Assignment 3 Progress

Research on Egypt 

Facts

• They were conscious about cleanliness as it reflects their character, it was an insult to the ppl around them and their God too. 

• Clothing indicates health, occupation, freeman or slave, religion, family, marriage status.

• Egyptians were one of the first ancient cultures to view women as equals and they were not very strict about gender-specific attire especially in the lower classes it was very common for men and women to wear similar clothing hairstyles and makeup.

• Nudity was also common in Egyptian culture partially due to the extremely warm climate. Children would be naked until puberty after which they would wear clothing and makeup just like any other adult slaves would also usually be naked and many of the working-class both men and women only wore clothing on the bottom half of their bodies, even the upper class wore garments that were either partially or completely see-through.

• Materials to make clothing most all clothing originated from either linen spun from the flax plant or papyrus flax was ideal for cloth because it grew in abundance by the Nile River and it was reasonably easy to spin weave and sew into linen garments linen also provided excellent protection from the oppressive sun and heat of the region while keeping the wearer cool. Other materials derived from animal fibers or skins were sometimes used in winter garments or shocking fashion materials especially wool was considered unclean and impure and was forbidden to be worn in sacred areas like temples. skin fabrics like silk and cotton would not be used until the latter part of ancient Egypt's history as Greece and Rome began to have more and more influence over the country.

 

I started my research of the Egyptian time fashion from the head to the body

Headdresses

Head would all be shaved clean even children, to keep clean

The priest would shave down their whole body to show their purity and devotion

Kyphi

Placed on top of the head after wearing a wig 

Atef

Is a curled ostrich feathers one on each side of an elongated white crown a symbol of the underworld the feathers represented truth and justice 

Deshret

was mostly used for religious ceremonies the Atef was a red crown from Lower Egypt that was woven like a basket With possibly Reed's or flax it symbolized the Pharaoh's authority over Lower Egypt

Khepresh

Was a blue crown from the new kingdom it was also known as the war crown and was probably made out of stiff leather of fabric

Nemes

Worn by King Tutankhamen, was made of starched linen and had two large flaps which hung behind the ears and down over the shoulders

Old Kingdom clothing

Rich

Wealthy Egyptians were able to afford the highest quality linen which at times would be so finely made that you could see right through it.

Men

Egyptian men either wore a loincloth or a kilt like garment called Ashanti women wore a long linen garment called a Kalasiris; the distinction between the upper and lower classes throughout all kingdoms depended on the length and quality of fabric.

 

Women (1920)

They wore Bead Dresses which can be worn alone or worn with linen cloth inside

Slave

The middle and lower classes would wear rougher linen or wool during the Old Kingdom 

Men and women

Shanties were a very simple knee-length garment which was belted or tucked and tied at the waist the sewing of garments was very basic at this time and most everything was tied and strategically wrapped to stay on the body men and women of the lower and working classes were topless.

Middle Kingdom Clothing

Fashion here was not as a replacement, but like additional things onto the previous fashion.

Sewing and Ornamentation started here.

Rich

 

Men 

Shanties became pleated and gathered in the front and the length became longer to below the knee and paired with a starch triangular apron and decorated with ornaments and hung down at the front, to show their erectile, men show a dramatic shape at the front.

 Women

Sleeves were beginning to be introduced slowly and they were a lot looser on the body.

The garment could start below the neck or the bust, it could be draped over one shoulder or both or worn with shoulder straps embroidery and dyeing of fabrics was still pretty rare and most garments were still white. The length was still at the ankle.

New Kingdom Clothing

the most ornate flamboyant and heavily ornamented of all the kingdoms.

Women

Fewer women were walking around bare-chested, this was a prosperous time and even the middle and working classes were enjoying more elaborate apparel. The silhouette of women's fashion had changed too with more fabric and longer looser gowns featuring full sleeves

 

Men

Men's fashion in this era featured much more fabric with big fluffy petticoats and tunic blouses with sleeves; some of their garments were see-through and the length varied from over the knee to ankle length.

