Symbolic Capital and Narrative Power of Accessories in Haute Couture Womenswear
- Jia Hao ¹, Fan Bai ², Wenfei Wang 3, Yuanyuan Xing⁴*
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17084372
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UKR Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (UKRJAHSS)
This study explores the cultural and social significance of accessories within the haute couture fashion system. Through literature review, case analysis, and semiotic methods, the research examines the role of accessories in the generation and accumulation of symbolic capital, the construction of brand narrative power, and the reproduction of consumer identity. Findings reveal that accessories serve not only as symbols of identity through scarcity and craftsmanship but also acquire enduring value by accumulating cultural recognition. Brands employ accessories to construct narratives that shape women’s images and social discourses, while consumers reproduce their identities and participate in narrative re-creation through the selection and use of accessories. The study argues that haute couture accessories are indispensable symbolic carriers in the fashion system, functioning beyond mere decoration to become vital tools of social stratification, cultural communication, and identity construction. The conclusion emphasizes the academic value of accessories as symbolic capital and narrative media, and suggests that future research could further expand into digital fashion and virtual contexts.