From the early days of stylish bathers and smart suits, Australian fashion has always been a fashionable and creative force on the world stage. But in the last decade, the fashion industry in Australia has experienced a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. In this article, we explore how the landscape of Australian fashion has changed and the challenges the industry has faced, as well as the signs of resurgence in the sector. Read on to find out how Australian fashion fell to pieces.
1. Unravelling the Ancient Threads: A Brief History of Australian Fashion
From the Seas to the Settlements: Aboriginal Clothing
Australia has a rich history that dates back centuries, and so too does its fashion. The First People of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, developed an elaborate clothing system from the materials that they found abundantly within their natural surroundings. Enormous tree bark cloaks were worn in temperate areas, along with possum-skin cloaks for colder climates, and kangaroo skin cloaks. Bush strung belts served as a corset that held a wrap skirt together. Fascinatingly, certain colours were only worn within specific ceremonies.
From Convicts to Cultural Revolution: Modern-Day Australian Fashion
Australian fashion experienced a sea change with the arrival of the First Fleet of settlers and convicts from England in 1788. The English influence on clothing eventually gave way to the bright, modernistic trends that became synonymous with the hip, youthful aesthetic of the young Australian nation. The 1960s and 1970s saw a huge surge in the prominence of Australian fashion, with progressive, kaleidoscopic prints and patterns being used to create a new identity for Australia. Trends in the late 20th century shifted towards a more relaxed, beach-style fashion that has been adopted by the rest of the world, and continues to be adored in Australia.
2. Disconnecting from the Past: Examining the Decline of Indigenous Designs
Historically, Indigenous designs have been used in furniture, clothing, jewelry, and even tattoos. These designs celebrate the sense of connection many Indigenous cultures have to their home territories and represent shared memories and histories among Indigenous people. Unfortunately, there has been a sharp decline in the use of Indigenous designs in the modern world.
In an effort to modernize and stay in-step with trends, many Indigenous people are discarding traditional forms of art and design practices. Most recently, traditional beading, weaving, and carving are becoming rarer and rarer, and Indigenous designs are slowly being replaced with contemporary aesthetics.
- Beading: According to many Indigenous crafters, there is less and less of an interest in traditional and time consuming forms of beading.
- Weaving: Narrow looms and hand-crafted artefacts have seen a massive decline in popularity, leading to fewer and fewer crafters using traditional forms.
- Carving: The intricate and detailed craft of carving masks and sculptures has seen a steady drop in demand since the popularity of modern and digital art.
3. Consequences of Colonization: How Western Dominance Wrecked Australia’s Fashion Sense
The colonization of Australia has brought tremendous disruption to its rich fashion culture. Western fashion — characterized by tight, uncomfortable clothing, three-piece suits and hats — quickly replaced the nearly naked, bright and vibrant style of the Aboriginals. Where vibrant body painting and bark paint were once the norm, wools and cotton soon became the new accepted standard.
Aboriginal fashion, though by its nature open to more creative interpretation, went from being wildly expressive and deeply rooted in culture to far less adorning. The strict and formal style of the colonizing forces quickly diffused the Aboriginals’ culture, leading to:
- The discard of traditional clothing, as even the use of animal skins was looked down upon.
- The diminishing of colors, as suiting dominated the wardrobe.
- The disappearance of accessories, as feathers and beads were deemed less important than pocket squares.
Sadly, this shift in fashion meant that many Aboriginal people lost their connection to their ancestors, their culture and to the land. With the standardization of the Western fashion, Australia lost many iconic symbols of its native culture.
4. Transitioning to the Modern Age: Exploring the Future of Australia’s Fashion Landscape
Fashion is in a constant state of evolvement and growth, and Australia is no exception. The past few years have seen incredible growth in Australian fashion, as iconic brands like Country Road and Witchery rose to fame. We have seen the emergence of new talent that has ushered in a modern age of innovation and creativity. But what does the future have in store for Australia’s fashion landscape?
As we look ahead, the most exciting potential of Australia’s fashion lies in its cutting-edge designs that fuse streetwear elements with current trends. Already, we have seen immense success in this arena with the rise of contemporary labels such as Zimmermann and Dion Lee. Furthermore, the incorporation of sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, has become increasingly mainstream and designers are finding innovative ways to make efforts to reduce their impact on the environment.
- A focus on modern designs that fuse street-style and current trends
- The growing prominence of sustainable fashion materials
- Exciting potential for Australian fashion’s future
As Australian fashion continues its journey of rebirth and evolution, there remain numerous facets of the industry that challenge traditional preconceptions and expand our understanding of what Australian fashion has to offer. Ultimately, this journey has shown Australians that adapting to a changing world means understanding and celebrating our unique identity while paving the way for new creative practices. And, hopefully, there is a bright future ahead for all those involved.
