Fashion Design And Architecture - Essay Example

Fashion Design And Architecture Abstract Fashion design and architecture can be seen to have no similarities at all. This is because they are two independent fields that deal with different objects and tools. However a closer look at the two shows that there are a lot more than the differences between them. It shows that the two share common shifts in history. This paper critically looks at some of the differences and similarities that architecture and fashion design share and how related they are. Introduction Architecture is one of the oldest professions of all times. Dating back to 2000BC, architecture has evolved to what we now see as the current modernized world. There are a lot of traces of past architecture that can be seen left behind on the earth’s surface to reveal the type of architecture that existed years ago. By definition, architecture is the process of producing and constructing buildings or objects in general. The type of construction that is done depend on the preference and culture of the people at that particular time. It is for this reason that architecture is known to protect the culture of a given people over time and in most times act as cultural symbols. Due to this, we are able to learn the civilization of past people and how they lived during their times. The practice of erecting buildings can be seen as an art and in many cases architecture is used to refer to buildings especially those constructed over a given period of time. There are various levels at which architecture can be done from the small scale level that involves the construction of small scale buildings such as kennels to the large scale constructions of skyscrapers and water dams that can be seen in various parts of the world such as china and the western parts of the world. Design on the other hand can be described as the process of creating something with a given plan that is important to the making of a new system that can be used for various purposes. In software constructions, designing can be said to be the process of coming u with a blueprint of a software just before it is constructed. In architecture too design is one of the most important processes. Design is done with an intention of creating something new in the environment and creates unique things that have characteristics that have never been seen before. Design can also be described as the long process that is used to achieve particular set goals. These set goals in most cases involve unique accomplishments. Fashion design is an art of applying natural beauty and design to come up with clothing and accessories that are acceptable to different people considering their gender, age, and the trend of time in which they are. Fashion design can be influenced by a lot of different factors top of which is climate. It is because of this that fashion designers work to accomplish their goals in different ways. The design is a continuous changing process as they have to work hard to match the consumer demand which keeps changing most of the time. For any designer to be successful, they have to ensure that they keep changing with the demand of the consumer as well as the climatic conditions that are around them (Quinn, 2003). Common origins in fashion design and architecture Fashion design and architecture are related in so many ways. Whereas architecture is concerned with the design and construction of the outside environment of people, fashion design is concerned with the design and beauty of people themselves. However most of the principles that are present in fashion and design are also evident in architecture. Through history, man has evolved in the three sectors; this is fashion design, architecture and designs itself. This evolution is due to the changing circumstances and time as people have to keep changing with all these. Fashion and architecture share a common origin although practiced for centuries, these two disciplines were professionalized during the era of enlighten. Before this, most of the architecture was done mainly to the clergy and the royal families. Fashion design on the other hand was mainly practiced among the royal families and rich people of the land who had to make their women look pretty for marriage to other royal families. Architecture was considered holy and those who practiced it were believed to have some inspiration from God. This can be seen to the historical buildings in which most of the beautiful houses and designs were mainly temples, mosques and churches. The priests also had to dress appropriately and this is where fashion designers had to come in to help the clergy dress in the most appropriate manner that is acceptable to God. In the contemporary arena, architecture in its de-secularized form shares a commonality of origin with fashion. Although architecture has been existent for centuries, its emergence as an entirely modern discipline is traceable to the Enlightenment era (Renaissance), and the resultant shift of the dominant class from the elite comprising mainly of the Aristocracy and the clergy – to the bourgeoisie class (the commoners). Until then, the main function of architecture had been the demarcation of the unquestionable differences that existed between the bourgeoisie – who had no form of architecture – on one hand and the clergy and aristocratic class on the other who had both knowledge and the resources necessary to dabble in architecture (Virginia, 2004, p 5). Fashion design and architecture as symbols of status Within history, architecture and fashion design was never meant for the middle class nor the lower class. It is for this reason that talent was never discovered among the lower and middle classes. During this evolution, both the affluent people in the community, (which entail aspects of design in them), established new categories of design that embraced a complex layering and decorative patterns as well as design, sculptural forms and the sumptuous use of material. The socio-cultural aspects as well as religious inclination of a society greatly influenced and contributed to the evolution of both fashion and Architecture. The style of design became modernized as man transformed through