Visual Arts History 1043A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Fashion Design
16 May 2013
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Document Summary
Should the focus be on fashion as art, social process or commercial product. Fashion as system of meaning and a historical phenomenon. Work at a couture house was seasonal because of weather patterns and social behaviour. Different wardrobes required for events / times of month. Final garment merited associations with art and sculpture. Extraordinary garments and perfume and accessories symbols for encouraging fantasy of narcissistic individualism. Middle class women could rely on sewing skills and magazine patterns for her wardrobe. 1/2 million sewing machines in 1871 contributed towards fall in clothing prices. Sub-contracting more strong tradition of industrial pride leading to declining standards. After the war, british utility scheme made people more receptive to mass produced clothes. 1950s onward designer name brought an expensive version of mass produced to youthful people. A battle for market dominance in the high street fought by global brands looking for cheap market to maintain profits.
