The Evolution of Fashion: How We Arrived at NFTs

What started out as a survival necessity has grown into a multimillion-dollar industry. There are many things in the wor...

What started out as a survival necessity has grown into a multimillion-dollar industry. There are many things in the world that you can say this about, but in this instance, we are discussing fashion. Somewhere at the dawn of humankind, somebody got a little chilly and wrapped themselves in an animal skin. It provided warmth and protection. Eventually, somebody looked at their reflection in a pond and noticed how the color of their sabertooth tiger skin set off their eyes. Fashion was born. It has taken quite a journey into today's digital world.

Fashion in Ancient Times

Today's fashion-conscious society where the well-heeled purchase the latest styles from high-end brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, started in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. People were very conscious of their appearance and clothing styles differentiated the classes of society. Tunics and togas were the mainstay in most wardrobes, all in natural materials. the poorer classes wore muted, neutral colors while the rich dressed more flamboyantly.

The Middle Ages

Class distinction continued to be prevalent in the styles of the Middle Ages. Poor men wore tunics that were open at the sides while the wealthy had them sewn up. by the 14th Century, the style became close-fitting and more tailored with women wearing gowns and men sporting hosiery beneath their tunics.

The Renaissance

Royalty and other aristocrats were very interested in fashion during the Renaissance. They spent large sums of money on their clothing, flaunting their status. Middle-class merchants imitated their style with less expensive clothing that clearly delineated where they fell in society. The poor largely wore rags, all they could afford.

The Run-Up to the 20th Century

The next 300 years saw women's gowns grow more elaborate while men started wearing trousers with coats and vests. The Industrial Revolution modernized fashion as textiles and clothing could be manufactured faster and for less money. More of the population could afford to dress well. The wealthy still had the best clothes.

The 20th Century

Fashion came of age in the 20th Century. Designers created looks that were cyclical and while the wealthy still set the pace, the masses were interested in the latest styles. Many prominent fashion houses were launched and had a big influence on what people wore. So many of them are still at the forefront today. Gucci, Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana all grew to prominence in this time period.

Today

With the advent of computers and the internet, everything changed forever, including fashion. This year will see March Virtual Fashion Week from the 24th to the 27th, with the Meta Fashion Show wrapping things up. People worldwide will be able to view virtual runway shows using avatars on the digital platform Decentraland. All of the major brands will be represented. The shows go far beyond merely viewing. The fashion world has adopted NFTs.

NFTs in Fashion

NFT stands for non-fungible token. It is the opposite of a fungible object which can be traded for an identical object such as a dollar bill. An NFT is unique, one of a kind, and collectible. Fashion houses will be selling NFTs in the form of virtual outfits buyers can display on the avatars. Like bitcoin, the value of these digital collectibles can fluctuate with supply and demand. There can be a lot of money in NFTs. Last fall, Dolce & Gabbana sold a collection of nine NFTs for a total of $5.25 million.

Fashion is like any other part of society. It has changed and evolved over time to reflect current technology and events. It will continue to do so now in the digital age. NFTs are perhaps just the first step in a whole new way to buy and sell clothes.