Fashion has been defined by many great philosophers, but they all agree on one thing - it's all about looking and feeling good, right? When you're fashionable, you feel confident in your own skin and you know you're giving off the right impression to others. Being fashionable can totally help you take that first step towards your goals, you know what I mean?
Throughout history, there have been many ups and downs in the fashion industry. What was fashionable a few decades ago might be viewed as a complete fashion disaster today! Furthermore, what is current fashion today may have been unimaginable in the past! The time period, cultural values, and local customs all have a significant impact on the fashion trends of the day.
For instance, the culture of ancient Egypt had a significant impact on fashion. They chose attire that was both gorgeous and appropriate for their humid environment. White hence became the most preferred color. The elite decorated themselves with costly attire and jewels, while the working class and children frequently wandered about nude.
Jattin Kochhar, a renowned fashion designer hailing from India, has observed that fashion designers worldwide tend to incorporate colors of seasonal fruits and vegetables in their collections. He suggests that wearing such colors can ensure that one never goes out of fashion, as people tend to connect better with these colors. This underscores the significant influence that local surroundings can have on the fashion trends of a particular region.
For example, the emu bird is native to Australia and can be found in various parts of the country. The use of emu feathers in headwear is a distinctive feature of Australian fashion, with Australian Light Horsemen historically wearing such headwear. Australian millinery also takes inspiration from the country's flora and fauna. The integration of the scenic and natural beauty of the country into all aspects of life, including fashion, is deeply ingrained in its culture.
Although Western attire has taken the global fashion market by storm, countries and regions continue to maintain a connection with their traditional dress. They often introduce novel fashion trends to the way their cultural garments are crafted or worn. In Bhutan, for instance, fashion designers avoid incorporating designs that conflict with their age-old cultural traditions. The Bhutanese are required to don their traditional attire in public places, emphasizing the significance of cultural clothing in the country.
Fashion is an ever-evolving phenomenon, and at times, even the most questionable trends gain popularity in a particular region. Women's shoulder pads, for example, became fashionable in the 1940s, and disappeared from society, only to resurface in the 1980s. Even fashion icons like Princess Diana succumbed to trying out this accessory. This was the era of the "big" - big shoulders, big hair, big jewelry, etc., which became a requisite, even though they may have seemed unsuitable for women.
You know how culture in a specific area evolves over time, right? Well, fashion trends are no exception - they get influenced by the changing culture in that region. For instance, after getting hitched, women in India used to have to wear a Sari all the time. This was because they were expected to stay at home while their hubbies brought home the bacon. But now that women are also earning for their families, they're not restricted to wearing just a Sari anymore.
It's no secret that people tend to take their fashion cues from the media. They see what their favorite actors, actresses, or models are wearing and try to imitate their style. Alternatively, they might notice what their friends are rocking and try to adopt that look for themselves. That's how a particular trend catches on in a particular region. Of course, people can't just wear something totally out there, even if it looks amazing. It has to be something that the culture will accept and that's impactful enough to make a statement - that's what becomes the fashion in that area.
So, culture has a significant impact on how an area chooses to dress. A society's fashion trends are simply a reflection of its culture. Fashion changes as a culture do! It is also true that fashion can have a slight influence on a region's culture. The majority of the time, though, it is the opposite!
You can develop fashion trends for that culture the more you study fashion and new cultures in the region you are targeting.
It goes without saying that culture and fashion, when combined, can teach you about the future of global consumption and how it affects trends.
As it is commonly known, the act of conforming to current fashion trends implies wearing garments and accessories that are in vogue. It is worth noting that the fashion industry's primary objective is to enhance the appearance of its clientele.
For consumers, fashion is a means of making a fashion statement, achieved through a combination of apparel and accessories. Such a statement has the potential to differentiate individuals from one another.
Furthermore, fashion is a mode of nonverbal self-expression, similar to language. It serves as a means of communication, representing the culture and identity of an individual in a unique way. Therefore, fashion can be viewed as a form of individual cultural representation.
DOES CULTURE AFFECT THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
Indeed, culture does play a significant role in shaping the fashion industry. Changes in culture directly impact the fashion trends followed by individuals in that particular culture or location. It is worth noting that diverse cultures worldwide have unique fashion trends, and no two are the same. Moreover, culture is a dynamic entity that keeps evolving with time, much like the fashion industry.
