Fashion is a way of expressing one’s personality through the clothes and accessories one chooses. It is a cultural and social phenomenon that constantly changes and evolves, often mirroring significant historical events. Clothes have always been an important means of communication, displaying status and wealth. They are symbols that convey a message, whether it is the emancipation of women with miniskirts or the rebelliousness of youth with rock and roll music. They also have great symbolic power, as when nuns wear cassocks to symbolize their renunciation of vanity and the choice to serve a higher cause.
A person’s taste in fashion reflects his or her world view, values and interests. A style is a set of rules that govern how a garment should be worn. It includes the choice of color, pattern and texture as well as cuts, drapery and embellishment. It also includes the way a garment is fitted and pinned, the use of fabrics and the finishing touches like cufflinks and buttons. A person’s fashion sense varies over the course of a lifetime, changing with each major stage in life. It usually starts in the adolescent period when a young person is trying to figure out who he or she is and what his or her personal style will be.
The earliest record of a continuous change in fashion dates back to medieval times when people began to display their wealth and status by wearing elaborately decorated, richly colored garments. These garments mirrored the latest trends in art, which were influenced by other cultures and countries. Fashion also changed with the rise of feminism in the 1960s, when the styles of dresses were drastically altered to shorter lengths and looser fits. This was the era of Mod and Hippie Chic. Fashion also was influenced by artistic movements such as cubism and futurism.
Fashion is an international industry that relies heavily on advertising, branding and promotion. Designers hold fashion shows in cities such as Paris, New York, Milan and London to showcase their collections of ready to wear clothing. These shows are attended by buyers, the press and models. Designers then develop the collection to suit the tastes of the target market and present it again in a more refined way at a later show.
Trends are influenced by a number of factors including social and significant historical events as well as celebrities, musicians and artists. These trends then filter down to the average consumer. Movies, music and sports can also influence the colors, shapes and themes that will be popular. For example, the ballet inspired Black Swan film led to the creation of a range of dancewear-style leggings and tube tops, whilst modern Hip Hop and RnB culture has seen a rise in baggy jeans, hoodies and sportswear pieces emblazoned with team logos.
A successful designer will be able to anticipate the changes in culture and lifestyle and adapt their collections accordingly. They will also know how to balance the current fashion with what they believe will be popular in the future. It is also important for a designer to focus on high quality, as this will ensure that their pieces last and do not become quickly out of date.