Lecture 7: Fashion in the Fascist period Flashcards
Who founded Fascism and when?
Benito Mussolini in 1919.
What event brought Fascism to power in Italy?
The March on Rome (October 28, 1922).
How did Italian Fascism influence other countries?
Its nationalism influenced Germany and other European nations.
What was the main goal of Fascist culture?
Nationalizing the masses and mobilizing them for the regime.
How did Fascism create civic religiosity?
Through myths, rites, and symbols.
What was the purpose of fascistizzare?
To “fascistize” Italians, transforming them into a strong “new race” inspired by the Roman Empire.
How did Fascism spread its ideology?
Through schools, employment, culture, and the arts.
What was Futurism?
A literary, artistic, and cultural movement of the early 20th century.
Who founded Futurism?
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti.
What did Futurism reject?
Traditional values, which it saw as ignorance and superstition.
What did Futurism exalt?
Dynamism, movement, and action.
How did Futurism connect to Fascism?
It merged with Fascist ideology, and Marinetti even wrote Futurism and Fascism.
How were boys expected to behave?
They were trained to be masculine, bellicose, and violent, avoiding “womanish sensibility.”
What role did the body play in Fascism?
It forged the “new Italian”, modeled after Mussolini.
How did Mussolini portray himself?
As a young, dynamic, and athletic leader who embodied Futurist ideals.
How was Mussolini’s image controlled?
Propaganda censored any mention of his illness or death.
What phrase justified Fascist body ideals?
“Mens sana in corpore sano” (A healthy mind in a healthy body).
What did Fascism associate with a strong body?
Order, progress, and classical beauty.
What was the ideal Italian man?
A virile warrior, modeled after the ancient Roman race.
How did Fascism link individual beauty to society?
Mass rituals celebrated the regime through “choral beauty.”
How did Fascism contrast Fascist men with others?
It depicted:
Fascist men as young, strong, and virile.
Liberals as flabby and weak.
Jews with stereotypical features.
Ethiopians in traditional dress.
How did Hitler’s Aryan ideal differ from Mussolini’s?
Germany’s Greek-style athletes contrasted with Italy’s moral strength-based ideal.
What was a key symbol of Fascism?
The Black Shirt.
Why did Fascists choose black?
It symbolized death and ferocity.
How was the ideal girl described?
As a “good little woman.”
What was the contradiction in Fascist views of women?
Women were both modern and working but also expected to be homemakers.
What six ideals shaped Fascist femininity?
Modernity
Secularization
Imperialism
Traditionalism
Religion
Stability
How did Fascist views on working women change?
At first, women were modern and employed, but later they were pushed into motherhood.
What two forces led to this shift?
The Catholic Church (pushed for modesty and maternity).
Fascist population policies (needed more children).
What was early Fascism’s view on women?
It supported women’s suffrage and modern roles.
Who were the first Fascist women?
Nationalist and socialist women who believed in modernity and the “new order.”
How did Fascist ideology on women shift?
It revived traditional femininity, promoting wives and mothers.
Who inspired Mussolini’s view of women?
His mother, Rosa Maltoni, a Catholic, educated, and strong woman.
Three Phases of Fascist Women
- (1919-1924) Revolutionary Women
- (1925-1935) “New Women” as Wives and Mothers
- (1936-1945) Militarized Women in War
What body type did Fascism promote?
Broad hips and round breasts, symbolizing Mediterranean motherhood.
What were the ideal physical requirements for women?
Height: 1.56 - 1.60m, Weight: 55 - 60kg.
What restrictions did Fascism impose on women?
Limited employment in civil service but financial support for large families.
Why did Fascism promote fashion?
It saw fashion as a tool for propaganda.
How did Italy deal with the 1929 economic crisis?
It promoted self-sufficiency (Autarchy) by producing artificial fabrics like rayon.
How did Italy compete with French fashion?
By promoting luxury (embroidered tulle, lace, fur coats).
What was a constant trend in the 1930s?
Fur, even in summer.
What was its purpose?
To nationalize fashion by certifying Italian-made garments.
How did Germany and Italy influence fashion?
Italian magazines promoted German styles, and German magazines featured Italian designs.
