Emma Fenning

BA (Hons) Fashion 2020

Once quoted by Queen Victoria in her personal diaries as ‘a very pretty little town’ (1835). It is now listed as one of the ugliest towns in the UK (Bateman: 2019). Doncaster history in many ways is a by-product of the industrial revolution. Set within it’s backdrop of industry are the once salt of the earth Working Class Men.

Hetronormative culture is evident amongst the working class. There is a precieved demand that men should act as a provider within the family. Leaving a lack of room for apsiration and futher education beyond the required amount, many boys opt to take a trade following in their fathers footsteps.

As I grew up in Doncaster it is only since moving away to University in Manchester. I have gained some perspective and begun to question the mundane nature of the environment I am from. As a personal design philosophy my work challenges the seemingly ordinary. and quetions how male identity amongst the working class reflects the modern socio-political world.

Jobless, in the 21st century job climate the media has often demonised the Working Class in todays society reducing them to ‘knuckle dragging thugs lacking legitimate aspirations’ (Owens: 2009). The impact of this trajectory on the mental health of the working class male can be seen to be detromental. Studys show working class men are ten times more likley to attempt to take their own lives. My work acts as a conceptualised discussion to investigate the deconsturuction of the male identity amongst the working class. The attire of the working class man becomes symbloic of the milestones and stages he is approaching in life.