“Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” — Vivienne Westwood
There were many amazing events throughout fashion history. However, only a few of them managed to change things for good and become masterpieces of fashion photography.
Levi Strauss and Beginning of the Blue Jeans Era
Levi Strauss & Co. is a famous American clothing company founded in May 1853. However, it took almost 70 years for the company to become the number one clothing company in the US. This was precisely when the blue jeans era began.
It all started in the 1930s when the company released the modern jeans and introduced them during the dude ranch craze. The blue jeans era officially began in the early 60s and lasted through the mid-70s.
Wartime Attire: Pants for Ladies and Bikinis
Did you know that pants were exclusively a menswear clothing item until the 40s? Around this time, many women started working in factories because men workers were fighting WWII. Working around heavy machinery in a skirt or a dress was unimaginable, and women began wearing men’s pants.
At the same time, another event took place and changed the history of women swimsuits and beachwear. The Bikini was invented in 1946. It was a lot tighter and significantly lower on the waist than traditional two-piece suits. It was so revealing that many women of that time refused to wear it.
The Far Out Miniskirts
Although they appeared in the 20s and 50s, at the time, miniskirts were regarded as a controversial item by many. The shift happened in 1964 when a British designer, Mary Quant, decided to raise the hemline of her skirts. The miniskirt, as we know it, was born, and Mary became the miniskirt pioneer.
The rest is the history told by the evidence we have thanks to fashion photography. The official poster child for the miniskirt era is Twiggy. Soon every major clothing designer followed, including Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent. Miniskirts became the new fashion statement.
Women in Executive Chairs and Power Suits
The evolution of women’s dresses in the workplace is quite impressive. It all started with Coco Chanel when she decided to design a suit around the idea: feminine sophistication meets masculine elements.
The 1920s Chanel suit was the first power suit designed for women. It took almost 60 years for women to be seen as equals in the world of business. In the 80s, women got support from the word of fashion. The quintessential power suit could be seen on the runways launched by Donna Karen, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani.
Say Hello to the Hipster Brigade
The hipster brigade has its roots in the fashion movement inspired by urban living and music. It all started in the 40s in New York City. At the time, the New Yorkers could be seen wearing Bohemian and vintage attire paired with casual clothes.
The style got the attention of many people and soon became a worldwide trend.
Here at ,Elements Productions, we love to play with a thought that things in fashion are not set in stone. If you would like to push the boundaries and discover your style, please send us an email.