Fashion is a non- verbal way of communication that convey a lot about the person’s personality, background and style. Earlier it was exclusively the world of the affluent, celebrities and royalty. However, Fashion is now within the reach of the common man, especially the youth. Besides, dress fashion is an evolution of ideas, which begins as a fad, but in course of time gets accepted in society as a style, which could be in attire, behavior or lifestyle. Fashion is mostly associated with glamour. It makes people feel confident and bold. People can express themselves openly. Today fashion is not limited to western countries; now, every country has come out with their country has come out with their fashion sense, not only the clothing but the accent of that country, the living style.
WHY IS FASHION IMPORTANT
Fashion is important because it reflects the culture of a country. It makes our life colourful and changes our life with time. In a way it also ads variety to life, providing an opportunity in trying out something new. Fashion is not only limited to clothing or makeup but in a much broader sense includes accessories like shoes, perfume, hairstyle, mannerism, etiquette and attitude towards life. Fashion is not restricted to self- expression only but also a means of self- empowerment and confidence. It encompasses the total spectrum of human activity, which relates to a specific period. It is an outlook of life. Fashion is how you carry yourself in society without wearing anything trendy. It is how you attempt to make yourself look flawless even without any make-up. It helps you in revealing your identity.
EVOLUTION OF FASHION
The world of fashion is always evolving. It is amazing to see how the different events in history have influenced and changed the way people dressed and looked throughout times. Thus long dresses, Veiled- Headgear that was trends of the Victorian era, have been replaced with micro and mini dresses and the jeans culture associated with the modern era. Hairstyle also have been changing throughout time. Short boyish haircuts were popular during the 1920s to 1940s. Wigs were more popular in the 1960s and thereafter hairstyles kept changing from short to bob cut then to mid- back cut and now maintaining long hair.
FASHION INDUSTRY
As fashion evolved, the industry was formulated to manage the process for the consumers. The fashion world has given shape to a new industry, the ‘Fashion Industry’. The fashion industry was created to design, manufacture and market clothes, footwear and accessories. Before creating the apparel industry, people made clothes for themselves. The mass production of clothing began in the mid-nineties when some creators began to make garments that did not tailor. The fashion industry in its true sense was established in the twentieth century when the Neighborhood tailors decided to become the manufacturing business.
FASHION IMPACTING THE YOUTH
The positive side of fashion is it enhance your life. It not only allows you to dress fashionably but also allows being independent in thinking and maintaining self- esteem. At the same time, fashion is negatively impacting the youth. It has taken up the life of the youth so much that the youngster are highly obsessed with creating style statements at an age where they need to focus on their studies and other important aspects of life. The fashion trend has become a cult with today’s generation. They blindly try to imitate the models and celebrities without understanding the true essence of fashion.
The need is therefore to strike a balance between being fashionable and wearing what suits you. The young generation needs to understand that fashion in the true sense is the attitude that you carry and just not fashionable clothes and accessories.