Fashion and style in United States - Essay Example

? Fashion and Style in United s Fashion and Style in United s Table of Contents Introduction 2. Media 2 Bettina Ballard 2.2 Carmel Snow 2.3 Sarah Jessica 3. Conclusion 4. References and Bibliography How did the media, particularly fashion magazines and film, help to disseminate both America fashion and American ideals of beauty in the mid-to late 20th century? Discuss using specific examples (e.g. editors, magazines, actresses, films). Introduction In fashion, media have played a crucial role during the twentieth century. Media has been used as a tool to disseminate fashion. Media as contributed greatly to the growth of the fashion industry not merely portray pictures of clothing1. For instance, Flaunt magazine was an American fashion magazine. It published issues regarding luxury fashion but grew to lifestyle publication. It was distributed in 32 countries with 10 publications per year2. Media puts into consideration customs, traditions and expressions bound by laws of a country3. The United States of America experienced varied trends in fashion over the years. In the twentieth century, the United States of America accepted African American rights as resettled into a mostly Caucasian culture, mixing the two cultures which affected fashion and the Afro got seen in mainstream America in the latter 1960s. For example, James Brown influenced afro to be a fashion statement by recording the song “Say It Loud-Am Black and Am Proud”. This got reinforced by its use in the novel and film The Commitments used statements of James Brown song in 19874. Film and novel are forms of media that disseminate fashion. Media an especially magazine such as Flaunt portrayed American standard of life has being exceptionally high, therefore, leading the world in life and style. Many people in other countries who lead magazines and watched American films tried to copy those fashions. American magazines and films in other countries contributed to fashion development5. This has happened and happens now through; films, news and radio that have taken the influence of American culture and fashion to other regions of the world. The books and websites referenced in this essay give a clear insight into the media’s role in fashion. However, it is the printed and visual media that chronicled and advertised the changes in trends and fashions. Therefore, they must be held responsible for its dissemination of fashion through America and elsewhere6. Every decade saw new changes in trends of fashion in the United States of America. The style and fashion changes significantly affected the lifestyles people. The media, for example, film changes people’s thoughts, their talks, their behavior and fashion changed. For instance, The Commitments film made many African Americans maintain the Afro hairstyle7. Many people after the World War II lived in the United States hence acquiring the fashion and culture. The media were the first to ensure that people got the information about culture and style8. Media Media is a broad name for a system of tools that are used to communicate ideas and information over vast distances. Media can be used to disseminate fashion ideas and information over to many people at once. Magazine publications and films are distributed over large geographical locations, therefore, reaching many people at once. There are two broad classifications of media these are broadcast and print media. In broadcast media information is transmitted electronically, for example, in radio, television and film. Print media alternatively uses physical method like a newspaper to transmit information. For instance, an individual may hand out leaflets (printed media), therefore; a few people see the information. Another person may also put up billboards across America so that many people see (more effective mass media). Media can be also be classified into print, digital and photography. Photography spreads information in the form of graphics and pictures9. The photographs included in printed media such as magazine should clearly display a certain fashion statement. Photographs in magazines disseminate fashion by helping people visualize ideas, for example, clothing styles. Digital media came into existence in late twentieth century. This means that sources of data like magazines, pamphlets and news papers played an extremely significant role in spreading information concerning fashion and design in the mid to late twentieth century. Radio and wire telephones were also used in mid twentieth century in consolidation and spread of style and fashion among the people of United States of America. Great changes were made in the fourth and fifth decades of the twentieth century. The changes were pertaining infrastructure of physical and digital media hence enabling it to target a larger group. This was coupled by the introduction of websites talking about fashion in the late 20th century. Television shows began in 1950s only showing few fashion features. Fashion segments in entertainment shows became frequent in 1980s. For instance, fashion programs such as Fashion Television began in 1980. Television programs and live shows were advantageous as a number of the audience could be addressed at the same time10.  