Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Senior Secondary 2
Costume and Fashion Designing: Trends
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Costume and Fashion Designing: Trends
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Clothing & Textiles
Class: Senior Secondary 2
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Theme: Effective Garment Constructtion
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Trace the fashion trend over the years Compare the fashion of over the years and that of to day Predict the fashion for the coming years Distinguish between a fashion and a fad.
This section provides in-depth explanations of the core concepts necessary for teaching this topic effectively.
A. Definitions: Fashion: A prevailing style or custom, especially in dress, that is generally accepted and adopted by a significant group of people at a particular time. Fashion is characterised by its cyclical nature, social acceptance, and evolution over time. It reflects the cultural, social, economic, and political climate of a society.
Costume: A style of dress characteristic of a particular country, period, or people. It often refers to historical, traditional, or theatrical clothing, emphasising cultural identity, ceremonial use, or specific roles.
Fashion Trend: The general direction or movement in which fashion is going, often characterised by specific elements like silhouettes, colours, fabrics, or accessories. Trends are usually influenced by various factors and can last for several seasons or years.
Fad: A style, product, or interest that is intensely popular for a very short period of time and then quickly disappears. Fads are typically short-lived, lack deep meaning, and have a limited audience.
B. Tracing Fashion Trends Over the Years (Historical Context): Fashion does not emerge in a vacuum; it is a reflection of societal changes. Understanding past trends helps in predicting future ones. 1960s (The Youth Revolution): Characteristics: Rebellious, youthful, breaking away from traditional conservatism.
Styles: Mini-skirts, shift dresses, A-line silhouettes, bright colours, bold geometric prints, go-go boots, bell-bottoms (late 60s), Mod fashion, Nehru jackets.
Influence: Counter-culture movement, rise of pop music, space age optimism.
Nigerian Context: Adoption of Western styles, often paired with elaborate hairstyles; emergence of local designers adapting trends. 1970s (Eclectic and Expressive): Characteristics: Diverse, experimental, often reflecting social movements (environmentalism, feminism).
Styles: Flared trousers, platform shoes, peasant blouses, maxi dresses, tie-dye, denim, leisure suits, disco wear (sequins, satin).
Influence: Disco culture, hippie movement, civil rights.
Nigerian Context: Afro hairstyles, use of Ankara prints for flared trousers and dresses, adoption of platform shoes. 1980s (Power and Opulence): Characteristics: Bold, glamorous, materialistic, "power dressing." Styles: Shoulder pads (exaggerated), oversized blazers, acid-wash jeans, neon colours, tracksuits, leg warmers, big hair, designer labels, tailored suits.
Influence: Economic boom, rise of corporate culture, MTV, aerobics craze.
Nigerian Context: Strong adoption of power suits for working women, brightly coloured ensembles for social events, emphasis on designer brands. 1990s (Minimalism and Grunge): Characteristics: A reaction against 80s excess; focused on simplicity, comfort, and anti-fashion.
Styles: Grunge (flannel shirts, ripped jeans, combat boots), minimalist slip dresses, oversized t-shirts, sportswear, low-rise jeans (late 90s), chokers.
Influence: Rise of alternative music (grunge), digital age, environmental consciousness.
Nigerian Context: Adoption of baggy jeans, sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas, minimalist looks for casual wear. 2000s (Eclectic and Digital Age): Characteristics: Diverse, influenced by pop culture, technology, and celebrity.
Styles: Low-rise jeans, tracksuits (velour), crop tops, denim-on-denim, Ugg boots, cargo pants, bling.
Influence: Reality TV, social media, hip-hop culture.
Nigerian Context: Rise of Nigerian pop music stars influencing youth fashion, continued embrace of Western casual wear, popularisation of embellished traditional wears. 2010s to Present (Globalisation and Sustainability): Characteristics: Athleisure, comfortable wear, gender fluidity, sustainability focus, digital influence.
Styles: Skinny jeans, oversized hoodies, sneakers (as fashion statements), high-waisted bottoms, minimalist aesthetics, vintage revivals, sustainable fashion (eco-friendly fabrics, upcycling).
Influence: Social media (influencers), climate change awareness, technological advancements, global cultural exchange.
Nigerian Context: Explosion of local fashion brands, modern Ankara designs for all occasions, fusion of traditional and Western styles (e.g., Agbada-inspired for women), rise of sustainable Nigerian fashion brands.
C. Comparing Past and Present Fashion: When comparing, consider aspects like: Silhouette: The overall outline or shape of a garment (e.g., A-line, hourglass, rectangular, oversized).
Fabrics: Types of materials used (e.g., natural vs. synthetic, local vs. imported).
Colours and Patterns: Dominant colour palettes and print styles.
Accessories: Shoes, bags, jewellery, hats, eyewear.
Social Function: How clothing relates to gender roles, social status, and occasions.
Technological Influence: Impact of new manufacturing methods, digital tools. Example Comparison (1980s vs.
