Discovering African Artists in Space Fashion
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Loading... - Layanah Ngon
- 22 Aug 2022
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Space technology and exploration have had visible effects on various industries, including agriculture, energy, banking, education, health, and aviation, to mention a few. The fashion industry has not been left out of the creativity and business opportunities that space presents. From fashion design to material engineering, the possibilities are vast.
After human space travel became a reality, space fashion made its way into haute couture. Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin, amongst others, pioneered space fashion in the 60s, drawing inspiration from the stiff space race amongst world powers. Whether it was a chain-mail dress, a bulbous helmet, shimmery vinyl dresses and organza or a pair of stark white boots, space-inspired fashion was a creative outlet that showed the first opportunities.
In the modern world, like the first time mankind took on space exploration, the opportunities to bridge the gap between space and many other industries are still possible, with many unmet needs. For example, in space exploration, fashion design has not only been heavy on using the safest, most comfortable and appropriate materials to build space suits, fusing aesthetics with functionality, but also drawing inspiration from space to create regular and themed outfits for various audiences. Many people are intrigued and excited by the potential and prospects that outer space means for the Earth and human beings, and it has led to a fast fashion and an identity for space geeks who want to wear what they are.
Modern-day space fashion
As human space travel and space tourism become a reality in the contemporary world, space will be a source of inspiration for the fashion industry and a genuine branding opportunity. According to Nicholas de Monchaux, author of Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo, “public access to space is just beginning, and so this notion of dressing for space that was so often science fiction is going to become a reality.” As a result, central creative ideas in space fashion now include new colours, materials, styling, patterns and technologies.
In addition, competition and interest in the space industry have driven the need to build new identities for brands, individuals and interest groups, which is what fashion does. Thus, the opportunities and demand for the fashion industry in space can only increase as time goes on. Several designers are now creating original designs for innovative and unique fashion items and accessories. For example, at the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear in 2017, Chanel’s winter ready-to-wear collection was made up of “Jetsons”- inspired outfits with glitter knee-high go-go boots and double-breasted bouclé skirt suits, glittery black-toed moon boots, translucent astronaut prints, metallic trench coats, quilted foil capes and several sequinned gowns mimicking the starriest of skies. Over the years, other high-fashion brands and designers like Balmain, Gucci, Iris van Harpen, Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garçons have exhibited many space-inspired collections and designs. Read More...
