The Intersection of Fashion and Organized Crime: Media Representation, Social Construction, and Cultural Artifacts

• In Event: Media Constructions of Deviance, Crime and Criminality

Abstract

A wealth of literature discusses clothing stereotypes and public perception of the criminal or criminal act based on clothing choice. For decades many different organized crime groups have defined themselves through iconic fashions, many catching on within the media. Organized crime groups (street gangs, motorcycle gangs, mafias, etc.) use different means of apparel to send different messages to outsiders and other criminal gangs. The chosen apparel icon of an organized crime group can mark territory, instigate conflict, threaten, and even inspire other individuals to join. This paper examines the effects of criminal organization insignia or apparel choice on both the longevity of the organization and society’s impression formation of the criminal group. The disparity and emphasis in media reporting for different crime groups are examined as factors as well. Preliminary results indicate that the organized criminal group's clothing choice and media representation both have strong effects on the longevity of the organization. Cultural artifacts are discussed as explanation for some of the effects.

Author

• Hollianne Marshall, CUNY School of Professional Studies