The Beginning of the eighteenth century saw a momentous shift in culture, known as the ‘Enlightenment.’ The inspiration for fashion art and culture began to be drawn from Paris, which saw a shift of influential power from Versailles. The latest fashion coming through at the time had a far greater impact on society, affecting not only royalty and aristocrats but also middle and lower classes. The single most influential figure in the establishment of Rococo fashion was the mistress of Louis XV’s, Madame Pompadour. Her adornment of pastel colours, floral motifs and light stripe characterised by opulence, grace, playfulness and lightness, became known as Rococo.

In Europe, the eighteenth century was a period of intellectual, social, and political tumult, referred to as the Age of Enlightenment. The notion of democracy arose and would ultimately replace the monarchical power structure in Europe. The second major development in academic life was the rise of scientific journals and encyclopedias. These publications were often produced by the academies themselves …show more content…
This era educated the human race and made them more aware of the world around them. Enlightenment thinkers argued that reason could free humankind from superstition and religious oppression that had brought suffering and death to millions in religious wars.

Fashion magazines emerged in this era and targeted intelligent readers, nonetheless captured lower class through colourful illustrations and up to date fashion news. This gave fashion designers a greater influence as people wanted to be adorned in the latest styles and trends as they became more conscious of the world around them.

Lightweight silks in solid light, pastel colours such as taffeta, satin and damask where the main fabrications chosen. Large floral motifs were heavily predominant, followed buy smaller motifs and finally, ‘stripes sprinkled with