The visual representation of fashion was a key aspect of early Egyptian
society, and men and women both wore jewellery, and made-to-measure
attires, mostly in linen. The colours and styles of jewellery were specifically
selected to complement each type of clothing similar to the fashion pairings
of today. Personal hygiene was also important in this society shown through
a highly developed cosmetics sector. Men and women used make-up, notably
on their eyes. Their product assortments also included pomades and moistur-
izers with ingredients ranging from honey, salt and milk. Perfumes and oils
were used on skin and local tree formulas for tooth hygiene. The women also
used strict beauty procedures and treatments like massages to stay slim and
fresh. It can be concluded that members of this society were almost obsessed
with perfecting their bodies, and may be compared to the fitness and well-
being consciousness of our current society.
Evidence of this society’s important attachment to luxury, beauty and fash-
ion can also be seen in the paintings of the period, which clearly showed the
social class system that ruled the society and the material opulence that was
associated with the upper social class. Naturally, the luxuries of the day were
reserved for members of the royal families and the upper social class and an
individual’s style of dressing indicated their position in society. Also, the
house designs and tombs and pyramids constructed during this era reflected
the society’s social status consciousness. Several discoveries have ascertained
the high level of luxury consumption in this era, including a recent discovery,
a shirt made of luxury linen around 1360 BC, which was displayed at the
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, in early 2006.
The ancient Egyptians can be considered purveyors of the current global
taste in luxury fashion goods. The elaborate designs and luxurious style of
ancient Egyptian fashion has been a source of inspiration for several luxury
fashion designers of today, including Salvatore Ferragamo and John Galliano,
in addition to the numerous Hollywood movies that have been produced to
recapture this period. Although no evidence of this exists, it can be imagined
that the talented craftsmen and designers of the day had distinctive styles, or
what are currently known as ‘signatures’, which differentiated their work and
possibly brand names.From Egypt to Crete and Greece (700 BCto 1150 BC)
The Cretan period also known as the Bronze Age was the first real period of
European civilization and the fore era that influenced European fashion and
lifestyle. Crete was the centre of bronze and ceramics production and exports
and its structured system and emphasis on development ultimately influenced
the fashion of the time. As time progressed and the society developed, fashion
also developed. Researchers have found indications of permissive half-male
nudity, where people working in production sites could wear only shorts. For the16
luxury fashion branding