Print this page 10 Iconic Dresses that Reshaped Fashion and Society

Fashion can signal identity, status, rebellion and desire, and certain garments come to define an era. In this course, you’ll explore ten iconic dresses that shocked, influenced or reshaped fashion and society, uncovering the stories and symbolism stitched into each one.

Dresses such as Marie Antoinette’s ‘pastoral style’ dress, Marilyn Monroe’s ’happy birthday' dress and Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’ are just some of the iconic dresses examined that reveal how clothing can carry cultural meaning far beyond the wardrobe.

Ideal for anyone curious about fashion history, and visual culture.

DELIVERY MODE

Hybrid (Face to face and online simultaneously)

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Context setting – understand what we mean by the language of fashion. How fashion can influence society, trends, culture.
2. Explain the classifications used to interpret these iconic dresses,
   •    Revenge dressing 
   •    Attention dressing 
   •    Rebellion dressing 
   •    Fashion forward dressing
3. Explore the iconic dresses worn by Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, Jennifer Lopez, Vivian Westwood, Marie Antoinette, Coco Chanel, Clara Bow, Jean Shrimpton and others within the framework of the four classifications.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Gain an understanding of fashion as a visual language.
• Consider how dress and appearance have impacted fashion trends and societal change.

COURSE RESOURCES

• Kimberely Chrisman-Campbell – Worn on this Day, The Clothes That Made History, (2019) Running Press
• Simone Werle – Fashionista, A Century of Style Icons, (2009) Prestel Publishing
• Linda Welters, Abby Lillethun – The Fashion Reader, (2007) Berg Publishing
• Caroline Weber – Queen of Fashion, What Marie Antionette Wore to the Revolution (2006) Arum Press