Fashion is a form of self-expression that reflects a specific time and place. Fashion includes clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, body posture and even the way one speaks. Fashion changes from one person to the next and is often influenced by cultural and social trends.
Before the Industrial Revolution, it was difficult for ordinary people to keep up with high-end trends in clothing. Clothes had to be sourced, prepared and weaved, which was expensive and time-consuming. The introduction of the sewing machine meant that clothes could be made much more quickly and cheaply. Suddenly everyone was able to buy new clothing styles from shops and dressmakers. This led to the birth of fashion as we know it today.
The fast pace of fashion means that many brands are designing, manufacturing and selling their goods at breakneck speeds. There is little or no time for quality control and corners are often cut. As a result, the quality of some clothing can be terrible. For example, the button holes on a garment may not be sewn correctly and there is no guarantee that a garment will have the right number of buttons. As a result, many of the latest fashions are not sustainable.
In addition to the speed of production, the globalization of fashion has also led to changes in intellectual property rights. Fashion designers no longer own the designs they create and the appropriation of unique or original design elements by larger companies is common. This has blurred the line between the selling of fashion and the forecasting of future trends.
Despite these changes, the fact remains that fashion is decided by consumers. The “ordinary girl” on the street has emerged as as sophisticated and discerning as any high style fashionista and blogs and Instagram are rewriting fashion chronicles. The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar global business and a lot of money has to be invested to keep up with the changing times.
Fashion is a reflection of the way we feel at any given moment, it can be an understated whisper or a loud and energetic scream. It can speak of confidence and power or of sadness and despair. It can be playful and fun or serious and sophisticated. It can be sexy, sultry or even naughty. Fashion enables us to translate our inner feelings into a visual expression and it is the ultimate form of personal freedom. The world of fashion is constantly evolving and it can be a source of endless fascination. Just like the world of art, it can be a source of wonder, inspiration and joy. So go out and find your own unique fashion statement! Whether it be in jeans and sneakers or a stunning evening gown. Remember that the most important thing is to be comfortable in your own skin. So wear your clothes in a way that makes you happy and feel good about yourself. Then you’ll have truly understood what fashion is all about.