Teacher Resources

Influences on Fashion

Research Process

Directions to Students

  Scenario

Throughout the centuries, various cultural influences have been been incorporated into folk costumes and clothing styles, other than its primary purpose of protecting the human body in various climatic conditions.

Traditions of ancient civilizations, oriental elements, western influences, ritual functions, family status as well as various social, political, and economic conditions play a role in the design, color, ornamental motifs and embellishments of clothing styles.

Imagine that your school theater group has approached you to be in charge of the designing costumes for their plays this year. They have asked you to summit two costume designs for a period theatrical production, one male and one female, for their selected plays.

 How did various factors influence fashion and costume design during an historical time period and/or place?

Task and Product

Working individually or with a partner, you will research the fashion of a specific time in history, according to the play that you select, and prepare a written and visual report or video. The report will summarize factors and influences that had an impact on the fashions of the era and your costume suggestions for the play. You may make a costume for one member of your group to wear as an example. (This will be extra credit.)

Select one play and have it approved by your teacher. Your report will need to address the following issues. You may add other ideas of your own.

Facts

  • summarize the play
  • identify the main characters (one male and one female) and their personality profiles
  • determine the impact of the setting and /or historical context on the costumes
  • identify the fashion cycle silhouette

Factors to consider that influence clothing style

  • Religion
  • Climate
  • Economics
  • Social influences
  • Political influences
  • Historical perspectives
  • Inventions
  • Popular figures
  • Sex roles
  • Available resources (fabrics, textiles, materials)
  • Designers

Final Products

Written Report will include the following items:

  • Cover page with the topic, your name, date, and class period
  • Summary of the facts
  • Explanation of factors which influenced the fashions of the era
  • Visuals
  • Your costume suggestions for the play
  • Works cited page in MLA format

Visual Report or Video will include the following items:

  • Your visual report will be displayed in the classroom. It may be a poster, display board, a Power Point presentation, or a student created video.
  • Title of the play, your name, date, and class period
  • Visuals
  • Captions summarizing the facts and influences which impacted the fashions
  • Your costume suggestions for the play

Various methods may be used for incorporating visuals into your written and visual reports.

  • Personal photographs
  • Photocopy illustrations
  • Clip art
  • Magazines
  • Using tracing paper, trace an illustration and fill in with colored pencils
  • Draw your own
    Remember to give credit to the original source of the visual.

Oral Report will include the following items:

  • Summary of the facts
  • Explanation of factors which influenced the fashions of the era

Assessments

Your grade will be based on the following scoring tools:

Question

Essential Question: How did various factors influence fashion and costume design during an historical time period and/or place?

Subsidiary questions:

  • Which factors were major influences on clothing style for the time period of the selected play?
  • How does the setting of the play dictate costumes?
  • How are the characters defined? Are they simple stereotypical figures or more multifaced ones? How does the use of costume color, ornamentation, or style portray personality?
  • How does the historical context influence style? consider:
    • Economics of the time
    • Social influences and values
    • Political climate and rulers
    • Inventions and available resources at the time (fabrics, textiles, materials)
    • Popular figures and idols
    • Sex roles for men and women
    • Designers and artists who were trend-setters

Gather and Sort

Gather information from a variety of sources. Also consider obtaining information through personal interviews with people who experienced that particular time period.

Sort your research findings using a graphic organizer or note cards. Be sure to avoid plagiarism and keep track of your resources for a bibliography.

As you use your various sources, be sure to take effective, detailed notes. Paraphrase the main ideas to avoid Keep track of your sources, following the MLA Bibliographic Format.

Organize

Analyze your research notes to determine how various factors influenced fashion and costume design during a specific historical time period and/or place.

Synthesize your findings by creating the visual and written project.

  • What new ideas have emerged about your topics?
  • Which facts are the most compelling and would have the greatest impact on your presentation?

Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.

  • Have you gathered sufficient details about your topic?
  • Are your details organized in the right categories or sub-topics to make sense for your audience?
  • Which facts can be omitted?

Conclusion

Presentation

Plan your presentation with your partner, if you have one. Keep in mind that your presentation should include an oral portion as well as the sharing of your visual.

When planning that presentation, be sure to include time for each group member to speak. Consider the best way to share your visual with the class. Make arrangements with the teacher in advance of your presentation day if special equipment will be needed (ex. VCR and television, computer and projector, etc.) or if materials will need to be photocopied.

Each class member will  need to take notes as he/she listens to each group's presentation.  Your teacher may choose to test audience members on this information at some point after each presentation. 

Reflection

After the presentations are completed, respond to the following writing prompt:

Select a character from a presentation other than your own, design a costume for them in the context of the time period you studied, and write a descriptive paragraph detailing the differences between the original costume and your time-period adaption.  Include details and examples from the historical background and character profile from the presentation to support your conclusion.