14 research outputs found
Instagram versus reality: the design and use of self-curated photo elicitation in a study exploring the construction of Scottish identity amongst personal style influencers on Instagram.
Get PDFThis paper evaluates the use of self-curated photo elicitation as a new method for exploring self-identity by reflecting on its design and use in a study of Scottish identity. The approach builds on the work of others in the fields of visual analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants were style influencers who were asked to select and discuss a sample of their own Instagram posts that they felt represented their Scottish identity. The approach enabled deep and meaningful engagement with research participants and encouraged further revelations through asking them to reflect on how they went about choosing their posts. Participants spoke passionately and at length about the story behind these and began to understand more about themselves in doing so. Recommendations are made as to how self-curated photo elicitation could be used in future. It is proposed that this method is particularly adaptable to IPA research and studies of self-identity
Augmenting sustainable fashion on Instagram.
Get PDFMedia discourse surrounding fashion and sustainability tends to be negative, emphasising the problems that exist across the various stages of the lifecycle of a garment. Although consumers are increasingly aware of at least some of the issues surrounding fashion and the environment, research suggests that the scale and complexity of the problem causes them to feel detached and uncertain about how to adapt their own behaviour in response. This research positions Instagram as a digital media platform through which sustainable fashion is communicated and experienced through augmented fashion content. Instagram is recognised for its significant impact on visual culture, particularly within aesthetic sectors such as fashion. Recent research reveals that users have begun engaging in more serious subjects and debates on Instagram, including political, social and environmental issues. This has brought about opportunities for new voices who are championing sustainable fashion in a variety of manifestations. An open qualitative analysis was carried out using the hashtag #SustainableFashion to uncover themes relating to the types of content, stakeholders and mechanisms that are being used to augment sustainable fashion on Instagram. The findings reveal a positive community of content creators - including vintage enthusiasts, designers, makers and brands - who are using the hashtag regularly to share proactive content in the form of specific, targeted messages around sustainable fashion solutions. The aim was to uncover the discussions that are taking place right now and to provide grounding for future work in this area
Scottish fashion influencers: constructing a style identity on Instagram.
Get PDFThis article builds on existing theories of self-presentation and self-identity through a study into the behaviour of fashion influencers who position themselves as Scottish on Instagram. Fourteen interviews were carried out with Scottish fashion influencers who were asked to reflect on their online identity. The interaction between the offline and online self is explored, where national identity and a sense of place are recognised as important attributes of self identity in an offline setting and participants were sampled on the basis that they were projecting this as a key component of their online self. All were found to be seeking to convey an ideal identity on Instagram; this involved curating particular aspects of their offline style and showcasing these online. The issue of authenticity was complex and a spectrum of identity evolution on Instagram is observed and reflected on. The most career-minded participants tended to portray themselves in a more one-sided manner and were most strongly influenced by a sense of their audience. In contrast, the participants who were less career minded tended to explore more freely with their online self and were influenced most strongly by internal factors
Purposive and non-purposive information behaviour on Instagram.
Get PDFUser information behaviour on Instagram was explored via 274 responses to an online survey. Instagram is recognised as a powerful visual platform and consistently reports high engagement statistics across its variety of users. Research on Instagram to date has focussed on marketing communications theory, in particular its production of influencers as a new type of celebrity and source. The authors undertook an exploratory study to examine user interaction with the platform from the perspective of information behaviour research. The survey sought data relating to the rich body of information behaviour theory, particularly in relation to the needs or motivations underpinning information seeking, preferred sources of information and criteria for their evaluation, trust of Instagram creators and purposive and non-purposive engagement with information. An evolutionary model of information behaviour on Instagram is proposed, which draws on previous studies of information behaviour. The credibility of information on Instagram was a key theme in the survey findings, with respondents varying in the degree to which they trusted information on the platform and adopting complex, time-consuming and sometimes conflicting strategies to fact check where they felt reliability was important; future research exploring this further is recommended, to help understand the role and motivations of the information seeker in this process. The research also reveals a heightened blurring in comprehension surrounding the concepts of information and opinion amongst users and academics
Augmenting sustainable fashion on Instagram. [Presentation]
Get PDFMedia discourse surrounding fashion and sustainability tends to be negative, emphasising the problems that exist across the various stages of the lifecycle of a garment. Although consumers are increasingly aware of at least some of the issues with fashion and the environment, research suggests that the scale and complexity of the problem causes them to feel detached and uncertain about how to adapt their own behaviour in response. The proposed paper positions Instagram as a digital media platform and virtual stage through which sustainable fashion is communicated and experienced through augmented fashion content. Instagram is recognised for its impact on visual culture, particularly within aesthetic sectors like fashion. Its significance has heightened further throughout the pandemic where the boundaries between online and offline have blurred in terms of what is "real". Recent research by the proposer reveals that users have begun engaging in more "serious" subjects and debates on Instagram, including political, social and environmental issues. This has brought about opportunities for new voices who are championing sustainable fashion in its variety of manifestations
Exploring contemporary illustrations of Scottish identity through a study of Scottish fashion influencers on Instagram.
Get PDFThis paper explores the construction of Scottish identity and place amongst fashion and style influencers on Instagram. Existing research and information surrounding the Scottish fashion industry is sparse and focused on traditional textiles, such as tartan and tweed. Style influencers have revolutionised the fashion industry and it is argued that, by identifying as Scottish or Scotland-based on Instagram, these individuals are shaping perceptions of Scottish identity and place, acting as contemporary cultural icons. The study consists of 14 interviews, where participants were also asked to provide a selection of posts that they felt demonstrated their identity as a Scottish fashion influencer. Participants expressed pride in their Scottish identity and surroundings; this was revealed through their desire to promote Scottish designers and destinations. They did not see tartan as a feature of their own style but recognised its value in Scotland's fashion story. People and place-related symbols were regarded as more authentic representations of Scottish identity and style. This research contributes to the field of Scottish studies by presenting contemporary illustrations of Scottish fashion through the influencers who are shaping these
Scottish style: the construction of Scottish identity amongst fashion and style influencers on Instagram.
