Consuming Commodified Selves - Accelerated Identity Co-Construction Dynamics Through Fashion Performances On Instagram

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Consuming Commodified Selves - Accelerated Identity Co-Construction


Dynamics Through Fashion Performances on Instagram

Article  in  Advances in consumer research. Association for Consumer Research (U.S.) · October 2018

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Consuming Commodified Selves – Accelerated Identity Co-Construction Dynamics
Through Fashion Performances on Instagram
Jonathan D. Schöps, University of Innsbruck, Austria

ABSTRACT society” a desirable quality (Bauman 2007, 57). The rise of social
This paper enhances the understanding of the bi-directional media further accelerated this process of commodification (Schwarz
relationship between performers as commodified selves and con- 2010). Influencers deploy manifold marketing practices to become
sumers in digital environments. Drawing on performativity theory and remain sellable commodities – constantly trying to increase their
this study illuminates accelerated identity co-construction dynamics market value by “staying ahead of the style-pack” (Abidin 2016;
through visual fashion performances on Instagram. Analysis of inter- Bauman 2007, 99). Consequently, commodified consumers are al-
view data identifies three such dynamics: affirming emulating and ways on the move, searching for something desirable and attention-
immersing in dreams. grabbing.
Yet, postmodern consumers are governed by the constant pres-
INTRODUCTION sure to reinvent themselves, refresh their offers, and change identi-
Contemporary consumer culture has increasingly transformed ties. Thus, contemporary consumerist culture prioritizes “parts” over
from a linguistic to an overall visual culture (Schroeder 2002). This the “whole,” “short term” over “long term” respectively (Bardhi and
visual turn also manifests in increasing popularity of visual photo- Eckhardt 2017; Bauman 2007, 69). Digital environments foster this
sharing platforms like Instagram, which is the fastest growing social urge for self-endorsement. Instagram characterizes such a visual dig-
media platform with currently over 800 million monthly active us- ital environment where consumers may frame digital commodified
ers (Begu 2018; Instagram 2018). The nature of the digital environ- selves for the consumption of others that do not necessarily reflect
ment of Instagram accelerates visual consumption by “pointing, tap- “real life” identities (Marwick 2015; McQuarrie et al. 2013; Presi et
ping, swiping, and glancing” (Carah and Shaul 2016, 83) – in other al. 2016; Rokka and Canniford 2016).
words, scrolling quickly through the flow of images, tapping to stop
the flow, taking a quick glance at an image, and continue swiping. Performing and co-constructing identities in postmodern
But, how does this accelerated consumption affect consumers’ daily society
lives? How does acceleration manifest in the construction of con- Postmodern consumers experience an intertwined struggle
sumers’ selves? between conformity and individualization – a so-called “hybridiza-
Prior research on visual performances mainly focused on the tion” demanding conformity to individualization (Bauman 2005,
site of production – the consumed, performers respectively (Kerrigan 28). Thus, identity formation is an ongoing process where consum-
and Hart 2016). These studies investigated digital identity formation ers compose, decompose and recompose their identities by means
using dramaturgical approaches of impression management and self- of repetitive social interactions (Howarth 2002). Social media fur-
presentation techniques (Jensen Schau and Gilly 2003; Kerrigan and ther reinforces repetitive social interactions on a daily basis (Larsen
Hart 2016), micro-celebrity practices (Marwick 2015), and blogging 2007). Digital performances not only inspire, but also encourage the
(McQuarrie, Miller, and Phillips 2013; Scaraboto and Fischer 2013). audience to replicate (Khamis, Ang, and Welling 2017). According-
Yet, scholars increasingly argue that the most important site of an im- ly, consumers not only seek constant change in material objects, but
age’s meaning is the audience referring to the “death of the author” also in their identities (Bauman 2005; Shankar, Elliott, and Fitchett
(Barthes 1977, 145; Rose 2012). However, research on identity co- 2009). They quickly discard and adjust their online identities if re-
construction dynamics through visual consumption with a focus on jected by others. Consequently, consumption-oriented performative
the site of the audience – the consumers – is scarce. acts on social media enable co-construction of ‘identity-in-practice’,
This study aims to investigate the bi-directional relationship which is of short timespans, situation dependent, and thus temporal,
between performers as commodified selves and consumers, that is, dynamic and fluid (Kerrigan and Hart 2016; Larsen 2007).
identity co-construction dynamics through fashion performances on
Instagram. Analysis focuses on in-depth narrative interviews supple- Performativity theory
mented with auto-driven photo elicitation (Heisley and Levy 1991) This study draws on performativity theory (Austin 1975; Butler
to investigate consumers’ meanings ascribed to the visual consump- 1990, 2010) in order to investigate how individuals consume visual
tion of fashion and commodified selves on Instagram. Findings re- fashion performances on Instagram, and how this consumption re-
veal consumers’ desired content, requirements for consumption, and lates to co-construction of consumers’ identities. The central idea of
accelerated identity co-construction dynamics. Accelerated identity performativity theory is that repetitive acts construct and form iden-
co-construction dynamics encompass affirming, emulating, and im- tities (Butler 1990). Accordingly, a performance comprises the rela-
mersing in dreams. This study closes with discussing findings, and tionship between performers, their actions and the audience (Butler
pointing out limitations and future research possibilities. 1990). Language, practices, and visuals frame performances of iden-
tities that, in turn, shape reality through the exertion of intentional
THEORY (illocutionary) forces and related intentional or unintentional effects
(perlocutionary acts) (Austin 1975; Schechner 2006). Thus, perfor-
Consumers as commodities in postmodern society mances reinforce and communicate identities within society – both
Postmodern society manifests as “a society of consumers meant verbally and bodily (Austin 1975; Butler 1990, 2010).
for and made for their consumption” (Bauman 2005, 35). Accord- In the context of this study, this implies that visual fashion per-
ingly, consumer society embodies a process of commodification, that formances on Instagram as intentional (illocutionary) acts have a re-
is, consumers crafting themselves to become sellable and valuable lated and potentially unintended (perlocutionary) effect on consum-
objects within the market. Consumers increasingly consider “being ers’ identity formation. This study focuses on consumers’ narratives
a consumer commodity that makes them bona fide members of that related to visual consumption of fashion performances on Instagram.

