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‭Fashion Fusion: Exploring Fashion Through History and Engineering‬

‭Fashion, a dynamic and broad phenomenon, spreads through every aspect of daily human‬

‭life, serving as a visual language that displays one’s identity, social status, cultural values, and‬

‭more.‬‭Fashion not only encompasses clothing, but also‬‭accessories, makeup, and hairstyles.‬‭It is‬

‭a reflection of society–mirroring beliefs, attitudes, and goals of a specific time and place. The‬

‭evolution of fashion is intertwined with historical events and technological advancements,‬

‭making it a compelling subject of study across various academic disciplines. Fashion has‬

‭attracted the attention of scholars in two disciplines in particular: history and engineering. With‬

‭fashion being a broad subject of inquiry, both disciplines are very different in nature‬‭while‬

‭studying it. While history focuses on wholesale catalogs of mass fashion in Birmingham from‬

‭the 1920s to the 1960s, engineering centers on researching 3D printing in fashion using‬

‭Thermoplastic Polyurethane.‬‭While history approaches‬‭the topic of fashion to elucidate the‬

‭development of mass fashion in Birmingham through the utilization of wholesale catalogs from‬

‭the 1920s to the 1920s, engineering examines the integration of sustainable materials such as‬

‭Thermoplastic Polyurethane into fashion production through 3D printing.‬‭As a result of these‬

‭drastic differences between disciplines, each of them communicate their fashion research‬

‭differently through their texts.‬‭These different objectives shed light on the multifaceted nature of‬

‭fashion as both a historical and technological topic, with contrasting audiences, evidence use,‬

‭structure, and language.‬

‭In the history academic research article “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale‬

‭Clothing Catalogues and the Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s,” Jenny Gilbert‬

‭presents her topic about the “Big Four” of Birmingham clothing and textile companies from the‬

‭mid-nineteenth century until the 1970s and their role in communicating and distributing mass‬
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‭fashion through printed communications.‬‭1‬ ‭Gilbert‬‭’s argument centers on the significance of‬

‭argues in her research article that these‬‭wholesale clothing catalogs‬‭as essential tools in‬‭served as‬

‭pivotal tools in‬‭circulating mass fashion trends‬‭and designs‬‭to a wide audience throughout‬

‭Birmingham, thus influencing consumer behavior‬‭within Birmingham during the‬‭and shaping‬

‭fashion trends in the‬‭1920s to 1960s. By examining the catalog’s layouts, contents, and strategies‬

‭for distribution, Gilbert illustrates how they functioned as the “vital link ‘in the chain of‬

‭distribution.’”‬‭2‬ ‭Gilbert’s argument is backed up by her comprehensive analysis of reliable,‬

‭primary source materials, including archival documents, catalogs, and testimonies from the‬

‭industries, which makes her argument very convincing for the audience.‬‭3‬ ‭She also uses many‬

‭figures throughout her research paper that all consist of different catalogs from the “Big Four”‬

‭companies. Gilbert’s presentation of her evidence is clear and convincing. She uses her sources‬

‭by implementing historical context to support her argument regarding the importance of‬

‭wholesale clothing catalogs. Additionally, the usage of her visual aids, or figures, showcasing‬

‭different catalogs from the “Big Four” companies enhances the credibility of Gilbert’s analysis,‬

‭and allows readers to visualize the evolution of fashion trends over Birmingham.‬‭Through her‬

‭thoughtful research, Gilbert effectively demonstrates the relationship between the “Big Four”‬

‭Birmingham companies and the spread of mass fashion in the 1900s.‬‭Gilbert’s focus on the‬

‭socio-economic factors underlying the fashion industry further enhances her research topic‬

‭argument, providing compelling evidence about fashion consumption and trends during a‬

‭specific historical period.‬‭4‬ ‭Gilbert’s usage of reliable, primary source materials reflects the‬

‭history discipline; history needs to be supported by credible materials to construct accurate‬

‭1‬
‭Jenny Gilbert, “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’?‬‭Wholesale Clothing Catalogues and the Communication of‬
‭ ass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s,”‬‭Midland history‬‭45, no. 2 (2020): 258,‬
M
‭https://doi.org/10.1080/0047729X.2020.1767978‬
‭2‬
‭Gilbert, “Better Dressed than Birmingham’?,” 258.‬
‭3‬
‭Gilbert, “Better Dressed than Birmingham’?,” 258.‬
‭4‬
‭Gilbert, “Better Dressed than Birmingham’?,” 259.‬
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‭narratives of the past. In the field of history, the authenticity of a source is paramount, as it‬

‭provides direct evidence of historical events. Gilbert, by relying on these dependable sources, is‬

‭able to effectively establish her argument and credibility—the materials used by Gilbert enhance‬

‭the credibility of her research and solidifies her argument about fashion history.‬

‭Engineering, on the other hand, delves into the topic of fashion through a completely‬

