The amazing Italian designers of today have a longstanding tradition and history going back a thousand years. The Venetian traders from the 12th century brought back luxurious fabrics, beading and other innovative trends that were a revelation to fashion in Western Europe.
Marco Polo was among these early explorers to bring a taste of the east to then-modern Europe. Silk, in particular, was a coveted material worn by the wealthy wives of Venetian merchants. The courtesans were also colorfully dressed, helping to end the drab and never-ending Dark Ages.
Some of these trends copied eastern clothing patterns. Jewelry and cosmetics also became a fashion standard for the upper class. Over 500 years time, the cities of Venice, Florence and Milan were known as the most trendsetting fashion leaders in Europe. Other important centers included Bologna, Genoa (where Christopher Columbus' father worked as a weaver), Turin, and Naples in the far south.
St. Francis of Assisi was a nobleman before he went to serve the Church. He and his family were among the well-dressed citizens of Assisi, and his friend and "fiance" Saint Claire were also among the very well dressed upper class. Clothes made the man or woman, and exotic fabrics defined both class and success.
During Renaissance times, fashion was king. In Italy, the renaissance began at least 150 years earlier than the British Isles, around 1400. Linked by sea transport, Italy had ready access to the Silk Road, Egyptian cotton, trade and communication. In those days fashion was a luxury, and not intended for the common man. The royalty, nobles and wealthy landowners bought fashionable attire for themselves, their families and their courtesans. The famous Medici family of Florence is well known for their elaborate attire especially Catherine, who wore exquisite creations which would be hard to duplicate today.
Italian fashion took a backseat for a time; with French fashion houses becoming the leader in new designs. King Louis XIV took control of all luxury goods being brought into France. The "fashion season" was originated during his reign in the 1670s, with the introduction of elaborate fashion for both sexes and the wearing of extravagant curled wigs which was to compensate for his premature balding.
Henceforth, from the 17th century to 1950, French hate couture was considered creme DE la creme. Fashion Models were introduced, historically poor to average standing young women who would be dressed up according to the newest fashions and sent out to visit potential clientele. The word model stuck, and to this day they are called fashion models, but with the lifestyle of celebrities, not simply unknown mannequins. The runway model has a similar experience to the "model" of the past.
Historically, the elaborate fashion sprees of Marie Antoinette were among the factors that created great tension among the poor. As we all can recall, she was famous for saying "let them eat cake" when the Parisian poor were left with no bread to eat. This rich - poor imbalance was among the primary reasons for the French Revolution.
From the 1950s until today, Italy managed to regain and retain its position as the leading fashion trendsetting authority in the entire world.
Jacksonian.com, an online retailer of fine gentleman's accessories stocks a range of Italian neckties, along with leather goods, cufflinks and shaving sets.
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