Archeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter knew he was making the archeological triumph of the 20th century when he uncovered King Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922. But no one could have predicted just how influential this discovery would be in the fashion world of the roaring ‘20s and beyond.
n truth, the beginnings of what was dubbed Egyptomania had its roots years before Carter’s discovery with Cleopatra (1917). The silent film’s star, Theda Bara, was widely known for her translucent and wispy costumes that the fashion world welcomed in contrast to dated corseted silhouettes. Journalists all over the world had been following Carter’s earlier excavations in the Valley of Kings, and these precursors, combined with the dawn of mass media, helped catapult Ancient Egypt from its boy-king’s tomb to fashion magazines, ads,
Practical and divine, all at once
The very material Ancient Egyptians used for their clothing is already a great contribution to the fashion world. Ancient Egyptian linen is a light and thin material that provides freshness in hot and dry weather, while allowing for stylish draping and pleating that many designers have emulated over the years.
Moreover, beauty was a sign of holiness in Ancient Egypt. Citizens completed their look with elaborate jewellery and makeup, which the BBC explains had spiritual meanings that were integral in day-to-day life. Access to gemstones and gold made for a wide array of elaborate designs for common people as well as gods and kings. The iconography of these designs have survived over the years to inspire an entirely new generation of designers and tastemakers, with garments, bags, and accessories bearing these motifs to this day.
Always in fashion
Interestingly, the Egyptomania of the roaring ‘20s also had its fair share of skeptics. Both Art and Archeology and the National Geographic had described it as a passing fancyunlikely to sustain interest, something that everyone from big name designers to up-and-coming tastemakers have proven false repeatedly over the years.
Some notable designers that have pushed forward Egyptian-inspired fashion include John Galliano (fall, 1997), Christian Dior Haute Couture (spring, 2004), and Fausto Puglisi (spring, 2015). Alexander McQueen, who was featured in a previous post here on RION Magazine, had taken inspiration from another of Egypt’s famous royals, Queen Cleopatra, towards the end of his life. Traces of Egyptian motifs and iconography are all over his brand’s 2007 to 2010 designs.
More recently, Lebanese designer Elie Saab paid homage to Egypt in his spring 2017 line. It included a gorgeous piece that featured Domyat city’s iconic palm trees and boats sailing along the Nile, made up of 5,000 sequins and 1,000 hand-embroidered crystals that ten people took three weeks to make. This continued devotion from artists and designers is just one of the many ways Ancient Egypt is felt in our world today.
A lasting legacy
The influence of Ancient Egypt to modern times cannot be understated. From grand Art Deco structures to something as seemingly simple and ubiquitous as a smoky eye shadow, pop culture is saturated with artifacts, imagery, and characters from the Ancient Egyptian empire.
Egyptian mythology, and culture in general, has also made it to countless novels, television series, films, comic books, and games, while historical characters like Tutankhamen and Cleopatra have been the centre of stories on screen. Cultural artifacts have been widely diffused in pop culture, with pyramids and their connection to the Ancient Egyptian’s belief in the afterlife featured in everything from big budget films to simple video games. Aside from movies like Cleopatra and The Mummy trilogy, Foxy Bingo’s slots game Pyramid: Quest for Immortality is a good representation of the culture through a simple video game, as it takes players to the last resting places of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and includes references to Egyptian gods. This way, Ancient Egypt continues to fascinate and inspire legions of modern people across the globe.
Whether you’re planning on an Egyptian-inspired look from head to toe on your next night out, or sticking to the iconic black Egyptian eyeliner for an everyday look, the influence of Ancient Egyptian culture on 20th and 21st century fashion and, perhaps, the future, is simply undeniable.
