Before the modernization of the fashion industry, trends and styles did not change as often as they do today. Styles remained the same for several decades at a time, but after the Industrial Revolution fashion began to evolve quicker bringing significant changes with each season. Society, as always, yearns for the newest and the best. So naturally people want the latest and greatest of clothes, but they may not realize what is behind the new Dolce & Gabbana skirt. Fashion evolves because of many reasons and influences; social issues even play a part and most certainly the fashion industry guinea pigs people with its creations. And so the question remains, what role does society have in fashion?
             When one looks at the evolution of fashion, it is plain to see that it advances as all things do; technology, ideas, people, etc. and so therefore it only makes sense that the way people dress and adorn themselves changes to fit these new innovations. In the beginning, man clothed himself to protect his body from the elements and not to show off any ornament or adoration. At that point man was nomadic, following herds of animals for food. When man became agricultural and tamed animals, communities formed and certain roles in a community formed. Due to these roles, recognition of them was necessary and embellishment of clothing came to be. As man progressed, he found clothing as a way to show off his wealth as well as his status and eventually the adornment of clothing reached superfluous heights. For example, in 1627, the Duchess of Portsmouth wore a gown garnished with one hundred and ten meters of ribbon or roughly 360 feet! (Carter 85). With the Industrial Revo!
             lution, the world wars, and the general movement away from rural life, clothing modernized to suit the new needs of the people as it continues to do so today.
             Particular elements of dress appear again because designers look for inspirat
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