‭different lens. In the research article titled “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d Printing‬

‭Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry,” authors Muhammad Ilias Hossen‬

‭and Chaoxia Wang venture into‬‭the intersection of engineering and fashion by exploring the‬

‭implementation of 3D printing technology within the fashion industry. Their‬‭central research‬

‭topic‬‭study‬‭revolves around the‬‭potential‬‭utilization‬‭of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) as‬‭an‬

‭a‬‭integral‬‭revolutionary‬‭material in 3D printing clothing items, offering various models that‬

‭showcase the impact and importance of this innovative approach in the fashion industry.‬‭5‬ ‭Hossen‬

‭and Wang first make their argument by providing an overview of the current landscape of 3D‬

‭printing technology in fashion‬‭;‭.‬‬‭They‬‭assert that although 3D printing has problems and concerns‬

‭in‬‭within‬‭the fashion industry, there is potential‬‭of it being a revolutionary phenomenon‬‭with the‬

‭usage of TPU as a sustainable material. They delve into the unique, sustainable properties of‬

‭TPU, emphasizing that it has outstanding “properties like tear resistance, resistance to chemicals,‬

‭abrasion resistance, skin compatibility, large elongation break‬‭, resistance to ozone,‬

‭low-temperature resistance, resistance to oxygen, low long-term deformation rate, resistance to‬

‭oil and fuels, antimicrobial properties, resistant to fungus,‬‭…‬‭soft elasticity, and excellent‬

‭bending and tension strength.”‬‭6‬ ‭Hossen and Chaoxia use a plethora of Google Scholar articles‬

‭5‬
‭Muhammad Ilias Hossen and Chaoxia Wang, “Thermoplastic‬‭Polyurethane Based on the 3d Printing Fashion‬
‭ lothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry,”‬‭Fibres & textiles in Eastern Europe‬‭30, no. 6 (2022):‬‭1,‬
C
‭https://doi.org/10.2478/ftee-2022-0047‬
‭6‬
‭Hossen and Chaoxia, “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based‬‭on the 3d Printing Fashion Clothing,” 2.‬
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‭about 3D printing and fashion and‬‭implement them by integrating‬‭integrate‬‭multiple quotes and‬

‭research‬‭ing‬‭models from their referenced articles. The authors use scientific scholarly literature‬

‭to provide a theoretical framework for their article. These reliable, scholarly articles make the‬

‭author’s claim clear and convincing, ensuring that the audience understands the revolutionary‬

‭benefits of TPU usage in 3D printing.‬‭The engineering discipline requires reliable, scientific‬

‭scholarly literature as their evidence, since it serves as a foundation to explain technological‬

‭advancements. One of engineering endevours is developing practical solutions to problems,‬

‭which rely on empirical data, experimentation, and scientific literature. By utilizing these‬

‭credible sources, engineers ensure accuracy and credibility on their research, facilitating the‬

‭advancement of science.‬‭Through a combination of models/tables, theoretical analysis, and‬

‭experimentation, the authors take a scientific approach to fashion to demonstrate the benefits of‬

‭utilizing TPU-based 3D printing technology for fashion clothing production.‬‭7‬

‭Jenny Gilbert’s article seems to target an audience of scholars and researchers interested‬

‭in the fashion industry, as well as individuals interested in economics and history. Her focus on‬

‭mass fashion and the role of wholesale catalogs suggests an audience that is interested in‬

‭understanding consumer culture, mass fashion, and commercialization during a specific period,‬

‭or in this case, Birmingham in the 20th century. Gilbert assumes that her audience has a basic‬

‭understanding of historical research and concepts,‬‭and‬‭as‬‭she utilizes some jargon throughout her‬

‭article. Although Gilbert uses jargon such as “wholesaler,” she immediately defines it as‬

‭“companies who provided the distribution channel between the small independent clothing‬

‭retailer … and the small to medium-sized manufacturer,”‬‭8‬ ‭to ensure clarity.‬‭Terms like “swagger‬

‭coat,” “tweeds” and “smock,” while it may confuse readers who do not understand specific‬

‭7‬
‭ ossen and Chaoxia, “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based‬‭on the 3d Printing Fashion Clothing,” 2.‬
H
‭8‬
‭Gilbert, “Better Dressed than Birmingham’?,” 258.‬
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‭fashion terms, are used to build specificity to the article. Through her‬‭focus‬‭usage of jargon terms‬

‭and‬‭focus‬‭on the “Big Four”‬‭Birmingham clothing and‬‭textile companies and their use of‬

‭wholesale clothing catalogs, Gilbert contributes to the discussion of fashion production and‬

‭consumerism from the early to mid-20th century to her intended audience.‬

‭On the other hand, Hossen and Wang’s article appears to target an audience of engineers‬

‭and researchers in the fields of fashion technology. Specifically, their focus on 3D printing‬

‭technology using TPU for fashion clothing production suggests that their audience would be‬