During the World War II, media through newspapers and magazine publications ensured the fashion sector was not altered by war. However, after the Second World War, western countries were recovering from war and poverty, so they could only afford cheaply brown and grey clothes. When the world economy picked up again, the media showed people dressed in brightly colored clothes which shown development of fashion. After the end of World War II, the media played a prominent role in the distribution and development of fashion in and outside the United States. Television stars, programs and film stars were used as tools to disseminate fashion. American stars and singers used their popularity to attract people to the fashion11. It is also necessary to note that after World War two up to the 70s and 80s, many people belonging to different classes of life and cultures took shelter in United States of America. Fashion media in the twentieth century included aspects like fashion critics, fashion writers and fashion reporters. The most common type media used disseminate fashion at that time was newspapers and magazines. However, other fashion tools used included fashion books and fashion reports on television. Magazines and television were preferred since fashion trends had a short life cycle unlike books which would require new versions to be up to date. Professionalism was required in fashion journalism has a fashion editor needed to be always informed on the changes in the fashion industry12. The media had personalities like fashion journalists whose work included writing, editing articles, assisting in the formulation and styling of fashion shoots. In order to give credible information about current trends fashion journalist, spend most of the time researching, attending fashion shows and interviewing. This keeps him or her in contact with the fashion industry players such as designers. Fashion journalists usually work on full term is fashion changes at all times but, in cases where there are events such as fashion shows magazines may employ fashion journalists on a part time. Celebrities and magazine editors were a source of inspiration in the middle of the twentieth century. Following are the inspiration characters and their work in media for the popularity and development of fashion in the United States13. Bettina Ballard In the middle of the twentieth century, a group of editors were given a title of fashion and stylish women, who depict style in their work. Bettina Ballard edited magazines like the Vogue and wrote an autobiography called In My Fashion. She worked with fashion bible (fashion magazine company) in New York. She later went to Paris where she worked with Vogue magazine as the editor during the years in between the wars. She pronounced and defined the fashion in 1940s and 1950s. The shows she attended were a significant source of inspiration and marketed culture in a great manner, in that people, tried to imitate her. For instance, she attended a fashion show in February 1947 organized by Christian Dior. After the show, she wrote, “Magic… was what everyone now wanted from Paris”. This influenced many people to choose Christian’s clothing in 194714. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the fashion magazines were considered to be the sole representative and disseminator fashion. The most famous personality in these magazines in the mid twentieth century was Bettina Ballard15. Ballard worked for the fashion magazine Vogue that stood as a rival to other fashion magazines like Harpers Bazaar. The role of Bettina Ballard is significant in the spread of fashion around the globe especially in United States. Her advice was a guide for people of United States and lends them to the development of new fashion era. For example, in an article by Life Magazine entitled “Bettina’s Busy Day”, portrays how she promoted fashion in dressing. In this article, pictures are shown where by she wears different clothing in a single day. This is when she is going to various places such as fashion shows, dinner and directing fashion shows. The life of Bettina was not just a symbol and a mark on fashion but also an ideal that changed the history of fashion in decade. She was imitated by many working women from different walks and fashion. Her dresses, columns, appearance and dealing became a way of life for her spectators. She became influential in the fashion world while working as an editor in Vogue. This is because she got invited in fashion shows, fashion events and dinners by prominent personalities, for example, Christian Dior. Bettina played a crucial role in spread of fashion, in United States, and around the globe. This is through the articles she wrote in Vogue. She is seen to have developed fashion through her work. Her columns, appearance, dress and dealing, were imitated by several people16. For example, the Black Dior suit she wore when she attended Christian Dior fashion show was imitated by working class women17. Carmel Snow Carmel snow was initially known as Carmel White. She was the daughter of Peter White and was born in Ireland. She later immigrated with her family to United States after death of her father. She worked briefly at J.M & T.M Fox which was a dressmaking business in Manhattan which was one of her mother’s properties18. She had a particular gift of discovering new talents and encouraging people who were established earlier to develop their talent. She worked with Edward Steichen who was a famous photographer, and this helped him to apply talents in fashion photography19. She was an editor of Vogue and a colleague of Bettina Ballard. Later she left for the leading magazine Harpers Bazaar. Her influence on these magazines was of high level beyond fashion. She brought fiction, Art, fiction, reporting and photography in American homes through her work in Harper’s Bazaar. Her work lead to development of the fashion industry because she nurtured talents. For instance, she discovered Lauren Bacall, an actress and nurtured her. She also put her in a cover page of Harper’s Bazaar20. Talent nurturing is one of the reasons why she led to significant fashion development especially in film. This made media such as magazines to achieve quick development in the fashion industry. Many fashion icons such as Lauren and Balenciaga Cristobal were taught by Carmel Snow21. She was gifted in making discoveries, was considered amongst best editors22. She used magazines Vogue and Harpers Bazaar to disseminate fashion. This is by writing articles related to fashion. For example, she wrote in Harpers Bazaar "Elegance