The issue 03 of 4A Journal will be dedicated to exploring the synergy between cultural heritage and fashion, aimed at investigating the new forms of territorial, architectural, artistic, and social enhancement generated by the interaction of these two design dimensions. Fashion and cultural heritage constitute the expression of an “artistic genius” transmitted through time via the manifestation of symbolic and formal values. The establishment of a dialogue between these two identities has led to various forms of exchange of aesthetic codes. On one hand, fashion houses find in their relationship with heritage the definition of an identity linked to the manifestations of great beauty in the territories; on the other hand, brand involvement provides the necessary financial resources for conservation and management of cultural heritage. Over the past two decades, the number of performative and communicative experiences uniting the fashion world with the image of historical and architectural cultural heritage has proliferated. Fashion houses increasingly seek aesthetic and symbolic links to places of great allure and significance, incorporating them into advertising campaigns, photo shoots, and runway shows, which become high-profile media events. These are complex operations that, going beyond mere commercial aims, can establish logic for the exchange of semantic value, involving ephemeral and exhibition design practices as a structural medium.
Each of these experiences—falling within the broad areas of aesthetic/semiotic, economic/institutional, and design—though not without contradictions and conflicts, contributes to the creation of a communication of mutual enhancement. At the same time, fashion has firmly established its role as both a social expression and a form of art. Its cultural value is well-documented and supported by narratives tied to archives and foundations, institutions dedicated to the preservation and transmission of the brand’s historical heritage, often in connection with buildings and significant sites, which themselves hold artistic and architectural relevance.
Building on these reflections, the call for contributions for the next issue of 4A Journal aims to collect submissions in the form of:
Each of these experiences—falling within the broad areas of aesthetic/semiotic, economic/institutional, and design—though not without contradictions and conflicts, contributes to the creation of a communication of mutual enhancement. At the same time, fashion has firmly established its role as both a social expression and a form of art. Its cultural value is well-documented and supported by narratives tied to archives and foundations, institutions dedicated to the preservation and transmission of the brand’s historical heritage, often in connection with buildings and significant sites, which themselves hold artistic and architectural relevance.
Building on these reflections, the call for contributions for the next issue of 4A Journal aims to collect submissions in the form of:
− Critical/theoretical reflections focused on the analysis and deepening of the relationship between fashion and heritage, including insights from other disciplines and divergent
perspectives.
− Design experiences involving the interaction between the forms of fashion and artistic, architectural, and landscape heritage, contributing to the definition of the modes and paradigms for the exchange of values and meanings.
Among the possible (but not exclusive) thematic areas:
• Mechanisms and experiences of fashion companies’ involvement in the preservation, enhancement, and promotion of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
• Formal exchange relationships between fashion and other arts (graphic arts, sculpture, theater, music, etc.).
• Fashion display systems (museums, exhibitions, events, brand spaces, etc.).
• Fashion as cultural heritage: archives and foundations.
• Formal and legal mechanisms for defining a reference system in the relationship between public
heritage and private events.
The call is open to anyone who has conducted research related to the theme in the academic, professional, or personal research field, regardless of the disciplinary or scientific area of reference.
For the first phase of selection, we kindly ask you to submit via email by March 31, 2025, to the address redazione.4ajournal@gmail.com a file in .doc or .docx format containing:
− Author’s full name
− Affiliation (if applicable)
− Email address and phone contact
− Title (max. 30 characters, including spaces)
− Optional subtitle (max. 100 characters, including spaces)
− Abstract (max. 1,900 characters, including spaces. No footnotes.Bibliography excluded from character count, up to a maximum of 5 references)
− 1 image (optional)