In the discussion of digital fashion, it is important to more closely examine the idiosyncrasies of the spaces in which it mainly exists. The following is an exploration into research on the question of how we perceive and represent ourselves in digital spaces and how this could also impact the perception and role of digital fashion.
Digital spaces have a profound influence on self-perception across various cultures, shaping how individuals view themselves and interact with others in virtual environments. This impact is multifaceted and varies depending on cultural contexts and the specific digital platforms used. Digital platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for identity construction and self-representation. Users can craft and inhabit digital personas, potentially influencing their self-perception and social identity. This process of digital self-creation is not necessarily tied to „verifiable“ offline identities, allowing individuals to present aspects of themselves that may be suppressed or unexplored in their physical lives. For example, in some cultures, digital spaces serve as safe havens for marginalised groups, allowing them to find acceptance and support in aspects of their real identity that may be lacking in their offline environments. This can lead to a more positive self-perception and a sense of belonging within these virtual communities.1
The influence of digital spaces on self-perception can vary significantly across cultures. One determining factor is the difference between individualistic and collectivist cultures. In more individualistic societies, digital spaces may encourage self-expression and personal branding, while in collectivist cultures, they might emphasise group harmony and shared identities. A further distinction is between high-context versus low-context cultures. Digital communication may be interpreted differently in high-context cultures, where indirect communication is valued, compared to low-context cultures that prefer more direct communication styles.
In more traditional societies, digital spaces might create tension between online self-expression and offline cultural norms, potentially leading to conflicting self-perceptions. Digital spaces can both reinforce and challenge cultural identities. For example, diaspora communities may use digital platforms to maintain connections with their heritage culture while simultaneously adapting to their host culture’s digital norms2. This dual engagement can lead to a more complex and nuanced self-perception that bridges multiple cultural identities.
The digital culture has created a generational rift, with younger generations developing new forms of self-perception characterised by both positive and negative concepts. Often, digital culture is said to enable and encourage self-centredness and narcissism. This reflects a more general cultural shift towards a more individualistic culture in general. On the positive side of the spectrum, digital spaces can facilitate and promote global relationships, also crossing cultural boundaries. Some research suggests that digital spaces can create novel perceptions of time and space as well as enable defiance of traditional authority2. These shifts in self-perception are particularly pronounced in cultures experiencing rapid technological adoption and social change.
While digital spaces offer new avenues for self-expression and identity construction, they also present challenges which can affect self-representation and self-perception of users within them. One significant area of concern is with privacy and security. Concerns about data protection and potential misuse of personal information can affect how individuals present themselves online1. It might affect how much of the offline-persona users allow into their digital identity.
Digital spaces can also foster a phenomenon called the digital divide. Unequal access to technology across cultures can create disparities in how digital spaces influence self-perception2. Especially with online spaces facilitating users to compare themselves to each other, this divide can become very visible and discourage less advantaged users to present themselves in an authentic way. In relation to this, digital spaces can also lead to cultural homogenization. The global nature of many digital platforms may lead to a degree of users approximating their self-representation to each other. This harbours the danger of eroding unique cultural perspectives on self-perception2. We already observe that certain digital spaces such as social media have a tendency to reward and promote content that aligns with a certain predetermined ideal that can lead to exclusion and marginalisation of users who do not fit these standards.
In conclusion, digital spaces have become integral to how individuals across cultures perceive themselves and construct their identities. While offering new opportunities for self-expression and community building, these virtual environments also present challenges that vary across cultural contexts. As digital culture continues to evolve, its impact on self-perception will likely become even more nuanced and culturally diverse. All of the above developments also affect how digital fashion might find a role in these digital spaces. As a means of expression, it will be faced with the same opportunities and challenges that apply to digital spaces as a whole.
1 Garcia, “Educational Leadership: When Self-Perception Stymies Social Progress.”
2 Jolia and Jolia, “The Phenomenon of Digital Culture in the Modern Technological World.”
Sources:
Garcia, Camille Marie and Wager, Amanda Claudia, „Educational Leadership: When Self-Perception Stymies Social Progress“ (2018). Lesley University Community of Scholars Day. 2. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/community_of_scholars/2018/session_d/2
Jolia, Guram, and Nino Jolia. “The Phenomenon of Digital Culture in the Modern Technological World.” Economics 105, no. 03 (April 15, 2022): 81–103. https://doi.org/10.36962/ecs105/3/2022-81.
