In an industry where basically every idea has been actualized, it can be helpful to take a moment and reflect on what we’ve been through. From the show stopping and ankle breaking creation of the stiletto in the 20th century to the questionable innovation of the romp-him that was demonstrated only a few months back, lets take a look at some of the most revolutionary concepts fashion ever gave birth to.
Couture
Before there was mass production and access to affordable, desirable trends, there was haute couture; a made to measure ideal that was created for and catered to the OG bad and boujee by it’s founding father Charles Frederick Worth during the 19th century. Intended only for the rich and powerful, couture designers were the taste makers and breakers in fashion with Paris being the epicenter of creativity and innovation; up until about the 1960’s when popular demand became impossible to ignore and fashion got real thirsty.
John Galliano for Dior SS04
Photography
Obviously, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a GREAT editorial can leave you speechless. Fashion photography has always and will forever continue to stun, inspire, and provoke so many feelings and ideas not only in fashion but art as a collective. Before the 19th century fashion publication images were nothing more than an illustration; until the first photograph featured in The New York Daily Graphic swooped in, adding realism to imagery and forever changed the game. Thus sparked the fire of fashion photography, and the creation of some of the first fashion images immortalized and emulated even today.
Melvin Sokolsky circa 1950’s for Condé Nast
Influences Around The Globe
Ever since travel became accessible and affordable, designers have gathered inspiration and references to cultures from all around the world. While highly controversial (because of exploitation of indigenous, coveted cultures) worldly fashion may be one of the most ground-breaking concepts introduced into the industry primarily by Western designers… because back in the day people in the West had little to no imagination when it came to extravagant colors, ornaments and embroidery.
Jean Paul Gaultier SS07
Celebrities
As a designer the goal is to get your work seen and sought after by the world; and who better to showcase than the people of the public eye? Whether it’s luxurious high end like Gucci or conveniently chic trash like Fashion Nova; there’s no denying the inevitable star-power of a celeb wearing a garment and how that drives sales. Such has been true since the dawn of time, and if you were to ask just about any designer whom their muse was 9 times out of 10 you’re gonna hear them name at least one wildly famous individual. And why shouldn’t they? Get one design on Beyonce and it’s a wrap fam you done made it after that.
Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen for Vogue
The Bias Cut
Before there was elastic there was the bias cut. If you don’t know what that is, it’s the diagonal angle where the horizontal and vertical threads meet on a fabric; and creates a beautiful, stretchy, and flowy effect on a garment. Pioneered by french dressmaker Madeleine Vionnet in the early 20th century, she brought the look to unprecedented levels by having features in the likes of old Hollywood iconic glamour films. Also used often in a lot of Japanese design and modern formal wear, creating an article of clothing on the bias adds a gentle and soft element that will snatch up your whole existence… it’s revolutionary.
Old hollywood actresses in bias draped gowns
The Little Black Dress
Oh LBD you little rebel you. Aside from being a fashion staple that EVERY woman (and perhaps man) needs, this is one of my favorite fashion icons because the lil black dress had a lil rough start. Popularized by Chanel in the 1920’s during a time after the war when women who wore black were either thought to have been in mourning or broke AF; because wearing “pale” colors classified you as having money in order to keep that shit clean. It instead became a classic necessity for any or every occasion to look absolutely fabulous effortlessly.
Audrey Hepburn in one of her iconic LBD
“A little black dress is the most essential thing in any woman’s wardrobe.”
–Christian Dior
Androgyny
Consistently challenging the preconceived notions of sexuality and gender identity, androgyny may possibly be one of the greatest historically negative opinionated topics in fashion. Still. To. This. Day. You’d think by now people would stop caring about something so arbitrary as an individual’s personal style preferences, but what is history if not a rotating wheel of similar like outcomes. Unless of course you’re a famous celebrity whom in many ways we have to thank for normalizing gender fluid ways of dress like the iconic Bowie, Prince, Bianca Jagger and even waaay back to all of those Grecian rulers gallivanting about. Those togas were nothing less than lavish gowns; and on bias cuts! Total merger of women’s and men’s fashions as one gender is the future I want to live in.
