Art and Fashion: The Impact of Historical Events on Italian Fashion

This essay provides a historical overview of the intersection of art and fashion, with a specific focus on the development of Italian fashion from the 1950s onwards. It examines the influence of the Renaissance, the impact of the Cold War, and the role of key figures like Rosa Genoni in shaping the industry. The essay highlights how art, feminism, and historical events contributed to innovation in fashion design and the evolution of Italian style. It discusses the cultural and social contexts that influenced fashion trends, including the struggle for women's rights and the use of fashion as a tool for empowerment. The essay also explores the connection between art and fashion, showcasing how artistic movements inspired new designs and styles. The role of Genoni in promoting Italian fashion as a tangible and organized industry is emphasized, highlighting her contributions to the field and her efforts to integrate feminist ideals into the design process. The essay concludes by summarizing the key themes and historical factors that shaped the evolution of art and fashion in Italy.

Running head: ART AND FASHION
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History of art and fashion
History of art and fashion
The Italian art and fashion history can be traced as from the early 1950s. this
period was named the “birth of the Italian fashion” it was at this time when Italian
fashion was certified and internationally recognized and certified as well. Until 1950,
Italian fashion form did not exist: there were capable tailors and innovative
designers, however, they were referred to just as normal people and not as a feature
of a more extensive development that related to a particular Italian style. Regardless
of the presence of advanced aptitudes and skills, with the possibility to understand
an Italian mild in its own right, there was neither a social character to tie them
together nor a global legitimization that would enable the new shape to rival the
overwhelming high fashion of Paris. The restoration of the Renaissance and its
creation as an immaterial resource was key in settling this 'double' nonattendance,
and it, consequently, turned into a key factor in the global achievement of Italian
design. From the 1950s to today – the time of expanding global achievement of the
'Made in Italy' name – in the talk of business visionaries, administrators and
promoting specialists, the Renaissance has progressed toward becoming just about
an indispensable piece of the DNA of Italian design, itself now and again spoke to as
the immediate relative and genuine beneficiary of the perfection of Renaissance
taste. (Belfanti, 2014)
Moreover, this was a period that was also characterized by a cold war
between Italy and other countries such as the united states. Stiff sideline by wealthy
countries had greatly affected the Italians and lost their pride. In addition to that,
culture too had sidelined the woman rights and women were not greatly considered
compared to men. (Ginex, 2017) This lead to the struggle and fight to push for the
presentation of women rights and grievances. One of the ways that were used to
show the power of woman is her beauty, art, and fashion. This made strong women
venture into the fashion industry which was fast growing and used it as a tool to
spread the message on powering the girl child as well. During the wars time in early
1950, the government was very strict on clothing and fashion and had restricted
people on the type of the cloths to where. People, more so women were already tired
of such restrictions. the end of the cold war saw them return to their luxurious and
expensive clothing which saw more fashions being improved. This greatly explains

History of art and fashion
how innovation on fashion ideas sprout up during the cold war period and how it
motivated the art and fashion in Italy.
This period during and after the war was very crucial to Italy and its citizens at
large. One of the citizens who benefited during this period was Rosa Genoni. She
was a seamstress, a fashion designer, a teacher, feminist and a strong women rights
advocate in the international congress of women in The Hague Netherlands. She
maximally utilized this period to build up her idea for fashion for and the nation. She
considered using theoretical and cultural contexts to put her ideas into practice. This
can be proved by her statement in a text after her show at Milan expo in 1906 where
she stated that fashion was a serious business meaning she was determined to
actualize her ideas but as well protect women rights. As stated, the efforts to
influence fashion and design was to be conducted on both industrial level and
cultural level too. This is why she strongly advocated for women to be well
represented in the textile industry.
Genoni was among the first fashionista to discover that art could greatly
inspire ideas and innovative styles when it came to issues of fashion. She had
previously worked for Milan based fashion where they concentrated on productions
of gowns with other famous French designers. Art helped her in actualizing her idea
on the process of emancipation in the fashion industry. She created designs that
were an improvement of the existing classic Roman and Greek art the ancient Egypt
and Italian paintings, that were meant to be donned at gala nights, at horse races,
but also during more dynamic events such as trips in a dirigible.
The designs from Genoni was art based and this made her fashion design
admirable and classic. It saw most of the celebrities in that era for instance
actress Lyda Borelli who opted for Genoni's designs for the costumes in the
comedy Le Bonheur de Jacqueline (staged in Milan in 1908 with the title Il
Matrimonio di Giacomini) by Paul GA vault. Other rich class level people favored her
designs and dressed on them. This greatly marketed her. She also used art and
fashion ideas to promote her nation's culture. this incorporation helped in greater
extends. For instance, Genoni took part in an international exhibition in Milan and
there she represented art designs by Italian renaissance paintings where one of the
best designs up to today is the pale silk satin and ivory tulle dress with floral lining

History of art and fashion
and beads. Her art and creativity when it comes to colors and materials employed
earned her the chance to discover her ideas coming true concerning the fashion and
art issues. History of art and fashion is also attributed to Genesis due to her work
and writings where she frequently narrated of fashion and how fashion could
contribute to nation building. This made many have interest in fashion and art and
gave their innovation thus growing the field. She fought for Italian fashion to be a
tangible organized industry as well. (Battista a. , 2008)
Conclusion
The art and fashion history can be traced from the cold war period where
restrictions on clothing were being experienced and historical feminism being
experienced. Genoni is one of the well-known feminist and strongly paid tribute and
associated with the growth of art and fashion (Battista , 2008). The need to fight for
the women fashion and attire as well as her innovative ideas on fashion has led to
the growth of art and fashion industry. She was involved in feminism and used this
slogan as an integral part of the design process. From Genoni’s act of opposition to
the world war, she developed more interest in fashion and that’s why this chapter
uses Genoni as a tool for explaining the history of art and fashion. (Paulicelli, 2009)

History of art and fashion
References
Battist, A. (2008, Dec 11). Feminist Icons, Life Inspirations: Heather Marie Scholl Special. Retrieved
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http://www.irenebrination.typepad.com/irenebrination_notes_on_a/2014/06/heather-
marie-scholl-feminist-special-2.html
Battista, a. (2008, Dec 12). Feminism, Art, and Fashion: Rosa Genoni. Retrieved from type pad:
http://irenebrination.typepad.com/irenebrination_notes_on_a/2014/06/rosa-genoni.html
Belfanti, C. M. (2014, Dec 13). Renaissance and ‘Made in Italy’: marketing Italian fashion through
history (1949–1952). journal of modern Italian studies, 53-66.
Ginex, G. (2017). Political delegitimation in Republican Italy. Journal of modern Italian studies, 22(1),
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Paulicelli, E. (2009). DRAPING THE FEMINIST REVOLUTION. Vestoj, 1-29.