The Colour Black in Fashion

On Monday, we were presented with our first FCP Project based on a colour they chose for us. Now the colour I was given was Black and on first impression I wasn't overwhelmed with inspiration. To me the colour seemed a bit bland and boring at the offset and initially I had more ideas for the other colours there was to chose from. However after a bit of brainstorming and thinking, I realised the colour black within Fashion and Culture has endless opportunities. Black can and once was thought to be rebellious and individual but I guarantee everyone has a least a few things in their wardrobe - one of the most prominent being black jeans. The colour oozes timelessness, sophistication and simplicity and for those reasons will never go out of style. "I'll stop wearing black when they make a darker colour" - Wednesday Adams. Its everyone solution to a statement top or a unique pair of shoes when they get up in the morning. Black has been used through endless colour palettes, trends, seasons and will always be a very prominent colour in the fashion community and has always been.

Black and Fashion History:

Black has always been a very prominent colour is society, its used is many different ways to express many different points of view, emotions and feelings. For when I did my research the most prominent use of black that really shaped the fashion world was Queen Victoria's mourning period. After her husband died in 1861 she went into a period of mourning for the remaining 40 years of her life where she publicly secluded herself from her royal duties. This bold statement of wearing black forced royal guest and anyone wanting to enter the place to wear black therefore forcing this upon the country. Making societies fashion and colour palettes reflect those of the royals and important people as the figure head and symbol for their country was always in black. This was a pivotal point for black in fashion as before it hadn't been really worn as a statement like this and especially not from someone so influential and important. This shaped the Victorian Era fashion as when you think of this time in fashion black defiantly springs to mind - the flamboyant dresses, the delicate black lace and the maids black and white outfits. All very iconic and looks associated with this time obviously influenced by Queen Victorias mourning.

This emergence of black carried on many years after the Victorian Era through to the 1900's, starting in the 1920's - 1930's. Designers and artists used the colour black with bright, unnatural colours to give off and emphasis a sporty, young feel to their work and designs. An approach which is very much coming back today and making a re-emergnce in our current fashion trends. The sporty look being very much about bold colours, stripes and black.

Then the colour was subdued within the industry for a while during and after the war but made it reappearance in 1960's where key designers and artists used black with white and a primary colour to again promote the youthful/sporty look. It gave a very clean and graphic design feel to clothes and promotional material. Using black to promote youth and sport maybe shocking some of society as of course before then it had been used as a colour of mourning in Victorian times.

Black and Fashion:

When I think of Black there are a few fashion trends/items that come to mind. The first one of course being the 'Little Black Dress' that has been around for years and probably will stay for a long time. It plays on the sophistication of the colour black and how it can also be mysterious and sexy to create a iconic night time look. This trend originated in 1920's by brands like Coco Chanel and Jean Patou and there luxury designs. The 'LBD' is aimed to be long-lasting, versatile and a classic dress you can wear for any night time event. Its a staple in every woman's wardrobe and some even view it as a 'rule of fashion' to have a LBD perfect for every occasion. Vogue see it as a 'sort of uniform for women of all tastes' due to how versatile the trend is and the unique variations brands come up with. Through this dress Black has become a very sultry and sexy colour signifying women's power and strength. A famous example of this dress is Givenchy's Audery Hepburn LBD which introduced society to the use of pearls and black together creating a new trend in its self.

Another trend that is iconic to the colour Black is Black Tie, playing on the sophistication and elegant notion of the colour. Black has been seen as a mark of wealth and nobility highlighting the richest in society shown through black suits and over the top evening dresses - known now as Black Tie. Black Tie use to be a massive show of sophistication and class, only the wealth and privileged had the money to buy the suits and dresses. However, now its become a much more universal and most people own a suit or evening dress. Its like the 'Little Black Dress', its a statement and necessary piece in every mans wardrobe. Now even becoming a statement and present in women's wardrobes as the society becomes more equal and the lines become more blurred.

Black and Brands:

Every brand has an iconic colour associated with it ti make it recognisable and easy to identify. Black has established connotations to luxury, wealth and sophistication therefore making it perfect for high end brands to use to symbolise their ethos and brand. These brands creates their image and reputation with colour connotations being a massive part of it. If Dior used pink in their logo then it would give the brand a completely different feel and send different messages to the consumer about what the brand is about. Black helps deliver the message of high end, quality and sophistication which is exactly what these brands provide.

I hope you have enjoyed reading a bit about this and hopefully pended your eyes to sone stuff you wouldn't of though of and has given you a bit of an insight into my first FCP project.

See you next time.

Beth x