Analysis of Design: Economics & Culture
Eyebrows as a Economic Signifier
While looking through Design Through Time, you may have picked up on some eyebrow trends. In fact, it is said that eyebrows serve as an accurate indicator of the "economic roller coaster that is western capitalism". Interestingly enough, eyebrow styles fall parallel to the times. Historically they have been bushy, dark and dense in "boom" times : 1960s, 1980s, 2000s and have been thin, plucked, skinny arches in times of recession : 1930s, 1970s, 1990s. One would think that according to the trend, we should now be sporting the "skinny brow", however it does not seem to be the case - and does not nearly seem that simple to categorize. Whether this means that economic society no longer has as much of an impact on our fashion sense, or whether the general public no longer cares about "staying tuned" with the times - it is a discussion worth evaluating.
From this angle, eyebrows are a response to something. They are a response to feelings and societal happenings. Their implications can be analyzed purely by the adjectives that describe them. The simple connotations of the words thin and skinny present the feeling of weakness, appearing frail and fragile. These descriptions easily connect to times of recession or depression; weak, frail, fragile, are all accurate portrayals of that time. In the same way, the connotation of the words dark, dense, and bushy give a sense of power, significance and even wild. The 'wildness' of the bushy dark eyebrows can also be correlated to times of carefree abandonment and without worry.
From this angle, eyebrows are a response to something. They are a response to feelings and societal happenings. Their implications can be analyzed purely by the adjectives that describe them. The simple connotations of the words thin and skinny present the feeling of weakness, appearing frail and fragile. These descriptions easily connect to times of recession or depression; weak, frail, fragile, are all accurate portrayals of that time. In the same way, the connotation of the words dark, dense, and bushy give a sense of power, significance and even wild. The 'wildness' of the bushy dark eyebrows can also be correlated to times of carefree abandonment and without worry.
Eyebrows & Culture
A couple of examples:
Sometimes the design of eyebrows is not for fashion or beauty, but rather a means of cultural expression. For example, in some cultures, like Tajikstan, the unibrow is viewed as an attractive quality in men and women alike. Additionally, it may be associated with purity and, in men, virility; while most Western cultures find it unappealing, often associating it with a lack of sophistication and good grooming, and it is often used to caricature human inbreeding. In non-Western cultures, this facial hair does not have this stigma, it is seen as a sign of feminine beauty. Sometimes the unibrow is even drawn on when it is not naturally present. In this sense - the design of the eyebrow (literally the eyebrow - singluar) is an expression of culture and a powerful representation of how culture and even religion can play a large role in how we choose to portray ourselves, or how we must portray ourselves.
Hikimayu is the practice of removing the natural eyebrows and painting smudge-like eyebrows on the forehead in pre-modern Japan. Hikimayu first appeared in the eighth century, when the Japanese court adopted Chinese customs and styles. Japanese noblewomen started painting their faces with a white powder called oshiroi. One putative reason for hikimayu is that removing the natural eyebrows made it easier to put on the oshiroi. At this time the eyebrows were painted in arc shapes, as in China. In this way, similar with the unibrow - eyebrows serve as a form of cultural expression and cultural connection. They not only connect their wearer to a deeper cultural meaning, but serve to connect to others who are similar.
Culturally, eyebrows address the need for upholding traditional cultural values. Eyebrows with regards to different cultures look the way they do in accordance with the way that they are culturally perceived and understood. They each have different meanings and implications and serve to highlight ones connection to their culture.
Sometimes the design of eyebrows is not for fashion or beauty, but rather a means of cultural expression. For example, in some cultures, like Tajikstan, the unibrow is viewed as an attractive quality in men and women alike. Additionally, it may be associated with purity and, in men, virility; while most Western cultures find it unappealing, often associating it with a lack of sophistication and good grooming, and it is often used to caricature human inbreeding. In non-Western cultures, this facial hair does not have this stigma, it is seen as a sign of feminine beauty. Sometimes the unibrow is even drawn on when it is not naturally present. In this sense - the design of the eyebrow (literally the eyebrow - singluar) is an expression of culture and a powerful representation of how culture and even religion can play a large role in how we choose to portray ourselves, or how we must portray ourselves.
Hikimayu is the practice of removing the natural eyebrows and painting smudge-like eyebrows on the forehead in pre-modern Japan. Hikimayu first appeared in the eighth century, when the Japanese court adopted Chinese customs and styles. Japanese noblewomen started painting their faces with a white powder called oshiroi. One putative reason for hikimayu is that removing the natural eyebrows made it easier to put on the oshiroi. At this time the eyebrows were painted in arc shapes, as in China. In this way, similar with the unibrow - eyebrows serve as a form of cultural expression and cultural connection. They not only connect their wearer to a deeper cultural meaning, but serve to connect to others who are similar.
Culturally, eyebrows address the need for upholding traditional cultural values. Eyebrows with regards to different cultures look the way they do in accordance with the way that they are culturally perceived and understood. They each have different meanings and implications and serve to highlight ones connection to their culture.