I opted to begin the history series with the Renaissance era. It was such a special, magical period in history for so many reasons: expeditions and discovery of Africa, the Indies, and the Americas which led to trade between nations; appreciation of artisan craftsmanship; and the surge of very talented artists who emerged simultaneously.

For fashion, this era is noted for the development of tailoring, Venetian reticella and needlepoint laces, the silk weaving industry in Italy, and wool and knitting production in England.

Northern Italy was first to ascend from the Dark Ages following the fall of the Roman Empire. It did so by becoming a center for manufacturing and proceeded to trade its goods with other countries via the Mediterranean Sea. This created a new economic class of wealthy merchants.....at a time when there were only the royalty and the peasants. Artisan craftsmen were in demand and they formed guilds to protect the secrets of their trade. From this, the Renaissance was born and through the paintings during this period, we are able to study the details of the colors, textiles, and accessories used in dress.

Catherine de' Medici famously brought the ruff to France from her native Italy when she was crowned as Queen of France. Venetian laces spread throughout Western Europe thereafter. But it was a French king 100 years later who pioneered the notion of "fashion" trends.

King Louis XIV required the members of his court and the noblemen visiting his newly built palace in Versailles to keep up with his latest style of dress. From his buckled, red-heeled shoes to his full-bottomed wig, they followed his lead. He also introduced the idea of "seasonal" textiles advocating that only Lyon silks be worn. France became the "fashion leader" thereafter.

Ladies of nobility dressed extraordinarily fashionable in the 18th century. The fine dressmaking techniques of this period were adopted by haute couture designers of following centuries. Madame de Pompadour was the first fashion leader for women. Her rococo-inspired style of delicate silks trimmed with bows and ribbons was embraced by women around the world.

The excessive flamboyance exuded by Queen Marie- Antoinette led, in part, to the French Revolution and the end of the French monarchy. Meanwhile, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing in Britain and America's own revolution in the New World culminated in its independence and the beginning of its cotton industry.