I was fortunate enough to attend a fashion course in New York(are you green with envy yet?). I attended the course at Long Island University and I must say it was one of the most exciting things I have done here in the States.
The topic for the course was History of American Fashion. Honestly I thought it was going to be a boring course about names we don't know of. I was proved wrong. We were taken through the decades and the different influences in the fashion industry. Unfortunately because of Hurricane Sandy our course was cut short and we had to leave Saturday night. Non the less I will share what we learned from Friday evening all through out Saturday evening.
On Friday evening we came in for dinner and went into our dorms and I had a lovely roommate. We then proceeded to our first class which was due to be from 6pm-9pm(I know 3hours -_-). We started with a meet and greet and had a well spoken lecturer (by well spoken I mean she spoke spoke spoke lol) who is actually a kindergarten teacher but wanted to try interacting with young adults(that's right I am a young adult now,almost 20 lol) anyway the meet and greet was great as we got to know each other a bit.
We then had to give 5 Adjectives that would describe Fashion,in the end we came up with "Fashion is"
-Art
-creativity
-habit
-always changing
-expressive
-influential
-style
-defining a personality
You can comment on an adjective you would like to add about what fashion is.
We then discussed how American Fashion is in comparison to the fashion in your home country. I didn't find this topic interesting since South Africans dress a lot like Americans and the trends actually aren't so different. And I am obviously not referring to traditional clothes.
let me take you through Fashion through the decades
Everything I write will be my own version from the material I received from LIU post.
THE 1920's: this was a decade which was considered the modern era. In this era fashion became less formal after people felt liberated after world war 1. Women were entering the work force and were stepping out of traditional roles. New fabrics effected the fashions of the 20's. Cotton and wool were the fabrics of the decade and Silk was highly desired for luxurious qualities yet it was expensive. "Fashion was being influenced heavily by art movements such as surrealism focussing more on fantasy and emotion".
What women wore: sportswear was made acceptable which then evolved into a simple silhouette with shorter pleats,gathers or pleats. "Low waisted dresses with fullness at the hemline allowed women to move easily to new dances like the Charleston". I found it interesting that women of this decade cut their hair short as I absolutely love short hair. They did this to fit under popular hats. "Undergarmets began to transform after world war 1 to confirm to the ideals of a flatter chest and more boyish figure." Dresses were also becoming more fitted.
THE BIGGEST FASHION INFLUENCE IN THE 1920's WAS COCO CHANEL WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO WEAR TROUSERS,CUT HER HAIR AND REJECT THE CORSET. THE 1920's GAVE BIRTH TO 3 MAJOR FASHION MAGAZINES :VOGUE, THE QUEEN AND HARPERS BAZAR. VOGUE was first published in 1892 but had major fashion influence only in the 1920's as it provided mass exposure for popular styles and fashion.
We then had to sketch our version of a look in the 1920's.
THE 1950's: This was a era of conservatism. However newfound freedoms such as rock and roll music and other outlets were available for teenagers. Fifties was a teenage rebellion era, style was more original in this era. This era brought a chance for new way of life which was heavily represented in fashion.
"After world war one there was a huge push to get women back into the home and kitchen to do the 'traditionally womanly' duties." The style in the 1950's was more famine than the muscling style of the 1920's through the 1950's. Petticoats came back in style and full knee length skirts with tons of fabric were also popular. "Women's small waists were often the result of a corset or cinch belt,worn with dresses or knee-length skirts."
High heels were the popular choice for shoes( :D yeey). Girls dresses were fluffed out with petticoats and crinolines. Pencil skirts also grew popular near the end of the decade as it represented a distinguished look..
Pants for the female crowd were introduced in the 1950's which was heavily embraced by the younger crowds. The 1950's was more about formal elegance and less about sportiness. Hair was raffled and flipped.
Fashion icons of the 1950's were Elvis Presley,Marilyn Monroe,James Dean and Ricky Nelson. "Curves were popular,those with bigger bust and smaller waistlines like Marilyn Montoe were in style". Icons for women included Grace Kelly,Audrey Hepburn,Sophia Loren and Liz Taylor
THE 1960's : This was a decade which was more fashion-conscious. Politics was a major factor as the First Lady Jackie Kennedy was questioned on the rating amongst the international "best dressed". Fashion in the 1960's later focused on the boldness of a changing society.
