Crafting symbolic value: art, craft and independent fashion

It has been suggested that independent fashion exists at the intersection of 'art, craft and fashion' implying that both its identity and its value emerge directly from its connection with these adjacent cultural fields. But what are the precise circumstances under which independent fashion 'intersects' with the art and craft sectors and how exactly is symbolic value negotiated along cultural value chains? This article uses a case study approach to examine interactions between the independent fashion sector and arts institutions. Three exhibitions are provided as case studies, and were selected for analysis on the basis of their shared links between art, craft, and fashion design as forms of visual culture and personal expression. Findings suggest that arts institutions and curators play an essential role in validating the cultural value of independent fashion in ways that help distinguish independent fashion from the anonymity of industrially produced garments and establish the independent fashion sector as a vital player in the creative industries. However, as the paper also shows, the mechanisms through which fashion comes to be exhibited in galleries relies on complex set of social and professional interactions.