Abstract

This study highlights and explores how Canada’s multicultural policy influences the relationship between fashion and identity of racialized diaspora communities in Canada. It focuses on traditional dress and/or the Hijab, a religious dress among diaspora communities in Canada. However, the study demonstrates that consumption of these items among immigrants varies, with some immigrant communities displaying stronger ethnic identity than others. The consumption of these goods shapes one’s ethnic or religious identity. The two theoretical approaches shed insights on the complex relationship between ethnic fashion/dress, religious dress and ethnic identity. The study concludes that although symbols of ethnic identity such as ethnic fashion and/or religious dress are increasingly being contested due to political ideology, they have served members of their respective diasporic communities quite well in that they have allowed them to display and celebrate their identity, and thus produce a particular theme of their identity within Canadian multiculturalism. Key words: Fashion, ethnic dress/clothing, veil/religious dress, immigrants and diaspora.

Highlights

  • Research objectives This MRP seeks to highlight the role of ethnic fashion, traditional dress and religious dress among diaspora communities in Canada

  • Justification of the study/statement of relevance From a settlement studies perspective, exploring these questions will help me to understand the relationship between ethnic fashion/dress, religious clothing and identity among diaspora communities, and how they integrate in Canadian society

  • This study has shown that ordinary culture, like ethnic dress/fashion among the diaspora communities, represents people’s social experience and identity

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Summary

Ethnic identity and dress

Hansen (2004) defines ethnic identity as the “shared identity of a group of people based on a common historical background, ancestry and knowledge of identifying symbolic elements such as nationality, religious affiliation and language” (p.521). Such ethnic clothing/dress are a form of symbolic interaction, a sort of silent language that allows individuals to tell others who they are and learn about them. This study investigates the consumption of ethnic apparel and religious dress such as the veil/hijab as they can be used to shape an individual’s identity (Kawamara, 2004; Roach-Higgins & Eicher, 1992). This study highlights the role of fashion, traditional dress or religious dress among immigrant diaspora communities in Canada

Research objectives
Selection criteria of the studies reviewed
Research methodology
Research questions
Justification of the study/statement of relevance
Theoretical approaches
Media The media also plays a major role in propagating consumer culture
Historical context In South
Review layout
Ethnic dress among African immigrants
Summary of the literature on ethnic dress/fashion/clothing
Chapter Four – Focus of Study
History and Origin of Veiling
Hijab and sense of Community Hoodfar (2003) found that among Muslim students in
Post 9/11 Unfortunately, after 9/11, many in the
The veil/hijab as protective attire against unwanted male gaze
Non-veiling by some
Summary of the literature on the hijab and religious clothing
Other Observations
Future research and questions
Content Analysis
Literature review and definition of fashion
Literature review
Full Text
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