Culture influences fashion by ensuring that the fashion accessories and clothing align with specific goals or objectives. Designers often incorporate cultural elements into their creations, which gives their designs a strong local identity. Furthermore, culture influences the selection of fabrics and designs, allowing designers to make use of indigenous materials that are abundant in a particular place. This cultural influence adds depth and meaning to the fashion industry and its creations.
But wait, there's more! Nowadays, folks also want to mimic celebs, even if they don't necessarily share the same cultural background.
On the flip side, some folks just love the creativity of fashion. But for the most part, people tend to stick with the cultural trends of their area. Their fashion choices and how they put together an outfit are often influenced by where they live.
Take, for instance, peeps who dwell in super chilly climates. They gotta have some thick, warm clothes to brave the frigid weather while still looking fly.
Fashion is a constantly evolving industry, with designers constantly modifying designs and selecting fabrics, colors, and textures to fit a particular culture or trend. This exchange goes both ways, as culture also has a significant influence on fashion.
Designers are always looking for new ways to create unique designs based on what they know about a particular culture. When fashion and culture come together, it opens up endless possibilities for exploring new designs and creating the latest fashion trends.
People all over the world take pride in their cultural heritage and are always willing to show off the vibrant and colorful aspects of their roots. Whether it's a modern twist on a traditional outfit or adding a traditional touch to an ultra-modern dress, wearing your national attire is always a joyous occasion.
ETHIOPIAN CULTURE
The traditional attire of Ethiopia is renowned for its distinctive and diverse appearance. Ethiopian clothing is made from a high-quality, handmade cotton fabric known as Shemma, which is woven into long strips and stitched together. The fabric is often adorned with shiny threads and intricate patterns. One popular style of Ethiopian dress is the Habesha kemis, which features woven borders with handmade embroidery in various colors and is paired with Masekel crosses.
The use of Masekel crosses pays homage to the most popular religious subsect of this historic country, namely, the Orthodox Christian denomination. This traditional attire is commonly observed across many regions of Ethiopia, with rural communities frequently wearing it as everyday attire. In urban areas, western-style clothing has gained popularity in recent years. Nevertheless, numerous Ethiopians both within and beyond the country's borders proudly don their local clothing for special occasions, including weddings, holidays, and church ceremonies.
PAKISTANI CULTURE
The traditional clothing of various provinces in Pakistan constitutes the cultural attire of Pakistan. The indigenous dress of Pakistani individuals is also shaped by their cultural heritage. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), for instance, the khet partug and Peshawari chappal constitute the traditional dress and footwear respectively.
Similarly, in Sindh, the ajrak serves as a cultural accessory, while in Punjab, the kurta pajama or shalwar kameez are customary clothing items. Lastly, in Balochistan, a loose shirt with baggy shalwar is the typical apparel of the region. Our online store, Nameerabyfarooq.com, provides access to most of these Pakistani attires, enabling one to embrace and showcase their cultural identity with ease.
INDIAN CULTURE
In India, women traditionally wear sarees and lehengas as part of their attire. Sarees are typically six meters of intricately embroidered cloth, wrapped around women with folds and pleats. On the other hand, lehengas are usually comprised of two or three pieces, including heavily embellished blouses, long skirts, and shawls.
Originating from Mangalore in the state of Karnataka, located in southern India, these traditional dresses come in various fabrics, ranging from simple cotton to opulent silk, organza, jute, and nylon. Indian women adorn these outfits with elaborate jewelry and herbal hand tattoos known as mehendi. Across regions and religions, sarees and lehengas are the preferred attire for weddings and festivals.
NIGERIAN CULTURE
Men clad in the distinctive agbada, an African traditional attire, are frequently seen at cultural events. This three-piece look often consists of a pair of loose-fitting, one-color gowns, a long-sleeved blouse, and a pair of pants. A hat may be worn to complete the ensemble.
When attending religious events, weddings, and festivals, agbada clothing is widely worn. The fabrics used to make the clothing range from basic cotton to silk and synthetic fabric. Particularly the Yoruba Agbada, which is frequently handwoven and may be passed down from generation to generation, is greatly revered. Its roots can be found in the Nigerian states of Igboland and Delta-city.