Generational Fashion

Photography by Songju Kang and Safiyah Moloobhoy By Maahika Singh

When we think about inheriting traits from our parents, we often mention their eyes, their smiles, and their laughs, but what about their styles? Clothing is often passed down through generations, conveying the trends of the time, carrying memories and stories as well as connecting people to their culture. The photoshoot concept I have combined with this article was inspired by my mother, who is not only incredibly fashionable but also has a master’s degree in textiles and clothing. Rummaging through her wardrobe has always been a fond pastime of mine and she has had a massive influence on my sense of style. I know I am not alone in this, which is why I wanted to explore the importance of generational fashion and share some of the stories of my fellow models.

Clothing can be a critical way to connect to one’s culture. In Indian culture, traditional garments are extremely important in connecting mothers to daughters, with Indian attire such as Lenghas and Saris being passed down from generation to generation. In the photo shoot, the black lengha featured and modelled by Hannah and me is very special as it was designed together with her mother. They scoured the streets and the markets in India searching for the perfect fabric, a suitable dyer, and the right cut. After going to the most famous store in the city for options and not finding the right fit, they found a golden shawl featured in a small artisan shop. The golden shawl also known as a ‘Dupatta’ is a focal point in this outfit. This was the first piece that Hannah and her mother designed and curated together. This Dupatta not only acts as an heirloom but also beautifully represents their shared love of fashion and culture. As members of the Indian diaspora living in the UK, this lengha connects Hannah to her country and culture. As a member of this community too, my mother’s Saris not only remind me of her but also of memories from my childhood travels to India, the festivals, and the vibrance of my hometown.

The power of clothing in invoking memories is understated. Wearing the clothing of loved ones can create nostalgia and comfort, which can act as powerful reminders of the past. This is especially important for those who have lost loved ones as clothing can act as a tangible presence of someone who is no longer here. In the accompanying photoshoot, Camryn is seen wearing a hockey sweater that belonged to her father who passed away when she was three years old. She explained that her father loved hockey and played frequently, and wearing his sweat- er is one of the only ways for her to get to know him since he died when she was so young. Camryn expressed the power of fashion explaining how “clothes are such an important way for individuals to express themselves” and how this expression has afforded her the opportunity to connect with her father.

Models: Charlotte Bailey, Ghalia Alsayed, Alice Lilley, Hannah Kaur Deol, Sarah Yang Qu, Maahika Singh, Camryn Pedersen

As well as provoking memories, fashion can be used to exhibit one’s individuality and style. Charlotte wanted to emulate her aunt’s colourful character in this photo shoot - strong, independent, and successful. She describes the statement blazer she borrowed from her aunt’s collection of assorted blazers with daring patterns and shoulder pads. She coupled this with her aunt’s “iconic red lipstick and striking kohl eyeliner”. To pay homage to her aunt, Charlotte styled her look similar to some photographs she found proving that both clothing and makeup provide a powerful vehicle to express one’s unique style.

Due to the cyclical nature of fashion with trends coming in and out of style hand-me-downs have become fashionable in today’s day and age. With the increasing awareness relating to climate issues, sustainability has come to the forefront of many sectors especially fashion where overconsumption is rife, and according to Oxfam, 80 billion clothing items are purchased globally each year. For this photoshoot Alice is seen wearing one of her mother’s mesh tops, explaining how incredible it is that this style was popular in both generations. Although fashion pieces have been passed down generations for decades, the increased interest in sustainability has brought this method of styling into the mainstream media and pop culture.

All of us modelling in this shoot believe clothing is a powerful tool used throughout generations to express culture, and individuality and to evoke memories.