Advances in Consumer Research


434 Volume 46, ©2018
Advances in Consumer Research (Volume 46) / 435

Applying this performative view onto identity co-construction dy- “It seems very likeable to me that she shows herself as she is.
namics provides an increased understanding of the entangled dy- That she is simply posting images of herself without using Pho-
namic relationship between performers as commodified selves and toshop or anything else, simply showing that every woman has
consumers in digital environments like Instagram. problems with her body in a certain way and that you can re-
gardless like yourself as you are and that makes her very much
METHODOLOGY likeable as a person to me.” (R2, female, 26)
This study uses in-depth narrative interviews supplemented
by auto-driven photo elicitation to investigate consumers’ visual Moreover, respondents stated that they immediately discard
consumption of fashion performances on Instagram (Harper 2002; persons who post too often, that is, multiple times a day, and replace
Heisley and Levy 1991). Criteria for the applied purposive sample them by other accounts – “I like what you are doing, but don’t im-
implied that respondents, first, had an own Instagram account, sec- pose on me” (R5, female, 27) – illustrating the accelerated consump-
ond, actively engage with Instagram, and, third, belonged to the most tion dynamics in postmodern consumer culture (Baumann 2007).
prevalent user group on Instagram – Millennials. Prior to the inter-
view, respondents were asked to select three fashion-related persona Accelerated identity co-construction dynamics
brand accounts, which they frequently consume on Instagram. This Consumers explained their frequent usage of Instagram by re-
projective material was then integrated in the interviews generating ferring to the ever-changing, constantly renewing nature of home
in-depth insights into respondents’ meanings ascribed to visual fash- feed content. Relating to consumers’ urge for fast consumption, In-
ion performances on Instagram, and related identity co-construction stagram offers a visual environment enabling such accelerated con-
dynamics. sumption:
The sample comprised 11 German-speaking respondents (age
range: 20–30; mean = 26; profession: student (6); nurse (2); manager “[...] and when I push the ‘follow’ button, then the recommen-
(2); doctor (1)) – ensuring a gender distribution congruent with Ins- dations pop up. These are similar feeds, related types of blog-
tagram’s user statistics – 68% female and 32% male (Aslam 2018). gers respectively. And due to that you delve into the whole thing
Interviews lasted from 55 minutes up to 1.5 hours resulting in 161 quite fast, because you have a multitude of such persons very
pages verbatim transcripts. Data analysis involved an iterative pro- fast.” (R1, female, 20)
cess of inductive categorization (Kreiner, Hollensbe, and Sheep
Respondents further claimed that they prefer consuming images
2006; Spiggle 1994) and abstraction to derive major themes arising
over text – first, due to faster consumption, and, second, due to the
throughout respondents’ narratives.
myriad of meanings images can convey (Schroeder 2002). However,
consumers’ narratives not only addressed accelerated dynamics of
FINDINGS
the digital environment per se, but also accelerated identity co-con-
Narrative interviews brought forward insights into the multi-
struction dynamics (Figure 1).
faceted visual consumption of fashion performances on Instagram.
The following section entails a detailed account of desired content,
Figure 1: Accelerated Identity Co-Construction Dynamics
requirements for consumption, and performatively accelerated iden-
tity co-construction dynamics (Figure 1).

