| It is sometimes tempting to think of the history of | | | | 1950�s would be complete without examining |
| fashion in terms of distinct units of decades, with a | | | | the profound impact World War II had on the industry. |
| new era being ushered in with the drop of the ball in | | | | Europe and North America had traditionally looked to |
| Times Square on New Years day of the first year of | | | | Paris, the international capitol of fashion, for stylistic |
| a new decade. However, this thinking tends to cloud | | | | inspiration and guidance in this realm but with the |
| the broad sweep of history, which takes shape as it | | | | German invasion of Paris, this link was severed and |
| unfolds from the trends and events of the past. | | | | designers and manufacturers in the rest of the world |
| No discussion of the world of fashion in the | | | | were forced to rely on domestic talent. |