Fashion in the 21st Century

Fashion in the 21st Century

Fashion has incredibly morphed through different eras of time to 21st century clothing and fashion. Have we ever thought about how much fashion has changed over the course of time? The way we choose clothing in the 21st century is completely different from the ancient times. 21st century outfits all revolve around making fashion statements. All the changes in the nineteenth and twentieth century are the reason behind the fashion in the 21st century and has impacted the lives of many people in different ways.

Let’s look back from the fashion in the 21st century: Before the 1960’s

Before the 1960’s, long dresses, suits, hats and corsets were the main trend and fashion for the people of that time. But in the 1960’s the youth showed that they were powerful by changing the fashion trend to a much changed fashion environment which was known as the hippie clothing.

Woman in black corset holding her hair representing the 21st century fashion

Figure: A woman wearing corset. A corset is a tightly fitting undergarment which extends from below the chest to the hips. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/H7h3WorjoTI

The clothes of this century were much looser and dressing was in the form of a bit more revealing clothing, like mini-skirts. The clothes had a more casual look. There was the unisex look at the time of this century. The ragged jeans were also very popular.

What about the 1800’s, a foundation for the clothing in the 21st century?

During the mid 1800’s, all outfits worn by women consisted of different materials to complete a whole wardrobe. The dresses that woman wore, composed of pantalettes, chemise, corset and a petticoat. Pantalettes were long clothing worn under everything else.

Pantalettes represents the fashion of mid 1800's which is the foundation of fashion in the 21st century.

Figure: Pantalettes. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342766221614175575/

Pantalettes were long underpants with a frill at the bottom of each leg made from linen or silk, designed with tucks and flounces to give a layered look toward the feet. A chemise was the main one piece undergarment worn over the pantalettes. A corset would be worn over the chemise; it is a tightly fitting undergarment which extends from below the chest to the hips. It is used to add lift to the bust area and to add shape to the waist and hips. This cloth was used to highlight the shape of the waist to draw attention away from the natural shape of the waist line. It caused health problems for some women due to tightness of the corset. The corset is pulled together so tightly that it would squeeze the inner organs of a woman’s body together causing digestive problems and may cause reproductive problems; also it could even result in death. According to the weather outside and the season would determine the necessity of wearing a petticoat. But gloves and bonnets were always worn in those days. During the early 1800’s, long beautiful hair with possible curls was often seen.

From the nineteenth to the twentieth century, moving close to the 21st century fashion!  Fashion eras of the 21st century!

From the nineteenth century to the twentieth century fashion changed rapidly. In the 1990’s to 2000, there has been very beautiful clothes. In the beginning of the twentieth century, corsets returned again into action by breaking its bad name with a relaxing feel on women. In the 1920’s, the boyish look of women became a fashion. And women were known as “flappers” due to their short haircuts; like the “bob”, short skirts, and straight dresses.

How Flappers of the Roaring Twenties Redefined Womanhood, a previous history of 21st century clothing.

Figure: Flappers dancing and enjoying themselves. Source: History.com

Women started going outside for working and being more involved with sports during that time. Designers started to experiment with new hemlines by making them long in the back but shorter in the front. Since the 20th century till now Jeans is counted as a fashionable dress code. However we have shifted from the former modes of fashion and clothings, we haven’t let them go. Instead we are getting back to them and fusing them with the latest trends.

21st century clothing

What is 21st century fashion?

21st century fashion is the styles accepted by a large population of specific regions of the world from 2001 to 2100. Between the time period of 2001 to 2100, all the fashion trends, 21st century outfits, 21st century clothing, make the 21st century fashion. As we are just standing on 2023, we are literally only finished the one fifth of this century.

To understand the 21st century fashion history, we also need to understand the past. At this time of the twenty-first century, fashion has moved a few steps back. Clothing in the 21st century is quite amusing because designers are not only focusing on the next big thing but are also focusing on bringing the past into the future.

woman in mini skirt with leggings representing the 21st century fashion

Figure: A woman wearing mini skirt with leggings representing the 21st century clothing. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/-LU2yUMLNRA

Teenagers are still wearing miniskirts with leggings (skin tight multicolor tights) as a major style; worn underneath the skirt along with a dashing blouse.

