About
Fashioning the Self in Slavery and Freedom predominately explores the intersections between slavery and fashion. This digital humanities project is also an entry point for exploring larger questions of race, identity, and equity. As enslaved people did not have access to many forms of self-expression, their sartorial ingenuity is of particular consequence. There is a great need to study and disseminate information on the importance of fashion to enslaved peoples, especially considering that the relationship between dress and enslavement intersects with present-day identities of people of African descent. Because of this past and present significance, Fashioning the Self presents original content, articles, archival images, and videos with explanatory captions on social media platforms. Thousands of followers have joined this successful virtual community, including academics, curators, costume designers, artists, and laypersons, all interested in learning more about this intersection between slavery and fashion. Beyond its curated social media posts, Fashioning the Self provides a forum and laboratory for scholars to explore their identities through creative expression and critical reflections. These online conversations are expanded through the development of limited-run zines, exhibitions, conferences, and speaking engagements.
Jonathan Michael Square
is a writer and historian specializing in fashion and visual culture of the African Diaspora. He has a PhD in history from New York University, a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. from Cornell University. He has taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, and currently at Harvard University. He has written for Fashionista, Fashion Studies Journal, Refinery29, Vestoj, Hyperallergic, British Art Studies, and International Journal of Fashion Studies. A proponent in the power of social media as a platform for radical pedagogy, he founded and runs the digital humanities project Fashioning the Self in Slavery and Freedom, which explores the intersection of fashion and slavery. Visit his website here.