love it.. the feeling of understanding is so pleasing p.s. sorry for grammar mistakes feel free to correct!!!

[@charlottelotvedt]

a flavoursome way of giving information. loved this vid.

[@Aluenvey]

The reference bit as interesting, as some of Yohji Yamamotos outfit almost vaguely remind me of references to Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy often references Gackt as well. A visual kei idol for those who dont know.

[@thinkingthoughtsart]

Really felt what you said about going deeper than this is dope, fire emoji, cute, etc. Most def going to find more words and expressions for what I am seeing! Awesome vid Bliss!! 💙

[@isabellab3983]

Discovered your channel a while back, slowly becoming obsessed. You are cool af!

[@ewgws60]

I just discovered your channel and bliss... I'm obsessed. Your videos are so throughout and your energy keeps them interesting.

[@maxgonzalez8849]

I was waiting for you to post a series like this

[@guytiips3906]

Yes this is the right way in the design study. Do not stop to be perfect.

[@christianmichelet4396]

You might be the best history and fashion teacher ever!

[@ashleyanderson9581]

Late to the game on this video but LOVE this. I am a photographer who has recently started a photo history blog. Fashion chapters to come soon! So excited. Writing a photo history blog that isn't strictly just the facts of who, when, where, and how requires a bunch of analysis that I haven't always been comfortable sitting in. Thanks for the confidence booster!

[@annalobo1616]

this just blow my mind, its amazing how can we learn new things every day. now i have a lot of thoughts, i love it

[@FrenchGrey]

My favourite channel!

[@moi5937]

you have a wonderful voice and your structure of this topic perfectly followed my thought process through it

[@prudencemiddleton6620]

I felt so supported emotionally by this video - wow. Incredible work & incredible speaker

[@amh1772]

This is my new favorite channel. Great advice, I will give it a try. I do struggle with understanding conceptual art most of the time and I think it is relared to your explanation but also to the fact that visually I am not attracted to it and that makes me no want to spend a lot of time looking at it.

[@thatonefashionmf8263]

10:45 that lighting went crazy on the right of the couch

[@mochimochi6357]

im super new to fashion and love ur videos, theyre so relaxing and insightful, thank u!

[@michelleIX]

i can see you inspiring a young person who goes on to do alot

[@BlissFoster]

That’s the goal 💫💫

[@karolina-rf6sq]

THANK YOU for making this video! The whole thing was as good quality stuff as lectures given by professors

[@youwomanyou]

This is so helpful! I’m an astrologer so my job is to analyze symbols that’s have a vast number agreed upon meanings and translate that for someone who doesn’t understand that. Given the fact that astrology is largely symbolic and mythological. Having a vast library of things that are not the thing is helpful. And i usually rely on this after looking at something (like a clients chart), with the intent to revisit it later. So naturally those things just connect. Like I watch lots of reality tv, fashion videos, art, and other shit to gain an internal library of reference points that help me make sense of things. And I think that helps when trying to analyze cuz you just have a wealth of information to pull from.

[@minooaid5084]

I've been involved with fashion design and graphic design for years and I always loved to make pieces meaningful and symbolic but the thing is in the prossess of creativity different things can bring it about which are not always planned. Sometimes they may make meanings and sometimes not, they are there just because they look good from the sight of the creator so I believe analyzing others works in this way can contain a great portion of overthinking that the creator never meant to say. But anyway, the piece is now yours and not the creator's.

[@pink_monster21]

Honestly, I am wanna give this a go. I want to know this because I honestly like knowing how people do things in their creative process and that in return makes me want to be more creative. I never fully understood art (I am a business student) and so this inspires to learn more of it. Thanks for this video!!

[@jamestateIII]

Duuuuude....I typed in KZbin "is masterclass for fashion designers worth it" I found a video I just finished and commented on. My God you're intellectual as hell.......I subscribed and I think I may even do your patreon. You are talking about things in fashion and art that NO ONE ELSE IS on this platform that I've seen. Please keep it going. Thanks.

[@mizzpink98z24cavi]

You are simply amazing!!! Everything you say is pretty much going through my head. I love fashion and I love music and I feel runway shows always have the best music. My favorite has to be from the GUCCI 2016 Spring/Summer collection. I could listen to it all day. Sorry for the randomness. Have a wonderful day!

[@varchasvimahajan8273]

Favourite channel for the year 2021: yours.