Woman wearing jeans and t-shirts representing 21st century clothing

Figure: Woman wearing jeans and t-shirts. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/D1W3rQGaNhI

Many women now wear jeans and t-shirts for more comfort. Even sarees are now seen to wear different new looks. The new millennium fashion is the remix of the 60’s, 70’s and the 80’s mixed together to make the 2000’s a major fashion statement. Fashion, a small word, with so many different characteristics. We now wear whatever and whenever we want. This is fashion in today’s world. The twentieth century changed the outlook of women by giving them the right to fight for what they wished to wear. Fashion in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has impacted the normal lives of every people. Fashion has changed but still, it is the same in many ways. We should not underestimate ancient fashion or style because what goes out, wears out will always come back as future trends.

The characteristics of fashion in the 21st century

21st century fashion is characterized by its versatility and agility. This century is shaped with technology, the fourth industrial revolution (Industrial Revolution 4.0),  The touch of connectivity, automation, advanced analytics and manufacturing technology have transformed the global business for years. The touch of fast fashion and its triumph over slow fashion has shaped the fashion trends and made them agile as never before, making a products’ lifespan less than a week! So, the 21st century outfits are brief, short-lived, trendy and agile.

21st century people are fast!

21st century people are fast as the century’s demand. They are always in a hurry to cope with the situations, they are adaptive and they adopt the newest trends with lightning fast decision where the previous century people were quite slow to grab a new fashion. With the advent of technology and social media like facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, the 21st century people are always hungry for new trends and to adopt those trends.

21st century outfits

The 21st century outfits fit the temperament of the 21st century people. The outfits are brief, most of the time simple and modern.

The first decade-2000s Fashion

2000s fashion means fashion from 2001 to 2009. 2000s fashion is characterized by its global mash up where fusion of vintage styles, global and ethnic clothing like boho were the top trends. Fashions of numerous music-based subcultures like Hip-hop fashions, generally was the most popular among young people of all sexes, followed by the retro inspired indie look in the later part of the decade.

Boho, short for bohemian is categorized by its loose, flowy, patterned, and beaded clothing. The 2000s boho style dominated as a trend as celebrated like Sienna Miller, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, and Beyoncé adopted it with grace.

female person wearing Boho fashioned dress

Sienna Miller. Photo courtesy: L’Officiel

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, wearing Boho fashion dress

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Photo courtesy: L’Officiel

2000-trends, Hip-hop fashion, Fashion in the 21st century

Hip-hop fashion of the 2000s. Photo courtesy: Image via Getty/Evan Agostini

25 and older aged men and women adopted a dressy casual style which was popular throughout the decade. Globalization influenced the fusion of Middle Eastern and Asian dress into mainstream European, American, and Australasian fashion. Furthermore, eco-friendly and ethical clothing, such as recycled fashions and fake fur, were prominent in the decade.

Fusion of traditional and western clothing. Fashion in the 21st century outfits.

Fusion of traditional and western clothing. Fashion in the 21st century outfits. Source: Wikipedia.

In the early 2000s, many mid and late 1990s fashions remained alive around the globe, while simultaneously introducing newer trends. The later years of the decade saw a large-scale revival of clothing designs primarily from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

In the 2000s, the early to its mid, the rise of fast fashion was a major event. The transition from slow fashion to fast fashion was marked by this decade. H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Target, etc. brands. Many US fashion brands played a monumental role in shaping this decade.

The second decade-2010s Fashion

2010s fashion starts from 2010 and ends in 2019. This decade has certain characteristics of its own.

This decade was defined by some iconic catalysts like hipster fashion, athleisure, a revival of austerity-era period pieces and alternative fashions, swag-inspired outfits, 1980s-style neon streetwear, and grunge and skater fashions influenced unisex 1990s-style elements. The later years of the decade were influenced by the social media influencers promoting fast fashion brands on Pinterest and Instagram.

Popular global fashion brands  Adidas, Balenciaga, Burberry, Christian Dior, Fashion Nova, Forever 21, Gucci, H&M, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Marks and Spencer, Nike, Uniqlo, Under Armour, etc. shaped this decade with their ingenious collections.

Taylor Swift in Hipster Fashion. Fashion in the 21st century.