Jewelry and Accessories 

 

Rich

Animal products were considered unclean there was however one exception called a Padellide. Padellide was a leopard or lion skin shawl only for royalty and priests; these were often documented and they would be quite striking, sometimes embellished with jewels.

Lion's tails were also used as belts but these were mostly worn by the Pharaohs as a symbol of power and strength since clothing was usually a plain white or cream color jewelry would be used to add color and details to outfits everyone wore jewelry and when they died it would be buried with them the quality of jewelry depended on wealth and status.

Poor

but even the relatively poor wore some sort of jewelry, this was where a lot of symbolism could be incorporated into fashion

The animal's materials and colors used in each piece with specific and symbolized things like rebirth.

 

1. Why do designers need to understand history for them to better the industry development?

There is very little to deny that Egyptian styles continue till the 21st century. Ancient Egyptian styles have a longevity, which is rarely observed in fashion. Their styles have influenced fashion for centuries, and are seen as classic attires in many women's wardrobe.

Egyptian influence in costumes is seen in the garment styles and also in the embroideries that adorned the garments. Its influence in fashion exists quite predominantly. While the fashion of ancient Egypt is thousands of years old, modern day fashion is much inspired by its ancient clothing styles. Modern day fashions have taken a twist on the ancient clothing styles of Egypt, and will undoubtedly continue in the years to come.

It is a universal fact that fashion designers of the modern day get their inspiration from the past. Egyptian fashion is an apt example of this. Visualizing the Egyptian era, and comparing it with the modern fashion, one may see many similarities.

Both men and women in ancient Egypt also wore make-up. The red colour on the lips worn by women today could be inspired by the ancient Egyptians mixing red ochre and ointment to make lip balm.

The cosmetic powders were conserved and well-kept in containers made of stone, ceramic, wood and reed, which are housed in the Egyptian department of the Louvre museum in Paris.

Malachite, a bright green mineral, was used for blue and green eyeshadow, and kohl, a black powdery substance, was used by the Egyptians as eyeliner, which still appeals to modern day fashion.

 

2. What are the main influential factor(s) that change how society dresses / preference in clothing?

 

They were conscious about cleanliness as it reflects their character, it was an insult to the people around them and their God too. Taking care of the hair was also incredibly important, as it was regarded as a ‘representation of the self’, as researcher Geoffrey John Tassie notes. Different hairstyles were used as a way of establishing status, with longer hair being a symbol of power and divinity.

The amount of jewellery a person wore was often an indicator of their social status or wealth, yet even the poor in Egyptian society adorned themselves with as much jewels as they could.

Clothing indicates health, occupation, freeman or slave, religion, family, marriage status.

Egyptians were one of the first ancient cultures to view women as equals and they were not very strict about gender specific attire especially in the lower classes it was very common for men and women to wear similar clothing hairstyles and makeup

 

3. How historical, social, and cultural influence affected that era?

 

Nudity was common in Egyptian culture partially due to the extremely warm climate. Children would be naked until puberty after which they would wear clothing and makeup just like any other adult slaves would also usually be naked and many of the working-class both men and women only wore clothing on the bottom half of their bodies, even the upper class wore garments that were either partially or completely see-through.

 

4. Icons that influenced Egyptian era fashion

 

Cleopatra VII, the Egyptian fashion icon, was regarded as the most seductive woman in all human history. Among all Egyptian women, the infamous Nile Queen was pretty well aware of how to take the classic Egyptian fashion to its next level so as to best enhance her features. She took utmost care in her clothing and in the way she deported herself. Her clothing style had, and is still capturing the imaginations of countless artists and fashion designers. Her outfit consists of a long and tight tunic in fine, delicate material held tight with a belt, or with braces. A thin shawl flows over the shoulder and is tucked into her belt. Alluring colors of red, green, dark moss green with yellow stripes were used. Historical costumes of Cleopatra are very popular, and are an inspiration for many reputed fashion designers in designing their collections.

The bewitching beauty of Cleopatra first seen when unrolled from the carpet still lingers in the mind of fashionistas. A powerful ruler with diplomatic skill sets and personality, she is also a dominant fashion inspiration. Fashion designers create their dream collections taking inspiration from the alluring apparels of the Queen, and seasoning it with their creativity.