[@AnaLuiza-jm2ir]

THIS WAS SO HELPFUL!!!! I'm on my way to fashion school and your videos have been bringing me so much knowledge, i appreciate that

[@0608jeffrey]

Like you said, it mostly comes from personal experience. And it is true that I start to analyse films, arts, shows naturally by the desire to know more.

[@user-ig9ec6pt1k]

i love you bliss foster, thank you !

[@jonkailany333]

Hell yeah I sit and watch the entire video! This is good shit! 🤙🏼

[@bel9435]

nyfw just started and i watched this video to start making analysis about the collections, a coincidence is that i have to make an analysis for a my history class so thank u for the advices that not only apply for fashion also for life

[@manuelarusu5073]

speaking from my experience in art school, and also what works for me, just write down everything that goes through your head when you look at something; sit down, grab a pen and piece of paper, and spill your impressions - don't overthink too much; do some factual research, come back and see if your initial notes can be updated. Most importantly, know when it's time to also take a break from the subject - distance yourself from it for a little while, and come back later, your perspective will be so much more different, and usually I am always able to find a new way to look at my subject after this kind of break. And of course, talk to others about it and see if they can add anything new to your research. When it comes to art-related subjects analysis, it's best take an intuitive approach first, leave the facts for the later stage of the research; as fact-checking can often shape the way we approach something before we actually get to experience it. And as Bliss mentions, also know when it's time to stop :)

[@baydytr489]

hi, i am in a long journey on fashion even if i have liked it for long time i havent have the moment or context to be on it. Last year i have put all of me to understand most of it. But turns out this was the year. thanks to your videos i learn actual perspectives of fashion and not much of expectation of "garments of elite" like i was suposed to belive as the "actual correct garments". Having diferent perspectives has improved my learning and thoug that i have way less over looking o overthinking. Sadly i am stil not in a position to joing your patreon, hopfully soon. Overall, thaks. you put lots of work in what your doing, and last year and before i was slowly processing all. Im rewatching all after a lost focus for this industry and interest. but a big thank you (hopfully is well writen, i know more english for memes than books)

[@user-uw9ex6lc1t]

I actually needed this... thank you so much

[@Kinglystateof]

My process for research is done mostly through just collecting and storing away information concerning pop-culture tropes in different aspects of literature as well as art and music and storing those obscure themes in my memory bank because they usually come up in forms on the main stream to wear when somebody comes up with an idea it’s not new to me because I probably previously found the original reference prior to actually watching or listening to the art in question prime example Beyoncé 60s revival in her music video get anybody was a complete parity of a dance sequence from the movie sweet Charity from the 1960s so her art is referential but because nobody had seen sweet charity as far as the demographic that she was appealing to the idea seems completely new so I guess I’m just an informational hoarder

[@FlernMode-oj9rq]

I love ski pants been on this wave for a min. Go thrift some ski pants. Sessions pants are always at my thrift stores and those are pretty dope too. Their jackets are high quality as well

[@noeliaurquizo4620]

I'm trying to keep doing my thesis but your videos are soooo interesting I always fantasize about creating clothes and this is so interesting :3

[@iantrowell9123]

Thanks again for a considered and flawlessly presented video. There's a quote from art/visual theorist Julian Stallabrass about how art criticism analysis can quickly become a game of spotting something (or some part of something) that looks like something else. It gets to be that this game of "i-spy a reference" is enough, and loses its critical functionality. Artists like Jeff Wall, or the discussion of his work, can fall victim to this, as he lays clues as to what influences from fine art inform his cinematic photography. There's a scramble for solving the rebus. In fashion, Raf's work is prone to this, as he (via Peter de Potter in particular) trawls subcultural and countercultural moments and motifs. Is it enough to just tick them all off? I'd say that there are connotations and auras drawn across when something is referenced, not just denotations. You hit this with your work discussing Raf's use of Christiane F. Also, it's informative to look at how the effect/affect is structured and achieved in the source domain (art, film, architecture, etc) and how it might work in the target domain (fashion). Philosopher Felix Guattari introduced the idea of the transversal - how two different closed systems of signs can relate to each other. It's worth chipping away with. I have tried it with Raf's work. It's grueling but rewarding. Sorry, long rambling comment!!

[@katiewentworth3909]

This is wonderful, thank you for this!