Taylor Swift in Hipster Fashion. Photo Courtesy: Screenshot via Wikipedia’s “2010s in Fashion” page.

 

File:Young woman wearing athleisure in Madison, Wisconsin 2020.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

A woman wearing an athleisure wear. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

90's Grunge aesthetic fashion wear returned in the 2010s.

90’s Grunge aesthetic fashion wear returned in the 2010s fashion of the 21st century outfits. Photo courtesy: luanna (instagram)

 

The Key Features of 2010s Women’s Fashion were: Crop tops, High-waisted bottoms, Maxi dresses and skirts, Bold prints, including floral, animal, and geometric patterns on clothing and accessories, Athleisure wear, Chunky sneakers, Jumpsuits and rompers, Chokers, Bold colors, Vintage-inspired accessories.

The 2010s women’s fashion was characterized by a mix of retro and modern elements, bold prints and colors, and a focus on comfort and individuality.

The third decade-2020s Fashion

2020s fashion started from 2020 and will end in 2029. We are in this decade and so far this decade is too much exciting. Hit by and recovering from the Covid-19, this decade has a lot of salient characteristics.

TikTok and instagram are major marketing tools for many brands in this decade.

Marketing strategies involve third parties, particularly influencers and celebrities.

Sustainability has become a buzzword in this decade and all the major brands are now committed to offer products made sustainably. Both environmental and social sustainability are on the focus as consumers are now too much concerned about sustainably sourced and made products. 

Thus reducing, reusing, recycling, and circular economy have become extremely crucial for the brands’ business. Moreover, second hand clothing are becoming more and more popular day by day.
You can read our 2021, 2022 and the fashion trends of 2023 through these links.

21st century fashion designers

As you have come to know about 21st century fashion, you should also know some titbits about the 21st century fashion designers, the true catalysts who are bringing the changes.

Donatella Versace

Donatella Versace

Donatella Versace, a beacon light of 21st century fashion and clothing. Source: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/donatella-versace-4743.php

She is the sister of Gianni Versace, the founder of the Italian fashion brand Versace. After Gianni’s murder in 1997, Donatella inherited the brand and took it the next level and now, she is the chief creative officer of the company. Some of her works include supporting Elton John’s AIDS Foundation. She is the first woman to win the GQ Designer of the Year award.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren, a popular face of this century's clothing industry

Ralph Lauren. Image source: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ralph-lauren-2613.php

Born on October 14, 1939, Ralph Lauren has emerged as a fashion designer and businessman. He is the founder of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, a fashion brand named after himself, a global multibillion-dollar fashion enterprise.
At the beginning of his career, he was a salesman for a tie company. Then he went on to launch his own fashion lines and established himself as a popular name in the fashion industry within years. This American fashion designer is also well known for his humanitarian activities.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Jacobs

Time magazine placed his name as the one of the 100 most influential people in the world in

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani. Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giorgio-Armani

Born on July 11, 1934 in Piacenza, Italy, Giorgio Armani’s signature style is relaxed yet luxurious ready-to-wear and elegant, intricately beaded evening wear.

Armani intended to become a doctor but left medical school to pursue a career in fashion.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Donna Karan, Source: Wikipedia

Karan began her career as an assistant designer with Anne Klein.
In 1988, Karan, recognizing the need for a more affordable fashion line, launched Donna Karan New York (DKNY) which is a women’s line.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen, a British Fashion Designer.

Alexander McQueen, a British Fashion Designer. Source: Wikipedia.

Lee Alexander McQueen, born in 1969, a visionary artisan in the realm of fashion, left an indelible mark on the industry that still reverberates today. With a career that soared from humble beginnings to the pinnacles of haute couture, McQueen’s designs were an exquisite blend of dark romanticism and avant-garde innovation. His runway shows were legendary spectacles, each a mesmerizing journey into the depths of his creative mind. Tragically departing the world too soon in 2010, McQueen’s legacy as a daring couturier and fearless provocateur endures, inspiring generations of designers to push boundaries and challenge conventions.

Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld, who is an older man, wearing a black formal jacket, black gloves, a black tie, and black sunglasses, standing near a Fendi store.

