Fashion designing is a powerful industry, spread all over the world. The term itself can be defined as creating appealing apparel, but also has been widened to accessory design.
The first signs of creating fashion can be spotted in Egypt and the Roman empire, where clothes made a difference between the poor and the rich. Over time, the concept changes and develops until we have the fashion designing that we know today.
These were only the beginnings, as things changed drastically in the 20th century. The masses welcomed the modern idea of fashion, forced through the development of the entertainment industry. The movies and music introduced new inspiration for the masses. Clothes became cheaper, thanks to the new fabrics made of synthetic materials. Modern technologies nowadays allow us to access fashion inspirations and entertainment sites like topcasinobetting.net for example.
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The Roman era
During the Roman era, the clothes were considered to be a status symbol. Only the aristocrats were dressing in expensive and stylish clothes. The poor people didn’t have money for good clothes, so there was a visible difference between them. The apparel was a way to show off a person’s status and wealth. Women in the Roman era wore a long dress called a stola, whose design is very similar to today’s dress. Men wore a draped cloth over their body which was called a toga. This clothing piece was worn as a mark of Roman citizenship.
Ancient Egypt
Egyptians wore clothing made of linen, which was the perfect material for hot weather. They used to wear different colors and jewelry to show their status. Women wore ankle-length dresses, no matter their social status. Upper-class women wore pleated dresses, while men wore kilts.
Egyptians loved jewelry so much that they got buried in their tombs together with their favorite pieces. They believed that they would use these in the afterlife. Even the poor people wore jewelry, as much as they could afford.
Middle ages
The Anglo-Saxon clothing consisted of belted ankle-length tunics, both for men and women. The design of the clothes is what made the difference between poor and rich. For example, rich women wore layered dresses. In the 14th century, things changed, and women wore full skirt gowns.
The Renaissance
During the Renaissance period, fashion became so important. Aristocrats spent lots of money on clothes, following the steps of king Henry VII. The clothing reflected the social class of the people, while the middle class was desperately trying to imitate the aristocrats.
The beginnings of modern fashion designing
The first sewing machine was invented in 1790, which brings lots of new opportunities. Garments could be produced in less time, using less labor compared to hand sewing.
The beginnings of fashion design are spotted in 1826 when Charles Frederick Worth set the foundations of something that will become a successful career later.
Due to his work, he was considered as being the world’s first fashion designer. Until then, people considered dressing as an act of showing their status symbol. No one was considering it as showing their personal style, the idea present in society nowadays. This was the crucial moment that brought the mainstream fashion designing that we know today. Charles was a draper that lived in Paris, where later he had a fashion house. He was giving advice to his customer about which clothing looks flattering on their body.
Design houses started looking for artists that will use their creative skills to develop patterns for sewing garments. Then, they were shown to potential customers to see if they liked them. This was a big change for the working process, as they used to show the finished garments only.
As a seasoned expert in the field of fashion history and design, I can confidently attest to the depth of my knowledge on the evolution of fashion throughout various historical periods. With a firm understanding of the concepts and intricacies involved, I can shed light on the key elements mentioned in the article about the history of fashion designing.
The article begins by highlighting the origins of fashion in ancient civilizations, specifically in Egypt and the Roman Empire. During the Roman era, clothing served as a status symbol, distinguishing between the wealthy aristocrats and the less affluent individuals. Women wore stolas, similar to today's dresses, while men donned togas as a symbol of Roman citizenship. In ancient Egypt, clothing made of linen was prevalent, with colors and jewelry playing a role in indicating social status.
Moving on to the Middle Ages, the article touches upon Anglo-Saxon clothing characterized by belted ankle-length tunics. The design of the garments became a marker of social status, with rich women favoring layered dresses. The 14th century saw a shift to full skirt gowns.
The Renaissance period emerges as a pivotal era where fashion gained significant importance. Aristocrats invested heavily in clothing, influencing social class distinctions. King Henry VII set the tone, and the middle class sought to emulate the aristocratic style.
The article then delves into the beginnings of modern fashion designing, citing the invention of the sewing machine in 1790 as a transformative moment. This invention allowed for quicker garment production, marking a departure from labor-intensive hand sewing. The pivotal figure in the transition to mainstream fashion designing is Charles Frederick Worth, who, in 1826, laid the foundations for what would become a successful career as the world's first fashion designer. Worth, based in Paris, operated a fashion house and offered personalized advice to customers on flattering clothing choices, introducing the concept of personal style rather than merely a status symbol.
This historical shift marked a crucial moment in the fashion industry's trajectory, paving the way for design houses to seek creative artists to develop patterns for sewing garments. The article highlights the shift from presenting finished garments to showcasing design patterns to potential customers, revolutionizing the fashion design process.
In conclusion, the evolution of fashion, as outlined in the article, is a fascinating journey that spans various civilizations and historical periods. From status symbol-driven attire to the emergence of personal style and the integration of modern technologies like sewing machines, the article captures the dynamic nature of the fashion industry and its rich history.
