Historical Costume to Contemporary Fashion - Essay Example

HISTORICAL COSTUME TO CONTEMPORARY FASHION INTRODUCTION Costume basically pertains to dress and wardrobe. It can be a distinct type of attire of either a person or a society at a specific time. Several forms of art have used the term costume to denote particular style of clothing worn to effectively portray a character. These artistic arrangements include play, poem, statue, and painting. It is also used in social events such as parties and other gatherings to depict something different from the wearer's usual persona. Fashion maybe considered a complication of man's very basic need which is clothing as a physical protection. Due to lifestyle developments, individuals and societies have learned to use their clothing, with the aid of other decorations, as a form of nonverbal expression of their personality, occupation, status, and affiliation. Fashion refers to the way of carrying and styling these clothing with accessories, hairstyle, adornment and body art. Fashion does not merely converse individual identity in such a way that it instantly let other people see and understand a person, as it may speak of plain sophistication or even a personal rage, moreover, it demonstrate a social perception. This is greatly evident in the way fat women were once considered beautiful whereas current fashion trend have somehow made a vast promotion of diet, exercise and even surgery with its picture of beauty as being slim. A person can be identified to a certain tribe, organization or field of work by merely looking at his/her wardrobe. Attires may explain a person's role, may she be a housewife or a company manager. It can be a mode of displaying once wealth as well as poverty. As Thorstein Veblen, an economist of the book The Theory of the Leisure Class, has wrote "our apparel is always in evidence and affords an indication of our pecuniary standing to all observers at first glance... ". With its vast influence, stating all its implications would be a tedious job, if not impossible. Fashion has become so powerful that it can imply almost anything related to human. Costume and fashion, collectively, refers to manner and style of clothing. It is considered an art that decodes personality or culture at any particular time. With pictorial arts, costumes and fashion have revealed much of the history. It had managed to explain social transformation from the very remote past to the most current civilization. CHAPTER 1 ROMAN CLASSIC "From the Hellenistic Era to present day, fashion fads and statements evolved from similar backgrounds to make styles that seem new, but are really just "doctored-up" versions that can be traced back to the times of ancient Rome" (R.W.) Roman people have applied their creativity in every aspect of their lives including manner of clothing. Their garments were simple as it were basically made of wool with minimal use of stitch. Variations have eventually existed due to social status. Safety pins and knots give various shapes to their garments and undergarments; hence they have to designate a different name for each particular design. Toga was once the basic Roman garment for both men and women (Figure 1). Eventually women's clothing has to be made distinct. Similar to Greek himation, though much larger and more complicated in its draping. Toga's size and shape indicates social position. It is usually made of white wool and undecorated but had later been elaborated with gold embroidery during the late Empire. Tunica serves as their under garments for both men and women (Fig. 2). It resembles that of the reeks which were sleeveless. It is made of two wide cloths having sewn almost to the top leaving enough space for the armholes and neckline. It is fastened with pins or buttons and then held with a belt. Women's tunica are usual fuller and longer. As a symbol of decency and honor, married women wear stola (Fig. 2). Apart from its rectangular shape, it is a sleeveless tunic that resembles a toga which is a long wide cloth. It is a long garment that drapes around the body covering tunica with a length that almost touches the ground. Being a symbol of respectability, it is a simple, less stylish and white probably made of undyed wool. It is usual fastened along the top edge and pleated vertically. Sometimes two belts are use under the bust and above the waist. Prominent character like the first empress Livia used to display her stola. A long cloak called palla can be worn over stola (Fig.2). It is a rectangular cloth that drapes over the left shoulder, with an excess that can be pulled to cover the head. Having worn in public, it is another garment that depicts elegance. To compliment their simple garments, they use to favor elaborated hair style and accessories. Braids or a bun serves as their simpler style. It has been a pleasure for them to used luxurious materials like ivory for hair pins, gold for hair nets much as it requires very skilled slaves to work on their intricate hairdos. Added to the fact that upper class women they are very fund of wearing jewelries such as bracelets, necklace and anklets (Fig. 3). In the fashion industry, the clich "history repeats itself" is much applicable. Modern trend had been somewhat been a reproduction of historical past. Ancient Roman fashion can be considered as one of the most influential to this modern day designers. The world renowned Italian designer, Gianni Versace (1942-1997), has ancient Roman fashion has his major influence. This colorful and talented designer of the late 20th century has shown some trace of this inspiration in his clothing and costumes. Modern designers have added twist and color to such immortal fashion creative a variety of beauty and elegance (Fig. 4). Among these fashion gods were Loro Piana with stola creations (Fig.5) With much simplicity compared to the original version, these pieces have manage to capture woman's beauty in the most subtle manner. Most current hairstyles are simplified versions of the hairdos worn by ancient Roman women (Fig.6). For casual wears, bun, coiffure, and braid will never be out. Even Roman accessories such as jewelries were still replicated if not modified to serve for stylish purpose. Read More