FASHION OF THE 1920’S Elise Miguel

HISTORICAL EVENTS  Harlem Renaissance began (1920) African American influence and cultural expression spread throughout the United States, centered in Manhattan, NYC.  Women granted the right to vote (1920) With the passing of the 19 th amendment, women were granted the right to vote which changed the culture of America completely.  Prohibition began (1920) Prohibition made it illegal for the sale and consumption of alcohol, which lead to secret sales and drinking.

HISTORICAL EVENTS  The Great Gatsby published (1925) F. Scott Fitzgerald published his novel which depicted the 20’s as a lavish, surreal era filled with extravagant parties and fashion.  Houdini died (1926) The death of Houdini, caused by a ruptured appendix from a failed trick, was shocking to the world.  First Miss America Pageant (1921) The “ideal woman” was established with the creation of the Miss America Pageant starting an era of feminine awareness.

WOMEN IN THE 20’S

WOMEN IN THE 20’S CONT.

WOMEN IN THE 20’S CONT

MOST IMPORTANT EVENT  One of the most influential events to take place in the 1920s was when women got the right to vote on August 18, This began a decade of celebration for women and the fashion reflected that. Women began to express their femininity and happiness through the clothing they wore such a skirts, dresses, and lavish make up.

HAIRSTYLES Women’s hair in the 20’s was usually very short (bob) and worn in a curled or pleated style as pictured here.

EYEBROWS  During the 1920’s, women’s eyebrows were thinned for dramatic emphasis and to give the appearance of a beautiful, young face.

CUBAN HEELS Ankle strap Cuban heels were the most prominent type of shoes for women of this time.

SIMPLE BRIMMED HATS  Women of the 20s tended to pair their short haircuts with simple hats such as the one pictured here.

PETER PAN COLLARS

SHORT DRESSES

ELSA SCHIAPERELLI  Coco Chanel’s biggest rival, Elsa Schiaperelli was an Italian-born fashion designer whose work was very prominent in the United States during the 1920’s. Schiaperelli used the inspiration of surrealism such as artists like Salvador Dali (who she worked closely with) and Alberto Giacometti, and made some of the most unique women’s clothing of her era. Schiaperelli influenced women of her time by giving them access to clothing that wasn’t exactly the “norm”.

SCHAPERELLI SWEATER Schiaperelli was very much into knitwear and created an innovated design as pictured here.

SURREALISM Elsa was very influenced by surrealists and managed to incorporate their style into her designs.

BLACK & PEARLS Schiaperelli also paired many black-centered designs with an abundance of pearl necklaces.

HATS She also liked to incorporate outlandish- looking hats into her designs, as pictured here.

MADELEINE VIONNET  Madeleine Vionnet founded her fashion house in 1912 and grew to become one of the most prominent fashion designers of the 1920’s. She was named the “queen of draping” for her fabulous ability to create designs and pieces incorporating her outstanding draping skills, making her work look very elegant and feminine. Vionnet influenced the women of her time by allowing them to feel more feminine in her flowy dresses.

DRAPING  Obviously, the “queen of draping” would incorporate such in many of her designs, as seen here.

GREEK STYLE  Many of her extremely draped dresses and designs appeared to have been influenced by Greek culture.

LIGHT COLORS  Vionnet’s designs mainly were based around light colors such as white, cream, and yellow.

BIAS CUT  Vionnet used the “Bias Cut” or low backline on many of her designs.