is good taste plus a dash of daring." She also used photographs23. For instance, she employed Martin Munkacsi to take photographs for her. Her position as an editor was undertaken by her niece Nancy White and later she died in New York in 26th of May 196724. Sarah Jessica parker Sarah Jessica was born in March 25, 1965. She is a popular American actress who played a substantial role in TV shows, dramas, movies and serials. She was a lead role in the teenage film Girls Just Want to have Fun, but she was not yet a star25. After some television appearances, Sarah finally became a star. She pursued her acting career and later moved and started to support movie roles in films such as Firstborn (1984). Her popular show was Sex and the City an HBO TV show which ran from 1998 to 200426. Her awards are a proof of her achievement and glory. She also performed with the likes of famous stars such as Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis in Sex and the City series. She won many awards on her performances27. In the late twentieth century, when she was passing through a young phase of live, her fashion and style served as an icon in United States but also in other countries of the world. She has become a fashion face in most world fashion brands in advertisement. In 2003, she entered into a contract with Garnier whereby she advertised Nutrisse hair products. She also participated in the clothing industry up to 2005 where she had a lot of effect on public fashion awareness many fans tried to develop the same hair styles, dressing and talking accent28. Even now, when she is 47 years of age, people her and appreciate her looks and styles. Her life serves as a role model to the followers of fashion, and her unique style stands as a light tower in the fashion industry. Jessica Parker influenced fashion in 2004 by signing a contract with Gap clothing company. This contract made her appear in clothing advertisements. Many of her fans loved the adverts and chose the same clothing as her29. The advertisements included promotions, commercials, online and print adverts. She was chosen for this advertisement because of her role in Sex and the City. This is where she played the character of Carrie Bradshaw, an urban fashionista. She also has her fashion line named Bitten which she developed with Steve and Barry’s clothing chain. Jessica Parker’s influence has been mainly through the media. In 2007, she also appeared in a TV show Project Runway a fashion program30. Conclusion The middle of the twentieth century was a significant period in the history of the fashion industry. United States and various forms of media played an extremely prominent role in spreading fashion trends. This was significantly influenced by these famous personalities who were markedly focused in promoting culture and fashion as their career and talent. This was of considerable importance and should be embraced by the modern personalities playing similar roles in society. This would enhance development in fashion and culture; it would also encourage other personalities from other countries to promote their fashion and culture. Various forms of media played a crucial role in spreading fashion trends and associated cultures throughout the world. This should be embraced even in current media sector that aim in selling fashion and culture in general to all parts of the world31.  Magazines, especially their creative and skillful editors, fashion icons, stylish maneuvers, designers and artists, played a significant, in the development of fame and glory of fashion culture in the mid of the twentieth century, that revolutionized the life of Americans and blessed them with a signature life for the coming years. The United States government through cultural ministries should promote culture and fashion by way of promoting cultural and fashion activities and funding them appropriately. References and Bibliography Aquila, F. & Petzke, J. (1994). Education law course outline. USA: Casenotes pub. Helen, E. (2010). The Media Handbook: A Complete Guide to Advertising Media. UK: Taylor &Francis. Crane, D. (2000). Fashion and its social agendas: class, gender and identity in clothing. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Esten, John, Katherine & Diana (2001). The Bazaar Years. New York: Universe Books. McConathy, D. (1975), American Fashion - The life and lines of Adrian, Mainbocher McCardell, Norell and Trigere, The Fashion Institute of Technology, Quadrangle. Snow, C. & Mary L. (1962). The World of Carmel Snow (1962). New York: McGraw-Hill. Catherine, A., Carolyn. R. & Naeemah, C. (2011). Diversity in U.S. Mass Media. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Ballard, B. (1960). In My Fashion. New York: By David McKay. Baxter, J. (2009). "Constructions of Active Womanhood and New Femininities: From a Feminist Linguistic Perspective, is "Sex and the City" a Modernist or a Post-Modernist TV Text Full Text?". Women & Language 32 (1): 91-98. Fabrikant, Geraldine (2000). "Talking Money With - Sarah Jessica Parker - Talking Money With - Sarah Jessica Parker - From A Start On Welfare To Riches In The City". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2010-05-03. Kimmelman, M. (2007-01-19). "Innovator and Master, Side by Side". The New York Times. McElroy, Ruth & Williams, Rebecca. Media History. Volume 17. Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group1, February 2011. Meyers, J. (1997), Bogart: A Life in Hollywood. Houghton Mifflin. "Sarah Jessica Parker Biography (1965-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16. http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/02/bettina-ballards-busy-day.html. http://www.pagesinventory.com/domain/www.flauntmagazine.com.html Retrieved 15-5-2012. White, C. (1991). Discography. In Star Time (pp. 54-59) [CD liner notes]. London: Polydor Records. Whitburn, J. (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 84. Read More