What is Fashion?

Where did fashion come from?

To have fashion you have to have clothing, when man kind started covering themselves this is where the idea of fashion was planted. Research shows that between 100,000 and 500,000 years ago clothing started to be worn by mankind. At first the materials consisted on plants, skins and bones, which were draped over the body and tied with vines etc. It was not long until the needle was created out of bone and skins were sewn together to create garments. The way garments were made became more complex from then onwards, with basket weaving, and then in the mid 1770s the first sewing machine was made, which really allowed fashion to thrive as it became easier to make, instead of sewing everything by hand. 

A sketch of the first sewing machine.

The first fashion trends usually were set by royalty and were controlled by the upper class. During the middle ages there were certain fabrics that royalty could only wear, and you would risk imprisonment if you were caught wearing them without the royal approval. 

Before the ready to wear ranges came out, and fast fashion was created, garments were made to fit for the individual. 

PRADA S/S14 Ready to Wear Collection

Where was the first centre of fashion?

King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette accompanied by
their children and other aristocrats. 

King Louis the XVI was the first high profile individual to show an interest in Fashion. Louis transformed his court in Versailles into a flamboyant affair, making himself a fashion icon, and Versailles the centre of fashion. The gorgeous attire of the court of Versailles was made up of materials such as Gold cloth, one of the most desired fabrics that only the King and his favourites in the court wore, it was marked with edicts which allowed the less important individuals to have the thrill of wearing such materials. A heavy silk, Gros de Naples, was worn a lot in the court, covered in gold leaves, and red, violet and gold and silver flowers. Things such as feathers were also common in the court and with the extra wealthy, especially after Marie Antoinette set the trend of the featherhead piece. Jewels, lace, velvets, silks and furs were the main staples of what laces the aristocratic French men and woman of Versailles. 

The doll representing the ladies French
fashion. 

The fashion of the courts of Versailles started to spread over Europe when King Louis XVI sent out dolls to the other courts in Europe that showed the fashion of his court. The European courts then took inspiration from these and soon the European courts were also just as flamboyant and glamorous as that of Versailles. 

Why and When did the age of the designer occur?

Charles Fredrick Worst

Charles Fredrick Worth is known to be the first designer to label his garments. Born in Lancashire, Worth was known as the creator of Haute Couture. Worth built up his knowledge by working with textiles merchants in London, then took the chance to move to Paris in 1845, where he then worked for, Gagelin, a firm that sold textiles goods, shawls, and some ready made garments. He worked his way up in this firm making them their own dress making department, where he took his first official dress making role. 

One of Worst's early works, A Day Dress.

When the time of the French revolution came about Nepolian III and his Wife were set to change France into an imperial capital once more. The empress helped with Worth's success from the 1860's onwards. The demand for high quality and lavish goods was also reflected in the fashion of this time, this meant the Worst's career would lavish. Worth's designs are notable for his use of inspiration from historic dress, with lavish trimmings and exuberant fabrics. Worst is known for his attention to fit, making the body look beautiful, and although he still created one off pieces he was best known for his collections displayed at the House of Worth. 

Worth may not have been the first ever designer, although he is known as the Father of Haute Couture, he was the first designer to make a real impact into the fashion industry and create the age of the designer. Worst was appearing in fashion magazines in the 1870's which meant he was not only for the wealthy and royal, but his fame was now known by the women of less importance in society.