Artifice

Question

What does fashion 'artifice' mean?If artifice means 'subtle and crafty trick/device'.Does it sort of give a sense of optical illusion in a way?Thank you.

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

"Artifice" means literally made by art, i.e., constructed by human craft to mimic. It's cousin "artificial" has the same roots. It usually carries the connotation of deceit with intent to defraud, i.e., guile and trickery.

But consider the classical adage -- from Horace, I think, but don't quote me -- "the art is in concealing the artifice, " meaning that the most skillful artist can make you forget that his work is a construct. Thus if a playwright can produce a script that actors can perform so skillfully that you are transported into forgetting that you're attending a play, you have attended better art than a play during which you think, "Wow! This is a great play." The latter may be good, but you still realized that it was a play, an artifice.

An optical illusion is a scene that fools the neurology of human vision. Artifice is more akin to mimicry to fool human judgment.

You may need to explain the phrase "fashion 'artifice'."

Aoymee2 · Answer

Hi deadrat, thanks for replying,

so, I've google image searched fashion artifice and noticed that fitted silhouette, corset, the use of pvc material made into garments and integrating LED in the garment to make it glow.

Could fashion artifice possibly mean fusing modern technology with clothing?

Deadrat · Answer

Quite possibly.  Notice we once considered it artifice to make clothing by combing, spinning, and weaving plant and animal fiber, but we're so familiar with this technique that we consider it "natural."  Perhaps some people reserve artifice for the man-made materials.

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