where did it all begin?

The essence of fashion is change (Wilson, 2008); but maybe not change in the context it should be, or that we would like it to be. As seasons change, trends change, designers change and consumers change. 
This change is problematic; as the new season trends are in, last season’s are out. A shocking 2.35 million tonnes of unwanted clothing are estimated to be sent to landfill each year in the UK alone (Allwood et al, 2008) . Synthetic garments will not decompose here, and the woollen garments which do, produce methane gases that are harmful to the environment. (Waste Online, 2012) The fashion industry, as it stands today, is among the most environmentally-devastating industries in the world; on par, in fact, with that of chemical industry. Many are oblivious to the pollution from the manufacture of their clothing, and most will not consider the consequences when they dispose of last season’s look.

The growth of the internet has meant the growth of fast and disposable fashion. We have easy access now to the hottest looks from around the world, only hours after they hit the catwalk in fashion magazines, and minutes after their debut online. Consumers have become to rely on these magazines and online sites as voices of authority on style.

But this is not a new concept. In fact, we can see magazines as early as the 19^th century telling women what to wear.

 

  Harpers's Bazaar, Novemember 1867

 

Vogue

ASOS

 

Not totally dissimilar to today’s Vogue or ASOS online, Harpar’s Bazaar of 1867 lays out the trends of the day to the female consumer.

Could this have been the beginnings of fast fashion? Or of fashion itself? Could fashion even be fast in the 19^th Century? And if not, was it always destined to become this way?