Orientalism in fashion :)
ORIENTALISM IN FASHION
Asian culture is source of inspiration for fashion designers since 17th century. The influence of this continet on Europe was vast!
It begun beacuse the import of things from Asian culture increased, like Chinese ceramics or tulips from Turkey to Holland. Also brewed leaf, known as a tea, was unfamiliar to Europe. There were new materials, patterns and accesories in fashion that many people started to use. It all came to our continent from 17th to 19th centuries.
Orientalism has its beginnig in Gothic and Barrocco. European style was mixed with new, Japanese, for example, old-fashioned robes were worn with oriental floral motifs (the symbolic flower was chrysanthemum). A lot of women wore column dresses made of kashmir, famous material from India. Many costumes for plays in theaters, ballets was inspired by fashion in Arabia and Persia. Also "A Thousand and One Nights" became famous, so many of this costumes was inspired by asian culture.
Later, after World War II orientalism found a way to mainstream fashion. But this time, it wasn't only about clothes. Asian women associated with tradition, obedience and something exotic, so fashion desingers started to use it, as a way to make a new impression. They based their desings on it.
In the 21th century, there are still motifs from orientalism in fashion. Everybody with an access to the internet can buy something that was inspired by this continent. So, I think that orientalism is pretty popular.
https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/definition-orientalism
I love oriental patterns and fabrics! Like the one in your first photo.
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