Today): * Similarities: Revival of certain silhouettes (e.g., oversized
C. Comparing Past and Present Fashion: When comparing, consider aspects like: Silhouette: The overall outline or shape of a garment (e.g., A-line, hourglass, rectangular, oversized).
Fabrics: Types of materials used (e.g., natural vs. synthetic, local vs. imported).
Colours and Patterns: Dominant colour palettes and print styles.
Accessories: Shoes, bags, jewellery, hats, eyewear.
Social Function: How clothing relates to gender roles, social status, and occasions.
Technological Influence: Impact of new manufacturing methods, digital tools. Example Comparison (1980s vs.
Today): Similarities: Revival of certain silhouettes (e.g., oversized blazers, high-waisted trousers), use of bold colours in some contemporary designs, emphasis on statement accessories.
Differences: 1980s: Exaggerated shoulder pads, strong corporate influence, overt branding, synthetic fabrics prevalent.
Today: Focus on comfort (athleisure), sustainability, gender fluidity, digital influence (social media trends), fusion of global and local styles in Nigeria.
D. Predicting Future Fashion Trends: Predicting fashion involves observing current trends and understanding the drivers of change.
Factors Influencing Future Fashion:
1. Technology: Wearable tech (smart textiles), 3D printing, digital fashion, virtual reality, artificial intelligence for design.
2. Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials (organic cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo, hemp), upcycling, slow fashion, ethical production, demand for transparency.
3. Societal Changes: Remote work, changing demographics, gender fluidity, cultural fusion, health and wellness consciousness.
4. Global Events: Pandemics (focus on comfort, protective wear), economic shifts, political movements.
5. Cultural Influences: Continued appreciation and adaptation of traditional attire (e.g., Nigerian prints, Ghanaian Kente) into modern, global styles.
Potential Future Trends: Hyper-Personalization: On-demand, custom-fit clothing through AI and 3D printing.
Modular Clothing: Garments that can be reconfigured or transformed (e.g., detachable sleeves, adjustable lengths).
Smart Textiles: Fabrics with integrated electronics for health monitoring, temperature regulation, or interactive displays.
Circular Fashion: Design for longevity, repair, reuse, and recycling.
Gender-Neutral Aesthetics: Clothing designed without specific gender assignments.
Digital Fashion: Virtual clothing for avatars, metaverse wearables.
E. Distinguishing Between Fashion and Fad: | Feature | Fashion | Fad | | :--------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | | Duration | Lasts for a season, a few years, or longer. | Very short-lived, disappears quickly. | | Acceptance | Widespread social acceptance, evolves slowly. | Intense but limited acceptance; quickly fades. | | Impact | Reflects and influences culture, economy. | Minimal long-term cultural or economic impact. | | Evolution | Part of a continuous cycle, undergoes changes.| Appears suddenly, disappears abruptly. | | Investment | Often represents a significant investment. | Impulse buy, usually low investment. | | Example | Skinny jeans, traditional Ankara prints. | Specific temporary viral trends (e.g., very specific, short-lived dance challenge attire). | Introduction (10 minutes): Teacher Activity: Begins by asking students to observe each other's clothing. Initiates a discussion on what they consider "current fashion" and how they think fashion changes over time. Prompts students to think about why some styles remain popular while others quickly disappear.
Student Activity: Students share their observations and initial thoughts on current fashion and its evolution.
Activity 1: Tracing Fashion Through Time (20 minutes): Teacher Activity: Presents a series of visual aids (pictures, magazine cut-outs, or short video clips from reliable sources) depicting fashion from different decades (e.g., 1960s, 1980s, 2000s). For each era, highlights key features of clothing, hairstyles, and accessories, discussing societal influences (e.g., space age, economic boom). Emphasises how global trends were adopted or adapted in Nigeria.
Student Activity: Students observe the visuals, identify distinctive features for each era, and discuss in pairs how fashion reflects the times. They note down key characteristics in their notebooks.
Activity 2: Comparing Past and Present (25 minutes): Teacher Activity: Divides the class into small groups. Assigns each group two different eras (e.g., 1970s and today, 1990s and today) or focuses the entire class on comparing a specific past era with contemporary Nigerian fashion.
Provides guiding questions: "What similarities do you see in fabrics/silhouettes/colours? What are the stark differences? How have societal values influenced these changes?" Facilitates a class discussion using a T-chart or Venn diagram on the board to collate group findings.
Student Activity: In groups, students discuss and list similarities and differences between the assigned eras. They present their findings to the class, providing specific examples, particularly from the Nigerian context where applicable (e.g., modern interpretations of Ankara vs. vintage Ankara styles).
Activity 3: Fashion vs.
