INTRODUCTION TO

FASHION
Lecturer Roma Ali
WHAT DOES FASHION
MEAN TO YOU?
Fashion is a popular style or practice, especially in clothing,
footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing. Fashion is a
distinctive and often habitual trend in the style in which a person
dresses. Because the more technical term costume is regularly
linked to the term "fashion", the use of the former has been relegated
to special senses like fancy dress masquerade wear, while "fashion"
generally means clothing, including the study of it. Although aspects
of fashion can be feminine or masculine, some trends are
androgynous.
 The fashion industry is a product of the modern age.
Prior to the mid-19th century, virtually all clothing
was handmade for individuals, either as home
production or on order from dressmakers and
tailors.

 By the beginning of the 20th century—with the rise

of new technologies such as the sewing machine,
the rise of global capitalism and the development of
the factory system of production, and the
proliferation of retail outlets such as
department stores—clothing is increasingly mass-
produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed prices.
Nowadays the global industrial revolution and the modern
enhancements create trends which we call fashion. These trends
influence our lives. All trends which influence us show which
social group we belong to. It is called common replete identical life
style. The most representative trend is wearing the latest and
getting things which are considered to be fashionable. Modern
society creates fashion on branding. Customers think in the terms
of brands. Entrepreneurs are able to tap into the niche and
communicate to their target market offering people a definite life
style of what they want and need, or even create a demand by
themselves. Watches, shoes, jewellery, sun glasses are all
examples. Every thing and every style we wear is fashion.
 What is your understanding of Fashion

Some people view fashion as escapism form the banality of the world.
For example, a tattoo.

Fashion represents life. When you wear something that makes you
feel more…creative, more interesting, stronger, complicated — that’s
when you feel the most alive, the most engaged with the world.
Changing your wardrobe is the quickest route to feeling like
everything is new again, that anything is possible. So the purpose of
fashion is to make you feel alive and present.

Some people think fashion is a necessity and we just tend to over

complicate the word. You need clothing to maneuver the world. You
need a pair of pants, a shirt, shoes to go on that interview, to the
grocery store, your cousin’s wedding. It’s how we present ourselves
to live.

For some people fashion is joy. The joy of wearing something that
makes you feel powerful or beautiful or in control.
 How can you access International Fashion?
The internet has transformed the fashion industry by making it possible for designers and fashion
houses to reach a global audience, for consumers to purchase clothing and accessories from
anywhere in the world, at any time and for anyone to become a designer or fashion influencer, and
to share and discover new fashion trends and styles. The internet continues to shape the fashion
industry, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve in the future.

https://us.fashionnetwork.com/

https://fashionunited.com/news/f

ashion

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/

The business of Fashion Podcast

https://www.vogue.com/fashion

Movies:

Phantom Thread
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
Persuasion
Clueless
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold
Audrey
 What is your approach to fashion

The fashion world is a place of vast diversity, where

people with colluding ideas and contradictory points
of view can coexist. One way or another.

While taking an approach to fashion you have to

determine how would you like to show up in the
world.

How would you want people to perceive you for

example, powerful, approachable, compassionate,
intelligent, authentic, witty, etc.

While choosing your approach make sure you are

authentic, choose fashion styles that strengthen your
image and are an expression of your true self.

Identify your inspiration, you can study someone’s

style and learn from them. It could be a celebrity a
politician or anyone for that matter.
 There are two types of approaches to fashion stern or relaxed approach

1. Stern Approach

 The stern approach to fashion can be described as a very strict and clear approach.

 People with this approach have everything cleared out impeccably.

 Those who fall in this category see fashion as a connection between themselves and the
outer world for example Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour of Vogue.
2. Relaxed Approach

 This is the opposite of the stern approach, those who follow this approach
are more relaxed, they go more for what looks right in the moment.
 They trust their own aesthetic sense
 It does not mean that they don’t take fashion trends seriously, they just believe that
clothes aren’t something that should be taken as rocket science, in fact they take it as
fun.
Examples can be Carlyne Cerf and Caroline De Maigret
These two approaches are found in both men’s and women’s wear although
in men’s wear it’s more hard to find this approach because its more structured.
 Who is a Fashion Designer?

• Someone who loves to study fashion trends, sketch designs, select materials, and
have a part in all the production aspects of their designs.
• They create women’s, men’s and children’s apparel.
• They can also design accessories like belts, scarves, hats and children’s apparel.
 Who is a Textile Designer?

• A textile designer is someone who is responsible for

the aesthetics characteristics of fabric and cloths.

• They create fabric designs and patterns for woven,

knitted and printed materials for clothes and interior
furnishings.
 1. Accessories
■ Articles added to complete or enhance an outfit. (Shoes,
jewellery, belts, handbags, etc.)
2.Apparel
■ All men's, women's, and children's clothing
3.Croquis
■ Croquis is the French word for “Sketch.”
They are quick, rough and imperfect drawings used as
the templates for design.
 4. Mood Board
A mood board is a visual tool that helps you
communicate your design concepts and ideas. It’s a
curated collection of images, materials, colour palettes,
text, and other elements that are arranged to evoke a
particular style or feeling.
5. Fad
■ A temporary and passing fashion. It has great
appeal to many for a short time.

