Fashion in different times Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fashion in different times - Research Paper Example The fashion trend that became popular in the 1960s faded away, but others remain engrained in the social â€Å"fabric† and space age clothing and miniskirts are examples of the surviving trends. Today’s fashion is more laid back as far as political and social expression is concerned than it was in retrospective times people rarely use fashion to express political or social views, but mostly to assert their individuality. This paper will examine the fashion scenes in the  1960s and today and attempt a comparative analysis contrasting and comparing the two periods in respect to dress and fashion. In some ways, the fashion scene has remained the same and one can even claim the 1960s are the motivation for much of today’s dress culture. During this period, jeans became very popular especially among the youth who wanted something comfortable practical and which would feel natural. However, the use of leather and animal skin to make clothing items has come under sharp criticism by animal right activist and environmentalists result it is not as popular as it was then. As such, many youths would wear tie and dye t-shirts and jeans, today jeans are still a dominant feature of fashion, despite the many adjustments and improvements, a pair of battered or new jeans from the 1960s would easily fit into the wardrobe of a teenager today. Furthermore, another Similarity was that the brightness and liberalness of the clothes, miniskirts worn then would scandalize many modest modem day women. In the 1960s, people were not afraid to experiment with colors and the same trend seems to have taken root in modern fashion with colors and flower patterns seemingly being fashionable (â€Å"Fashion Trends for Spring/ Summer 2012†). This is in sharp contrast to retrospective (pre -1960s), conservative colors and designs. According to Glamour magazine, 2012 spring runways looked a lot like Lady Gaga’s concerts in that the designs were liberal with the colors and

Art Deco in American Architecture Research Paper

Art Deco in American Architecture - Research Paper Example The period between 1920s and 30s many banks were coming up and there was stiff competition for customers (Gebhard, 2003). Many banks that wanted to appear progressive were abandoning their cluttered and unattractive buildings for a more sophisticated and attractive buildings that Art Deco had brought. With this style, a bank could now appear stylistic and impressive. Many bank buildings portrayed an extraordinary geometric style and a subtle, rich detail that expressed a restrained sophistication that befits a financial institution. Apart from banks, corporates were also among the reasons for great demand in Art Deco architecture. Several corporate headquarters were shifting their headquarters to Art Deco styled buildings. This proved to their clients that they were stable enterprises in the economy and played a prominent role promising a modernistic future. Such corporates include electric utilities, communication companies, and those dealing with automotive. A good example of a cor poration that adopted this style is the Chrysler Corporation. It shifted its headquarters to the New York’s Chrysler Building in 1930. It was built at a time when there was a high competition for skyscrapers and style. It is a very good example of an American building representing Art Deco. The designer of this building was the architect William Van Allen. He designed it between 1928 and 1930. Initially Allen had been working for William Reynolds (a cigarette tycoon) but later on Walter Chrysler (automotive tycoon) acquired his plan. This building remained the world’s highest building for a short duration; it was a 77-story skyscraper reaching out to the Manhattan skyline. One would also notice its sense of style with the jewel-like glass crown (Nash & McGrath,... Apart from banks, corporates were also among the reasons for great demand in Art Deco architecture. Several corporate headquarters were shifting their headquarters to Art Deco styled buildings. This proved to their clients that they were stable enterprises in the economy and played a prominent role promising a modernistic future. Such corporates include electric utilities, communication companies, and those dealing with automotive. A good example of a corporation that adopted this style is the Chrysler Corporation. It shifted its headquarters to the New York’s Chrysler Building in 1930. It was built at a time when there was a high competition for skyscrapers and style. It is a very good example of an American building representing Art Deco. The designer of this building was the architect William Van Allen. He designed it between 1928 and 1930. Initially Allen had been working for William Reynolds (a cigarette tycoon) but later on Walter Chrysler (automotive tycoon) acquired hi s plan. This building remained the world’s highest building for a short duration; it was a 77-story skyscraper reaching out to the Manhattan skyline. One would also notice its sense of style with the jewel-like glass crown. The hotel industry was also a beneficiary and one of the reasons for popularity of Art Deco. The proprietors of hotels and restaurants used it to their advantage and came up with very decorated and stylized environments for eating and drinking. These environments employed the elements of Art Deco.