Desired content and requirements for consumption


Respondents frequently stated that they seek foremost variety
in content, that is, lifestyle performances related to fashion, travel,
food, sports, interior design, nature, photography, and even politics
/ activism. Fashion is rather an integral part within these thematic
categories and rarely consumed as stand-alone category. However,
respondents consider fashion a tool to express these lifestyle-related
themes. Compositional aesthetics and consistency of visuals have to
be visually appealing – yet, regarding photography itself, not regard-
ing display of fashion taste per se (Dolbec and Fischer 2015).
First, this study finds that the consumption of commodified
“For me it is very important with respect to Instagram accounts selves accelerates affirmation of purchases that cause internal strug-
in general that the quality of photography is good. I don’t like gle within consumers’ conscience, that is, respondents reported cases
accounts that are arranged unprofessionally. That is why I also of uncertainty and twinges of conscience with respect to prior or
don’t follow some of my friends, because I am not interested in upcoming purchases.
that. I select very carefully, because it has to be visually appeal-
ing to me. That is extremely important to me. I am interested in “I set myself the goal to purchase an expensive watch when I
certain things, which may be the person itself, lifestyle, interior am done with my apprenticeship. I already decided for a spe-
design, fashion, or food.”(R5, female, 27) cific Rolex, however it is a huge investment. But then I saw this
photo and experienced affirmation. I thought to myself, if Roger
Respondents additionally argued that representing naturalness Federer is wearing this watch it must be really beautiful.”(R6,
fosters repetitive consumption (Butler 1990). Contrary, respondents male, 27)
do not value excessively staged unnatural performances as they con-
sider these as ‘calls for attention.’ Consumers prefer performances This quote emphasizes that consuming Roger Federer affirmed
they can relate to – ‘torn from real life’ and filled with emotions – as R6’s decision already made of purchasing a Rolex – solving his in-
R2 refers to a plus-size model account: ternal struggle of desire vs. costs (Kozinets, Patterson, and Ashman
2017). Accordingly, consuming commodified selves accelerated
436 / Consuming Commodified Selves – Accelerated Identity Co-Construction Dynamics Through Fashion Performances on Instagram