"60's Fashion was heavily influenced by the beach themed movies of Frank Avalon and Annette Funicello. In the middle of the decade,culottes,box shaped PVC dresses and go-go boots were popular." While beach themed fashion was in style once the Beatles emerged as a worldwide sensation popular culture changed. "The early buttoned down look of The Beetles combined with their mop top hair changed the way that people dressed in the 1960's "
Women in this decade wore suits,usually in pastel colours,with short boxy jackets and oversized buttons. Shifts were also in style.
Designer Mary Quant introduced the mini skirt in 1964 and the fashion world was changed forever. Women's hairstyles were a variety of lengths and styles and false eyelashes were also worn. People were dressed in highlighted colours and mismatched patterns.
THE 1970's: This decade provides an era for unisex trends. Men and women selected from very similar styles including jump suites,wide legs trousers flared jeans and platform shies. "Frayed jeans tie dye shirts and peasant blouses were also trends worn by both sexes. By the mid-1970's hip-huggers were gone and they were replaced by the high waisted jeans and trousers with wide flared legs." A fitted blazer made in a variety of fabrics including wool,velvet,suede and leather flared slightly at the hip was also worn.
Women's skirts came in a variety of lengths and provided women a choice. An Afro was a HIT for men of the 1970's( as I write that I remember a picture of my dad with an afro,although he was born in the 1970's I guess it's a trend that carried on for a while)
Our discussion ended there due having to be evacuated as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Thank goodness for the handbook we received I have enough information to carry on blogging.
THE 1980's: fashion in this generation was greatly influenced by dramas on television. The creation of MTV also revolutionized Fashion. People were also trying to find themselves through the clothes they wore(identity crisis maybe? Lol). "A variety of looks run parallel to each other in the 1980's. Lavish use of both fine and costume jewelry was a must for many during the decade. Stones could be fake and real as long as they were large and dangling." Make up became a major contribution to a woman's attire. A quick list on trends of the 1980's
-crop tops,prime colours,neon,leg warmers,scrunch socks,hoop earings(shoot the 1980's for that trend!), high tops,spandex,clock necklaces,body suites,acid wash jeans, high top sneakers,leggings.
THE 1990's: Most fashion in this era was based on casual style mostly including blue jeans and the T-shirt. Body piercings and tattoos began commonly. Fashion was divided into the early late and mid 90's. "Looking like you just rolled out of bed was the common trend in the 1990's. Teens everywhere were wearing rock concert T-shirts under plaid,flannel skirts and it was often the 'Kurt Cobain' look."
Fashion influences were that of the character Cher from the teen comedy clueless who wore baby doll dresses with puffed sleeves and thigh-high stockings. Bigger and more colorful jeans were popular in this era. Baggy jeans were made famous by Hip Hop Stars and colored jeans in red green or indigo were soon on every 90's kid. Overalls were also popular in this era. Docs which are like combat boots were definitely the most popular shoes.
THE 2000's: This was an era that fused all styles and trends that fashion saw in previous decades. There was not a unique style but rather recycled styles from past era's. Popular items include Ugg Boots,high-Tops,hoodies and Skinny jeans.
Credit is given to Madona for turning the Juicy Couture velour tracksuit into a trend. The Olsen twins started the Bohemian Chic trend. "The free-spirited Hippie inspired style includes its well known staples: large sunglasses,flowing skirts,boots and loose jumpers."
In the early 2000's women wore denim miniskirts,Burberry,hip hop inspired sweatpants,Daisy Dukes,ripped jeans,flip flops,poncho's,flared trousers,denim jackets and tank tops exposing the midriff.
Mid 2000's,low rise skinny jeans were worn,lycra yoga wear,knee high boots with pointed toes,trench coats and pea coats. Women also wore tunics with wide or thin belts or capri pants. Vintage clothing was also worn.
Late 2000's headbands,denim-printed leggings and knitted sweater dresses were also popular. Acid wash skinny jeans,ballet flats,leather jackets and fur coats also made a come back.
I found it very interesting to learn about fashion through the decades as fashion now relies heavily on clothes that were worn in the past. I hope you enjoyed this post and I would like to thank LIU Post for the handbook which helped me write this blog post :)
