Fashion is an ever-growing display of style, a combination of history, culture, and creativity. Its influence on society is evident, from the catwalk to everyday streetwear. Design icons have a special place in pop culture, inspiring us to strive for better, bolder and brighter fashion styles. In this article, we explore the thrilling and dynamic influence of fashion in popular culture, giving insight into the world of these design icons and how they shape our fashion choices.
1. Impact of Fashion in Pop Culture
To understand fashion’s status in pop culture, it’s important to remember what fuels these movements: people. From subcultures to individual styles, both social recognition and identity formation are deeply rooted in creative expression and fashion trends. As a result, fashion has a long-lasting impact in pop culture, both in the present and in the past.
The Principle of Change
- Fashion is constantly shifting and changing. What’s popular today will eventually be replaced by something else, weaving in and out of mainstream consciousness as history repeats itself.
- When a trend takes hold, it’s often embraced on a wide scale, as people search for a means of identification, and apparel reflects the era’s respective values and traditions.
The Expression of Qualities
Often, symbolism is associated with certain garments, either implying positive or negative attributes. For example, leather jackets are frequently portrayed as rebellious and edgy, whereas silk dressing gowns classically project a sense of sophistication and wealth. As such, fashion has become a way of expressing qualities that may not be immediately evident.
Costumes in Film & Television
Pop culture is heavily reliant on the entertainment industry, and countless films and television shows have capitalized on fashion as a means of setting the scene. Costumes mutually aid visual storytelling and may connect viewers to a certain time, place or character.
On the flip side, trends that reach mass acclaim can sometimes become overexposed or drift out of fashion. As such, it’s important to remember that fashion is ever-evolving. No matter the circumstance, however, it’s clear that fashion has had an unmistakable impact on pop culture, both in the past and in the present.
2. How Design Icons Change the Scene
Design icons foster unity and connect cultures. Design icons have the power to transform our environment and relationships with each other. By expressing unique and socially relevant messages, they create a shared language that bridges gaps between different industries and cultures.
As a result, design icons are essential to the advancement and innovation of our societies. Print, digital, or 3D, they are more than just a pretty picture—they are reminders of our path forward. Whether they take the form of a graphic, logotype, or even 3D printable form, design icons draw attention to prevailing concerns, unite humans, and provide shared understanding.
Design Icons Make Life Easier. When used correctly, design icons help guide the user’s experience. Icons supplement textual information and labels by providing a visual description of the object or task that they are paired with. They make navigating through complex applications simpler and more intuitive by providing visual cues that quickly inform the user about the intended action.
When it comes to product design, design icons are essential in quickly communicating a product’s purpose. By recognizing the icon, customers are instantly familiar with the product and its most important features.
Design Icons Foster Interaction. Not only do design icons make accessing complex systems easier for the user, but they also can encourage people to interact with their environment. Design icons can be used to encourage communication and collaboration. For example, counters, buttons, or surveys provide visual feedback and prompt users to take part in daily tasks.
Design Icons Move Us. Design icons have the power to move people into action. By bridging the gap between perception and understanding, icons can motivate people to take action. For instance, when people are confronted with a call-to-action, design icons can trigger positive behaviors and direct motion. By simplifying their message, they can render them more understandable and influence the user to take part in the activity.
Whether online or in the real world, design icons shape how people interact with their environment. With their strong visuals and purpose-driven messages, icons empower individuals to unite, communicate, and collaborate with one another. Thanks to icons, the world has become a more connected place.
3. Exploring the Origin of Design Icons
Design icons are integral to a brand’s identity and how we experience the world around us. How did these influential designs come to be?
- The Coca-Cola Logo
- The Nike Swoosh
- The McDonald’s Arches
Design icons of the 20th century have been hugely influential in shaping the way we interact with brands today. From The Coca-Cola Logo to the now ubiquitous Nike Swoosh and the unmistakable McDonald’s Arches – these designs tell stories of their own, often ones of enduring success and innovation.
The Coca-Cola Logo, for example, was designed at the turn of the 20th century. The logo was created by the American bookkeeper Frank Mason Robinson, who chose the name and the iconic Spencerian script we see today. Robinson had a knack for impeccable design, and his combination of red and white hues has been replicated in the logo’s various iterations ever since.
The Nike Swoosh, meanwhile, was created by the graphic design student Carolyn Davidson in 1971. Nike co-founder Phil Knight liked the design as it transcended sporting elements to form an instantly recognizable shape. Davidson was reportedly paid only $35 for the design back then, but she now believes she was “paid in influence” as her logo of the overall design of the company.
And finally, the McDonald’s Arches were created in 1953. The brainchild of the McDonald brothers, they modified the original arched M to form the double-arched style we see today. Their iconic logo has become a global symbol of fast food and is often seen printed on everything from burger wrappers to billboards.
4. The Future of Popular Fashion Icons
In the near future, the term “icon” will continue to mean much more than just a fashion symbol. Popular fashion icons will transcend traditional style rules, communicate important messages, and create lasting impacts on society.
Their influence on fashion trends will push for more forward thinking designs, particularly in the streetwear space, with the integration of politics, art, and culture being a key part of their work. Popular fashion icons will challenge expectations, set their own sartorial rules, and embrace more unique concepts of style.
Top fashion icons will also drive cultural conversations by sparking debate and discussing everyday issues through their looks and public appearances. Having the ability to influence and decide where the trends in fashion are headed will put them in a prime position to spread knowledge and insight into the modern times.
A lot of new fashion icons will also emerge in the coming years, taking the trends of the ever-changing fashion world in new and exciting directions. With the growing validation and appreciation for being unique, many rising style and fashion icons will emerge, taking risks and experiment with statement pieces, gender-bending silhouettes, daring designs and avant-garde head-turners.
It’s an inspiring time for fashion and we can expect to see fashion icons continually pushing the boundaries of design. It’s certain that popular fashion icons will be seen as more than just trendsetters: they will be real-life revolutionaries.
We’ve explored the body of evidence that fashion icons have had an indelible imprint on popular culture. It’s abundantly clear that with their sartorial choices, popular fashion figures have played a role in breaking down boundaries and changing how we think about fashion in our society. In situations where fashion and culture intersect, there are bound to be ripple effects, and we are all better off for it.
