History of fashion

Today, dedicated followers of fashion look to cities such as New York City, London, Paris and Milan for their inspiration and to buy the latest trends. The fashion scene changes with every season and in many countries, this means that there are four collections – one for spring, summer, autumn and winter. The concept of fashion trends developed in the 14th century in Europe, but what about fashion in the rest of the world? Early Western travellers going to the East noted that fashion styles did not change rapidly in countries such as Persia, India, China and Japan. However, this was not always the case as there was also evidence uncovered during the dynasty of Ming China of rapidly changing fashions in Chinese clothing. History shows us that changes in costume often took place at times of economic or social change, which occurred in ancient Rome and the medieval Arabian Peninsula. Then a long period without major changes would follow. Many textiles originated in countries such as China, where exquisite silks were produced and Turkey with its rich history of embroidery and clothing styles influenced by Central Asia and the Far East. Until the mid-nineteenth century, in Europe and America most clothing was therefore custom made by skilled dressmakers and tailors. This meant that following fashion trends was clearly an expensive past-time. In the twentieth century, mechanised production of textiles and the introduction of the sewing machine dramatically changed the way fashionable garments were produced. It led the development of haute couture and, much later, affordable branded clothing which was the offshoot of haute couture.