University of East London

School of Arts & Creative Industries

Final Project: Research and Development

PA6022: CW2 Project Proposal

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSIC & FASHION

Academic Year: 3 (Level 6) 

Name: My Hoan Nguyen 

Student Number: u2084204

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Project Proposal Title: Relationship between music and fashion.

Rationale

Research on the interaction between music and fashion with common ideological and commercial objectives through different formats such as cinema, music videos, fashion show or military parade. From its origins till nowadays, as well as its evolution through time, and the techniques of viewer manipulation or transmission of ideas, implicit in all forms of communication. In my experience as a singer on big stages, fashion has always been present, being an important part of the performance. That is why I have always been aware of the importance of clothing in the music world when transmitting an idea. As in other types of audio-visual creations, image and sound are strongly linked to enhance the message and its success depends on how strong that union is. I would like to research this topic to see the influence of music on fashion and vice versa. As well as the impact that these have on our popular culture. They have marked times in such a way that they become a sound and visual reference in human history.

Contents

1. Aims and Objectives                    

2. Methodology                                 

3. Literature survey                          

4. Scope and constraints                 

5. Impact                                          

6. Resources                                    

7. Timetable                                     

8. Reference list / Bibliography    

1. Aims and Objective

Aims:

To investigate the connection between music and fashion across the different platforms and techniques used to highlight a concept and transmit a message.

Objectives:

•   To research the music industry and different music genres with their own fans and cultural movements.
•    To research the music from different parts of the world and their connection to the way of dressing from each country.
•   To research the film industry and the ideas behind those movies to choose the clothes and music.
•   To research the fashion industry and fashion shows to discover their inspiration models.

•   To research the human history following the evolution of clothing and music to be able to find a common point of creativity and origin for each change and inspirational moment.

•   To produce a list of common techniques used to send a message to different audience.

•   To analyse the marketing techniques to make people think what you want.

•   To demonstrate these concepts by explaining a range of different industry approaches.

•   To achieve a conclusion where a simple explanation unifies these creative businesses in one logical and comprehensive answer for everybody.

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2. Methodology

Using academic writings from the internet, YouTube videos and other writings with similar studies to the one I want to develop.

I will make my research on fashion-based sites but just using those music related documents as this investigation is seated within the field of music.

Starting from a big perspective and getting deeper while the topics develop organically. Trying to not get too far from the main topic even if sometimes it will be necessary to have some answers.

My process of gathering data will be with first research of existing data that has already been produced. After that I will use some subtopics from there and others that will arise in my mind to make a new gathering of data that has not been collected before about the main topic.

Making some first research with the main title “relationship between music and fashion” or influence between these two and identifying those interesting topics to continue searching further more.

I also wrote down conclusions and ideas as a draft that came to my mind after reading and watching videos on YouTube with topics related, creating my own point of view or a elaborated explanation for a desire conclusion. 

3. Literature Survey

Hai Yan Guo (2015). About the fashion show music, Wuhan Univertsity of textile clothing school of Hubei Wuhan.

This text connects music with fashion show linking the ideas from the designer to the characteristics of the music to enhance the meaning of the message.

It contains different sections such as: The rhythm style changes, The connotation of melody and The performance of the tone color.

Sinnreich, A. and Gluck, M. (2005). Music & Fashion: The Balancing Act Between Creativity and Control. USC Annenberg, The Norman Lear Center. The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising / FIDM.

This text explains and compares the music and fashion world in many different aspects.

UKEssays. (2018). How music influences the fashion industry. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/cultural-studies/how-music-influences-fashion-cultural-studies-essay.php?vref=1

This research revisits the evolution and history of music and cultural backgrounds, outline various types of music, examine the prominent debates relating to music and fashion, and enumerate various fashion trends in each type of music. The research will further introduce and examine various fashion designers, musicians, and photographers who have influenced fashion through their careers particularly music.

Reese, R.R. (2016). Music & Fashion: Intertwined Throughout the Ages. Retrieved from https://vocal.media/beat/music-and-fashion-intertwined-throughout-the-ages

This text exemplified how well fashion became reflective of music trends and how music was affected by fashion during different decades.

Dorling Kindersley (2012). Fashion, The Definitive History of Costume and Style. Smithsonian

This book is a bast research of information about the evolution of clothing through the human history.

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4. Scope and constraints

1. In order to not get lost in a sea of ​​diverse topics related to the music and fashion industry, I will restrict my research to the relevant topics that concern the influence that they have exerted on each other and in turn on society and vice versa.

2. For the moment I have limited my research to the internet, but in the future, I will continue through the University library if the Covid restrictions allow me.

3. Now I have a part-time job at Shushi Express to be able to pay my studies, I live far away, and I have poor internet connection, these affect the time I have to do my works for the university.

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5. Impact

This project involves many different ethical considerations because the music and fashion industries are two of the biggest business in this world, affecting many different aspects of our lives, sometimes even more than we think. And that is one of my main ideas for this research.

To be able to focus my research as I mentioned before, I will restrict my topics. So even if I mention some economic, ecological, political, or ethical perspective on the problem, I will try to define into the issue I want to get deep.

For instance, even if I discovered that the fast clothing is one of the biggest industries and one of the first problems that we have for our environment because of the pollution in production and residues, and this could be treated from an economic or ecological perspective, I prefer to treat it from a social perspective and see how this affects society or how society is pushed to this practice or discouraging future. Making those kinds of decisions to redirect the way and focus on my main topic.

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6. Resources

To continue with this project, I will need access to the university library to complete my research as I mentioned before.

In case that any Covid restriction is applied once again, I will have to continue my research online.

And because another lockdown it would not be a new situation or something unexpected, with the help of the teachers and colleagues through online media, I will be able to make this work without having a big effect on my marks.

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7. Timetable

January 4th -31st 2022

Research more about Fashion music scene. Building song structure and creating samples

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February 1st -28th 2022

Changing instruments and developing electronic sounds. Creating melodies for all tracks and finding chords and exploring different sounds.

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March 1st – 31st 2022

Making Writing. Come up with vocal lyrics on top of the tracks. Putting melodies and the sample together by following my song structures. Rehearsal singing.

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April 5th - 30th 2022

Listen my song.  Mix and Master track. Recording and create my ep cover.

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May 3th 2022

Submission of my work

8. Reference list / Bibliography

Dorling Kindersley (2012). Fashion, The Definitive History of Costume and Style. Smithsonian

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Hai Yan Guo (2015). About the fashion show music, Wuhan Univertsity of textile clothing school of Hubei Wuhan.

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Reese, R.R. (2016). Music & Fashion: Intertwined Throughout the Ages. Retrieved from https://vocal.media/beat/music-and-fashion-intertwined-throughout-the-ages

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Sinnreich, A. and Gluck, M. (2005). Music & Fashion: The Balancing Act Between Creativity and Control. USC Annenberg, The Norman Lear Center. The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising / FIDM.

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UKEssays. (2018). How music influences the fashion industry. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/cultural-studies/how-music-influences-fashion-cultural-studies-essay.php?vref=1