Fashion is an ever-changing cultural phenomenon that reflects individual attitudes and social groups. It encompasses clothing, shoes, cosmetics, accessories, and other personal ornamentation. The style, design, and production of these items reflect cultural and historical contexts as well as socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and time.
Throughout the centuries, clothing has been both a means of shelter and an ornamental symbol of wealth and power. In ancient Egypt, gold and jewels were used to create clothing; the rich would wear embroidered or embellished garments with precious dyes while the poor wore rough fabrics. Over the years, fashions have transformed from practical attire to a highly influential form of expression.
Clothing is a multibillion-dollar industry and the main source of employment for many people worldwide. It is divided into high fashion, which focuses on designers and their haute couture creations, and low fashion, which refers to the mass production of clothing.
Although a new fashion can start in any part of the world, it must be adapted to suit local conditions and be suitable for the people who live there. For this reason, it is important for designers to understand the local culture when creating a line of clothing. This allows them to appeal to a larger market.
The emergence of the fashion industry as a distinct cultural phenomenon is usually traced back to the mid-1800s, when Charles Frederick Worth established the first haute couture house in Paris. His innovative designs influenced a generation of fashion designers and fueled the expansion of the industry, which now spans the globe.
For a fashion to be “in” it must be endorsed by the media and become popular with the masses. This process is sometimes referred to as “trickle-down” or “bubble up.”
Fashion trends can also be influenced by political or economic events. For example, the introduction of silk from China and cotton from India during the Industrial Revolution prompted changes in the styles of European garments. Similarly, the discovery of exotic new lands may cause fashions to shift. In the past, new fashions from Turkey or China were often “in” for a while before they began to influence Western clothing styles.
The sartorial choices of celebrities, athletes, and politicians can also affect fashions. Newspapers and magazines frequently report on the clothes worn by these individuals. This is partly because the public wants to emulate their perceived successes, but it is also a form of advertising for clothing manufacturers. In the age of Internet trolls and viral memes, a fashion trend can start with just one person but spread like wildfire through social media. This is known as “trend hijacking” or “trigger effect.” Some people believe that the fashion industry exploits this process to promote their own goods. Others argue that the exploitation is unavoidable and that intellectual property rules should not interfere with this process of fashioning new trends. Whatever the case, paying attention to the details of your characters’ clothing can enrich their lives and help readers connect with your story.