Fashion File 4

In Late Antiquity Textiles, A Long-Lasting Fashion Show The New York Times March 14, 2016 Archeologists have found that fabrics of garments and home decorations could also be used as artifacts of early cultures. Seems like dressing in fancy textiles has been a thing of the wealthy way before our times. From the Mediterranean world to the Roman Empire rare sampling of motifs and materials of textiles at the time of Late Antiquity was very popular. The late elite and their wannabes used a way of dressing to define and celebrate their place in society. At the time Christianity was spreading and Christian crosses adorned tunics and mantles. Imagery of the mythological God Dionysus often appeared on textiles. Their lifestyle also appeared on the textiles as if they told a story. The way they lived their lives and their beliefs were seen on their garments. There are exhibitions where you can see these artifacts. As time has progressed you can see how much textiles have changed. Different cultures wear different textiles and garments. An example is the kimono robe. The word kimono means a thing to wear. In the Japanese culture it is used during important festivals or events. It represents a polite and formal clothing. The same kimono style is used in the states as a bath robe. The appreciation for it is different. People wear it to walk around the house or after a shower. Another textile is cotton which played a big role in the history of the British Empire, United States, and India. Some of the oldest cotton textiles have been found dated back to ancient Greek. They are able to tell us somewhat of history from what was found. The type of cotton and how far it has traveled. It gives us an idea of what clothing was like in the past. It is very interesting to see what the garment styles were back then and how they affect our styles now.