assimilation of the Japanese aesthetic to European and American concepts

 assimilation of the Japanese aesthetic to European and American concepts

Before the 1800s, the Japanese were just an ordinary nation isolated from the west. The second half of the 19th century witnessed the emergence of new wares and merchandise by the Americans and Europeans, leading to the development of a creative surge in both art and design. The east offered a large variety of Asian designs providing an alternative to western fashion designers. That led to the assimilation of the Japanese aesthetic to European and American concepts.

Japonisme and Western Fashion

In the mid-19th century, the American and European fashion wears became ornamented with the traditional Japanese outfits. Another option was using fabrics exported from the Japanese economy while upholding and conforming to the existing, latest and fashionable western garments. In the early 20th century, the fashion of the west industry adopted kimonos technology to increase variety.

The influx of Japanese Influence

{} states that despite Europeans arriving as early as the 1600s, they had to wait till 1854 when Japonisme was inducted to the international trade by the famous American fashion icon known as Matthew Perry. The popularity of Japonisme increased after the western populace witnessed the Japanese arts and designs during the 1862 world’s fair in London. Japonisme attracted various artisans, manufacturers, artists and designers.

The fashion player began acquiring most of the fabrics designed and produced from the Japanese. The 1870s and the 1880s led to a focus on a distinctive style that became linked to aesthetic movement. According to {}, French textile designers in the early 1890s adopted the use of new and unique floral motifs produced in Japanese. Famous couturiers such as Charles Fredrick applied and used Japanese fabrics in all their works.

The late 19th century witnessed massive exports of the modified Kimono version known for making dressing gowns. The unsewn fabrics and fully finished garments at both small stalls and large firms like the Liberty store of London. The Japanese made unique Kimonos to suit the European and American markets. For instance, adding knotted and tasselled trims, wide choice of sleeve styles, and including a collar lining rather than the under kimono.

Kimonos as Inspiration

The Kimonos from Japanese fashion traditions have inspired numerous designers from around the world. Before World War 1, the production and design of women garments began changing drastically. Prominent revolutionary couturiers in fashion like Paul Poiret borrowed inspiration from drapery-like kimonos unique concepts and designs. The designers started incorporating loosely cut sleeves and crossed bodices into the casual evening dresses for different functions and occasions.

Madeleine Vionnet, a prominent couturier in the 20th century, was inspired by the kimono design and concept. She relied on the uncut lengths of the material and as well managed to raise dressmaking and transformation to an excellent art form. Many designers hopped with different patterns, such as the intricate pattern pieces and minimizing the cutting of the material.

Orientalism

Orientalism is defined as the incorporation of exotic styles by western fashion designers from different cultures in the vast Asian continent. Orientalism has acted as an inspiration source for various fashion designers since the 17th century. Orientalism became famous in Western Europe after an introduction from markets from India, Turkey and China.

The influx of Asian Merchandise in the west

A wide range of goods found their way into the western market from the Asian market during the great age of exploration. For example, the market of the west imported Chinese ceramics in large quantities during the 19th century. That did not only make the ceramics famous but also led to the introduction of ceramic production companies in Europe. For example, Meissen and Sevres production units in Germany and France, respectively.

Impact on Fashion

Orientalism saw the creation and production of the Venetian chopine during the 16th century, with central Asian industries at the forefront. Textile industries from China, Turkey, and India inspired the creation and emergence of fashions such as the” robe á la turquerie” in the 18th century. There was more impact between the Asian and Western countries when they cemented the trade ties and relationships during the mid-18th century.

The Victorian Era

Queen Victoria ascended to the English throne in 1873, and she eventually oversaw the eclectic art style that dominated the remainder of the 19th century. She incorporated various European designs, such as Rococo, with different concepts emanating from Japanese culture. Gothic and Japanese mergers saw the creation of the aesthetic fashion movement.

Influence of Orientalism

The Influence of orientalism in the fashion industry, designers, consumers, and producers remains evident in both profound and frivolous mechanisms. For instance, harem pants originating from Turkey came and appeared in the mode of a fancy dress and costumes at balls. Women attires more, so dresses were inspired by Japanese culture in the late 19th century. The Kashmiri shawls from India were exported for the European market leading to the famous neoclassical costume. Kashmiri shawls inspired weaving European companies to create a paisley shawl. Chinese silks, Japenese Kimonos, and caftans from North Africa became common during that period.

Ballet Russe

Orientalism became famous in the west during the early 1900s for the prominent ballet ruse attires and functions as well. Leading French designers were inspired by the Ballet Russes’ performance, such as “Le Dieu Bleu.” Orientalism influenced the creation of the modistes, depicting turbans that had ostrich plumes or aigrette touch. The influx of orient-inspired creativity and innovations in the fashion industry increased awareness of new art organization known as Fauvism and the Japanese kimonos. All were exclusively made and designed for consumption by the western market.

Asian Textiles

Clothing led to the creation of the fused Asian and European styles into beautiful fabrics. Mariano Fortuny and Monica Gallenga became famous for the cohesive artistic styles. They incorporated textile concepts and patterns from the Asian continent into their designs. The primary purpose of the designers was to enhance and integrate the design concepts from Asia to make western attires more exotic and more affluent in variety.

Orientalism and Japonisme

Orientalism and Japonisme influenced the western concept and decorative art styles. Both influenced the creation of the Art Nouveau in the early 20th century for all aesthetic ideas, fashion and architecture. Among the most notable Art Nouveau include the wave by Erte and the seasons by Alfonse Mucha, as shown below: