Fashion

Fashion acts as a mirror of society, which is what art used to be. Frequently, in America, the topic of fashion is commonly overlooked. The trends that are seen on runways today first debuted on the runway twenty to thirty years prior. The past, present, and future of this mystifying, ever-changing field would be the course I would choose to teach at the high school level. History never fails to repeat itself, and I feel that it would be beneficial for students to understand where the roots of fashion originated.

Designers such as Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen displayed their designs before very critical people and climbed their way to the top of the fashion dynasty. Biographies on top designers provides insight on their personal style and achievements.These readings would require an essay on the designer and how they influence fashion of today. Each designer shows a unique style, and a project comparing the pupil’s personal style to that of a designer would incorporate fashion from both past and present. Also, each student will be required to complete a semester-long project on a certain fashion designer that includes a faux question-and-answer interview with the fashion aficionado and a portfolio of images containing the student’s most cherished designs created by that person.

Each decade impacts the next, not only with technological and medical advances, but progression in fashion as well. The decades each encompass multiple fads and trends that are specific to an established time period. For example, Jackie Kennedy and Twiggy were fashion icons of the 60’s, but their style is outdated in today’s culture. Presentations of fashion from past decades inform pupils of contrasting trends that effect the future.

Most Americans take for granted the historic resources that are available to them. In museums such as the Smithsonian, Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History, there are exhibits on fashion from...