HISP 398 - Early Modern Fashion and Global Trade

What was fashion before Vogue and Gucci? Did Fashion Weeks exist before New York or Milan? How was fashion produced and circulated before globalization? And, was Paris always the fashion capital of the world? To answer these questions, this interdisciplinary course will examine a remarkable case study. During the 16th and 17th century Spanish fashion ruled the world. The military and political dominance of Spain in Europe, America and parts of Asia turned Madrid into the fashion capital of the world. Madrid was the place to see and be seen, offering unlimited possibilities for entertainment and consumption. Plazas and streets were the stages to display power and status from Madrid to the world. Styles seen in Madrid were soon copied all over the Western world. How did this happen? What were the distinguishing features of Spanish fashion? What were the production systems of the fashion industry? Were there famous tailors and dressmakers? Was international trade important for the fashion industry? Was the fashion made locally from imported fabrics or was it all produced nationally? What came first, political and military domination or fashion and culture hegemony? This interdisciplinary course will examine the distinguishing features of Spanish fashion, as well as the various political, economic, ceremonial and protocol factors that exported this model to other continents.

Credits 1

Notes
Course taught in English.