The oldest shoes ever found date back to 8,500 BCE Archaeologists discovered the 10,500-year-old sandals woven from tree bark in a cave in Oregon 2 people liked to decorate themselves with shells bones and other natural materials As people learned to sew and weave fashion became more sophisticated Different cuts and colors of clothing could indicate a person’s gender religion occupation and social rank Fashion became as it is today an important part of culture as well as a complex and often beautiful art form Major Moments in Fashion History Some of the world’s notable historical events show that fashion can make a powerful political statement When Napoléon Bonaparte was crowned emperor of France in 1804 he wore clothes designed to awe and impress Napoléon wore long satin robes under a red velvet cape that was embroidered with golden bees and lined in ermine fur The cape weighed more than 80 pounds 36 kg and required four men to carry it 1 Napoléon’s wife Empress Josephine also wore a luxurious red velvet cape over an exquisite white silk gown as well 8
as a diamond and pearl crown The elaborate and magnificent styles sent a message to the world the French Republic was now the grand and mighty French Empire Over the next decade France would become the dominant power in Western Europe In the summer of 1968 racial tension in the United States was high Martin Luther King Jr had just been assassinated and riots were breaking out in US cities At the Olympic Games that summer African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos used fashion as a form of social protest As they stood on the awards podium to accept their medals each wore one black glove When the American anthem began to play they raised their gloved fists in a salute representing Three Billion People Watching One Dress Royal fashions have always fascinated the public This was obvious in 1981 when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles heir to the throne of the United Kingdom Diana’s romantic full-skirted ivory satin gown with puffed sleeves and a 25-foot 8 m train made her a fashion sensation In 2011 the wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William Charles and Diana’s son drew an estimated 3 billion viewers 3 Middleton’s choice of a wedding dress was kept secret until just before the ceremony When she stepped out of the royal car to enter Westminster Abbey the waiting crowd gasped and cheered Middleton’s dress designed by Sarah Burton of the British fashion house of Alexander McQueen featured long lace sleeves Brides around the world began imitating her look 9
SOCIAL CHANGE The 1960s were a time of rapid social change in the United States Americans involved in the peace movement the women’s rights movement and the African-American civil rights movement used fashion to push for change Hippies grew their hair long and wore peace symbols to protest the war in Vietnam Women wore pantsuits instead of skirts to show they could be equal to men in the workplace Members of the Black Panther Party an African-American civil rights organization wore black berets black gloves and black leather jackets Their military-style uniform showed they were strong unified and ready to fight for racial equality Black Power against oppression For their action Smith and Carlos were removed from the Olympic team and their medals were taken from them But in this televised moment a fashion statement brought the world’s attention to the social struggle of African Americans From Ancient Egypt to the Future Fashion in the Western world that is Europe the Americas and Australia has a long history The roots of European fashion can be found in ancient Egypt where pharaohs were trendsetters as well as ancient Greece and Rome Travel and trade with other cultures brought new styles materials and techniques to clothing design In later centuries fashion changed quickly Clothes went in and out of style with each cultural milestone Fashions have been influenced by war religion social movements and 10
At the 1968 Olympics two US athletes wore black gloves to protest racism scientific discoveries Some styles have been short-lived fads others long-lasting trends Today’s fashion continues to evolve as cutting-edge designers and trendsetting celebrities come up with unique twists on classic garments or push the boundaries to create outrageous new styles Their efforts remind us that fashion is an art form Designers don’t just make clothes they create moving wearable art 11
