History of Fashion Design Practicum in Fashion Design Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved

History of Fashion Design

Practicum in Fashion Design

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

• Identify major historical events of each time period• Evaluate the history of fashion, textiles and the apparel field• Interpret how historical events influenced our fashion history


Periods We Will Examine:

• Colonial America 1492-1763

• Revolutionary Period 1764-1789

• The New Nation 1790-1828

• Western Expansion and Reform

1829-1859• Civil War 1860-1865• Reconstruction 1866-

1877

• Gilded Age 1878-1889

• Progressive Era 1890-1913

• Great War and Jazz Age 1914-1928

• Depression and WW2 1929-1945

• Modern Era 1946-1999

• 21st Century 2000-present


I. Colonial America 1492-1763Historical events:

A. First settlers established colonies in the new land for EnglandB. Settlers created trade goods and sent them to EnglandC. Many of the first settlers were poor farmers or were wealthy

dignitaries Fashions of the time:

A.Clothing was made locally by hand or was importedB.Clothing choices were dictated by social standingC.Other clothing influences were climate, formal or informal

activity and modestyII. Revolutionary Period 1764-1789 Historical events:

A. England increased taxes on colonies to offset war expensesB. Colonists resented tax increase without direct representation in

parliament Fashions of the time:

A. Ladies appeared in homespun gownsB. Men in battle adopted the hunting shirt


III. The New Nation 1790-1828 Historical events:

A. Americans experimented with how to govern themselves under the Articles of Confederation, and formed a new Constitution

B. President Jefferson doubled the size of the nation by purchasing the Louisiana Territory Fashions of the time:

A. Cotton gin is invented; cotton becomes leading textileB. French influence is seen in women’s fashions – higher waistlines and

lower necklinesIV. Western Expansion and Reform 1829-1859 Historical events: A. Western expansion makes America the world’s largest democracy

B. Americans felt optimistic and approved social reforms such as the public school system and improving the treatment of the insane and imprisoned Fashions of the time:

A. Women began using the hoop to support a fuller skirt silhouette B. The hoop was used by women of various social standings


V. Civil War 1860-1865 Historical events:

A. Tension in the country grew over the conflict of how much control the federal government should have over the states

B. The Civil War began and lasted four years, at a cost of more than half a million lives Fashions of the time:

A. Department stores were established in urban areas, increasing the availability of ready-to- wear clothing

B. Women had to make smaller hoop skirts due to the cloth shortage from northern millsVI. Reconstruction 1866-1877 Historical events:

A. President Andrew Johnson initiated The Reconstruction Acts to reunite former opponents of the war. Fashions of the time:

A. Women’s bodices had high necklines and fitted sleeves, with small skirt hoops to keep all the draped fabric away from the feet.


VII. Gilded Age 1878-1889 Historical events:

A. The growing number of iron, steel and lumber industries increased demand for improved transportation

B. Many people produced great fortunes in this period Fashions of the time:

A. Sturdier fabrics like velvet, satin and wool were used – except in the summers

B. This period had many restricting tight corsets and bustlesVIII. Progressive Era 1890-1913 Historical events:

A. America entered Cuba’s war with SpainB. Americans faced problems of poverty and class warfare after the fast

rise of industry Fashions of the time:

A. Dresses were very well constructed and had a lot of details, such as lace, cording, applique and beading

B. Tight corsets of the previous period were loosened


IX. Great War and Jazz Age 1914-1928 Historical events:

A. America became more involved in foreign affairs, joined the Allied Powers and entered World War I

B. Women gained the right to voteC. African American history was celebrated with the popular onset of

Jazz music Fashions of the time:

A. Skirt hems rose to knee lengthB. Fashion trends were loosened, simplified in design, and made more

practical X. Depression and World War II 1929-1945 Historical events:

A. October 29, 1929 is known as “Black Tuesday,” the day the stock market crashed

B. Unemployment and poverty hit all-time peaksC. America got out of the Depression about 1941 when we entered

World War II Fashions of the time:

A. Americans began using rayon, nylon, and zippers more commonlyB. Films influenced fashion trends; women wore bias cut dresses as

seen in HollywoodCopyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.

XI. Modern Era 1946-1999 Historical events:

A. President Truman in 1949 enacted the “Fair Deal” that made it illegal to not employ an American due to his or her religion or race

B. America won the space race in 1969 with Neil Armstrong as the first man to walk on the moon Fashions of the time:

A. Dior introduced the “new look” that consisted of fuller skirts and exaggerated bust lines

B. 1950s birthed pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) garments. U.S. War Production Board measured 100,000 women to standardized measurements for the garment industryXII. 21st Century 2000-present Historical events:

A. In 2001, America was attacked by terrorists at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in DC Fashions of the time:

A. Pants sat lower on hips and were more fitted down the legCopyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.

Documents

History of Fashion Design Practicum in Fashion Design Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved