Fashion Influences from Historical Artistic Styles

1)Surrealism Art Fashion
The leading Parisian fashion designer of the 20s and 30s, Elsa Schiaparelli represented the surrealism art fashion. Schiaparelli often worked with Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau. She created outrageous hats, invented shocking pink, and the first to use shoulder pads and animal prints fabrics.

Schiaparelli fused inventive creativity and romance into art. She took willful illusion and pounded it into wearable apparel. Her accessories often became fashion statements to be admired.

Visit Schiaparelli website to see how she incorporate Surrealism into her art world-
http://www.schiaparelli.com/intro.html

2)Art Deco Fashion

Erté, was the icon of the Art Deco style. Born in St. Petersburg and moved to Paris in 1912 to work in fashion, he briefly collaborated with couturier Paul Poiret. In 1915 he signed a contract with Harper's Bazaar and there after created 240 covers for the magazine. Erte is most famous for his elegant fashion designs which capture the art deco period in which he worked. His delicate figures and sophisticated, glamorous designs are instantly recognizable, and his ideas and art influence fashion into the 21st century. . His love of color and his elaborate couture designs put the magazine at the forefront of creative innovation. Erté also crafted scenery and costumes for stage productions like the Folies Bergère in Paris and Broadway musical Stardust.

3) Art Nouveau Fashion

Art Nouveau developed between 1890-1914. The art Nouveau fashion explored a new style in the visual arts and architecture that developed in Europe and North America at the end of the nineteenth century.

In Prada 2007 collection at Milan Fashion week, Prada opted for a soft feminine look with Art Nouveau stylised florals and jewel tones. This collection was packed with elements from the 20s-style filtered through the 70s. I personally like the organza dress in batik print wore over the chequered tights that reflected a folksy noir vibe while giving a light and soft touch to the dress.

4)Pop Art Fashion- The Wearable Art
Pop art emerged about 1960 in New York and London where artists were painting bold and colorful images of objects. Many of the famous paintings were became icons and being used as motifs/prints on clothing. Famous examples are Andy Warhol and his Campbell’s soup can, Coca-cola bottles, portraits of Marilyn Monroe. Among all artists, Andy Warhol were closely connected to fashion and began to produce wearable art. On the other hand, the best pop art fashion, was designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Betsey Johnson who copied pop art iconic look.

5)Gothic Fashion

Goth is a dark and morbid subculture. Typical Gothic fashion includes black dyed hair, dark eyeliner and nail polish, red and black clothes. The fashion styles are mostly inspired from the Elizabethans and Victorians. Goths often have a deeper and different view of the world. They were deep in literature, poetry, role playing games, fashion and arts.
Examples shown above is Alexander McQueen’s 2001 Voss Collection. Using feathers and black ostrich plumes, the delicate nature of the dress is offset by its hardened shell bodice.

Another designer who always associated with Gothic fashion is John Galliano.This cotton gown had been texturized to look like red leather. I love the volume and the asymmetry of the skirt, and the staked cross necklace is the perfect accessory for such a strong piece.

Fashion influences from historical artistic styles

6)Abstract Art Fashion

Contemporary designers like Dolce & Gabbana took inspiration from modern painter Julian Schnnabel who specialises in abstract art, created a mix of shapes and colors of Fifties style evening dresses. Chloe which is known for its design femininity and simplicity also took influence from abstract art and created this white skirt with pink multi color abstract print.

The Genealogy of T-shirt

What is T-shirt (or tee shirt)? It is a garment that is so popular in the modern era. T-shirt is available for babies, teenagers, adult men and women. To define T-shirt, it is a buttonless, collarless, and pocketless shirt, usually with a round neck and short sleeves, pulled on over the head and covers one upper body.

1. During World War I and II

During WWI, European soldiers were wearing a comfortable and light weighted cotton undershirt in the hot summer days. American soldiers noticed it and impressed by its simple and cooler design. The cotton undershirts were more comfortable than the usual wool uniform that American soldiers wore. Soon, these shirts became known in the USA as "T-Shirts".

During World War II the T-shirt had become common underwear for both U.S. Army and the Navy. Soldiers often used it without a shirt covering it while doing heavy labor in a hot climate. As public was exposed to pictures of armies wearing pants and a T-shirt, these shirts became gradually more acceptable.

2. 1950-1955 The Big Screen

During this period, the T-shirts were worn by movie stars John Wayne, Marlon Brando and James Dean on national TV. In 1951, Marlon Brando shocked Americans in his film "A Streetcar Named Desire" when his T-Shirt was ripped off of his body revealing his naked chest.

In 1955, the T-Shirt which known as under garment was worn without another shirt covering it. In movie “Rebel Without A Cause”, James Dean projected a cool image with T-shirt, making T-Shirt a significant icon of rebellious youth.

3. 1960 New Technology in Printing and Dyeing

T-shirt became more commercialized when Tie dyeing and Screen printing methods were developed in the 60's. With the advantages of new technologies, more variety and variations of the T-short came in to the fashion. Aside from basic round neck T, consumer tried on Tank Top, Muscle Shirt, Scoop Neck, V-Neck, and etc.

The ringer T-shirt were introduced in 1960 which was a staple fashion for youth and rock-n-rollers.

4. 1990 The Designer T-shirts

As T-shirts became widely accepted

as a fashion item, a demand for

custom made T-shirt was growing.

To make T-shirt a even more valuable

and fashionable garment, famous fashion

designers started to print their logos on

the basic T-shirts. This soon became a

trend for the brand conscious consumers.

Popular designer T-shirt branding include

Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and The Gap.

T-shirts were sellable and profitable

because of its affordable cost, pricing

and style that make a statement.

Acknowledged by Rock n Roll bands

and professional sport teams, they

officially licensed and marketed

T-shirts to be hot selling merchandise.

5. The early 2000s
Consumers were more aware of making personal statements through clothing. This lead to a trend of T-shirts with humorous and ironic slogans and designs. The trend was growing when embraced by celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Also, T-shirts that display political and social statements appeared since the beginning of 2000s.