The functionality and "cookie-cutter" style of the 1950s was a complete rejection for the "Teddy Boys" in England. This subculture of young to middle upper class men and women began a social movement and style reminiscent of the Edwardian period that slowly began to trickle up to the upper classes. Their Edwardian style can be seen in this photo taken in London during the 1950s, with the elongated and almost draped men's jackets, skinny ties and slim legged pants. 
Anti-war and anti-establishment were the prominent discourses heard from the Hippies in the United States during the 1960s. This free love movement created a lot of street trends including jeans, ethnic garments and accessories, long hair and fringed leather jackets and bags. Seen here is a photograph taken of some hippies in California during the 1960s.
Brazilian-born designer, Alexandre Herchecovich lit up the runway in New York this year with his disco-tastic designs for his Fall 2009 collection. Sequins were seen from head to toe, from the leggings to the dresses. It seems that every garment can be quite electric with sequins, just like Disco.
Cristophe Decarnin, head designer for Balmain, was quoted as having "disco fever" when designing his most recent Fall 2009 collection, shown in Paris this year. The entire collections reminds me of a shiny shiny disco ball. The futuristic and synthetic trends of the Disco era can be seen not only in the fabric choices, but also in the sequents and in the shapes of the shoulders.
Baroque fashions were as extravagant as the relationship between the religious and political upheavals during the 17th Century as well as the art and architecture. There were many religious paintings during this time period, however, through the use of specific colors you can definitely feel the mood of this era. The first image is called the "Death of the Virgin," by Carvaggio in 1606 that is now at the Louvre in Paris and the second image is of Marchesa Brigida Spinola Doria by Peter Paul Rubens, 1606.
"The Gothic Revival had developed from the 18th century, and was boosted in the 19th by the chivalric writings of Sir Walter Scott, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Thomas Love Peacock. In a period of industrialization there was a new generation of nouveaux riches, self-made industrialists, boastful of their success, who in the architecture of their houses advertised their achievements in tangible form. Many favored the mock Gothic style as a romantic fantasy that implied ancient lineage." (http://www.buffaloah.com/a/archsty/gothic/#Br) This Gothic Revival inspired fashion very distinctly with elaborately designed bustled gowns, corsets, top hats, walking sticks etc. and the use of ornate embroidery.
The Art Nouveau movement dominated the late 19th Century and early 20th Century throughout Europe and the United States. Art Nouveau was a decorative arts movement which combined both artificial elements as well as nature's organic forms. One designer inspired by this art movement was French designer, Paul Poiret. Poiret's innovative designs incorporated a lot of rich and exotic detailing and fabrics similar to the main ideas of this movement. The first image is a painting by Gustav Klimt called "Nuda Veritas" in 1899 and the second image is of Daisy Irving in a two-tier "lampshade" dress by Poiret in 1910, free of of any bustling and corsets.