Karl Lagerfeld. Source: Wikipedia

Karl Lagerfeld, a name that resonates through the glamorous corridors of fashion history, was a creative force unlike any other. With his signature high-collared white shirts, fingerless gloves, and iconic powdered ponytail, Lagerfeld stood as an indomitable figure at the helm of haute couture for decades. His genius knew no bounds, whether he was designing exquisite collections for Chanel, Fendi, or his own eponymous brand. Beyond the runway, Lagerfeld’s sharp wit and unmistakable style made him a legend whose influence forever shaped the fashion in the 21st century.

 

Sabera Momtaz,
Department of English Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB)

To know the biggest fashion trends of 21st century, you can visit here! Moreover, if you want to know the future of fashion industry after Covid-19, you can click here!

And if you want to read one of our premium case studies on Fast Fashion Vs Slow Fashion, you can go here!

Fast Fashion Vs Slow Fashion: A Case Study

If you’re interested in high quality rep shoes and want a guide about it, you can go here!

You can also read our interesting and well researched article on: Architecture Fabric: The New Use of Textiles as A Building Material

21st century fashion trends

Fashion trends are always evolving and so do the 21st century fashion trends. This century is so much versatile with technology, globalization and fast pacing people that the trends have become even short lived than ever and 21st century outfits are getting more dramatic and evolving. Moreover, fast fashion has become a norm of the 21st century and thus there is a huge fast paced transitions due to the speed of fast fashion vs slow fashion. All in all, 21st century fashion is faster than the 20th century fashion and ever evolving, shaped with US-China trade war, Covid-19, Russia-Ukraine war, etc.

To cover the 21st century fashion and 21st century fashion trends, we have produced many different articles, and we also share WGSN Trend reports in our words so that you become aware of the trends and have a historical record of the past and future trends.

You can read our premium articles on Met Gala the fashion trends of 2019, 2021, 2022 and the fashion trends of 2023! By studying these three years’ trends consecutively, you’ll have a broader perspective on how trend is moving in the 21st century fashion. If you’re a man or a fashion designer interested in designing men’s fashion, you can straight go here! This article is written based on the WGSN 2023-2024 trend reports!

 

Journey of Fashionnovation

Journey of Fashionnovation

Fashionnovation is an extraordinary platform developed for the fashion loving students of BUTEX by Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba, and it is bound with an aim to bring new ideas & innovations in fashion which will be something out of the box! We are going to take you through the journey of Fashionnovation which is no less than a fairy tale!

Before knowing about Fashionnovation, we need to know at first what fashion means. Actually fashion means a popular trend, especially a styles of dress and ornament  or manners of behavior accepted by a large number of people. And the word innovation means the process of coming with new methods, ideas or products. So, Fashionnovation the word stands for newly created designs, concepts or themes which are actually based on the main theme of fashion.

Fashionnovation was established by Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba who is a student of  batch 43 of Department of Textile Fashion & Design(TFD) of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX). Basically, Fashionnovation started its journey on the 7th  of July, 2018 by arranging a fashion related quiz competition  named “Fashioknowledge Fiesta”. By keeping the main theme or concepts of fashion, Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba and his team Fashionnovation organised  competitive quiz competitions, prize giving events for inspiring book reading, Fashion Illustration competition, Fashion related courses, etc. for the textile engineers who are actually intersted  in fashion design.

Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba, the founder and president of Fashionnovation is anchoring the final round!

Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba, the founder and president of Fashionnovation is anchoring the final round!

 

Mr. Kazi Purba said about Fashionnovation, ”There are many meritorious students in the department of Textile Fashion & Design at BUTEX who have keen interest to do something innovative. When I was admitted into this department I perceived that we need a platform by which we can uphold our creative thinkings to the world. And from that realization I arranged “Fashioknowledge Fiesta” with my batchmates & juniors. When I was only in Level-02 Term-01 I started to give contexture of our dream institution Fashionnovation. We had lack of sponsors at the beginning but our thinking out of the box enabled us to overcome those unfavorable situations.”