times to become what he is now. Fashion is said to have evolved especially with the flourishing of Hollywood and the making of stars into the spotlight. Architecture flourished due to industrial evolution in which man had to do his best to make new designs to accommodate the growing population and industries that needed complex designs. There are a lot of legends that helped promote the architectural and fashion design, most of their works can be attributed to the have helped the industry grow to what it is now. Jakob & MacFarlane, Bentley, Greg Lynn and Marc Newson among others (Virginia, 2004, p 45). Are among the key pioneers to the field of architecture. These people changed the field of architecture by its introduction to various colleges. In the past, architecture was not a profession rather practiced as a hobby. However with its introduction to schools and colleges, architecture became one of the most promising professions in the world. Christian Dior, Adrian, Gucci, Chanel and Versace among a host of others, helped develop the fashion industry through Hollywood. This led to the increase of market for fashion clothes and accessories as everyone wanted to be like the stars in the spotlight. As Man modernized, so did his style of design, fashion and architecture, as Valerie Steele examines in her work Glamour: Fashion + Industrial Design + Architecture with the development of glamour as Man continued to progress; this from the 19th Century fashion to the present day. This journey, especially in fashion is epitomized by the flourishing era of Hollywood that witnessed the creations and designs of legends such as Christian Dior, Adrian, Gucci, Chanel and Versace among a host of others, while the architectural arena was fundamentally shaped and influenced by the industrial designs of greats, such as Jakob & MacFarlane, Bentley, Greg Lynn and Marc Newson among others (Virginia, 2004, p 45). The above legends, both in the architectural and fashion worlds, developed their ideals during the post-World War era; with linkages existing between the cultural attributions of then being fixated on consumer goods/ products thus leading to the founding of class identity vis-à-vis the emergent intricacies surrounding the notions of marketing and branding. Glamour as pertaining to architecture was introduced in different projects/ constructions by post-war architects like Paul Rudolph and Philip Johnson; who were to latter on influence other contemporary architects as Bernard Tschumi, Herzog, de Meuron, and Neil Denari. As Man entered the modern era, the development of a cultural taste that had emerged in Europe came from within the aristocratic class; this as a result of their obsession with legitimizing their social status and position. The last of them were to turn to connoisseurship; this with the aim of demonstrating an established taste, above that of a commoner. This led to their being refined and sophisticated with this taste not coming cheaply. The true connoisseur would, therefore, venture in a number of activities that extended their level above that of the bourgeoisie; this by collecting art, engaging in some writing among other ventures (Rosa, 2004, p 89). This lifestyle, the architecture, the grandeur and fabulous clothing became thus symbols of status especially so with the subsequent opening to the public of estates owned by the nobles. Fashion on its part, also underwent comparable transformation; this reaching an apex during King Louis XIV who used fashion, just as he did the city of Versailles, to legitimize his position as king. His intentions in engaging in the above were so that he could make France, and himself, the trendsetter of taste in Europe (Virginia, 2004, pp. 50-75). Fashion And Design: Corresponding Characteristics There are a lot of similar characteristics between fashion and design. One of the major parallel traits is their class structure existence. Pierre Bourdieu illustrates that taste is mostly influenced the social upbringing of an individual, in addition to that, determined Bourgeiosie members are condemned since they lack acculturation during their upbringing. Those who possess the ability in mastering and architecture successfully have a transition from class to cultured aristocracy. Revolution of use clothing in London was affected by the fashion boutique development and it symbolized identity. Rebellion of an age was represented by the era, with the design and fashion both being present (Castets, 2009). The resultant has had significance in influence from the German and Italian designers. Clothing renaissance, producing unique fashion pieces each. Clothing industry has gained new ideas which have been introduced by the designers and the architectural designers made the world to be aforementioned. Both design and architecture bring up another corresponding characteristic by tracing there beginnings to Europe is another characteristic that resembles. This is caused by early civilization and the Europe development is the repercussion, in most cases affected with the revolution of the industry. The aspects of design and fashion of the 20th era were both dominated by the elite; superior powers of the law of man. These laws described the way that the people were supposed to dress hence affecting design of cloths. The slashing technique was later invented by the bourgeoisie. In this type of clothing, two garments were combined together then the outer garment was left in an outer fashion known as slashing. These slashes later led to the invention of slits that cut through skirts. Architecture is also a major way of storing culture. However with newer innovations, the older ideas were quickly swept away with these new ideas that they dint have any place in the market. There are different architectures that developed in Europe and parts of the world especially after the world war. There is therefore a form of rebellion between architecture and fashion that can be seen. Fashion depends on many factors, key of them being the color of the clothes and age bracket of the customers. It develops in a constant pace mainly in capitalistic societies. This trend occurs in architecture too. Recent technological methods have given architects