2019 Symposium Fashion and Active Aging
September 26 - 28, 2019

McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108

General Public Full Registration:
$225.00   Early Registration May - June 15
$275.00   Registration June 16 - Sept 14
$300.00   Late/On-Site Sept 15 - Sept 26

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UMN Undergrad/Graduate Full Registration:
$110.00   Early Registration May - June 15
$160.00   Registration June 16 - Sept 14
$175.00   Late/On-Site Sept 15 - Sept 26

Select

Active aging calls for organizational, societal, and individual actions that can resonate with or motivate diverse stakeholders in the fashion industry and community. Fashion is not only relegated to products that supplement physical appearance while aging but may also include products that assist older individuals in the areas of physical performance, psychological wellbeing, social interactions, and identity construction/reconstruction. Therefore, a broad range of topics are relevant surrounding the use of fashion products to maintain both physical and mental capacity in the process of aging.

The topic of active aging is especially important as baby boomers enter retirement. This demographic demonstrates a commitment to remain active throughout their senior years and simultaneously possesses high discretionary incomes that allow them to consume fashion products that complement their lifestyles.

The 2019 joint symposium with the College of Design, University of Minnesota and the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts calls together all those who are interested in research, teaching, and design relating to fashion's dynamic role in active aging. Due to the many facets in the use of fashion in active aging, this symposium invites those in diverse fields, such as anthropology, cultural studies, fashion design & merchandising, interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture, housing, retailing, sociology, and psychology, to join the dialogue regarding the pivotal role of fashion in aging. Topics related to aging may emanate from many areas of design, merchandising, marketing & retailing, and consumption & sustainability.

This joint symposium aims to create an on-going dialogue about fashion and active aging through a series of scholarly presentations, panel discussions, and creative design exhibits by academics, graduate students, researchers, and symposium participants.

Topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Fashion, technology, and aging
  • Cultural views on fashion and aging
  • Fitness, self-image, and the aging body
  • Smart textiles and clothing that enhance physical performance
  • Functional design that enhances mobility and physical protection
  • Fashion design and innovation addressing health and well-being
  • Baby boomers' active lifestyles, wardrobe solutions, fashion needs and consumption
  • Producing, marketing and retailing fashion for/to the aging population
  • Agile fashion production and mass customization applicable to aging issues
  • Digitized fashion and retail environments for the elderly
  • Brick-and-mortar retail servicescapes and senior consumption
  • Anti- or active aging solutions from the cosmetics and fashion industry
  • Links between architecture, housing, interior design and older individuals


For additional information, please visit https://dha.design.umn.edu/fashionand/


Co-organized by College of Design, University of Minnesota (UMN) and School of Fashion Design, Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts (SIVA) 
Co-Sponsored by China Center, UMN

Please note:  You will receive a confirmation by email at the completion of your registration.  We encourage you to bring this confirmation with you to the event to assist in the check-in process.  Thank you.