“Fashioknowledge Fiesta” was a thrilling quiz competition based on the knowledge of the elements of fashion & basic fashion. In that competition there were 6 teams who participated spontaneously & every team consisted of 3 members. Those teams were named Applique, Pallab, Blooming Bud, Invincible, Third Degree Burn and Dream Team. With the combined efforts, love and strong interest of all participants and the active participation of TFD-44, this fascinating intradepartmental quiz competition was organized for the first time in the history of the University. Never before any quiz competition related to fashion was arranged in BUTEX, so it is the first of its kind in the university if not in Bangladesh There were a lot of good wishes and co-operation  from all the teachers including respectable Assistant Professor Sutapa Chowdhury madam, Rebeka Sultana and current Head of the Department Md. Mahsmudul Hasan sir.

The competition was devided in many rounds based on some creative & intelligent questions related to fashion. Through competitive fights among those teams, team Applique  & team Pallab  went for the final & in the final round by keeping difference of 7 points with team Pallab, team Applique  won that glamorous competition. The special guest, Ummey Hani Barsha rendered the most expected prize to the winning team,”Team Applique ” and the main part of the event ended with her concluding  remarkable speech.

On 26th June of 2019, Fashionnovation published a digital wall magazine named “Rong er Jadukor” for the very first time at BUTEX. And during the pandemic situation of COVID-19, Fashionnovation didn’t sit workless. Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba, the Founder and President of Fashionnovation, took initiatives to arrange “Fashionknowledge Fiesta 2.0” for TFD batch:45. TFD-45  participated there spontaneously. It was also a fashion related quiz competiton and it was the second season of the flagship event of this organization.There were 4 teams consisting of 3 members in each & every team. Those teams named “The Kingpins”, ”SARS”, ”Fuego” & “The Counterfeiterz”.This event was the very first intradepartmental “Fashion related online quiz” event. Again there was no other online fashion quiz related event arranged in the university. Fashionnovation launched it for the first time in the university’s history. In the competition the teams had to face various questions and basic knowledge about fashion. After a hardcore battle between the teams, In the final, team “Sars “became the champion and the team “Fuego”  became the runner-up.

 

After that Mr. Kazi Purba also tried to introduce Fashionnovation with the totally new batch of BUTEX batch-46. Fashionnovation started an online course based on textile printing on 11th May of 2020. Mr.Shawkat Hossain Sohel, chief designer of Unifill Composite Dyeing Mills Ltd., who started teaching the members of Fashionnovation along with its guest members from Chittagong Unviersity, Jahangir Nagar University and Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University all over printing design,digital printing design, chest printing design & pattern design respectively. Mr. Sohel said, ”The fashion designers of our country make many innovative designs by their creative thinkings. But they have not enough knowledge about printing technology & so that they are unable to make a position in apparel fashion.” But he is optimists that the fashion designers will make a place in the international world swiftly. This online course was launched by respected head of TFD, Md. Mahamudul Hasan. And the special guests were Setara Begum, Head of the Department of textile at BUFT & Yesmin Tuli, Lecturer of Fashion Designing at NITER and hosted by .Kazi Farhan Hossain Purba. Batch 44, 45 & 46 of BUTEX participated in this course. And it is a matter of pride that now Fashionnovation is not closed only in the four walls of BUTEX. Because in this recent online printing course, with the students of BUTEX, the students of Chittagong University(CU), Mawlana Bhashani Science & Technology University (MBSTU), Jahangirnagar University (JU), Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology & BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) are also participating.

After all, by participating in this kind of fascinating competitions, one can easily show his talent in fashion world. And it is a fantastic and great platform for a textile engineers to show his/her creativity, art work and the power of innovation. And ,we can say that Fashionnovation has started its journey not to be stopped at anywhere. And it has started with a dream to create a platform for the students of Department of Textile Fashion & Design to showcase their fashion related works, kindle their passion & love for fashion. So,we can hope that Fashionnovation will create knowledgeable fashion designers as well as textile engineers who will be able to represent Bangladesh to the whole world.

Nashita Ahmed

Department of Environmental Science and Engineering

Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX)

 

Mahmud Hosen

Department of Fabric Engineering

Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX)

 

You might be interested to know about a club called BUTEX Career Club with which Fashionnovation is a media partner. To make us your media partner, you can reach us at fashionnovationfd@gmail.com

Fast Fashion

What is fast fashion?

Fast fashion is a type of fashion which is cheap and trendy clothing and where the samples ideas are gathered from the catwalk or celebrity culture and are turned into garments. So we can say that fast fashion has 3 components from the consumers perspective. It’s cheap, trendy and disposable. So it makes clothes affordable to people.

