• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.56 no.5 s.104
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• pp.89-104
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to explain how a power group in a society forms features of sexuality in dress. As for the research methodology, first, historical research was undertaken to study in socioeconomic context in which sexuality has been formed and transformed. Second, demonstrative studies on sexual-image styles were undertaken through the analysis of pictures and photos. Third, analysis of the relationship between the power and sexuality in dress was done by literature research. Masculinity in dress, such as simplicity and concealment, corresponds to the attributes of the viewer, and femininity in dress, such as decoration and exposure, corresponds to the attributes of the viewee. Power struggle is the complex process of forming of the viewer-viewee relationship. The one who grasps the power becomes the viewer. In the shift from the Industrial Society to the Information and Technology Society, powers are horizontally spread over the society and the stereotype of sexuality in both women's and men's dress is fading out. In the field of design, standards and certainty described by absolute power are losing their importance. The 'chaotic' view of a world filled with mutual exchange of masculinity and femininity and uncertainty of sexuality will be sure to be a dominant trend in fashion.