Prince… being Prince ♥
The Internet
What started off as a response to the Soviet launching Sputnik circa the era of the Cold War, the internet has since transformed into a global network that fashion companies have been able to utilize to their advantage in terms of reaching wider audiences. Thanks to the internet not only can you search for your favorite items of clothing but you can see them in real time immediately once they become available; and purchasing has never been easier with only a few clicks and input of information… kind of like what I have goin on at the bottom of this page here with my subscribe button. Weird. Has that always been there? Oh yes it has… It’s there whenever you’re ready, no pressure. Thanks Internet!
The Internet (kidding, but they’re great)
Mass-Manufacturing
Alas, after centuries of struggle and not being able to afford desirable “in trend” high fashion that were only available to the wealthy, industrial machinery, shitty fabrications and factories were born! Initiated in America during the 60’s, for the first time ever people of all demographics could afford current fashion items thanks to cheap labor and materials. Although, what started as good intentions, inclusion and necessity has now turned into the overly saturated nightmare we call fast fashion.
Interior of a clothing facility circa early 20th century
Theatrical Fashion Shows
In 1938 designer Elsa Schiaparelli showcased her circus themed collection as an actual circus; featuring live monkeys, jugglers, clowns and tight rope walkers. Since that very moment numerous designers have followed in her footsteps integrating theatre spectacles and performances into their own shows, which if you’ve ever been to one, it will completely destroy every standard you ever had towards a fashion show. So extra & so necessary.
Christian Dior A/W05
Synthetic Fibers
Nylon, polyester, spandex, viscose; along with so many other man made fibers, while killing the planet, have absolutely revolutionized fashion. Introduced in the 1930’s, house wives everywhere were poppin n lockin (probs not) at the fact that their man’s dress shirts were now wrinkle resistant; and they no longer had to meticulously and carefully hand wash all their clothes for fear the colors would bleed. Mmmhmmm honey! All thanks to sythetics! Not to mention, where would we be without fast drying swimwear?
Old magazine ad for synthetic fibers
Tattoos/Piercings
Nearly every culture since the beginning of humankind has had it’s ways of signifying strength, ranking, social status, beauty, or sense of belonging to a particular tribe through decoration and ornaments worn on and through the skin. Fashion designers have used these displays throughout history to add a sense of identity for the consumer to relate as well as shock factor. These days it’s rare to find a person whom has neither, no matter the economic or cultural background an individual might be… if there’s any of you out there who are reading this right now you are a unicorn, and I don’t know how you do it.
Givenchy A/W15 Runway
Genres Like: Hip Hop, Hip Hippies, Mod, Glam, & Punk (to name a few)
Groups of like-fashion minded communities have always helped mold the fashion society from one trend to the next; be it through music, television, anti-government radicalization, livin at home with your mom and having a disposable income… whichever calls for innovation. Thanks to these dedicated communities and their pioneering, we have all these wonderful sub-cultures we love to reference today in our personal ways of expression, and will live on for years to come.
Salt n Peppa
British punk enthusiasts
Black Is Beautiful
The undeniable presence of black beauty was finally adopted by fashion in the West during the 70’s as the first ever-black woman (Beverly Johnson) appeared on a cover of American Vogue…. Then in 2008 Vogue Italy dedicated an entire issue to black women pressing the issue of under-representation, using only black models in all of their photos and ad campaigns, bringing a state of shock to the industry with the contrast of black beautiful faces…. really Vogue it took you over 30 damn years to acknowledge how Caucasianly catered y’all are? *message* I just wanted to throw this one in there cause while it is a revolutionary concept it’s also a serious issue and it needs to be addressed. Ohhhh this racism is killing me inside! This is no come and go trend. Black is BEAUTIFUL and a staple! Okay great moving forward.
Some beautiful black woman
Brand Culture/Logo Worship
Last but not least, we have the communities of fashion labels who’s expenditures are entirely prioritized not by the product which they supply but by the marketing, advertisements and campaigns of the audiences which they intend to appeal to; thus creating what we know to be much of the streetwear and urban demographics. It’s brands like Tommy Hillfiger, Nautica, Polo and Supreme amongst others that appeal to elitism behind a brand and the aesthetic of exclusivity over everything else. A genius concept if you really think about it, much respect.
Destiny’s Child wearing Tommy Hilfiger
Those are just some oh the maaany revolutionary ideas that the fashion industry has introduced, if there are many more really terrific ones you’d like to share leave em in the comments below! As always, thanks for reading! I hope you learned some shit, and I Love You so much!
♥
Love this!!
Thank you so much lovely Lady! <3