About this Course
Clothing is not only a personal choice, it is a visual language that connects us to others and defines our place in the world. This course explores how fashion functions as a powerful tool for self-expression and a catalyst for community building. MoMA invites you to hear directly from the designers, activists, and photographers who use clothing to tell stories and challenge social norms. You will explore the history of "borrowing" and remaking styles, shifting your perspective from seeing fashion as a commercial product to seeing it as a living cultural archive. You’ll gain the fluency to decode the social signals of style and understand the profound impact of the clothes that make us stand out and belong
What You'll Learn
- Explore how clothing expresses personal and social identity
- Analyze subcultures' use of style for belonging and resistance
- Engage in activities to understand fashion as individual and community expression
Prerequisites
- Basic computer and internet skills
- Ability to read instructions and complete short activities in English
Instructors
Rachael Schwabe
Learning and Engagement
Paola Antonelli
Senior Curator, Department of Architecture & Design, and Director, Department of Research & Development