Fashion/Designer Clothes: Yesterday and Today

While fashion design as we think of it today traces its roots to the royal courts of France in the 18^th century, couture and fashion design as an industry really came of age in the 20^th century. Paris, and to some extent London, were the Western capitals of fashion / designer clothing starting in the 20^th century, with fashion magazines and department stores studying the fashion shows in Paris, purchasing garments, and copying designs. The earliest of the big name French designers included Coco Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Jean Patou, Christian Dior, and Cristobal Balenciaga. These designers set the stage for fashion design as we know it today.

In the 21^st century, several of the earliest fashion houses still have great influence in the world of designer clothes, though the founders are long gone. For example, Chanel suits, formal gowns, and accessories like handbags are still highly coveted amongst the fashionable and wealthy. Other influential names in today’s world of fashion include Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermes, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Miuccia Prada, Stella McCartney, and Yves Saint Laurent. While Paris is still looked to as iconic in fashion, New York, London, and Milan are also highly influential worldwide.

While there are a handful of people with the wealth to be able to enjoy wardrobes full of exclusively designer fashions, there are legions everywhere who mix favorite designer pieces in with wardrobes that draw on other sources such as department stores for the bulk of their clothing. It is quite popular, for instance, to set off an attractive, yet non-designer outfit with one designer piece, such as a designer scarf, handbag, jacket, or overcoat. The so-called high/low mixing of selected designer pieces into a typical wardrobe is perhaps one of the most important trends of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.

The rapid spread of internet access has made it easier for ordinary people to buy designer clothes to supplement their wardrobe because of the ease with which price comparisons can be made. Finding a “must have” item and comparing prices for it online is one of the techniques that savvy shoppers use to get the most for their fashion budget. The internet also makes it easier for those who do not live close to the big cities that boast a selection of designer stores and boutiques to have access to the most fashionable clothing in the world and have it shipped directly to their homes.

Another way the non-moneyed fashionistas of the world incorporate designer fashions into their wardrobes is by buying secondhand. “Vintage,” or older secondhand pieces, are often considered some of the best finds out there. Secondhand accessories such as designer handbags can be bought at very reasonable prices through internet auction sites and internet vintage boutiques, and the thrill of finding something different and beautiful at great prices is one of the most fun parts of shopping for designer fashions in this way.

People have always loved wearing beautiful, well-made clothing, and probably always will. Internet technology, vintage clothing shops, and the spread of designer clothing into mainstream department stores is allowing those who could never afford a designer wardrobe to have a few of these special designer pieces in their own closets.

Partners

1. Check out Evening Dresses by Jovani
2. Beautiful formal prom dresses and fashion.