■ Examples: Platform shoes, leg warmers,

jelly shoes, shoulder pads etc.
6.Silhouette
■ The shape of a clothing style
shown by its outer lines.
GENRES OF
FASHION
 These are some of the broadest categories of fashion

1. Sporty:
 Sporty style, also known as athleisure, takes elements of athletic wear,
like leggings, bike shorts, and oversize sweatshirts, out of the gym and
onto the streets.
2. Bohemian:
 Also known as “boho” or “boho chic,” bohemian style
borrows from the 1960’s hippie aesthetic and festival
culture. The style incorporates earth tones, natural fabrics
and dyes, and prints and accessories from around the
world. The hallmarks of boho style are flowing maxi dresses,
long skirts, bell-bottom pants, large brimmed hats, fringe,
suede, and slouchy handbags.
3. Grunge: Inspired by grunge music and the
subculture that originated in the ’80s and ’90s Seattle,
grunge fashion features thrift-store finds like plaid
flannel shirts, oversize knits, and feminine dresses
styled in a subversive, dishevelled way. Grunge looks
often include ripped jeans or tights, unkempt hairstyles,
and black boots.
4. Preppy: Preppy style is inspired by the clothing and
uniforms traditionally worn at private East Coast prep
schools and Ivy League colleges. Preppy style often takes
inspiration from upper-class sports like polo, sailing,
tennis, and horseback riding. Preps are known for wearing
polo shirts, Oxford shirts, argyle sweaters and socks,
cloth-wrapped headbands, boat shoes, blazers, pearls,
cardigans, and khaki pants.
5. Casual: Casual style is what you might wear on the
weekend. Think jeans, comfortable T-shirts, and sneakers or
flat boots. Both streetwear and sporty style might be
considered types of casual styles, but casual style can also
lean preppy or hip.
6. Streetwear: Streetwear is a casual fashion style that first became popular in the
1990s. It incorporates comfortable yet trendy clothing such as logo T-shirts and crop tops,
hoodies, baggy pants, and expensive sneakers. Streetwear takes inspiration from both hip-
hop and skater style, with the added element of intentional product scarcity. Followers of the
latest trends in streetwear are known as hypebeasts, and many go to great lengths to
procure limited-edition designer baseball caps, hoodies, sneakers, and more.
7. Classic: Classic style is an umbrella term for
a polished everyday style that incorporates
elements of workwear, such as blazers, pencil
skirts, and khakis. This more professional look is
appropriate for the office and other settings where
you want to look your best.
 8.LOUNGE WEAR

The loungewear fashion style focuses massively on

comfortable clothing with sweatpants, sleep pants,
lounge shorts, jumpsuits, harem pants, leggings,
sweatshirts, and cardigans.
 9. GOTHIC
Part of the gothic culture with gothic fiction and goth music, the gothic fashion style is
dark, and steampunk. It emphasises strong, modern, and mysterious
aesthetics.
 10. HAUTE COUTURE
High-end designers and fashion houses often make exclusive
custom-fitted garments for celebrities. It's an expensive
fashion style with beautiful and truly unique creations.
 11. MINIMALIST
Minimalism is all about simplicity, going back to
basics, and your wardrobe-essentials.
Remove what is superfluous to make every item in
your closet a winner.
 12. MODERN-URBAN

The urban modern fashion style incorporates

contemporary looks. It can be minimalist as well as
street-inspired. It's often associated with today's
fast-paced city life.
 13. MODEST

Modest fashion or modest dressing is a trend of less

revealing clothes for personal preference. Modest
clothing is very feminine and specifically designed to
show less skin.
 14. ELEGANCE
The elegant fashion style displays unusual effectiveness
and simplicity. Elegant outfits are high-quality, chic, classy,
sophisticated, timeless, and smart. They compliment your
features perfectly.
 15. EXOTIC FASHION
Exotic fashion is a clothing style centred on colourful, rich,
attention-grabbing clothes. It's often composed of vibrant
colours, prints, or embroidery.
 16.FORMAL

Formal wear or office wear is a traditional Western

dress code for the most formal occasions. From
beautiful dresses that standout to business attire.
17. Punk: Punk fashion is inspired by the subversive punk
rocker styles of the ’70s and ’80s and comprises many
subcultures, each with its own specific style codes. Some
overarching elements of punk style include leather jackets,
deconstructed blazers, ripped fishnet stockings, skinny jeans,
and chunky black boots. Provocative messaging, band logos,
and customization with safety pins and patches are common
themes in punk clothing. Punk grooming includes heavy black
eyeliner, mohawks, dyed hair, and spiked hair.
 18. ARTSY
The Artsy fashion style might be for you if you like art, or
prefer to avoid conformity and standards. If you want your
clothes to reflect your opinions and choices, wear highly
visual artsy peices. These “artsy” outfits often look like works
of art. In fact, some of them actually are – they are what is
called wearable art. These are a form for self expression and
choice for men and women.
 ASSIGNMENT
Students are to make one A3 size Board, explaining their fashion
genres. A student has to pick two genres that speak to them. The
board must look aesthetically appealing and text may be added
to explain the board.

Materials: Glue, scissors, A-3 white paper, material for text, at

least six pictures of you in the chosen genres, pictures for
relevant background if need be.