History of Fashion – SS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

The history of fashion is the story of how clothing changed over time. Early people wore animal skins to stay warm, then learned to sew with needles and weave plant fibres into cloth. Later, clothes began to show status, factories made them affordable, and Nigerian traditional attire and fabrics now mix with modern styles.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State why early humans wore clothes.
2. Describe how needles and plant fibres changed early clothing.
3. Explain how clothing changed in Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution.
4. Name the traditional attire of the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa/Fulani peoples.
5. Describe Akwa-Ocha, Itsekiri/Urhobo silks and Ankara.
6. Explain what Contemporary African Fashion means.

How did fashion start?

Thousands of years ago, people wore clothes to stay alive, not to look “cool”. The very first “outfits” were purely functional.

• The Stone Age: Early humans used what was around them. This meant animal skins and furs. They wrapped these around their bodies to stay warm.
• Needles: Imagine trying to sew without metal! The first needles were made from polished bone or ivory. This allowed humans to “shape” clothing to fit the body instead of just wrapping it.
• Plant fibres: Eventually, people learned that they could twist dried grass or flax into strings and weave them. This was the birth of textiles (fabric).

Why did clothes change over time?

As civilisations grew, clothes came to show status as well as give protection.

1. Ancient Egypt: The Egyptians loved linen because it was light and breathable in the heat. White was the most common colour because it reflected the sun.
2. The Middle Ages: This is when “Fashion” as we know it started. People began using dyes to make colourful clothes. If you were rich, you wore purple or deep blues; if you were a peasant, you wore earthy browns and greys.
3. The Industrial Revolution: Before this, every shirt was sewn by hand. After the invention of the sewing machine and the spinning jenny, clothes could be made in factories. This made fashion affordable for everyone, not just the wealthy.

What is Nigerian traditional attire?

Nigeria is often called the “Fashion Capital of Africa” because our traditional clothing is so rich and diverse. Every piece of cloth tells a story of where a person comes from.

• The Yoruba (South-West): Known for Aso-Oke (hand-woven cloth) and Adire (tie-dye). Men wear the Agbada (grand robe), while women wear Iro (wrapper) and Buba (blouse) with a Gele (headtie).
• The Igbo (South-East): Famous for the Isi-Agu (Lion head) fabric often worn by men with a red or black cap. Women traditionally wear beautiful George wrappers and lace blouses.
• The Hausa/Fulani (North): Because of the dry, sunny weather, they wear loose, flowing garments like the Babban Riga for men and colourful wraps with hijabs or scarves for women.

What are the special fabrics in Nigerian history?

We cannot talk about Nigerian fashion history without mentioning the fabrics that define us. These fabrics are symbols of our heritage.

• Akwa-Ocha: A beautiful white hand-woven cloth from the Anioma people (Delta State). It symbolises purity and is often used for titles and weddings.
• Itsekiri/Urhobo silks: Often worn with heavy coral beads, which signify royalty and wealth.
• Ankara (the “African” print): Ankara started in Europe (inspired by Indonesian Batik), but Nigerians fell in love with it and made it our own. Today, it is the most popular fabric in Africa.

What is fashion like today?

Today, we live in a world of “Contemporary African Fashion”. This is where we take our history and mix it with modern styles.

• The fusion: You will see a young person wearing a corporate suit made out of Ankara fabric, or a Senator suit with traditional embroidery.
• Global influence: Nigerian designers like Deola Sagoe and others have taken our traditional styles to runways in Paris and New York.
• The lesson: Fashion moves forward, but it always looks back. We use modern machines and techniques, but we still use the patterns and symbols our grandparents loved.

Evaluation

1. Why did early humans wear clothes?
2. What were the first needles made from, and what did they allow humans to do?
3. Why did the Ancient Egyptians prefer white linen?
4. How did the sewing machine and the spinning jenny change fashion?
5. Match each item to its people: Aso-Oke, Isi-Agu, Babban Riga. Name the people who wear each one.

Assignment

Class discussion: Ask your parents or grandparents if they have any “vintage” clothes from 30 years ago. How is the fabric different from what you buy in the market today?