tools to construct buildings made of fluids, while fashion designers have been able to make attires with architectonic features. Technological progress do allow for advancements in artistic areas such as architecture and fashion. Artists also agree that technology helps mesh the two disciplines together. Environmental and economic aspects In architecture, environmental conservation and economic factors are a major issue. Fashion design also has the same trend with fashion design. The field of technology and science has greatly had an effect on these two fields. Culture and affluence shift has greatly had an impact on the two fields. It is because of this that there arose the need to consider both environmental and economic aspects of the two fields. During the renaissance era, architecture was used to reduce cost as well as increase the use of resources to their maximum. It is because of architecture that there was a reduced use of resources during these times. Modern designs of architecture have also environmental factors behind it. For construction, systems have been developed in architecture that protects the environment from destruction. On the other hand, designs in fashion are evolving to the use of fibers that are able to decompose thereby reducing pollution of the environment. The use of better technologies of productions is common in both architecture and fashion design. This is done to produce cost effective buildings that mainly depends on the environment to function. Both fashion design and architecture centre on the human mind and body. They all work together to bind man and his environment (Breward, Et all, 2006). Architectural revolution; this with the dawn of the Renaissance era, entailed the reduction of expenditure in overall planning, designing and actual construction of the different architectural works that are present in our contemporary society. The development of better build techniques coupled with the discovery and/ or development of newer building materials enabled the economic sustainability of the different architectural designs as is espoused in the major cities of the globe. Fashion design similarly was influenced by the Enlightenment era that acted as a precursor to the Renaissance clothing that were intended for the common man, thus their en masse production. This mass production of clothing enabled the pricing of these commodities, to significantly reduce with scientific and technological advances aiding in the development of better quality synthetic raw materials, as opposed to the expensive often imported materials (Rosa, 2004, p 102). On the environmental front, architecture has greatly improved with modern designs embracing environmentally friendly materials and systems for their construction. The use of natural aspects and occurrences such as wind and solar power has ensured that little or no energy is derived from environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels. Glass, synthetic plastics among a host of other environmentally friendly raw materials are used in modern day architecture; this in the building, and interior application of architecture. Synthetically produced cotton, silk, and nylon are among a host of other clothing raw materials that have provided a shift in the way the environment is utilized (Virginia, 2004, p. 63). Utility of natural sources of energy and better techniques coupled with advanced technologies have enabled the spread of different architectures to the global arena with current designers learning from their past predecessors’ achievements or failures; this with a view of producing better, effective and efficient buildings/ structures. Both architecture and fashion center on the human body and on ideas that touch on volume, space and movement. Each of them works as body wrapping in a way. They also work as a layer that merges the body and the environment and is capable of expressing personal, social, political and cultural identities. Fashion designers and architects vocabulary in their professions and techniques and equipments of construction that are used in darting, pinning, folding, draping and wrapping. Fashion designers have, in more than one occasion been able to create complex, often architectonic garments using architectural designs. Currently, many architects are veering in to fashion and techniques used in tailoring as they try to create more complex architectural forms with hard materials. The presence of architecture is felt in fashion because of the use of materials, such as flexible plastics, pliable metals and membrane designs. In addition, the contemporary architecture, has borrowed a lot from technology of draping and pleating that are strongly used in traditional tailoring in designing buildings that are inflatable, interactive and portable. In doing so, it develops fashion structures that restore garments as one of the sensual attraction in the body, the eye and central space (Fig. 5). Social aspects of fashion design and architecture Fashion can be used by many to tell the outside world about their social class. For example, it expected that the dressing cord of a Hollywood pop star is completely different from that of a poor man from Asia. All this put out; fashion can be used to tell the class of someone. Fashion can also be used to tell the profession of someone. Most people dress based on the kind of profession that they have. A banker will dress completely different from a road engineer same as the president and a chef. There are careers that need people to always obey the official dress cord while others do not require any official dressing. Fashion is also used in social status to model and to give out the best designs. Architecture on the other hand can be used to show the social status of a person. It is evident that the kind of house that a billionaire lives in is completely different from that of a merchant. Architecture can also be used to show off wealth the same way that fashion can be used to show off wealth by telling the outside world what kind of person you are financially. It is for this reason that architecture can be seen to put itself in a position of social exclusion or inclusion to the ordinary social life of individuals. In