History of fast fashion

But there is a history behind this phenomenon of fast fashion. Until the mid-twentieth century the fashion industry worked for four seasons in a year. The designers predicted that what would be the choice of customers and relying on this they would work many months in advance. But this method changed drastically in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, the young generation started to create new ideas using cheap material and this also created new trends. Although most fashion brands tried a lot to get any idea of keeping up with the increasing demand for affordable clothes, but still there was not a fishy distinction between the high-end and high street fashion. Then finally in the late 1990s and early 2000s, fast fashion became a booming industry in America with people enthusiastically partaking in consumerism.

Fashion in the 21st Century

Popular fast fashion brands

There are some popular fashion brands that helped fast fashion to start and still they are related to this and also adding many new brands. Such as Zara, Asos.com, Inditex, Fashion nova, C&A, H&M, Boohoo, Forever21, New Look etc.

In this world, everything has some merits and demerits. Fast fashion is not out of this matter too.

Benefits of fast fashion

The benefits of fast fashion are clear. It’s inexpensive clothing.bIn response to the latest trend it is produced to mass market retailers. It also helps to try different styles and trends in a short  time without having  much change in budget.

Disadvantages of fast fashion

There are some disadvantages too. It’s unsustainable. Most of the time the focus lies on imitation of original products. Thus it misleads the customers. Again use of cheap, toxic textile dyes has become a cause of pollution of clean water globally after agriculture.

Fast fashion and Bangladesh

There is a close relation between fast fashion and Bangladesh. Fast fashion retailers cannot easily own the factories that supply them with their wares. Alternatively, a huge part of garment and footwear orders are outsourced to suppliers in emerging markets like Bangladesh, where overhead is cheap and the cost of human labor is cheaper.

Fast fashion as career

The fact about fast fashion as career can be said that the jobs fast fashion creates are not good enough. Because deaths and injuries are common in our industry, from the infamous Rana Plaza factory collapse to the lesser known but constant truck accidents which injure, kill, and hurt garment makers on their way.

But over the past few years, fast fashion has established itself in an extremely hot segment and become a source to help some clothing companies to increase and be stable on their economic growth.

The merits and demerits of fast fashion is a matter of a never ending argument. So we need to find a way to balance between fast fashion and sustainable fashion.

Nahema Haque Khushi                                                                                 

Department of Textile Fashion and Design,

Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Id: 2020-1-6-002

Read our well researched case study on fast fashion vs slow fashion!

Fast Fashion Vs Slow Fashion: A Case Study

 

A Fresher’s Thoughts on the Department of Textile Fashion and Design

My name is Md. Asaduzzaman Ovi. I am a student of the Department of Textile Fashion and Design of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX). I am in the junior most batch of this university.

First of all, I couldn’t imagine that I would study about textiles. At that time I had no idea about textiles. But during the admission test I got some idea about textile engineering from some older brothers and sisters..BUTEXian brothers used to come to Udvash coaching centre to take classes. Then I learned some more information about Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX). There are 10 departments in total. Our Textile Fashion and Design department has 40 seets. Then I picked up BUTEX’s admission form. BUTEX’s older brother helped me a lot, when I took the BUTEX admission test exam. Also they helped a lot the day when I went to the campus to get admitted. Then I got into this Textile Fashion and Design department .Ever since then I have been interested in fashion.

Thoughts, fantasies, dreams bloomed about this Textile Fashion and Design since that day. Then I joined some older brothers and sisters of BUTEX on facebook. They are very helpful. They gave me a lot of information about fashion and textiles. They give ideas about the courses of BUTEX. But before the class started on our campus, the Corona pandemic stroke. Even then the BUTEX authority announced us an online orientation and they did it. From then our online class started. Our teachers are taking their classes in a very beautiful way. Textile fashion and design is not just about fashion. Everything related to the ancillary engineering topics are taught here. And many people think of fashion as just a department related to clothes. Fashion is a subject that is related to our daily lives. What should I do to make this world a better place with the choice of materials for manufacturing my clothes, what kind of clothes should I wear, what kind of food should I eat, what kind of phone should I use, these are a kind of fashion. These are the ones that provide beauty through design. But fashion and design are more used with clothes.

