Document Type : Original Independent Original Article
Highlights
Introduction
Communication is a multifaceted process that holds a significant influence on human life. It is recognized as a fundamental tool of diplomacy to convey messages, which can have various verbal and non-verbal forms. In the context of verbal communication, message transmission is commonly accomplished through language and speech. Non-verbal communication forms, including facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, tone of voice, and fashion, have the capacity to convey implicit and wider meanings. As a form of non-verbal communication, fashion entails several elements, such as clothing, accessories, hairstyles, and makeup, and conveys several implicit messages. The transmission of messages in this manner is referred to as fashion diplomacy. With the development and expansion of digital media and the possibility of overcoming space and time limitations, fashion diplomacy can surpass traditional verbal communication tools in terms of its impact on both general and specific audiences, encompassing both public and private diplomacy. The outfit selection can serve as a component of diplomatic maneuvering. Appearance or style can be misleading, failing to reflect one's inherent merits. Proper utilization of the dress code as a political advantage is a well-known tactic among politicians. Fashion can serve as a tool to shape public perception and shift the focus away from the core political message. Mannequins and catwalks are the first things that come to mind when discussing fashion. However, fashion encompasses a wide range of issues and is associated with various aspects of social existence, including politics. Each guild and society has a uniform structure and dress code for its members. Therefore, clothing, appearance, and fashion expectations are contingent on the social behavior governed by the relevant social organization. This being said, the primary problem addressed in this investigation pertains to the implications of adherence or non-adherence to the diplomatic dress code by foreign officials during their meetings with Iranian officials from 2010 to 2019. Thus, an analysis of fashion's role in message transmission is conducted, incorporating the theoretical perspectives of Michael R. Solomon and Roland Barthes on fashion encoding and decoding.
Research Methodology
A basic, qualitative research was adopted with a descriptive-analytical approach. The study involved analyzing qualitative data, specifically photos of foreign officials during diplomatic meetings with Iranian officials. Moreover, the dressing choices portrayed in the media were decoded. The resulting analysis shed light on the semiotics of fashion in these diplomatic visits. The data were collected using library research based on the data from both domestic and international publications, press, and websites. The diplomatic dress code messages from foreign delegations were investigated using an inductive approach by combining the partial results obtained. The research's theoretical framework for data analysis was based on Roland Barthes' semiotics. He believed that a phenomenon could be analyzed by deconstruction through semiotics. The potential for semiotics to address the shortcomings and limitations of a strictly structuralist approach is worth considering. In analyzing the data presented in this article, a post-structural perspective rooted in the sociology of fashion and clothing was employed. According to Michael Solomon, the impact of fashion and clothing extends beyond the realm of personal style and can elicit a range of societal responses, including but not limited to admiration, tolerance, irritation, or anger. As per his statement, fashion is but a conduit for encoding, transmitting, and interpreting social and cultural significance. Fashion serves as an instrument for conveying cultural messages to its intended audience—the consumer or recipient.
Findings
Through a comprehensive examination and analysis of the diplomatic dress code adopted by foreign diplomats during their meetings with Iranian officials from 2010 to 2019, it is possible to discern various messages conveyed and objectives pursued by the respective parties. Based on the premise that politicians, regardless of gender, are expected to dress appropriately during diplomatic and official meetings, it can be argued that this practice is rooted in the principles of public diplomacy, as espoused by Roland Barthes. By adhering to the dress code, politicians demonstrate respect and acknowledgment towards their counterparts, which can be evidenced by the semiotics of clothing elements. The non-compliance with the established codes, as in the case of unsuitable attire, may indicate a lack of regard and potentially impair the diplomatic ties between the two parties. As per Barrett's account of diplomatic outfits, it can be inferred that it is not solely a personal choice but rather a constituent of the dress code of the group that an individual represents. Non-compliance with the designated dress code may be interpreted as a deficiency in dedication to the diplomatic endeavor and the wider community the diplomat represents. Hence, it can be inferred that participating in diplomatic gatherings while donning casual attire, such as t-shirts, backpacks, and brightly colored socks, among others, may be deemed as deviating from the established norms of the diplomatic dress code. According to Solomon's notions, this nonconformity is likely to elicit significant, disparate perceptions and responses. The subject posits that failure to adhere to the dress code or accepted fashion norms may result in unfavorable evaluations from peers and potential marginalization. The underlying assumption in this analysis is that the disregard for diplomatic principles cannot be assumed inadvertent, given that these codes have been formally established and the relevant authorities have been duly trained in this regard. The present study's results elucidate that opting for alternative attire during such meetings can convey unfavorable connotations, such as "pretense and hypocrisy" as well as "insult and disrespect". In certain instances, implicit positive messages may be present, such as the act of "backing off and retracting one's stance" and exhibiting "respect and intimacy".
Conclusion
This study analyzed the diplomatic dress code of foreign officials during their meetings with Iranian officials from 2010 to 2019 to identify the various messages conveyed by the outfit worn by these officials. In conclusion, the degree of compliance with the diplomatic dress code by the guests is expressed in a bipolar manner with positive and negative connotations.
Subjects
