Kazi Fashion

Political influences

Political culture plays a critical role in fashion industry. Political change is reflection of today’s fashion. Most of the political events and laws are affecting fashion in a way of creating fashion trend. Considering the relationship between fashion and politics, we can see how fashion is not only a matter of aesthetic but it involves politics as well. Within political references, we can see how fashion can be change.

Fashion is a reflection of current or historical events therefore it associates with today and past ‘s politics. For example, the terrorist attacks happened in the United States on September 11, 2001; it was the most tragic political events of the society. This catastrophic event caused horrific consequences which related to political. In a way, fashion trends were also revolutionized.
It is hard to say that 9/11 attacks made a direct influence on fashion industry, it should not be considered as inspiration for fashion designer to forecast the trend. However, after 9/11, fashion designers decided to embrace this challenge and tried to convey the significant lost and depression into a form of fashion trend. In a way, they believe that nation would remember this event more often and cherish every single moment we have. Post 9/11 led comfort dressing to remember and grieve the attacks on 9/11. By doing so, this trend became a form of communication.

Not only did political events make a huge impact on fashion trends but also the political figure played a critical role in forecasting the fashion trend. For example, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was a fashionable icon of the early 1960s who led formal dressing trend. By wearing a Chanel suit, a structural Givenchy shift dress or a soft color Cassini coat with huge buttons, it created her elegant look and led a delicate trend.

Furthermore, political revolution also made impact on fashion trend. For example, during the 1960s the economy had become wealthier, divorce rate was increasing and government approved the birth control pill. This revolution inspired younger generation to rebellion. In 1964, the leg-baring miniskirt has become a major fashion trend of the 1960s. Given that fashion designers began to experiment with the shapes of garment, loose sleeveless, micro-minis, flared skirts, and trumpet sleeves. In this case, mini-skirt trend became an icon of the 1960s.

Moreover, political movement built an impressive relationship with fashion trend. For instance, during Vietnam war, the youth of America made a movement that affected the whole country. In the 1960s, the fashion trend was full of fluorescent colors, prints patterns, bell-bottom jeans, fringed vests, and skirt became a protest outfit of the 1960s. This trend was called Hippie and it is still affecting current fashion trend.

Technology influences

Technology plays a large role in most aspects of today's society. Technological influences are growing more apparent in the fashion industry. Advances and new developments are shaping and creating current and future trends.

Developments such as wearable technology has become an important trend in fashion and will continue with advances such as clothing constructed with solar panels that charge devices and smart fabrics that enhance wearer comfort by changing color or texture based on environmental changes.
The fashion industry is seeing how 3D printing technology has influenced designers such as Iris Van Herpen and Kimberly Ovitz. These designers have been heavily experimenting and developing 3D printed couture pieces. As the technology grows, the 3D printers will become more accessible to designers and eventually consumers, which could potentially shape the fashion industry entirely.
Internet technology such as online retailers and social media platforms have given way for trends to be identified, marketed and sold immediately. Styles and trends are easily conveyed online to attract the trendsetters. Posts on Instagram or Facebook can easily increase awareness about new trends in fashion which can create high demand for specific items or brands,new "buy now button" technology can link these styles with direct sales.

Machine vision technology has been developed to track how fashions spread through society. The industry can now see the direct correlation on how fashion shows influence street-chic outfits. The effects can now be quantified and provide valuable feedback to fashion houses, designers and consumers regarding trends.

Military technology has played an important role in the fashion industry. The camouflage pattern in clothing was developed to help military personal be less visible to enemy forces. A trend emerged in the 1960s and camouflage fabric was introduced to street wear. The camouflage fabric trend disappeared and resurfaced several times since then. Camouflage started to appear in high fashion by the 1990s. Designers such as Valentino, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana combined camouflage into their runway and ready-to-wear collections.

A company called Hyperstealth has said to have created a technology that can make an object or person invisible. “Quantum Stealth” is a light bending technology and can mask thermal and infrared signs. The company has continued developing this technology, but due to safety and legal concerns minimal information has been released to the public. This technology will not be quickly introduced into the commercial market, but the companies other projects such as non-powered color changing camouflage materials may be. Additional projects such as using interactive or intelligent technology sources that will be embedding into textiles will adjust to surroundings such as weather. As these developments proceed, consumers may see a more modern and technical way of wearing camouflage.
These are just a few technological developments that have begun to influence fashion trends.

Fashion trend is influenced by different factors and incidents happening in our environment. Art, music, and popular culture influence fashion trend and how its penetrate into our everyday lives. High end fashion is more creative, while high street fashion is more commercial. However, both high end and high street fashion reflect trends that are happening in our society as a whole. Fashion trends are both aesthetic and expressive values that showcase our personal statement.

