The Times of Fashion

The Times of Fashion - From the 1950’s pin up to the everyday life high fashion of the 2000’s, each era celebrates a new style sensation.

By Ashley Pinkham

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” (Thinkexist.com) This quote from Coco Chanel says it all. Many fashion designers find themselves under the illusion that their talent alone sells the fashions they create. In actuality, those in the spotlight aka celebrities are those that sell and popularize the fashions created. They are the ones that bring the look to life and make it a part of the national dialogue. In recent decades, each time period has a new outlook on style and a celebrity that made it happen. From the 1950’s pinup to the everyday life high fashion of the 2000’s, each era celebrates a new style sensation. The way an individual dresses expresses who they are, but the way those in the media’s eye dress can express a style, a nation, or even an era.  If we take a look back at who changed fashion the names Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, even Lady Gaga are the first to pop into our heads, right? The fashion from 1950 through 2010 has evolved tremendously, with each decade commanding a look of it's own brought to the forefront by a celebrity with style to take the next fashion step forward.

Figure 1: Here is a look at a classic Marilyn look.

The 1950’s were a time of lavish dresses and classic color palettes. There were many fashions that emerged in the fifties. However, the one look that changed it all was definitely the pin up doll style. The simple pin up look changed the way women not only viewed themselves but the way society viewed them as well. When I think of this evolutionary fifties fashion, the first and only name that comes to mind is Marilyn Monroe. Though everyone is familiar with the name, Marilyn Monroe was more than an actress; she was a celebrity, a model, and a fashion icon. Dying at the young age of 36 (wikkipedia.com) she stamped her mark on this country in more ways than one. Her classic, flirty, clothing created an opening for women all around the country. Often times Marilyn is depicted with pin curls, red lipstick, and a white ensemble. This look has stayed a classic through the times. Even earlier this month Kelly Osbourne was crowned a fashion icon by mimicking the beauty and grace of Marilyn’s style from the fifties. (myfashionlife.com) Known as the sex symbol of the fifties, Marilyn said, “The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.” Plain and simple.

Figure 2:A picture of Twiggy from her 

“Glory Days” in the 60’s.

From the beginning to mid 1960’s, women’s fashion was making its way to bigger and better things. In 1965, Twiggy born as Lesley Hornby (Wikkipedia.com) was the beginning of the style we’ve all come to recognize as “the norm” on high fashion runways. Although in the past few years there has been big scandal in the high fashion world, involving these models and the designers that use them, raising questions about and ridiculing the rail thin look. This thin, almost boy-like stature obsession, though, began about 50 years ago with a very famous model named Twiggy. At age 16, Twiggy became the first English prominent teenage model. Twiggy quickly became known for her androgynous looks. Large eyes, long eyelashes, thin build, and short hair were her signature assets. Twiggy changed the fashion industry with these looks and her sense of style. Her bubbly, retro fashion has carried on to, if not created the look for high fashion models of today. Of her physique Twiggy has been quoted saying, “It’s not what you’d call a figure, is it?” (Basicquotations.com) However, her non-"figure”, has remained the only acceptable look of high fashion since the 1960’s.

Figure 3:On the set of Charlie’s Angels 

(TV series in the 70’s)

As we work our way through the decades of fashion, we find ourselves pondering the 1970’s. Women’s roles in society were being profoundly altered at this time in history. Growing feminism and the presence of the “working lady” would come to forever change women’s fashion yet again. Who else showcased the fashion of independent working women better then Charlie’s Angels? This classic TV series starring Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith essentially set fashion for the 1970’s. Charlie’s Angels was one of the first series to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men. The women working class was known for being reserved yet sexy. Bikinis and shorts, knee length skirts and flowing blouses, bell-bottom pants and tucked in polo button ups, heels and cleavage are just some of the many styles the Charlie’s Angels wore and "sold". Fashion of this time transformed the concept of women’s fashion that much more than those looks that came before it. A huge difference in the fashion of the 1970’s was that it was for every woman. It was not specifically dedicated to magazines and runways but fashion had moved to the street, the office, and the grocery store.

Figure 4: A still photo of Madonna from her “Like a Virgin” music video in 1984.

The fashions from the late 1970’s were the big opening for the sultry fashions that emerged in the 1980’s. And who else but Madonna could have brought a mix of classic grunge and lingerie to the mainstream?  Madonna was and is a fashion icon. Madonna's twist on lingerie fashion is what created 1980’s style. Even to this day those in the spotlight continue to play off her classic style of lace and leather. The Queen of Pop brought lace and corsets to outerwear.  She brought bare midriffs and short skirts to everyday fashion and the celebrities of today such as the “Pop Princess” Britney Spears continue the look and are often crowned the next Madonna.  Not too  long ago, Queen Madonna said of herself, “I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” (Refspace.com) And that she is.

