Fashioning socialism : clothing, politics, and consumer culture in East Germany

Fashioning Socialism is the first history of communist fashion in East Germany. Using clothing as a lens to read society, the author unveils wider tensions between the regime and the population and within the regime itself.In telling the surprising - and often bizarre - story of communist haute couture, fashion shows, seasonal clearance sales, the textile and garment industries, and everyday consumer practices, this book explores the paradoxical causes, forms, and consequences of East Germany’s attempt to create a communist consumer culture during the Cold War. In attempting to compete with capitalism on the West’s terms, East Germany unwittingly bred disgruntled consumers - consumers who ultimately tore down the Wall. Topics covered include gender and consumption, Americanization and Sovietization, women as consumer-citizens, and much more.A rare glimpse into consumerism under state socialism, this book offers unique insights into the Cold War, the dynamics and collapse of communism, and modern consumption. Fashioning Socialism Is The First History Of Communist Fashion In East Germany. Using Clothing As A Lens To Read Society, The Author Unveils Wider Tensions Between The Regime And The Population And Within The Regime Itself. In Telling The Surprising - And Often Bizarre - Story Of Communist Haute Couture, Fashion Shows, Seasonal Clearance Sales, The Textile And Garment Industries, And Everyday Consumer Practices, This Book Explores The Paradoxical Causes, Forms, And Consequences Of East Germany's Attempt To Create A Communist Consumer Culture During The Cold War. In Attempting To Compete With Capitalism On The West's Terms, East Germany Unwittingly Bred Disgruntled Consumers - Consumers Who Ultimately Tore Down The Wall. Topics Covered Include Gender And Consumption, Americanization And Sovietization, Women As Consumer-citizens, And Much More.--jacket. Ideologies And Politics Of Consumption -- The Logic And Contingencies Of Planning, Producing, And Distributing -- From New Out Of Old To Socialist Fashion : Patching Together An Alternative Consumer Culture -- Economies Of Value And Politics Of Price -- The Embarrassment Of Surpluses -- The Disillusionment Of Dreams Of Distinction : Hochmodisch Apparel, Fashion Boutiques, And Exquisit Stores -- Shopping, Sewing, Networking, Complaining : Consumer Practices And The Relationship Between State And Society. Judd Stitziel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 232-248) And Index.

This is the first history of communist fashion in East Germany. Using clothing as a lens to read society, the author unveils wider tensions between the regime and the population and within the regime itself. In telling the surprising—and often bizarre—story of communist haute couture, fashion shows, seasonal clearance sales, the textile and garment industries, and everyday consumer practices, this book explores the paradoxical causes, forms, and consequences of East Germany's attempt to create a communist consumer culture during the Cold War. In attempting to compete with capitalism on the West's terms, East Germany unwittingly bred disgruntled consumers—consumers who ultimately tore down the Wall.

List of Illustrations Contents Acknowledgments x Introduction 1 1 Ideologies and Politics of Consumption 13 2 The Logic and Contingencies of Planning, Producing, and Distributing 27 3 From “New Out of Old” to “Socialist Fashion”: Patching Together an Alternative Consumer Culture 49 4 Economies of Value and Politics of Price 78 5 The Embarrassment of Surpluses 94 6 The Disillusionment of Dreams of Distinction: Hochmodisch Apparel, Fashion Boutiques, and Exquisit Stores 119 7 Shopping, Sewing, Networking, Complaining: Consumer Practices and the Relationship between State and Society 144 Epilogue 166 Notes 170 List ofAbbreviations 229 Select Bibliography 232 Index 249 Stitziel examines the story of communist haute couture, fashion shows, seasonal clearance sales, the textile and garment industries, and everyday consumer practices, exploring the paradoxical causes, forms, and consequences of East Germany's attempt to create a communist consumer culture during the Cold War