Ethnic Influences

Ethnic influences on Amercian fashion was seen alot this season. Alot of jewelry was big and chunky bangle bracelets. Lots of beading, embelishment and natural toned patterns. Animal print is really poplular and it comes from African influences. Also the fabrics have been influenced. Linen has become popular because of the lightness and comfort, it is p0robably influenced by hot climated cultures. Gwen Stefani's, Harajuku girls have also influenced American culture. These Harajuku girls wear clothing that is influenced by Japanese cartoon characters, the clothing is a fun, funky, and fresh trend (http://www.pulsemagazine.com/). In Alexander McQueen's collection he had silk head scarves wrapped around the models heads. It was a modern, hip, way to show a muslim interpretation on fashion. (http://www.pulsemagazine.com/). Now in America you can see scarves being worn by hip, stylish women. Sarongs worn by many people at the beach were influenced by Indonesian women. "The Indonesian sarong and the way to wrap skirts around the waist were also frequently adopted in modern fashion." (http://www.wileyinterscienc.com/). I think that because designers and marketers go to many different ethnic cultures to get ideas that of course in American collections there will some type of ethnic flare.