[@BB-su1lb]

You have a great many people following you (199,000, according to the statistics above on this page), I don't know whether you're able to follow all the comments. I just started watching your videos last night. I enjoy choosing and wearing clothes (and seeing what other people choose to wear and hearing what they say about it) and I have a job teaching philosophy at a university in the US. I appreciate the intelligence of your videos. This one in particular is such a relatable (and accurate) account of what it is to analyze something that I'm considering sharing it with the students to whom I'm trying to teach some of the lessons you convey. I guess I worry they're too tuned out for it to help, but if the world were just *a little bit* better it would and certainly should. Great stuff. - And now I'm going back to watching some more of your videos (lots of tabs open). Next up for me is how to know everything about Margiela (even though I don't wear much Margiela).

[@BlissFoster]

Welcome in! I definitely read all the comments and I’m so happy you’re here 🦾 I’m excited to hear your thoughts as you work through the videos. Philosophy was always a subject I was deeply interested in. Looking forward to hearing from ya 🦾

[@BB-su1lb]

@@BlissFoster I’ll share my thoughts!

[@inkarlcerating]

so true! how hard is it to find shownotes! Lately I have been more and more inclined to look and watch old collections by Ann D, Margiela , Rick , yohji. Is it a sign that of getting old, of avoiding the new stuff? Personally I think nostalgia and perceiving past events as valuable has always been a habit of me. I am determined to know more “NOW “designers because I know there’s a lot to know and learn. Thanks for this video again, Bliss! and i have 29++ tabs opened all the time lol

[@tyylxr]

I’m always coming back to this video so firstly thanks for this video - was just wondering if there is an update to this video where you explore new ideas/ texts/ ways of analysing fashion(and art) ?? Once again thank you Bliss for always inspiring 🤞🏽💫

[@sariahmarier42]

15:25 We appreciate you too, Bliss.

[@isabelteles476]

This motivated me so much

[@zaidithfang1177]

Even if you have no point of reference for your first experience with a type of art, the more you can stick through spending time with art in the same field, the more you will develop a language of understanding. After a time, you’d be able to go back to that original work and really understand the language of the art form

[@leylamutiu5408]

Watching your videos of independent fashion journalism makes me realize how far from any type of analysis most fashion magazines are. It's satisfying to find out there is an intellectual side to fashion shows. It must also feel very frustrating for designers to have pics of their shows cropped and placed randomly on pages next to a drink, a sandal and a candle, along the title "neutrals are back!". On the analysis piece, I'm a pol sci graduate and worked for a while as a peacekeeping intelligence officer on politics, security and economy. My analysis starts with stopping the research (you're right, this step is often ignored), taking a break and then coming back to look at the info by taking a step or 10 back and parsing through the info at hand: what's relevant? What's noise? What's the narrative? What's the easiest and most logical explanation for it? What are the motivations of those involved? What am I still missing? And then park those questions for later, often enough something will reach me and the dots will connect eventually. Anyway, great video, and I have to say it: trompe l'oeil is not pronounced "trump lowell" :) it's "trohmp luh-y".

[@BlissFoster]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊 and thanks so much for the kind words. I truly feel there’s a great deal of quality art in fashion, I’m doing my best to highlight that. Thanks for watching, Leyla 💫💫

[@hennesey5928]

Thanks for great content bliss

[@hemikaislam3303]

Thanks for this one Bliss 😄

[@danielchequer5842]

The day I decide I'm not going to sleep listening to dark souls content this guy comes in and talks about dark souls

[@BlissFoster]

Hell yea. EpicNameBro?

[@danielchequer5842]

@@BlissFoster I'm more of a Hawkshaw guy

[@danielchequer5842]

@@BlissFoster great channel btw, I'vee beeing binge watching for hours at this point, already shared it with my friends. I'm not even into fashion but yout insights are great!

[@BlissFoster]

I really appreciate that, Daniel 🦾 means a lot

[@leorarochelletobias5815]

I think your gift is intuitive

[@Lepord257]

Granted, most of what I like to do is media analysis and not fashion, but my favorite way to examine a thing is to look at the historical context. Like, I wrote a paper on Sin City last year and I went back through all the old noirs and pulps the comic was drawing on and the state of the comics code at time of writing and the reviews of the movie and the sequel and that gave me a really good understanding of why it was written the way it was and why it could only have come out of the time period that it did. A fashion equivalent might be taking note of what decade/time period is inspiring a collection and then doing research into what that time period was like, why those styles arose in the first place, and then seeing if you can relate those things to current events and the things the collection emphasizes, emphasizes, and subverts

[@gudrunb.530]

I would really love an in depth analysis of your family home!