Every time the word “fashion” rings in our ears, we often associate it with catwalks, costly brands, and trends that briefly exist. But fashion is more than just clothes; its meaning runs deeper.
Fashion is something that is seen by prevailing style in cosmetics, dress, makeup and body modification at a specific time. Crucially, fashion is not merely clothing; it is a cultural language. It is a complex phenomenon that reflects and influences the sociological, political, and economic landscape of an era. What we wear is a means of communicating status, identity, and adhering to a particular group. A sharp suit may communicate professionalism, while ripped jeans and a graphic tee suggest nonconformity.
Unlike mere “clothing,” which serves a purpose-e.g., to cover and/or warm the body-fashion conveys meaning. It is an art form that elevates raw textiles into a conduit for self-expression, aspiration, and social commentary.
The industrialization of the 18th and 19th centuries was a pivotal turning point. Before this, clothing was mostly custom-made. Charles Frederick Worth, an English designer working in Paris in the mid-19th century, is widely credited as the “Father of Haute Couture.” He was the first to dictate styles to his clientele, marking the beginning of the fashion designer as an authority and an artist.
Today, fashion is entirely global, highly digitised, and increasingly influenced by sustainability and individual creativity on social media. From the dictates of a king to the choices of an everyday person, fashion remains one of humanity’s most visible and telling forms of expression.