The history of fashion is very rich and entertaining: even in ancient times, different styles of clothing were invented, new materials were created, new elements were added to hair, accessories, jewelry on the neck, hands, ears. Undoubtedly, the beautiful half of humanity is more interested in fashion, but men do not go far from it either. Therefore, the range of fashion products is expanding every year, and the fashion industry has worked and will continue to work for humanity.
Fashion as a phenomenon
It is known that fashion is one of the social phenomena, since it is aimed at satisfying the aesthetic needs of society. And fashion items, in turn, themselves demonstrate the social status of their owner.
Fashion as a phenomenon was explained as early as the beginning of the twentieth century, when the term "leakage" appeared. According to the American Thorstein Veblen and the German Georg Simmel, the fashion industry initially aimed to distinguish from the gener althe masses of the elite, which always tries to be different from ordinary people. Therefore, all new currents appear among the upper class, and the middle and lower strata of society try to imitate the elite stratum and adopt any innovations from it. In other words, fashion trends "seep" from the top down and cease to be novelties, moving into the category of "consumer goods". Then again it is necessary to create something new and fashionable so that the elite still stands out. There is a process of the so-called “prestigious consumption cycle” that does not stop.
Modern Fashion
Today, class strata in society have practically disappeared, but the purpose of fashion has remained the same - to emphasize a person's belonging to a particular social group. The modern fashion industry creates things in such areas as youth fashion, street, office, etc. At the same time, each person is able to choose personal clothes for himself, which is a way of self-expression. By dressing fashionably and stylishly, you can stand out from the crowd and demonstrate to others the presence of taste and personality.
Based on this, the conclusion suggests itself that fashionable things are only those that are on display, demonstrated.
Fashion
From the total number of industrial products, the fashion industry contains only those that are considered fashionable and satisfy the personal needs of a person. These include:
- clothes,
- personal accessories (handbags, hats, watches, belts, stockings, gloves, etc.),
- cosmetics and perfumes,
- jewelry (jewelry and bijouterie),
- household goods (dishes, bedding, linen, carpets).
The production of all of the above is carried out by a certain sector of the economy - the so-called "fashion industry". This sector includes the manufacture and sale of goods. Several branches of light industry are involved here, among which textile, hairdressing, perfumery, and modeling business should be noted. As statistics show, over time, the number of fashion products is gradually expanding.
Fashion Trends
If earlier only goods for the beautiful half of humanity were considered fashionable things, then in the twentieth century this trend was refracted, and fashion touched men too.
At about the same time, the fashion industry expanded its range of fashion products due to the fact that lifestyles changed and became public. For example, our great-grandmothers and grandmothers did not attach much importance to washing, as well as eating. Now, most of us buy food and laundry products in the store. As a result, almost all items of personal consumption are now classified as fashion goods, including drinks, cars, motorcycles, furniture, stationery, etc.
Stages of development of the fashion industry
There are several stages of development that the fashion industry has gone through. Until the end of the nineteenth century, such a direction did not exist, although the concept of fashion was. Beginning in the 1890s, they begin theiractivities of manufacturers of clothing and accessories, in the process of which a small business turns into a real large-scale production. Even fashion magazines were published, which de alt with trendy things that are customary to wear in an elite society.
In the 50s of the last century, they headed for mass consumption, which means that it was required to predict fashionable phenomena. There were firms that specialized in the analysis of new products and trends in the fashion world. The large-scale production of fashionable clothes put forward its own requirements - to make decisions on mass purchases, release, etc. As a result, the companies producing ready-made items already depended not only on the “inventions” of fashion designers, but also on raw material manufacturers. Later, a trend forecasting system appeared.
Fashion forks
Since the 60s of the twentieth century, serious changes have taken place - fashion (fashion) has been divided into two branches: haute couture and ready-to-wear. During this period, fashion designers such as Christian Dior, Hubert Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel and others gained world fame.
In the 90s, the term "pluralism" appeared in the fashion environment, meaning the absence of a single style and a commitment to fragmentation into a number of different directions. The speed at which new products are introduced changes. In parallel with this, fashion is “rejuvenated”, that is, the opportunity to buy fashionable things has appeared not only among rich people, but also among ordinary youth. Stylists no longer have a dominant influence on fashion, more well-known brands are engaged in propaganda.
It should be noted that if until the end of the 20th century the fashion industry affected only Europe, then in the 21st century fashion has become global, and designers from different countries offer their ideas. Today, there is already a huge influence of oriental cultures, and this is reflected in consumer goods.