Get PDFResearch into Scottish fashion is a developing field; existing studies have tended to focus on the production of iconic textiles such as tartan, tweed and cashmere. The aim of this thesis was to explore the construction of national identity and place amongst style influencers who position themselves as Scottish or Scotland- based on Instagram. It is argued that their experiences and output help build an understanding of modern Scotland in a new and unexplored context. Scotland represents an interesting case as a stateless nation with a rich heritage and distinctive iconography. However, literature in the field of Scottish identity suggests that the Scottish mythology is so strong that it is difficult to establish a more contemporary vision of the nation and its people. The findings suggest that the Highland vision of Scotland as a tranquil place in which to escape city life is still strong but that material symbols such as tartan are not sufficient in conveying contemporary Scottish style. The fashion industry in Scotland is growing and this is evidenced by the wealth of SMEs in the sector, predominantly in design, retail and events. However, London, in its close proximity to Scotland, is still regarded as the epicentre for UK fashion and media. Scottish style influencers play a key role in promoting fashion as well as conveying a contemporary vision of Scotland. Participant influencers were passionate in their promotion of Scotland as a destination and Scottish fashion brands. Qualitative data from interviews with Scottish style influencers revealed that Scottish identity was important and influential in online and offline settings. Participants regarded Scottish identity as a positive attribute and something they could use to help them stand out in the increasingly crowded realm of style influencers on Instagram. A sense of belonging to Scotland was most strongly concerned with attachment to a place and this was influenced most powerfully by personal memories; Instagram enabled participants to record and relive these memories. A novel photo interview approach generated imagery and ideas including: use of historic settings and landscapes as a backdrop for outfit posts; preference for autumn and winter styles; promotion of an outdoor lifestyle; production of a relatable and down-to-earth personality; and a relationship between place, mood and personal style
Scottish style: the construction of national identity and place amongst Scottish fashion influencers on Instagram.
Get PDFThis paper explores the phenomenon of personal style as an expression of national identity by investigating the construction of Scottish identity amongst fashion influencers on Instagram. Instagram is recognised as an example of visual media that has been embraced by the fashion industry and one that lends itself to the communication of place. The paper adopts a novel photo-interview approach, building on the work of others in the fields of visual analysis and qualitative research. Participant influencers were asked to select and discuss a sample of their own Instagram posts that they felt represented their identity as a Scottish fashion influencer. These posts were subject to further interpretation and new meanings around Scottish identity and fashion were uncovered, including: the use of historic settings and landscapes as a backdrop for outfit posts, expanding the traditional definition of street style; a preference for autumn-winter styles; and a relationship between belonging to a place and personal style. Scottish identity was important to the participants in this study and something they felt made them stand out within the increasingly crowded realm of fashion influencers online
The lifecycle of a social media beauty trend: a case study of the Instagram body. [Article]
Get PDFThis article explores the evolution of the Instagram body as an example of a social media beauty trend and theorises an updated lifecycle model to convey this phenomenon. The advent and evolution of social media has led to an online beauty culture and ecosystem, with new influential creators, and consumers driving trends and standards in online spaces. Lifecycle models exist across a range of contexts, with the fashion lifecycle being the most relevant to the current study. However, these models have not been adapted to reflect the phenomenon of social media and the current study aims to address that gap. The current research consists of a qualitative case study of the Instagram body as an example of a social media beauty trend. Interviews were carried out with influential stakeholders (fitness professionals, content creators and a cosmetic surgeon) who could observe and provide insights into changing behaviour and beauty ideals. Archival data were collected through an analysis of song lyrics and music videos to underpin the timing of specific stages in the lifecycle. A six-stage life-cycle model is proposed, consisting of emergence, mainstreaming, normalisation/peak, criticism/fatigue, discard and retrospective phases. Themes around gender disparity in the production and consumption of contemporary beauty trends were uncovered, providing direction for future research in this area. This research has implications for future research in body image, fashion, media and cultural studies
Augmenting Sustainable Fashion on Instagram
No full textMedia discourse surrounding fashion and sustainability tends to be negative, emphasising the problems that exist across the various stages of the lifecycle of a garment. Although consumers are increasingly aware of at least some of the issues surrounding fashion and the environment, research suggests that the scale and complexity of the problem causes them to feel detached and uncertain about how to adapt their own behaviour in response. This research positions Instagram as a digital media platform through which sustainable fashion is communicated and experienced through augmented fashion content. Instagram is recognised for its significant impact on visual culture, particularly within aesthetic sectors such as fashion. Recent research reveals that users have begun engaging in more serious subjects and debates on Instagram, including political, social, and environmental issues. This has brought about opportunities for new voices who are championing sustainable fashion in its variety of manifestations. An open qualitative analysis was carried out using the hashtag #SustainableFashion to uncover themes relating to the types of content, stakeholders, and mechanisms that are being used to augment sustainable fashion on Instagram. The findings reveal a positive community of content creators—including vintage enthusiasts, designers, makers and brands—who are using the hashtag regularly to share proactive content in the form of specific, targeted messages around sustainable fashion solutions. The aim was to uncover the discussions that are taking place right now and provide grounding for future work in this area