Social influences

Fashion trend goes beyond the aesthetic values, it emerges as an expressive tool for designers to deliver their message about the society. With the influence of social media, celebrities and bloggers, their voice are easily being heard and have impact on fashion and trend at any time. Fashion and music are inseparable. Prabal Gurung  highlighted the importance of music to his shows, saying “each season we want to tell a story for 10 minutes…. the perfect harmony between cloths and music allows this”. Music is a representation of fashion that expresses the abstract design concept into relatable harmony for viewers. H&M work with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to develop a clothing collection. From the success of its first collaboration at 2015, which gives confidence for the brand to continuous launch this collection again this year. At Coachella, fashion and music express an energy that belongs to the festival and music goers. The collective trend and style that symbolize the energy and personality.

Fashion relates to social and cultural context of an environment. According to Matika, “Elements of popular culture become fused when a person’s trend is associated with a preference for a genre of music…like music, news or literature, fashion has been fused into everyday lives.” Fashion is not only seen as pure aesthetic values; fashion is also a medium for performers to create an overall atmosphere and express their opinions altogether through music video. The latest music video ‘Formation’ by Beyoncé, according to Carlos, “The pop star pays homage to her Creole root.... tracing the roots of the Louisiana cultural nerve center from the post-abolition era to present day, Beyoncé catalogs the evolution of the city’s vibrant style and its tumultuous history all at once. Atop a New Orleans police car in a red-and-white Gucci high-collar dress and combat boots, she sits among the ruins of Hurricane Katrina, immediately implanting herself in the biggest national debate on police brutality and race relations in modern day.”

Runway show is a reflection of fashion trend and a designer’s thought. For designer like Vivienne Westwood, runway show is a platform for her voice on politics and current events. For her AW15 menswear show, according to Water. “where models with severely bruised faces channeled eco-warriors on a mission to save the planet.” Another recent example is a staged feminist protest march for Chanel’s SS15 show, rioting models chanting words of empowerment with signs like “Feminist but feminine” and “Ladies first.” According to Water, “The show tapped into Chanel’s long history of championing female independence: founder Coco Chanel was a trailblazer for liberating the female body in the post-WWI era, introducing silhouettes that countered the restrictive corsets then in favour.”

Minimalist fashion

"Less is more." is the main idea of minimalist fashion. Minimalism is a philosophy of dressing that has endured for decades, and is probably best recognized today by the general public through the fashion houses of Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein really has captured the minimalist movement in America during the 1990s. While the clothes are simple and have a reduction on color pallet, there is a very sexual and grunge feel to his designs.

Simple, function, and original are the key components to describe minimalism. Clean lines, functionality have always been hallmarks of the style. It depends as the mainstream fashion of 90s, Calvin Klein and ` are the well-known examples for minimalistic style. They create easy clothes for modern women which use executed cut to emphasize shape and neutral color are the major color tone.

90s fashion has re-emerged the black and white palette prevalently as a defining duo on today's runways. The all-white look is another 90s favorite look which is impacting a rise in neutrals in today’s fashion as well. Minimalism is also a catalyst for the rise of activewear influences. This trend introduces the bandeau and sports bra tops, bomber jackets and racerback details in high fashion collections during that era and it returns to runways and streets today.

Sheer is a key material during the minimalist movement. It emerges in a wide range of applications, from an overlay to a full garment. The trend for transparency keeps to continue as a focus of designer collections every since then. Besides sheer fabrics, metallic materials also bring the interest to the sparse shapes of the era. It is a trend that reflects in the rave culture and bridging the grunge musician and the fans. Reflective has returned on recent runway and also on current streets with a range of metal.

Crop top is the most democratic garment that connecting the movements of minimalist, grunge, hip-hop and R&B culture and turning up on everyone from Mariah Carey and Spice Girls to the top fashion icons. Another defining looks to emerge from minimalist era is the idea of underwear as outerwear. Camisoles and slip dresses were introduced to the market and it became a quintessential of the 90s in contemporary fashion.

Minimalism style is much more than a trend, it becomes a zeitgeist. Designers such as Stella McCartney follows the suit with pragmatic tailoring in neutral palettes, Alexander Wang starts to show pared-down activewear in black, white and grey. Even Victoria Beckham turns to strict silhouettes from the bling wave. Minimalism never goes away. Shapes are plain, femininity is the leader, Color and sculpted shapes speak louder than extra decorative accessories.