Zac Posen on the Role of Society on Fashion

     This video from Zac Posen allows the viewer to understand a designer's view of fashion.  We are able to see what the designer thinks of fashion's impacts society and how society and fashion influence each other.  Designer Zac Poseen describes fashion as being a "historical marker." You can distinguish the time period, styles, and interests of somewhere simply by studing fashion." Zac Posen says it is also possible to "see what's happening in history and the ideals of the time through fashion."
     Fashion can explain many societal changes and influences on the population by the way clothing is designed and the styles during that time. Posen also discussed how cultural fashion is. Fashion is a work of art, he describes it as being expressive of its cultural surroundings and influences.
     Designers are artists and fashion is a product of their inspirations and environment. This is why so many factors can become visible simply by looking at fashion from a specific time period.  Posen specifically makes a point to talk about fashion as being representative of the designer and individuals, meaning that people can says things about their personality and views of the world because of the clothes they wear.

How does your fashion and style reflect you and your surroundings?

Video from: http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Role-of-Fashion-In-Society-311605338

Hollywood Influences Fashion

     The document titled "Hollywood Influences Fashion," describes the effect that film had on fashion in the twentieth century. When actors and actresses would appear in new styles and designs, they would instantaneously become the next big thing among movie goers, similar to the experiences of Tommy Hilfiger's brand.  There is an account in the document of an actor choosing not to wear something which led to a major downfall in the product's sales. The author describes the incident as "Then Clark Gable (1901–1960), one of the era's top stars and most influential male icons, appeared in It Happened One Night (1934). At one point in the film Gable brashly removes his shirt, revealing his bare chest. He was not wearing an undershirt. After the release of It Happened One Night, undershirt sales across the United States plummeted by a reported 75 percent."
     The document clearly explains how the extensive influence movies and film has had on society. People looked up to actors and actresses and in an effort to live their perfect and glamorous lives, they imitated actors and actresses, most specifically in their clothing and fashion sense. Similar, less expensive styles and designs often seen in movies and on television shows could be found in most department stores. Since movies were used as an escape from daily life, the new designs and fashions also helped people lead better lives. Fashion for many people was not just a look but also a feeling, they looked and felt like actors and actresses.

What types of media influence fashion today?

"Hollywood Influences Fashion." Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 4: Modern World Part I: 1900-1945. Detroit: UXL, 2004. 784-785. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 3 Mar. 2012.