In 1826, Charles Frederick began his career as a designer, paving the way for a new industry of creativity, clothing design, and fashion exploration. Since those humble beginnings, the fashion industry has remained an important part of our society’s culture, along with an ever-changing and always-evolving art form.

Though fashion has long held a stigma of being trivial and shallow, it is one of the most present and integral part of a person’s life. With the growing popularity of fashion shows such as the Met Gala, people can easily access the outfits and designs of their favorite celebrities. Incredibly influential people in the fashion industry such as Coco Chanel, designer and founder of Chanel, have become extremely influential in today’s society, shaping the way clothing is designed and marketed into the 21st century. 

In recent years, fashion has become more abstract, conceptual, and avant-garde. This is where the difference between style and fashion starts to become apparent, as fashion is more conceptual and collective, while style defines a person’s individual tastes. For example, the singer and rapper Lil Nas X uses clothing to symbolize more than just what he is wearing.

Designers like Virgil Abloh, who was most famous for his brand Off-White, utilized an eggshell-white color scheme with minimalist black lines in all of his creations. Although this design may not seem like much, it is a highly intelligent design, mirroring the everyday patterns of cross-walks and transforming them into a new medium: clothing. Every time you walk along the street, you are reminded of his design. In addition, the eggshell white, or 0ff-white color scheme represents the flaws in his designs, which have granted him the ability to tell a story of nuance and meaningful symbolism.

There are hundreds of famous names in fashion that have influenced the industry dramatically. In recent years, fashion has become a more broad subject. With the introduction of social media, design and creative expression are much more accessible. Through modern media, anyone can be a designer, regardless of educational background, ethnicity, wealth, or resources. In addition to being a designer, many people have started to model their own clothing, empowering those who want to share their creations but struggle to be hired by a famous label.

The ever-expanding fashion industry is experiencing a shift, as it grows more inclusive, and everyone has a chance to show off their creations. Who knows where the fashion industry will go from here?