Md. Asaduzzaman Ovi                                                                                    Department of Textile Fashion and Design,                                                                  Bangladesh University of Textiles,
TFD-46

Creativity in Fashion Design

Creativity in Fashion Design

Creativity in fashion is inexorably intertwined. Fashion is a style accepted by a certain population at a certain time. Creativity is something which enables one to create something new. So, the root of fashion which is style needs that essence of human being which creates and that is creativity. So, the relationship between fashion and creativity is, creativity is a part and parcel and the very essence of fashion for which. In this article, we will talk about:

  • The Essence of Creative Expression in Fashion
  • What is creativity and how does it immerse in fashion design?
  • What is Fashion?
  • The Intersection of Technology and Creativity
  • Bridging Sustainability and Creativity
  • Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity
  • The Power of Collaboration
  • Diversity and Inclusivity as a Catalyst for Creativity
  • Relationship Between Creativity & Fashion Design
  • Source of creativity in fashion
  • How to sharpen one’s creativity in fashion to ace in the fashion world

The Essence of Creative Expression in Fashion

Creativity in fashion transcends beyond the mere act of wearing clothes. It serves as a language of self-expression where designers articulate narratives through textures, colors, cuts, and silhouettes. From the avant-garde creations of Alexander McQueen to the boundary-pushing designs of Iris van Herpen, innovative approaches to fashion redefine conventional norms and set new trends.

Alexander McQueen's Avant-garde Fashion

Alexander McQueen’s Avant-garde Fashion. Photo courtesy: Medium.

Iris van Herpen's boundary-pushing creation.

Iris van Herpen’s boundary-pushing creation. Photo courtesy: Iris van Herpen.

What is creativity and how does it immerse in fashion design?

What is Creativity?

Creativity can be seen as something where a new idea is formed and where some old ideas are modified in a new way and which gives us a new look. Creativity in Fashion design is the relationship between creativity and fashion.

A creative man can never lag. He/she always thinks something new which is different from other imagination Creativity is characterized by the ability to find hidden patterns, which is different from other imagination.

Fashionnovation's members are always creative

Creativity in fashion design. Creativity is characterized by the ability to find a hidden pattern, which introduces new ways to the world. Courtesy: Unsplash

Creativity is characterized by the ability to find a hidden pattern, which introduces new ways to the world. But the first and foremost thing of creativity is not only about thinking, it’s also about producing. There is a saying “If u have ideas but don’t act on them you are imaginative but not creative.” For example, a creative person can go creative even with artistic neon light displays. He can customize the alluring neon light displays with his own creative taste and creatr crazy creative displays for himself and others visiting his room. This is one of the most automatic forms of creativity that people are showing nowadays.

What is Fashion?

Fashion is mainly an expression of uniqueness and aestheticism in clothing, footwear, lifestyle, makeup, hairstyle, and body proportion.

In another way, it can be said that fashion is like a storyteller. It says that how a man is displaying himself.

Fashion shapes our society and creativity shapes fashion.

How Fashion Shapes Our Society. Fashion shapes our society and creativity shapes fashion.

Fashion is everywhere, every corner of a body, how one walks, how one sits, each and everything is included in fashion. The term fashion is related to style.

But one kind of fashion doesn’t stay forever, it changes from time to time. At a particular time, a group of people chooses a style collectively and it is known as a trend.

Actually, we can say that the world is all about fashion. The world always tries to represent herself in a new way and it is called fashion. So fashion lies everywhere, in every people, in every corner of this beautiful world.

Fashion’s Evolution: From Tradition to Avant-Garde

Fashion evolves, not just in style but also in the process of creation. From traditional handcrafted techniques to technological marvels like 3D printing, the industry continually embraces innovation. The fusion of tradition with technology marks a pivotal shift in how designers approach their craft.

The Intersection of Technology and Creativity

Advancements in technology have opened doors to new dimensions of creativity in fashion. Designers now harness the power of AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality to not just design but also to redefine the consumer experience. From creating digital fashion collections to enhancing the shopping experience through AR try-ons, technology becomes the paintbrush for these modern-day artists.