Figure 5: A familiar photo of Baby, Scary, 

Sporty, Posh, and Ginger Spiceshowing 

off their individual personalities.

The 1990’s were a decade of diversity. In fashion, music, film, and all others the wide range of diversity in pop culture of the time is amazing. Pop music, big shoes, and individuality are three words that can best describe the 1990’s. In this time many musical artists repackaged past fashions and set themselves apart from the pack. Names like Britney Spears, N’SYNC, Backstreet Boys, and who else but the Spice Girls personify the era. The Spice Girls illustrated individuality and took the “Girl Power” of the 1970's to the next level. They showed teenage girls across the globe that it was ok to be themselves.  It was not only ok to be and dress who you are but also ok for your friends to do the same.  The cookie-cutter look was out and whether it was the high maintenance fashion queen or the sporty girl next door. Both styles were not only acceptable but revered in their own right. The Spice Girls didn't use pop culture to sell a "look" instead they sold individuality, and moved fashion in multiple directions all at once.  Each Spice Girl's personality and fashion sense became a new stepping off place of budding designers and consumers. Baby Spice, Scary Spice, Sporty Spice, Posh Spice, and Ginger Spice all set the fashion of the decade through their onstage personalities. Baby Spice was the girl next door. She wore baby-doll dresses and cute white sneakers. Scary Spice was the wild child, sporting animal print and tight pants with a cropped top. Sporty Spice was the tomboy. She made running sneakers and athletic wear high fashion. Posh Spice was the “fashionista” with sultry outfits and high, skinny heels. Ginger Spice was the new spin off of the sexy pin-up doll. Often she was shown wearing short rompers and big heels. Every girl in America could relate to and wanted to dress like one of the Spice Girls.  Fashion brillance!  I even remember wanting those massive sneaker shoes, as I’m sure every female “tween” of the time did. The Spice Girls changed fashion in the 90’s not only in America but across the world. Their number one hit “Spice up Your Life” summarized exactly what they did to the fashion industry. Just as spices individualize a lunch dish, the girls spiced up the fashion dish and what better way to do it than making individuality the new look.

Figure 6: The Olsen sisters at a 

Modern Weekly (China) 

photo shoot in 2008 showcasing 

their “fashion icon” style.

 As the new century beckoned at our doorstep so did a new sense of style. We had gone from pin-up doll, to stick figure, to the working lady, to lingerie, to fun and girly, it was time to step it up that extra notch. And the girls who did just that were the Olsen twins. Yes, you heard me right, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. No, I’m not talking about the overalls they wore when they were 5 years old on the hit TV show, Full House, but rather their elegant adult fashion "icon status" style we have all come to expect. This fabulous duo quickly brought high fashion into the limelight of everyday fashion. Girls everywhere began to dress “high dollar” to high school with $200 - $2000 outfits. Many high fashion designers like Dolce & Gabanna and Christian Louboutin influenced the Olsen sister's look which in turn influenced millions of high school teenagers armed with their parents’ credit card, looking for the next big thing in fashion.

Figure 7: Lady Gaga’s album artwork for her latest single, “Born This Way”.

The year of 2011 has begun and as I sit here writing I can’t help but wonder who the fashion icon of the next decade will be. As of this moment I don’t see it being anyone other than Lady Gaga. As I am sure most people will agree, Lady Gaga has some crazy, loud statements. She does this with her music, her words, and of course her clothes. She constantly has futuristic features within her ensemble.  She brought raw meat to a new level and her choice of heelless shoes has become all the rage in the fashion industry. It’s just a matter of time before these looks becomes a daily occurrence on the streets of not only New York and Los Angeles but Chicago and Denver as well.  Lady Gaga said within the past year, "You have to be unique, and different, and shine in your own way." (Goodreads.com)  And all would also agree that Lady Gaga has done just that. Unique and different are two of the most prominent adjectives to describe her and the fashion of the future.

Fashion is all around us, even for those who don’t recognize its influence in their lives, fashion still occurs every moment of everyday. The simple black hoodie my fashion-less brother wears or my hand me down clothes my mother wears are a statement from the industry itself. Although the style may be geared down and on the street a year or so later than when it debuted on fashion runways in Tokyo, New York, and Paris, celebrities eventually bring it to the masses. Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion fades; only style remains the same.” This much is true, fashions from each era come and go but it’s the essence of that style and the value of a “big name” wearing your designer label that lasts for eternity.

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