The Purpose of Fashion: The Industry's Role in Society
Since the beginning of time, clothes have been a signifier of social status. But what is the purpose of fashion? The industry's role in society has changed over time. In the 18th century, there were only a few hundred modistes and designers in the world. Today, there are more than 5 million fashion creators globally. What you wear can also say a lot about yourself. Fashion reflects our changing attitudes towards race and gender. Here are some ways to explore the varying roles of fashion in society. What is the purpose of fashion? Historically, it was used by royalty to attract attention. It was a vehicle to assert power over those with less authority. Fashion could also be used as a message of protest. Colonialists in the 19th century would wear full-length trousers as a means of resisting British rule. "The idea of colonial protest has a very long history in the English language," says Kit Juckes, currency strategist at Societe Generale. "Even before any other par...