PP 4 - Wild Card
Wild Card Paper The Rise of Core' Aesthetics on TikTok: Generational Identity and Consumer Behavior in Modern Media In the evolving landscape of modern media, few platforms have been as culturally influential as TikTok. Among its most intriguing phenomena is the proliferation of "core" aesthetics, visual and ideological styles such as cottage-core, dark academia, goblin-core, and the clean girl aesthetic. These trends have transcended mere fashion and design, functioning instead as markers of generational identity and evolving consumer behavior. Core aesthetics have emerged on TikTok, revealed the identity of Gen Z, and help shape marketing strategies and consumption patterns. Defining Core Aesthetics "Core" aesthetics refer to microgenres or niche subcultures built around cohesive visual themes and lifestyle values. The suffix core denotes a form of cultural shorthand used to categorize visual and behavioral signifiers. For example, cottage-core romanticiz...
