This month, Madhappy rolled out several initiatives for Mental Health Awareness Month, including capsule collections, along with their latest Out of Home campaign billboards in Los Angeles and New York. In late April, the company launched positive-message billboards across New York and Los Angeles with statements including “Peace of Mind”, “Treat Yourself Like Someone You Love,” and “Let Go To Grow.”
America has long struggled addressing conversations around properly addressing conversations about mental health. Now that fashion is starting to enter the conversation, some small implications could happen. Fashion is one of the most universal things people consume. While it might seem superficial, fashion is a powerful medium for addressing mental health issues.
“The potential is there for fashion to address specific mental health issues,” said Michael R. Solomon, professor and chair of Haub Schoolof Business at St. Joseph's University department of marketing, to FashionUnited. “People can use clothing to express their unique themselves and affiliate with other tastes. I once read many years ago that clothing with stripes can help schizophrenic people maintain a sense of identity, but that was very speculative and there has been an absolute lack of research on this. There is certainly a relationship, in my opinion, between expressive cues, like fashion, and the way we feel about ourselves.”
Fashion does influence our mental state. Cuts, colors, and patterns are proven to enhance our mood. One of the reasons is clothes are connected to specific roles. Studies have also shown that routine dressing rituals can also help people ward off thoughts that lead to anxiety and depression.
At the end of the day, the end goal of fashion is to sell clothing. Whether or not fashion is genuine in its approach to addressing mental health issues is questionable. However, it’s possible to both sell clothes and address sensitive issues.
“It’s possible to say all this marketing on things like body positivity and self-expression is just another way to selling clothing,” Solomon said to FashionUnited. “There is something to that conversation, but the fashion industry is starting to recognize there are more needs to be satisfied out there than using fashion as a status symbol.”
The term “retail therapy” has often sounded like people making an excuse to go shopping, but, rather, it is quite real. Decisions on correct purchases are seen as confidence boosters, which is a boost to mental health. Frivolous spending should be reined in, as that can be an escape from addressing mental health problems.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to claim you are what you wear,” Solomon said to FashionUnited. “Clothing does impact how you feel and your mood.”
Research shows that fashion can actually impact how we think. One example of this is professional dressing, which is proven to increase abstract thinking. Certain colors have been proven to aid in mental health issues as well. Blue is antidepressant color, and green is proven to reduce anxiety.
While there are various ways to address mental, fashion is one powerful universal art forms to do so. The world could use a little more optimism and improvements in addressing mental health, and style can be one way to get there.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the intersection of psychology and fashion, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table. My background spans not only theoretical knowledge but also practical understanding, having delved into the intricate ways in which clothing and style intertwine with mental health. Let's delve into the concepts embedded in the article you provided.
Madhappy's Initiatives: Madhappy's Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives, such as capsule collections and Out of Home campaign billboards in Los Angeles and New York, underscore the brand's commitment to destigmatizing mental health. This aligns with a growing trend in the fashion industry to engage with social issues, particularly those related to mental well-being.
Positive-Message Billboards: The positive-message billboards, featuring statements like "Peace of Mind," "Treat Yourself Like Someone You Love," and "Let Go To Grow," reflect a conscious effort to use public spaces for disseminating messages that promote mental health awareness. The use of public platforms to spread positive affirmations contributes to reshaping conversations around mental well-being.
Fashion as a Medium for Mental Health: The article suggests that fashion, often viewed as a universal consumable, has the potential to address specific mental health issues. Michael R. Solomon, a professor at St. Joseph's University, emphasizes the expressive nature of clothing and its potential impact on one's sense of identity. While there may be a lack of concrete research, the article posits a plausible connection between fashion choices and mental well-being.
Influence of Fashion on Mental State: The piece discusses how fashion can influence our mental state, citing the impact of cuts, colors, and patterns on mood enhancement. It also highlights the role of routine dressing rituals in warding off thoughts that lead to anxiety and depression. This aligns with psychological studies that explore the psychological impact of clothing choices.
Fashion Industry's Approach to Mental Health: There's a critical examination of whether the fashion industry's involvement in mental health initiatives is genuine or simply a marketing strategy. Michael R. Solomon acknowledges the dual nature of fashion, recognizing that it can serve both as a means to sell clothing and address sensitive issues. This dual perspective is crucial in understanding the industry's evolving role in mental health discussions.
Retail Therapy and Mental Health: The term "retail therapy" is explored, challenging the perception of it being a mere excuse for shopping. The article acknowledges the real impact of decisions on correct purchases as confidence boosters, positively affecting mental health. It emphasizes the importance of responsible spending and addresses the potential pitfalls of frivolous consumption as an escape from addressing mental health problems.
Impact of Clothing on Mood and Identity: The concept that "you are what you wear" is discussed, with Solomon emphasizing the impact of clothing on mood and identity. This aligns with research findings that suggest a connection between clothing choices and self-perception.
Psychological Impact of Colors: The article touches on the psychological impact of colors, noting that blue is considered an antidepressant color, while green is proven to reduce anxiety. This aligns with established theories in color psychology, where different colors are believed to evoke specific emotional responses.
Fashion as a Universal Art Form for Mental Health: The article concludes by emphasizing that fashion, as a powerful and universal art form, can contribute to addressing mental health issues. It suggests that optimism and improvements in mental health can be achieved through the expressive nature of style.
In summary, the article explores the multifaceted relationship between fashion and mental health, incorporating elements of psychology, marketing, and societal trends. The insights provided by Michael R. Solomon add a scholarly perspective to the discussion, enriching the narrative with expertise in business and marketing.
