Thesis Work: Grief and Fashion

ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: Unraveling Grief: Historical Mourning Wear and Modern Reinterpretations Sharon Carpenter, Master of Science in Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship, 2024 Thesis Directed by: Dr. Chajuana Trawick Ferguson, Endowed Chair and Associate Professor of Fashion Business & Design/DEI Task Force Faculty Co-Chair Fashion has played a significant role in mourning rituals throughout history, reflecting broader trends in attire and social status. Mourners in ancient times often wore specific garments imbued with symbolic meanings, such as purity or transition to the afterlife, reflecting cultural attitudes towards death and bereavement. Over time, these practices evolved, with different societies adopting specific colors and styles of clothing, such as black or dark garments, to signify mourning and express collective grief. This evolution of mourning attire demonstrates the interplay between fashion, social norms, and the human experience of loss.