EUROPEAN FASHION FIGURES IN AMERICAN BIOFICTIONS

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze a specific type of American biographical
fictions dealing with the presentation of the lives of various famous European persons from
different time periods. The past few decades note a growing trend of writing and publishing
biofictions. A curios aspect of this trend is the appearance of biofictions written by American
authors that tell the story of artists, actors, actresses, presidents, scientists, writers etc.
originating from Europe. By definition, biofictions underline the connection between fiction,
biography, and autobiography by developing texts that are “both self-reflexive and yet
paradoxically also lay claim to historical events and personages” (Hutcheon 2003: 5). The
process of creating such texts involves various adoptions of facts, fictional characters, literary
works and practices, themes and subjects, which are re-ordered in a constantly changing world
of doubling, mirror reflections and perspectives. In this way a unique concept of the times
and places on another continent are created from American cultural standpoint. This paper
particularly examines the biofiction narratives on fashion and European fashion designers
with international fame.