Fashion Design

Fashion designers are architects of fabric.  Designing fashion involves envisioning a concept which may be based on a theme or on the history of similar articles of clothing, sketching it out, creating a pattern by hand or through computer graphics, choosing fabrics based on their texture, drape and aesthetics of their print or design, and creating a wearable object out of these.  

The first fashion designer was Charles Frederick Worth, a mid-nineteenth century draper, who included his name on the clothes that he fashioned. He set up his fashion house (maison couture) in Paris.  Often designs were initially presented as drawings to clients, and only "created" if the client wanted it.  Clothing was therefore one of a kind, and quite expensive.  These clothes were and are still called, haute couture.

Photography revolutionized fashion, and by the early 20^th century, fashion photographs were being incorporated into magazines.  During World War II, Paris ceased to be the center of the fashion world.  Because of necessity, clothing became mass marketed using new techniques and materials, including synthetics.  After the war, Parisian high fashion, or haute couture was resurrected, but factory produced styles were firmly established.  The latter fell into two categories, ready wear, which while designer created were factory made and therefore less expensive.  Care went into making ready wear garments, including expensive fabrics and more intricate needlework. Ready wear was more expensive and prestigious than the second type of mass produced clothes, mass market wear.  Mass market wear is found today in department stores everywhere. Ready wear is found in upscale department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Great Designers. 

Many of the great designers have been women.  These individuals have been innovators in the use of textiles, as well as design.  Many were college educated and had genuine business savvy, sometimes commanding multimillion dollar clothing empires. 

CoCo Channel popularized the bob hairstyle, the little black dress, and  jerseyknit for women's clothing	Jeanne Lavin's trademarks were floral  colored garments, intricate trimmings, beautiful embroideries and beaded decorations in clear, light, floral colors.	Elisa Schiaparelli was the most important designer of the 1930s.  She was heavily influenced by the Surrealist movement.
Madeleine Voinnet created Grecian style clothing and was well known for works employing a bias cut.  She's been called the architect of design.	Vera Maxwell was the first woman sportswear designer.  She also pioneered working with UltraSuede.	Bonnie Cashin was the most important casual wear designer of the mid-20th century. She mixed fabrics and materials creating a collage of textures, and reintro- duced tweed into the fashion vo- cabularly. She also used hardware, such as brass toggles on her creations.
Claire McCardell created the "American Look".  She invented the "tent dress" and streamlined swimwear.  She introduced denim into the fashion vocabulary and the ballet slipper in place of the pump.  She was the first designer to license her name.	Ann Klein created chic sportswear that was comortable. She popul- rized the blazer and trousers.	Edith Head was an American costume designer in Hollywood whose fashion ideas influenced the fashion world.  An author, she frequented a number of television talk shows in the 1950's and 60's, increasing her exposure.  Her fashions worn by film stars, epitomized glamour.
Mary Quant is best known for inventing the mini-skirt.  Her clothing styles epitomized the 1960's youth movement, and she incorporated pop art motifs into her garments.  She also created the colored, patterned tights, which are still popular.	Caroline Herrera is a fashion designer and entrepreneur. Herrera's look is elegant and timeless.  She was Jackie O's designer for over a decade.	Diane Von Furstenberg  created the jersey knit wrap- dress, which was part of the fashion uniform for the 1970's. She has since expanded into the fragrance and home decor arena.
Sonia Rykiel began by creating soft maternity sweaters.  She eventually designed all manner of knitwears.  Her Poor Boy sweater was one of the most popular sweater styles of the 70's	Donna Karan created the very popular DNKY line which is found in better department stores every- where, including Macy's.	Miccuia Prada, a name that is glamour and fashion, Miccuia is the granddaughter of the founder of the Prada house.  She has re- defined haute couture in lines of separates.  Her fashion advertise- ments are trademarks on their own.
Betsy Johnson is the mother of American alternative high fashion Her clothing is whimsical but edgy.  She is a favorite of musicians and rock stars.	Vivenne Westwood is the grand dame of punk fashion and has been honored by the Queen of England for her work in fashion. She uses traditional elements, in- cluding tartans, in startling ways. Rockstars, including the Sex Pistols wore her clothes.  Her styles are radical and provocative.

Can you coordinate a wardrobe?  Try this realistic game and find out by clicking HERE.

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