 

It wasn’t just in art that she shaped this new impression of female power: appearing directly in front of her subjects, the possibilities offered by makeup to fashion her own identity were carefully exploited. The signature black, swooping eyeshadow worn by Nefertiti was packed with toxic lead-based chemicals, potentially serving as a means of fighting bacterial infection during periods when the Nile would flood. This also had a spiritual parallel, with the painted eye becoming a kind of amulet, again warding off evil spirits; when undecorated, the eye was vulnerable to the influence of the “evil eye”. It’s even been suggested that Nefertiti herself sent chemists out to harvest galena leaves and refine the formula for kohl to grant her additional spiritual protection.

 

The immense wealth of the Egyptians meant precious stones, today reserved for the most opulent fine jewellery, were regularly crushed and ground as bold, eye-catching pigments. Cleopatra’s signature green eyeshadow, likely worn also by Nefertiti, was formulated from malachite. It’s also believed to be the birthplace of henna, with both men and women known to wear elaborate patterns across their skin, while archaeologists have discovered strands of hair which appear to be the first examples of wigs and hair extensions. Our continued interest in the Egyptian obsession with appearance isn’t just about vanity, but the innovative leaps they made within the world of beauty.

The uncovering of Nefertiti’s bust was well-timed. Two years earlier, the discovery by Howard Carter of her stepson Tutankhamun’s tomb sent western Europe into a frenzy: fashionable women were slicking back their hair and wearing jewelled scarab brooches, and the Art Deco style took direct cues from the regimented decorative schemes of ancient Egyptian art. At the same time, there’s something about her image which feels outside of any specific trend — its power lies in its timelessness.  

It’s not just the specific motif of a cat-eye that lends this sculpture, and Nefertiti herself, an indescribable magic. It’s looking back through the centuries at a woman living in wildly different circumstances who used beauty in the same way we do today: to communicate publicly who we are, to express our uniqueness, or as a protective, even talismanic layer. Beneath the specifics of her make-up regime and aesthetic preferences, it seems that even ancient Egyptian queens were just like us.

 

5. The popular silhouette during that era

 

• The ancient attire of straight fitting with shoulder straps that were tied behind the neck of shoulders is now one of the most popular silhouettes in recent fashion. 

• Egyptian tunic-style dresses and tops with belting in the waist are now being sought after by most women. 

• High waistlines that were popular in Egyptian times are seen in fashion currently through the revival of baby doll dresses. 

• Lightweight linen clothes worn during ancient times are followed even today. In the current day's trend, many Egyptian motives are used.

 

6. Supporting trend during the Egypt era

Music- Old Kingdom

The evidence for instruments played is more securely attested in the Old Kingdom when harps, flutes and double clarinets were played. Percussion instruments and lutes were added to orchestras by the Middle Kingdom. Cymbals frequently accompanied music and dance, much as they still do in Egypt today.

Dance- Old Kingdom

The first illustrations of dance in ancient Egypt come from scenes in Old Kingdom tombs of performers associated with funerals.

The khener (funeral dance) are depicted as entertainers for religious ceremonies, entertaining the deceased kings, but the khener may not be solely religious. Khener were used at the Temples to entertain the Gods.

The world renowned pyramids of Giza are made out of mostly solid masses of stone with very little to be found inside. Sources cite at least 118 pyramids built in Egypt. Most were built as tombs for the country's pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods.

 

7. Fashion language and terminology on Egypt era

 

Self-reflective report

Before going into this assignment and getting to know about the fashion history of Egypt, I only presumed that it's what the media portrayed. However, I felt that I went on a trip to the ancient Egyptian world and I now understand the beauty and uniqueness of fashion during the great time and era.

I learned a lot from working on this assignment,  I now truly understand the origin of a lot of fashion styles and vogues, along with their terminology in fashion. I was intrigued by the story of Cleopatra which got me to know how she went down as not only a fashion icon of her time but also an icon of Egypt overall.

Lastly, I hope that the remarkable history of Egypt remains well-preserved and relevant til the far future.