Introduction
In the 1960's fashion shifted from the Trickle-Down effect, where fashion was defined by the couture houses and wealthy, to a Bottom Up process where street trends were picked up by fashion houses and then marketed to the mainstream. Much of these Bottom Up influences came from different groups known as Style Tribes like Hippies, African Americans, fans of various rock styles like Mods and other subcultures that wished to distinguish them from mainstream society and used fashion to do so.
We can still see influences today on fashion from trends set at this time and renewed interest in creating style tribes as fashion turns away from fast homogenized looks and consumers crave a sense of individuality in their dress.
Task
You have a new job as a fashion designer for a fresh urban women's wear brand. Your boss meets with you and your design team today and tells you the bottom up Afrocentric clothing style mainstreamed in the 1960's is starting to cycle back on trend. He asks you to work as a group to design a line based on this inspired by the history of the trend and how this is being interpreted today.
Process
1st: Review this article your boss sent you on the current African fashion trend and follow the links inside to learn about current brands and products driving this look. What are Materials, Fabrics, Surface Design Treatments, Silhouettes and Styles that define the contemporary trend?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chayet-chienin/african-fashion-trend_b_6850124.html
2nd: Research the fashions of the 1960's and 70's and how the civil and women's right's movement influenced specific Style Tribes.
To do so:
-Read Survey of Historic Costume by Phyllis Tortora Pages 458-63.
-Watch this clip from The Independent Lens
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/videos/black-panther-style/
-Look for examples by researching using any web source of your choice where images can be cited properly with original source and date or from the below.
http://metmuseum.org/art/collection
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/search/?q=Fashion
https://www.wgsn.com/en/login/?r=%2Ffashion%2F
3rd:
Use the research by your group to collaborate on a Photoshop mood board of historic and contemporary images for you line. Mood board should be color and 11x17. Include images that speak to the colors, fabrics, lifestyle, style lines, historic and current inspiration you plan to focus on. Together, prepare a 500 word statement explaining your research into the history of the trend, the cultural background leading to the trend, key styles, fabrics, and looks of the trend in the 1960's and 70's. Describe the trend today and compare and contrast the look and social influences.
Get feedback from your teacher and others.
4th: Design a line based on this information and considering feedback from others on your mood board. Each team member should be responsible for 2 styles and all should work together and relate back to the mood board. Illustrations should be 8.5x11 color format.
Evaluation
Conclusion
Reflection:
What were some of the fashions that evolved from the civil rights movement and why did some African Americans in the 1960's and 70's choose this style of dress over mainstream styles? How did these style become included in Bottom Up fashion trends of the time and how are they still seen today?
How does the line you created fit in history, the market today? Would you or someone you know wear this collection?
Can you think of any other social and cultural movements that are influencing fashion today and creating Bottom Up fashion trends? What are they?
Credits
Referenced
Tortora, Phyllis G., and Sara B. Marcketti. Survey of Historic Costume. New York:Fairchild 2015.
Images From
Nothingbutthewax.blogspot
HuffingtonPost.com
Youth Designs.com