Fashion magazines have been around for much longer than the enormous glossy photographs they use. But without the roots, where would things be now? A new museum exhibition in Amsterdam explores the oft-forgotten history of the fashion mag before the days of photography, when sharp illustrations and sketches were the lifeblood of the publication. AnotherMag spoke with Christian Borslap, the co-curator of the exhibit, about how the early fashion magazines functioned compared to their modern counterparts.
The first fashion periodical premiered in 1785 and released every two weeks, providing readers with that glorious "what to wear" advice and where to get the dopest ruffled blouse. While today's tabloids and blogs relentlessly cover what celebrities are wearing, the old days weren't so different. The illustrated sketches portrayed the nobility of the day wearing certain pieces of clothing that drummed up demand, just like modern-day celebrity endorsements. Things haven't changed too much, it seems.
Borslap also thinks that print magazines will be around for a long time to come, saying that if the Internet had made print completely obsolete they would have died out by now. Instead of dying, new fashion publications are launching left and right. Perhaps it's just a testament to the enduring appeal of seeing the photos in your hand. Check out the exhibit if you're in Amsterdam and not totally stoned as it runs through September 27th and watch an illustrated history in the clip above.
