Hello, and welcome to the ninth week of The Global Fashion Files! This week’s post is a personal reflection on my last eight weeks of blogging. I hope my readers gain a little more insight into my reasons for starting this blog, my experiences blogging thus far, and the future of The Global Fashion Files.
Past: Admittedly, at the beginning of this year, I never imagined that I would be creating or working on a blog. I have always enjoyed writing, having been a student writer and editor for my undergraduate institution’s fashion newsletter. However, the idea of running a blog never entered my mind until this year.
When I started my graduate degree in global fashion enterprise in August, it occurred to me that a blog dedicated to exploring the past, present, and future of fashion in other countries could be an intriguing endeavor. Although I have not traveled often up to this point in my life, I have always desired to travel more and learn about the world around me. This interest in expanding my knowledge of the world has resulted in several bookcases and bins brimming with publications on various global topics.
However, it is probably no secret that fashion is one of my most beloved subjects. Fashion has been in my blood from the time my parents discovered me reconstructing my doll’s clothing to my years as an undergraduate fashion design student. I am still enthusiastic about fashion, voraciously reading any magazines, journal articles, or books that discuss the topic.
Despite my love of all things fashion, it became apparent to me that I was lacking familiarity with the history of fashion in other countries. Much of my knowledge is based around the history of the European and American fashion industries, particularly because of the seemingly endless resources available on them. There are far fewer fashion history resources for countries—such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Korea—that do not receive as much recognition for their amazing fashion industries. This lack of abundant information and my desire to learn more about the styles and fashion industries in other countries led me to start this blog.
When I started The Global Fashion Files, it was important for me to define my goals for the blog. What am I trying to say? How do I want to communicate my message? What do I want my readers to gain from my posts? After considering these questions, I concluded that I should present—in a straightforward yet entertaining way—valuable and intriguing information about the global fashion industry. Ultimately, I want my readers to have the same experience reading my blog posts as I do writing them: I want them to immerse themselves in each country’s fashion industry and enjoy learning more about fashion and the world in which it is brought to life.
Present: After eight weeks of blogging, I have learned a great deal about the fashion industries in other countries. It is fascinating to read about the styles, designers, technology, etc. in each country and share the information with my readers. Every week, this blog showed me the unique aspects of each featured country’s fashion industry, but it also made me realize that there are more similarities than differences in the fashion world.
Featuring the fashion industry in France in my first blog post on The Global Fashion Files was the perfect choice. France is often considered the birthplace of fashion, so it made sense to start my blog with this country and explore its extensive fashion history. It was encouraging to read about the current and future state of the haute couture sector. In addition, it was surprising to learn that France is one of the most advanced European countries for fashion technology, hosting several yearly trade shows dedicated to the topic. The country places great emphasis on honoring the traditional techniques at the heart of the fashion industry while exploring the possibilities of the future.
In my second blog post, Egypt’s fashion industry took center stage. Tracing back to 3000 B.C., it was evident that Egypt’s relationship with fashion is deeply rooted. Much of its women’s apparel history highlights fabrics, ornamentation, and construction techniques. From plain, elegantly-draped linen garments to colorful, elaborate bead-net dresses, there was quite a disparity in women’s wardrobe options. While fashion in Egypt is much more conservative, there are still many women who want to appear fashionable. With up-and-coming designers, an interest in technology, and greater global recognition, Egypt’s fashion industry continues to grow.
Arguably, Nigeria has the longest traceable connection to fashion of any African country, which made it a great candidate for my third blog post. A mix of ethnic groups and tribes―each with their own distinctive fashion―as well as a focus on textile design made Nigeria’s fashion history fascinating to research. In present day, individuals still don traditional Nigerian garb, but they may also wear jeans and t-shirts, resulting in a wide range of apparel options. Although Nigeria faces some challenges, its fashion industry is expanding quite rapidly as Nigerian designers emerge to compete with Western brands and embrace sustainability and technology.