Bridging Sustainability and Creativity in Fashion

The call for sustainability has brought about a revolution in the way fashion creativity is perceived. Designers are exploring eco-friendly materials, upcycling, and zero-waste production techniques. Innovations such as using pineapple or mushroom leather and recycled fabrics are revolutionizing the industry, proving that creativity isn’t just about aesthetics but also about responsible practices.

Iris van Herpen's 3D fashion creation. Here she has used 3D technology to unleash her creativity and bridge Creativity in Fashion

Creations by Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen during the Spring/Summer 2012 Haute Couture collection show in Paris. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images/Francois Guillot/Getty Images for IMG/Gareth Cattermole/Corbis/Britta Pedersen

Creativity in fashion has no bounds. Now designers are also using sustainable materials like cactus leather to incorporate in fashion.

Creativity in fashion has no bounds. Now designers are also using sustainable materials like cactus leather to incorporate in fashion.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity

Fashion’s creativity isn’t just about the designs; it’s also about the stories it tells. The industry is becoming more inclusive, embracing diversity in sizes, shapes, colors, and backgrounds. Brands are celebrating uniqueness, breaking stereotypes, and challenging societal norms, fostering a more creative and accepting environment.

The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration stands as a pillar of creativity in the fashion industry. Designers team up with artists, musicians, and even scientists to create something beyond the conventional. These partnerships foster an environment where the amalgamation of various art forms results in creations that transcend boundaries and set new trends.

anne of austria dolce gabbana

Portrait of Anne of Austria by Peter Paul Rubens, 1621-25, via Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; with Model Lucette van Beek on Dolce & Gabbana runway, Fall 2012, photographed by Vittorio Zunino Celotto, via Getty Images

 

Vincent Vangogg's The Starry Night inspired dress. An example of an art inspired fashion design, creativity in fashion has no limits.

Vincent Vangogh’s The Starry Night inspired dress. An example of an art inspired fashion design, creativity in fashion has no limits. Photo courtesy: Freepik

Diversity and Inclusivity as a Catalyst for Creativity in Fashion

Fashion is evolving to embrace diversity and inclusivity, celebrating uniqueness in all its forms. Brands are breaking stereotypes, challenging societal norms, and fostering a creative and accepting environment. The industry’s pivot towards representation and inclusivity inspires new narratives and designs.

Relationship Between Creativity & Fashion Design

Creativity in fashion design is a must. People who are in fashion need to be mostly visual types of persons, and also better need to remember visual information in relation to any other form.

Creativity in visual arts is a visual type. It is therefore necessary to apply all the ideas and exercises to encourage creativity visually. There is a famous sentence -“Fashion is like a barrel that is constantly turning”.

It is necessary to approach the problem from a completely new side and creativity directed towards innovation. the complexity of it.

Fashion is all about creativity The more and more person’s work is unique and creative, the more the work will be highlighted. Every buyer wants unique collections and those unique collections come from creative minds.

Everybody thinks that creativity is something that comes by birth. But this not true. The more you will practice, the more you will learn.

Practice makes a man perfect. Here just a wish for change is needed, nothing more than that. The more you will practice the more, the work will be perfect. Another thing is an inspiration, which is most important for a creative mind, man learns by seeing newer things.

Our mind can be inspired by nature, flower, sea, building, or anything. We just need a fresh mind to make it work and he/she must be punctual.

The sources for creativity in fashion can be listed below:

  • Art and Culture
  • Nature and Environment
  • History and Heritage
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Social and Political Movements
  • Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinary Interactions
  • Individual Expression and Personal Style
  • Fashion Education and Research
  • Runway Shows and Fashion Events
  • Consumer Behavior and Feedback

You can see the creativity of our members where they have done some mind blowing fashion illustrations.

You can see more creative task of our members here.

You can also watch a Fashionnovation video where you can get a glimpse of the creative tasks done by our members.

Conclusion

The satisfaction of needs is the main wish of mankind. Fashion designers are tasked to facilitate meeting the needs in the textile field in quest of satisfaction of that task and it is needed to apply and strive innovation.

Name: Rabeya Begum Mishu                                                                         

Department of Textile Fashion and Design,

Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Id:2020-1-6-034

You can also read another of our premium article on the 21st century fashion. 

Illuminating Spaces: The Intersection of Fashion and Interior Design

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