Fashion Designers Unit: Changing Materials

Study Notes

Fashion is heavily reliant on materials; innovative uses of existing materials have always been a focus for designers.
Certain materials were historically exclusive to royalty due to their high cost.
Cotton, a common fabric today, required intensive labor to process from husks; this work was often performed by enslaved individuals on plantations.
Manufacturing sufficient cotton for garments could take an extended time, such as nearly two years for making yarn for a sail.

Fabrics are ubiquitous in modern life, found in homes as curtains, clothing, and bedding.
The arrival of the first pilgrims in North America in 1620 necessitated clothing and bedding, as local resources were scarce.
Massachusetts once mandated homes to spin yarn to ensure a sufficient supply of fabric, showcasing the labor-intensive nature of fabric production.
Basic clothing items were considered valuable due to the time and effort required to produce them, leading to commonplace thefts from washing lines.

Fashion as a concept was initially irrelevant to most people who prioritized basic clothing needs over royal trends.
In the 14th century, wealthier individuals began to compete in fashion, frequently changing styles to demonstrate social status.
Political pressure often influenced clothing trends, leading to shifts in fashion acceptance among the wealthy class.

In the 17th century, declining hairlines among King Louis XIV of France and King Charles II of England popularized the use of wigs among the wealthy, creating trends that emphasized royal support.
Wearing wigs, despite their discomfort, became a social norm, reflecting status and solidarity with monarchs.

Until the mid-19th century, most clothing was custom-made; ready-to-wear clothing was a novel concept that emerged later.
The late 1800s and early 1900s marked the beginning of recognizable fashion trends similar to those we see today.