Fad Identification (15 minutes): Teacher Activity: Provides various examples of current styles/trends, some clearly fashion and others clearly fads (e.g., "bubu" gowns vs. a very specific, short-lived accessory that went viral on social media). Asks students to classify each example and justify their reasoning based on characteristics of duration, acceptance, and impact. Reinforces the distinction using the definitions.
Student Activity: Students individually classify the given examples as either "fashion" or "fad" and write a brief justification for each choice. A few students share their answers and reasoning with the class.
Activity 4: Predicting Future Fashion (20 minutes): Teacher Activity: Leads a brainstorming session on factors that could influence future fashion (e.g., climate change, technological advancements like AI, sustainability concerns, evolving gender roles). Challenges students to think innovatively about how these factors might translate into clothing designs.
Assigns a group task: "Design an outfit that projects fashion for the coming years, considering at least two influencing factors." Provides materials for sketching (paper, pencils/crayons).
Student Activity: In groups, students brainstorm ideas for future fashion. They sketch an outfit, clearly labelling or describing the futuristic elements and explaining how their design addresses specific influencing factors (e.g., modular design for versatility, smart fabric for health monitoring, upcycled materials for sustainability).
Conclusion (5 minutes): Teacher Activity: Summarises the key takeaways from the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding fashion cycles and trends for practical applications. Assigns homework.
Student Activity: Students ask any final questions and note down assigned homework. These questions are designed to scaffold learning and reinforce understanding of the performance objectives.
Question 1 (Tracing Fashion Trends): Describe two distinct characteristics of fashion in the 1970s in Nigeria.
Worked Solution: Flared Silhouettes: Trousers, skirts, and sleeves often featured a wide flare from the knee or elbow downwards, reflecting the global trend but adapted with local fabrics like Ankara.
Afro Hairstyles: The "Afro" hairstyle was a prominent beauty trend, symbolising black pride and freedom, and was widely adopted by both men and women.
Commentary: This question assesses the student's ability to recall specific characteristics from a past era, linking it to the Nigerian context.
Question 2 (Comparing Fashion): Identify one similarity and one difference between the fashion of the 1990s and today's fashion trends in terms of materials or fabric use in Nigeria.
Worked Solution: Similarity: Both eras saw a significant use of denim. In the 1990s, ripped or baggy denim was popular, while today, skinny jeans, high-waisted denim, and various washes remain prominent, often incorporating stretch for comfort.
Difference: The 1990s had a strong emphasis on synthetic sportswear fabrics (e.g., nylon tracksuits). Today, there is a growing trend towards sustainable and locally sourced natural fabrics (e.g., organic cotton, linen, re-imagined Adire and Aso-oke) due to increased environmental awareness and promotion of local industries.
Commentary: This question requires comparative analysis focusing on a specific aspect (materials/fabric) and incorporating local relevance.
Question 3 (Predicting Future Fashion): Considering the global emphasis on sustainability, propose one specific design feature for a future garment that could address environmental concerns, and explain its benefit.
Worked Solution: Design Feature: Modular design with interchangeable components (e.g., detachable sleeves, collars, or hemlines).
Benefit: This allows a single garment to be adapted for different occasions or seasons, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for multiple purchases, thus minimizing textile waste and resource consumption. Alternatively, the use of biodegradable or recycled materials like upcycled PET plastic fabric.
Commentary: This assesses the student's foresight and ability to link current global issues to future design solutions. Question 4 (Distinguishing Fashion and Fad): A trend of wearing large, colourful beaded necklaces became extremely popular among teenagers in a particular Nigerian city for three months and then completely faded. Is this an example of fashion or a fad? Justify your answer.
Worked Solution: This is an example of a fad.
Justification: Fads are characterised by their very short duration and intense but fleeting popularity within a limited group (teenagers in one city). The rapid rise and equally rapid decline within three months, without evolving or sustaining broader acceptance, clearly indicates it was a fad rather than a lasting fashion trend.
Commentary: This tests the understanding of the core definitions and characteristics of fashion versus fad.
Career Opportunities and Entrepreneurship: Understanding fashion trends is fundamental for aspiring fashion designers, stylists, merchandisers, and fashion journalists in Nigeria. Students can identify gaps in the market, design collections relevant to current and future consumer demands, and build successful fashion businesses. For example, a student might identify a trend for sustainable traditional wear and start a brand focused on ethically sourced Adire fabrics.
Cultural Preservation and Innovation: Fashion trends often incorporate elements of culture. In Nigeria, the lesson helps students appreciate how traditional textiles (Ankara, Adire, Aso-oke) and styles are constantly being reinterpreted and integrated into modern fashion, both locally and globally. This understanding encourages innovation while preserving cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride in Nigerian identity through clothing.
Informed Consumer Choices: By understanding the difference between fashion and fads, students become more discerning consumers. They learn to invest in timeless pieces that are part of a broader fashion cycle rather than short-lived fads, promoting sustainable consumption habits and reducing wasteful spending. This knowledge helps them make practical purchasing decisions that align with their personal style and budget.