Info about Apparel
Apparel – how it began, its variety and whims
Since the dawn of civilization people started wearing “clothes” to keep them protected from cold, rain, sun, wind, etc., partially conceal their nudity, or for decoration purposes. Archeologists and anthropologists claim humans began wearing clothes some 7 hundred thousand years ago. Some African and Australian tribes may still prefer their traditional apparel to modern trousers, t-shirts, etc. But in rest of the world, i.e. in civilized part of it apparel plays several other roles apart from being a protection from the external effects. It has begun from ever since the ancient times that apparel began to signify the social status, prosperity, professional area, belonging to a particular gender group - and by doing so clothes began to convey a particular cultural “message”. For example peasants had their clothes made of a coarse fabric, whereas clergy and aristocrats ordered quality silk or finest tissue from oversea. Apparel of the noblemen has always had elegant elaborate design and could be embroidered with spun gold, precious stones and ornaments. The military and medical personnel, teachers – all they had their professional uniforms. And of course we need to mention that clothes of various religious and ethnic groups have specifics and are very diverse. There are clothes specially designed for babies. Of great use were woven and weaved materials, furs, leather, natural and (latter developed) synthetic tissue. Central role have had shoes, hats, coats, bags and other apparel articles.
Clothes can be classic, official, sportive, casual, and seasonal. It can be extravagant or stylish. Although now the Western style fashion is predominating worldwide lines from top fashion houses sometimes introduce ethnic motives from anywhere in the world. Fashion designers offer apparel for every taste and budget, there is an enormous amount of style nuances. Now more popular are natural (the so-called “green”) tissue clothing. New technologies make it possible to even further develop the functionality of clothes. Apart from water and temperature resistance, special clothes nowadays perform even temperature adjustment, build corrections, achieve some medical effects, have automatically repelling bullets, and so on.
A special industrial-creative area has developed know as fashion business. Tens of worldwide acclaimed fashion designers (known as couturier) have emerged. Haute couture (the phrase comes from French standing for “high sewing” or “high dressmaking”) means exclusive, elite apparel making. Some of couturiers have dramatically changed how people began to perceive themselves and their appearances. The notion of a personal style has become central in getting dressed. France and Italy have been and continue to be unsurpassed masters and leaders in the world of fashion. Here belong: Versace, Armani, Calvin Klein, Gianfranco Ferre, Gucci, Pierre Cardin, and many other.
Prices on production from these brands can go as high as tens of thousand dollars for a garment, for example a top may cost $15 thousand. Only the rich maybe understand these whimsies. However one should remember that the haute couture apparel is hand-made using only exclusive and fine tissue, it perfectly fits and this elaborate work creates a real peace of art. Just imagine that an elegant evening dress with embroidery can take up to hundred hours of scrupulous work.