A huge part of the 1900s was the evolution of women’s rights. Last year, I took AP US History, and my favorite part of the class was learning about women’s rights, and how they ebbed and flowed with times and conditions. I admired women's rights activists and applauded their staggering advancements.
This year, in photo major, I took special interest in fashion photography - I found joy in highlighting miniscule details of clothing and in capturing personalities and emotions through flowery dresses, leather jackets, and other distinctive clothing items.
As I was pondering my body of work theme, I realized these two crucial interests of mine had significant overlap.
Throughout the decades of the 20th century, one can clearly see how feminism progressed through the lens of fashion - what women wore, their expressions, their locations and their body language. I wanted to use my photography skills to capture these ideas - to create flashbacks in time that show the role of women in each particular decade.
Some of the strongest, most unique, and most beautiful women in my life are depicted in this project. Without them, my project would not have become what it is. To read more about them, and the specifics of their outfits, positioning and backgrounds, check out the blurbs associated with each image.
FEMINISM
THROUGH
RETRO
FASHION
The 1930s
The 1930s themed photo of my gorgeous mother shows a slight backstep towards traditional values - with the burden of the Great Depression, and other catastrophic crises, women were somewhat pushed back into the darkness. I represented this idea by having my mother surrounded by shadows, to emanate the darkness and gloom of the times.
The 1940s
The 1940s photo is of my dear friend, Maya. Radio City Music Hall, the carriage that flew by at the exact right moment and signs of city life in the background, is a picturesque 1940s scene. The country’s wartime state brought opportunities for women to come to the forefront of society, while many of the men were off at war.
The 1950s
My 1950s photo is of another one of my sweet friends, Karina. With the war’s end, and the return of men from war, the country saw a stronger return of more traditional values for women. They returned to more modest dresses, and often stepped back from public life. Many of the advertisements in this time reflected this upheaval of change, in exchange for housewife ideals.
The 1960s
The 1960s photo is a little different from all the others. The subject is my lovable cousin, Rafi. Although he often presents himself as male, he has a distinct feminine side which he often shows through his clothing choices, and that is a huge part of who he is. This photo is an ode to the Woodstock music festival, popular in the 1960s, as well as the novel ‘60s idea that feminine energy did not have to only be associated with a distinctly female body.
The 1970s
The 1970s photo is of my stunning friend Charlotte. The ‘70s saw a distinct change in the fashion of women - it became even more commonplace to wear pants, and less conservative clothing. This photo depicts a ‘70s disco themed party, and the “cheesy” energy associated with women in the ‘70s.
The 1980s
My 1980s photo is of my cute little sister - my muse, and my everything. Women in the 1980s were pretty flashy - they weren’t afraid to wear hot pink, or to settle down in vibrant orange cafes. The photo is taken in downtown Palm Beach Florida which still has an 80s vibe to this day.
The 1990s
The 1990s photo is of my Noa. The 1990s saw a rise in cultural feminism - it became more ingrained into our society. The 1990s in general, had “crunchy” undertones - from flannels, turtle necks and hiking boots, to cluttered record stores and CD players, the 1990s provided space for women to come into themselves.
The 2000s
My 2000s photo depicts my kindergarten best friend, my pretty Mya. Women in the 2000s often influenced their outfits and lifestyles off of icons like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton - and I tried to emulate those vibes in my picture. I also included innuendos to the classic 2000s houseparty.