Fashion is often considered to be about superficial trends and fleeting clothing choices. However, according to René Guénon, fashion can be seen from a deeper and spiritual perspective, as an expression of transcendence. Transcendence is an ultimate, non-material reality that lies beyond our physical world. Guénon considers that fashion is a reflection of this reality, a symbolic expression of transcendent truth. In this article, we will explore Guénon's ideas on fashion and transcendence and how they can be put into perspective with the thoughts of other philosophers.

Fashion according to René Guénon

René Guénon was a French philosopher who explored spiritual and religious traditions around the world. For Guénon, fashion was a reflection of transcendence, that is, the ultimate, non-material reality that lies beyond our physical world. He viewed fashion as a symbolic expression of transcendent truth, which can be understood through spiritual and religious traditions. Guénon explains in his book “ The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times ” that fashion can be understood as a form of symbolic language that expresses deep truths about human nature and transcendent reality.

Transcendence in spiritual traditions

According to Guénon, spiritual and religious traditions are expressions of transcendence, which can help us understand ultimate truth. He explored many traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, to show how they reflect transcendence through their practices, symbols, and beliefs. Guénon considers these traditions to be forms of higher knowledge that allow us to understand and connect to transcendent truth. He explains that spiritual and religious traditions are expressions of transcendence that can help us understand our true spiritual nature and connect us to a higher dimension of reality.

Fashion as a symbolic expression

For Guénon, fashion is a symbolic expression of transcendence, which can be understood through spiritual and religious traditions. He believes that clothing choices can reflect our connection with transcendence and help us express our true spiritual nature. For example, traditional clothing worn during religious ceremonies can symbolize our connection to transcendence and help us connect to a higher dimension of reality. Likewise, the way we choose to dress can reflect our understanding of and connection to transcendent truth. According to Guénon, fashion can be understood as a means of transmitting profound knowledge about human nature and transcendent reality through symbols and aesthetic expressions.

Fashion and modern society

According to Guénon, modern society has lost the sense of transcendence and has adopted a materialist perspective that does not take into account ultimate reality. This is reflected in fashion, which is often seen as about superficial trends and fleeting clothing choices. Guénon believes that this approach to fashion is disconnected from transcendent truth and cannot help us understand our true spiritual nature. He explains that modern society has lost the ability to understand the deeper truths behind fashion symbols and expressions, and that this has resulted in a loss of sensitivity to transcendence.

Fashion according to other philosophers

Although Guénon was a unique thinker, his ideas on fashion and transcendence can be put into perspective with the thoughts of other philosophers. For example, Friedrich Nietzsche, who viewed fashion as a form of expression of the will to power , raised objections to Guénon's idea that fashion can be a reflection of transcendence. Nietzsche considered fashion to be a way for individuals to assert themselves and demonstrate their superiority over others, rather than a reflection of transcendence.

Other philosophers, such as Martin Heidegger, have also explored the relationship between fashion and transcendence, viewing fashion as an expression of our being-in-the-world. Heidegger believes that our style of clothing can reflect our relationship to the world and truth, and that this can help us understand our place in the world and our connection to transcendence.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, fashion can be seen from a deeper and spiritual perspective thanks to the ideas of René Guénon. According to Guénon, fashion is a symbolic expression of transcendence, which can be understood through spiritual and religious traditions. However, these ideas can be put into perspective with the thoughts of other philosophers, who may raise objections or offer different perspectives on the relationship between fashion and transcendence.

Understanding fashion as an expression of transcendence can help us discover our true spiritual nature and connect to a higher dimension of reality. This can help us see beyond the superficiality of fashion and understand the symbols and expressions behind clothing choices . By exploring Guénon's ideas about fashion and transcendence, we can discover a new level of meaning and depth in our relationship to fashion and our world.