Timeline

1990–1919 ∼ Discarding the Corset

Paul Poiret discards corsets (1909) / Gibson Girl anticipates modem woman’s wardrobe (1909) / First publicly advertised maternity wear (1911) / Blouses are mass produced in sweatshops (1910s) / Comfortable clothes created for wartime working women (1917–1918)

MILESTONES: Color photo reproduction provides cheap, eye-catching images for ads (1900) • Queen Victoria dies, ending the Victorian era; Edwardian era begins (1901) • Andrew Camegie gives $350 million for social causes (1900–1919) • World War I provides new roles and opportunities for women (1917–1919) • Workers demand and receive an eight-hour day and equal pay for women (1918)

1920–1929 ∼ Flapper Fashion and the New Woman

Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden start the cosmetics business (early 1920s) / First shopping mall opens in Kansas City (1922) / Federal Trade Commission officially recognizes manmade textile filaments (1925) / Mail order catalogues and magazines bring fashion awareness to every household (1925–1929)

MILESTONES: Flappers frequent speakeasies, smoke cigarettes and engage in...