a normal and ordinary life, some people have been seen to move an extra mile in the use of an extra cost to gain the right feeling that they can belong, personally identity, fit in some positions and even get completeness through acquiring certain branded products irrespective of their the nature and quality (Cathy, 2003). Fashion can always be seen as a wide culture of a given society reflected in a way that is innumerable in various styles. It is because of fashion that we are able to define religion, sexuality, ethnicity, status and gender. There are a lot of similarities between architecture and fashion design in the social and cultural aspects. When an architect designs a building or road, the main point behind his/her design is the way that the product will feature in the market. It is for this reason that most designers and architectures take a lot of their time in developing their products so as to help them get ahead in the market. It is because of this change in the market and demand shift that each and every time, the products keep getting better and better so as to satisfy the market. During the past years, both architecture and fashion design have seen a shift in their products, in the past, both these distinct professions were distinct to the clergy and aristocracy, however as time went by, the two field have been exploited by both the lower and the middle class. After sometime, there was a period when people shifted from savers to spenders and in the end led to the rise in the way that fashion and architecture was handled. The society needs to clothe and shelter. Due to this, architecture and fashion design are in constant demand in the market. Architecture also differs in terms of religion, in the western world; the kind of architecture found is completely different with the architecture found in the Muslim regions of the world. In addition, many people consider fashion to be a reflection of their social, cultural, economical, class, political and artistic forces at a given time. This expresses the ideologies of consumers, designers, culture and society as a whole. According to Cathy, a flagship of the intemperance, luxury and economic peculiarity rests on a point where the main emphasis is put on the materialistic, intellectual and moral issues (Cathy, 2003). Fashion is said to have an equal parallel to architecture judging from the sense of personal belonging and to the extent of detachment to it. Therefore, architecture puts itself in a position of social exclusion or inclusion to the ordinary social life of individuals. In normal ordinary life, people have moved an extra mile to use an extra cost to gain the right to feel that they can belong, personally identify, fit in elite and even acquire completeness through acquiring certain branded products irrespective of their the nature and quality (Cathy, 2003). These show some of the feelings attitudes, which people value so intensely to belong to a luxury fashion class. According to Rebecca Arnold, fashion is always a product of the culture of a wider society that is reflected on an innumerable of styles. These changes in brands provide a smooth definition of sexuality, ethnicity, status, gender and class that clearly show the change of culture at a certain time (Arnold, 2001, 4). Her argument goes on to suggest that, the nature of modern fashion is inherently contradictory because of its brands. “The threats and promise of the future reveals both our anxieties and desires constructing identities that uses the most stylish dress as a route of self-creation and is still ultimate to self-destruction’ (Evans, c, 2003, 7). In a general sense, fashion could be an experience that affects several social aspects and the anxiety linked to the growth of the metropolis. The entrance of branded and fashioned retail shops creates the metropolis. Strategies and potential future development Recently there has been increasingly obvious corresponding practice that has made developments in the strategies and shared technologies looks in the fashion and architecture disciplines. Both fashion and architecture are showing room for future improvements and development in both their sectors. Both work with the main idea of improving the life of man to a higher standard. Most people however value these products based on their cost and the value that it brings to them. The future of both fashion design and architecture can be foretold by their history. Looking at the buildings in history, one is able to predict that architecture is headed for the best. With the computerization of most things, design is now becoming one of the most successful fields as one is now able to develop a given design by the use of a computer without any problems. Fashion designing is also growing and computer technology is aiding this, with the inventions of visual designs, one is able to predict a design before it is made a reality. In the future, both architecture and fashion design are headed for digitalization. Computer scientist is now able to create visual architectural designs as well as fashion designs that are useful to the market. In this dynamic era, no individual owns a protected market authorization. Instead, all participants are constantly on the pawl for new and classic styles that are updated occasionally. Companies seek to gain control over the upcoming trends by ensuring that they are the first ones to souk these new-fashioned products and cultivate market identities that are tied together with a desire to make the identify viable and long-lasting (Kapler, J, N, 1999, 17). For example, the marketers for sneakers, garments and garnishes feel so compelled to identify with consumers such that when the branded products are on the run to capture a new fashion, the pure fashion gaze implies a break with ordinary attitude towards the world. They give rise to conditions where new trends are made, for instance, a social separation representing the feelings where common people spend their money in their normal lives. It is like an aesthetic in itself that avows the permanence between architecture and life through the subordination of forms with function. As in theaters and other leisure environments, architecture and