1/13/13

Here are some fashion articles i wrote!

A Change In Times

WWII highly effected fashion. There was a major cut back in materials causing laws to be put in place of how much fabric you were aloud to use on a certain garment. Many materials were strictly rationed and skirts were shorter than ever. Women started using eyeliner to draw stitches up the back of their legs to look like stockings because of nylon shortage and their hair became much more detailed to make up for the loss in nice clothing. Fashion tends to follow social trends and the state of the economy. Many styles that we have even today derived from war. Such as the loops on the shoulders of men’s button up shirts. Or the loops on the front of their shirt which would have been used in war to hold ammunition or guns. Also scarf’s and hats became bigger than ever!

             Hollywood also highly impacted fashion during the war. Because people couldn’t afford luxurious clothing, they would find their joy in the movies, soaking in the beauty of the stars. Women everywhere would dream about being like the actresses and long to be like them one day. Hollywood fashion gave women everywhere hope for fashion to come back.

            When the war finally ended fashion made a huge comeback, designers were bringing back luxury and style. Women went crazy everywhere and bought new clothes as if they were groceries. They were overjoyed to have their fashionable clothing back. And gowns were elegant, nylons were back, and women’s hair was flawless.

            When we think about effects on fashion war is typically not one of them, but it is truly one of the largest factors in changes in fashion. 

The New Look

 “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!” Carmel Snow the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar quoted. And thus, a designer was born.

 

Christian Dior was officially discovered On February 12th 1947 at 10:30 a.m while presenting his first collection to the press. He was 42 years old when he showed his line in the salons of 30 avenue Montaigne. Dior’s line was popular for his longer, fuller and smooth rounded skirts, his sloping shoulder jackets and tiny fitted waists. The word of this New Look traveled so fast that the United States got the news of Dior the same day as his fashion show!

The reason Dior’s New Look was so popular was because fashion had been so dull since World War II ended two years prior. Dior took all restriction and gloom out of fashion and brought back the art of seduction and thrill.

Dior’s next fashion show took place at 10:30 a.m. on February 12^th 1947. 90 models walked the “runway” and journalists and fashion editors all raved about the New Look, the called it a revolution. Everybody thought that fashion had hit a dead end but Dior brought it back and he was on fire! Within just a few short seasons Dior had become a household word, everybody knew it, and he was doing as much business as the rest of the French couture combined!