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Vita
sexualis is Latin for sex power or more profoundly, the power of sex in
life. This discourse revolves around sex and the role it plays in fashion.
Clothing alongside vita sexualis produces an avenue for self-liberation, modesty and a means for
attraction by ornamentation. Beautification by means of fashion was intended
chiefly for attraction. Tattoos were the first form of adornment applied on the
body. It was conceived for the purpose of attracting a mate. In ancient times,
a tattooed canvas was perceived as more attractive and desirable than a plain
naked body. Soon after, more forms of bodily adornments were developed aside
from inking the epidermis. Ornaments covered the naked body such as necklaces, bracelets and
piercings made from sea shells, plants, stones, bronze, silver or gold.
Eventually,
ornamentation progressed to weaving of fibers, leading to the eventual
production of textile. In time, loin cloths wrapped around the waist were intended to cover the genitals.
However, doing so only drew more attention to that particular body part
simply because of the act of covering it. Evidently, clothing’s purpose is not solely to adorn the
naked body but to cover it as well. The act of adorning oneself is a form of
beautification for the purpose of attracting a mate. Clothing did not exist to
gain a sense of modesty but rather, modesty is used as a tool for the purpose
of igniting excitement towards the naked body. It has come to be understood that
a naked body has less appeal than a veiled one.
Modesty
plays an important role in vita sexualis. Most people, when they think of sex, think of bare bodies but don’t
realize that the longing and excitement for a naked body is brought about by the covering of it, and
thus modesty. With modesty comes a sense of shame, and in the realms of
fashion the idea
of shame is contextual. For example in a tribe, a naked person is not ashamed
baring it all as it is part of their customs. On the other hand, a woman who is
part of the decolletees ladies of the ball might feel embarrassed if she is under-dressed or has insufficient sartorial
exposure during the event.
Fashion
introduces two sexually exciting
factors when it comes to dressing up. First it makes specific parts of the body more
conspicuous by drawing special attention to them through the application of ornaments or by the
cut and shape of the garment. Accentuating a specific body part by means of clothing comes with a belief that the dress or ornaments are an
extension of one’s self, as if the additions are part of who we are. For
example the wearing of heels, a continuation of the lower limbs, adds height and dignity to the
wearer. Seemingly, with fashion other parts of the body can be specially
emphasized. Second is the selection of which body part to expose (completely or
partially). The
idea of partial exposure of the body produces an erotic effect and sexual thrill. The erotic feelings brought about by partial exposure is
perhaps the result of contrast as complete nudity is not nearly as provocative.
In a
deeper discourse on modesty, one cannot forget its biblical reference.
According to Dr. C.H. Stratz, in the Bible Moses utilized the psycho-sexual effect of
clothing by promoting the veiling of the female body. Apparently Moses wanted to increase
the population of his small tribe in Israel through procreation. The covering
of the female body created a sense of excitement for his masculine
followers. Here you can see the purpose of clothing which is for modesty,
whereas nakedness did not serve any purpose in the Christian doctrine and
therefore is considered “immoral”. Fashion is utilized in Christendom for the purpose
of arousing feelings of sexual desires with the veiling of the body. With this discourse, it is clear
that the power of vita sexualis in fashion transcends the concepts of beautification and modesty
but has an active role in supreme worship.
Source: From H. Ellis (2010), “Studies in the
Psychology of Sex, Vol. 1 – The Evolution of Modesty; The Phenomena of Sexual
Periodicity; Auto-Erotism,” Qontro Classic Books.
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