the affirmation to purchase this watch without having to look for for instance, this place – this arc from which you can see Big
alternative sources of affirmation. Similarly, this study finds that Ben. And then this photo came out in the end.” (R9, male, 25)
performative acts of commodified selves unintentionally affect post-
purchase affirmation in terms of uncertainty, and even motivation Accordingly, this quote illustrates the accelerated emulation
for work out (Austin 1975) (Table 1). enabled through the consumption of commodified selves on Insta-
Second, this study finds that consumers emulate consumed vi- gram (Table 1). Thus, the performer’s intention of depicting a jet set
sual performances in terms of places. Respondents predominantly lifestyle unintentionally results in visual networked co-branding of
associate fashion with travelling. “I really like that I can see different specific places (Austin 1975) – visual performances of places that a
kinds of fashion in different countries and that is why I associate it lot of consumers would like to have on their own accounts. Respon-
[fashion] with travelling” (R5, female, 27). However, fashion only dents frequently stated that they reminisce about their own travelling
plays a minor role in this case. Consumers rather engage in lifestyle- experiences when they see a similar photo.
oriented place co-branding (Sevin 2014). Performative acts of com- Third, this study finds that consumers immerse in dreams when
modified selves travelling the world accelerate consumers’ quests for consuming commodified selves on Instagram. Consuming commod-
adequate motives when visiting similar places: ified selves elicits wanderlust and longing within consumers. Most
respondents state that they do not have the financial means to live the
“[…] The funny thing is when I was on my way to London I lifestyle of Instagram performers – yet, Instagram offers a possibility
quickly browsed through Instagram, and then remembered his to delve into virtual journeys:
account [iamgalla], and there is this photo of him. There I saw,

Table 1: Findings
Examples of Interview Data
“I set myself the goal to purchase an expensive watch when I am done with my apprenticeship. I already decided
for a specific Rolex, however it is a huge investment. But then I saw this photo and experienced affirmation. I thought
to myself, if Roger Federer is wearing this watch it must be really beautiful.”(R6, male, 27)

“I have this light pink blouse with birds on it. I always thought to myself that it looks really shitty, but then I
Affirming repeatedly saw it on Instagram and it changed my perception of this blouse. So in the end I thought to myself that it
cannot look that bad and now I am wearing it.” (R3, female, 24)

“Well, every now and then I am quite lazy when it comes to running, especially when it rains. Then I shrink away
from running. But then I look on Instagram and see these people working out and think for myself, “alright, let’s go
for working out.”” (R3, female, 24)
“If I know that I am travelling somewhere soon, then I explicitly look for other people’s content of these places.
I go to the browse bar, put in the place first, i.e. London, and then set the location to London, and then I immediately
get the “most popular posts” of London. Similarly, I check for hotels or restaurants, i.e. London, there is this famous
restaurant that I saw on Instagram. And then I check hashtags in similar vein. The funny thing is when I was on my
way to London I quickly browsed through Instagram, and then remembered his account [iamgalla], and there is this
photo of him. There I saw, for instance, this place – this arc from which you can see Big Ben. And then this photo came
Emulating
out in the end.” (R9, male, 25)

“For instance, I am planning to go on vacation this summer, this means that I followed a multitude of travel ac-
counts to seek inspiration in what I like and where I think to myself, “wow, I would really love to take this photo, too”
or food, if I don’t know what to I should cook, I might find something on Instagram that appeals to me, where I say to
myself, “ok I’m cooking this for myself now.” (R5, female, 27)
“Just as I said, Instagram is such a small separate world and I think it is a beautiful place where you can sub-
merge and say “okay now I am not the person who has to get up early in the morning for work or such things,” but
on Instagram I am a person who can also show other people due to likes, that I really appreciate what they do. It is a
community and I am a part of it. I may become in some way another person on Instagram.” (R5, female, 27)

“What I like so much about this account is the fact that she posts a lot of pictures where I think: “Ahhh this
Immersing in could be me!” because you don’t see her on the pictures. [...] you don’t see her face, and when I look at these photos,
Dreams I think for myself: “Ahhh I’d love to sit there right now.” Somehow this makes me identify myself stronger with these
pictures.” (R1, female, 20)

“What animates me to consume Instagram is that it isn’t so stressful, that it is a distraction, and that you can
delve into a different little world, which sets itself apart from everyday life, and which is a little bit dreamy. […] These
are feelings where I say to myself, “wow just life your life! Just do it! I really would like to do it the way these people
do.” (R5, female, 27)
Advances in Consumer Research (Volume 46) / 437

Examples of Projective Visual Data

Affirming

Emulating

Immersing in
Dreams
438 / Consuming Commodified Selves – Accelerated Identity Co-Construction Dynamics Through Fashion Performances on Instagram

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