My fourth week focused on a country that stunningly melds the past and present: Japan. From the beautiful beginnings of the kimono to the androgynous deconstructed looks of the ’80s to the eclectic mix of Harajuku styles, Japan’s fashion history is most certainly a feast for the eyes. Present-day styles are diverse, so it is no surprise to see individuals attired in kimonos, bright Cosplay apparel, or more conservative garments from brands like Uniqlo. As young Japanese designers gain international attention, more fashion schools are opened, and new technology is created, Japan’s fashion industry continues to make an impact.
Other than France, England is perhaps the best known European country for fashion, so it was an easy choice for my fifth blog post. Many of the fashions that were popular in France’s past were prevalent in England, illustrating the similarities between the two countries. Eventually, England began to set some of its own trends, including space ageism and glam. Although today’s world offers numerous fashion options, including domestic and international brands, British women are quite loyal to their preferred style. Influenced by sustainability and technology, England is looking to continue its fashion industry’s success long into the future.
For the sixth week, Spain was a fairly unconventional country to feature in my blog, but its growing global presence makes it notable. It was interesting to learn that Spain was once at the forefront of fashion in the past, influencing styles in other countries. The country is recognized for popularizing dark colors and as the birthplace of Cristobal Balenciaga, known for his architectural design aesthetic. Now, styles in Spain are much more contemporary, and Zara is a Spanish fast fashion retailer that is known worldwide. Several factors, including recognition of Barcelona among prominent fashion cities, an increase in the country’s fashion consumption, and the launch of some fashion tech startups, will help usher Spain’s fashion industry into the future.
Although South Korea does not have as long of a relationship with fashion as other East Asian countries, it has risen to prominence in the fashion industry in recent years, which made it the obvious pick for the seventh blog post. The beautiful simplicity of the traditional Korean hanbok and its subtle changes through the years is mesmerizing. South Korea’s youthful, street-focused fashion scene, which trickles into Seoul Fashion Week, sets the country apart from other fashion capitals. This unique youth-minded fashion perspective and emphasis on the fusion of fashion and technology earns South Korea’s fashion industry greater global recognition.
The eighth and most recent blog post on the United States seems appropriate and indispensable. The United States has a long and well-documented relationship with fashion. Because of the plethora of research on the topic, it is almost effortless to access information about the country’s fashion past, from the robe à la française in the early eighteenth century to the explosion of American ready-to-wear brands in the 1980s. In present day, the United States is a melting pot of styles with no prevailing one. The United States always endeavors to stay ahead of the curve, integrating technology into fashion and embracing new commerce methods and design approaches. These factors will further develop the United States’ fashion industry for the future.
These are all incredibly brief descriptions of each country’s fashion industry, but they serve to illustrate the breadth of information I collected during these eight weeks of writing The Global Fashion Files. While there are many elements that distinguish each country’s fashion industry, it is clear that the countries have similarities as well, mainly their focus on the industry trends of the future. As each country works toward further advancement and development, the global fashion industry becomes stronger.
Future: When I began The Global Fashion Files, it was an entirely new experience for me. I outlined goals when creating the blog, but I could not predict the outcome of my efforts. Every week, it was enjoyable to research the featured country and learn the particulars of its fashion industry. It was additionally encouraging to view my readership statistics and know that I was not the only one benefitting from my weekly posts.
I have gained a greater understanding of the world’s fashion industry in only eight weeks, yet I am still eager to build upon my knowledge. As a result, I have decided to continue The Global Fashion Files. I may be unable to update as consistently as I have in the past (graduate school certainly takes time!), but I will endeavor to update the blog as frequently as possible.
Furthermore, blog posts will be more varied and personal. Specific topics from the past, present, and future of the global fashion industry will be explored in some blog posts. A more personal perspective will be integrated into some of them as well. I am eager to embark on this new path for The Global Fashion Files, selecting the best elements of the blog’s past and present to develop it for the future.
The Last Stop: Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this post! If you have not already, be sure to check out all of my previous posts on the past, present, and future of women’s fashion in France, Egypt, Nigeria, Japan, England, Spain, South Korea, and the United States. I will return soon with more information about the past, present, and future of the global fashion industry, and I hope you―my readers―will join me on this journey!
The Global Fashion Files 