fashion have constantly proven that they can stimulate the economy (Belafonte, 2001, 68). This is because different products and their modification are made every day and people have fervor of being glued to these diversified products despite the cost of purchase. In addition, these resourceful architecture and fashion offer a great range for aesthetic outlook. There exists a real area of practice where the main aim of purifying, sublimating and refining basic needs do not assert in the ordinary tracks of personal life (Belafonte, 2001, 68). This is because, there is no era where stylization of life cannot be different from the normal ordinary life and nothing is idiosyncratic than the faculty of bestowing aesthetic purpose (Asker, 1997, 349). In fact, through the social and economic circumstances different ways of connecting fashion and architecture to realities of life and fiction and the realities are simulated. With more or less aloofness, they are linked to different positions in the social space and accordingly hurdled by the nature of characteristics. Social class stratification or status is widespread in many aspects manifested in modern society (Abruzzese, 2006, 55). They refer to this and personal position in a social pecking order based on social authority and respect acquired. People decide to buy products, not only for their purpose and use, but also because of the meaning of those products to them (Belafonte, 2001). This is because the consumption of products or objects influences people to express self-concept to others. This is in turn reflected in success attributable to the worth that one holds in society (Belafonte, 2001). As a final point, brands as symbols of architecture signals, have made economists has view benefits of branding as a signs that show manufacturers’ intention to reduce the overall consumer search costs. Economists argue that a brand can convey a considerable amount of information to intended customers, the same way the brand equity is determined by its dependence on the role of a certain brand in the market. This acts as one of the essential signs of evaluating the appropriate choice of purchase options. Conclusion Fashion design and architecture have a lot in common; these similarities are in constant and rapid change. Throughout history, the two field were practiced by a given group of people mostly the clergy and the royal families. During this time, the two fields were mainly practiced not as a profession but as a field of interest and hobby. However with industrialization and the shift in human needs, the two were professionalized and became one of the professions of the world. Throughout history, fashion and architecture has helped provide man with two of the most basic needs of man. Architecture has provided man with shelter while fashion has helped man with clothes. In the real since, both provide man with warmth. The two have been important in the preservation of the environment as well as culture preservation. In terms of shaping the economy, the two play a major role in boosting the world’s economy, there are millions of people who are employed as fashion designers while another bunch act as architectures who try to shape the world. Architecture and fashion design have a lot more similarities but the main idea behind the two fields is to shape the environment of man to what is best for man. In recent time, the distinction between fashion and architecture has been increasingly unclear because the two are based on human idea of rapidity, volume and environment. Fashion and architecture have similar vocabulary as well as similar techniques of construction that are shared by their practitioners and designers. In a general sense, fashion designers have over time developed complex architectonic garments with the use of fabric (Helen, 2000, 32). The fabrics and materials are used in fashion design to create a well-defined texture, color, and merge design elements jointly into a whole unit of branded products that are consumer palatable, in the market (Elizabeth, 2004). In addition, architectural design makes use the materials for construction in the same manner and with a similar purpose, irrespective of being in fashion or architectural design. Thus, they create an unusual effect on design making these products unique than the way they would be in case the two techniques would not be incorporated. Currently, many architects are consider ways through which they can incorporate technology and fashion as they try to develop more complex and sophisticated forms using refined materials. All these concepts are essential because of new fashion and designs that contribute to architecture as a field in general. Therefore, the current era is essentially sensitive and should not be ignored for a lack of positive impact in the welfare of people associated with it as individuals or in the society. For instance, as exemplified in this discussion, attires of personal creation form identity and provide definition for personal space the way architectural structures do, however, on a wider perspective. This whole notion of fashion in clothing has tolerated stature in society for many decades. This occurred especially for people who acquired status within their cultural alignments with the power to continue with this ideology and influence other cultural groups yet to reach their status in society. References CASTETS, S. (2009). Louis Vuitton: art, fashion and architecture. New York, Rizzoli. QUINN, B. (2003). The fashion of architecture. Oxford, UK, Berg. BREWARD, C., GILBERT, D., & LISTER, J. (2006).Swinging sixties: fashion in London and beyond 1955-1970. London, V&A. 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The Sociology of Pierre Bourdieu as a Challenge to Architectural History," Thresholds number 21 (Fall 2000), 32 LIST OF FIGURES Fig 1, 2 From the personal archives Versailles, France Fig 3 From the personal archives Galleria Lafayette, Paris, France Fig 4 http://archplanner.com/fashion-designer-apartement-with-monochromatic-striped-design Fig 5 http://artisticcollision.blogspot.com/ Fig 6 http://www.kordonline.com/2010/01/womens-fashion-boutique-with- attractive-interior-design-by-sako-architects/ Read More