‭interested in innovative fashion, environment and sustainability, and the fashion industry. The‬

‭authors assume that their audience‬‭possesses a significant amount of‬‭has a thorough‬

‭understanding of‬‭the‬‭engineering‬‭discipline‬‭, 3D printing, and manufacturing processes. Hossen‬

‭and Wang use an abundance of jargon such as “antimicrobial,” “warpage” and “Eigenvalues.”‬

‭These jargon terms would not make sense to the average reader who has no knowledge of‬

‭fashion and engineering and has a high possibility of getting confused. Hossen and Wang do not‬

‭explain these terms and assume that the readers have a preconceived understanding of these‬

‭terms, suggesting that the audience would be engineers and researchers who are already in this‬

‭field. By exploring the potential of TPU-based 3D printing technology in fashion clothing‬

‭production, the authors are able to contribute new insights into the interconnectedness of fashion‬

‭and engineering to their audience.‬

‭Jenny Gilbert’s article is organized in a structural manner by following a clear argument‬

‭and ideas‬‭, reflecting the history discipline’s emphasis on clarity and coherent arguments‬‭.‬‭She‬

‭uses‬‭Through her usage of‬‭footnotes and‬‭a‬‭the adherence of the‬‭Chicago Manual of Style‬‭, Gilbert‬

‭establishes a scholarly framework‬‭citation in her notes‬‭. Her article consists of different sections‬

‭and subheadings: the abstract,‬‭“The Wholesale Clothing Trade, 1920s to 1960s,” “The‬
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‭Birmingham ‘Big Four’: The Companies and Locations,” “Communication through Catalogues,”‬

‭“Bells, Birds and Greyhounds: Branding and Own-Brand Goods,”‬ ‭her arguments with unique‬

‭subheadings,‬‭the conclusion and finally, her acknowledgments. Gilbert is able to further organize‬

‭her analysis and allow easy navigation for the reader through her subheadings and sections‬‭,‬

‭underscoring history’s commitment in organizing information systemtically‬‭.‬‭Furthermore,‬

‭Gilbert’s tone throughout her research article is scholarly, informative, and authoritative. She‬

‭also uses formal and precise language to ensure clarity and accuracy in her information‬‭which‬

‭embodies the disciplinary values in history‬‭.‬

‭Authors Muhammad Ilias Hossen and Chaoxia Wang follow a similar format to Gilbert’s‬

‭article. Their article begins with an abstract with a summary of the research, then it is followed‬

‭by their article with the introduction section that provides background information on 3D‬

‭printing and TPU. Their article includes many subheadings with different titles, in which they‬

‭discuss their methodology, research, and visual figures. They also include a “Figures and Tables”‬

‭section where they present their findings with different figures such as graphs and tables. Finally,‬

‭they have a references section where they also use the Chicago Manual of Style citations.‬‭This‬

‭structural approach to their research article are indicative of the engineering discipline’s focus on‬

‭methodological analysis and data.‬‭The tone of their article is significantly scholarly, especially‬

‭with their usage of figures from their conducted research. Their language is professional, formal,‬

‭and specialized, which is catered to an audience familiar with engineering terminology‬‭, which‬

‭highlights the discipline’s attention to detail‬‭.‬

‭In conclusion, this comparative analysis of different scholarly approaches to the study of‬

‭fashion in the disciplines of history and engineering provides an understanding of the differences‬

‭and similarities between the two. Through the examination of Jenny Gilbert’s research of‬
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‭wholesale clothing catalogs in “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale Clothing‬

‭Catalogues and the Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s,” and Muhammad Ilias‬

‭Hossen and Chaoxia Wang’s research of Thermoplastic Polyurethane in 3D printed fashion items‬

‭in “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d Printing Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of‬

‭The Fashion Industry,” valuable insights have been gained. Their diverse methodologies in‬

‭research, arguments, sources, language, tone, and organization all contribute to the comparative‬

‭nature of both disciplines. Gilbert’s analysis of primary archival sources illustrates the historical‬

‭and economic context of shaping mass fashion trends while offering a narrative of how mass‬

‭fashion was communicated throughout the 20th century. In contrast, Hossen and Wang’s‬

‭scientific research highlights the revolutionary potential of engineering technologies in fashion‬

‭production, highlighting the usage of TPU and the interconnectedness of fashion and‬

‭engineering. Comparing and contrasting these different disciplinary perspectives brings forth a‬

‭comprehensive understanding of fashion as a dynamic and versatile topic between technology‬

‭and history.‬
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‭Notes‬

‭Gilbert, Jenny. “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale Clothing Catalogues and the‬

‭Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s.”‬‭Midland history‬‭45, no. 2 (2020):‬

‭258–274.‬‭https://doi.org/10.1080/0047729X.2020.1767978‬

‭Hossen, Muhammad Ilias, and Chaoxia Wang. “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d‬

‭Printing Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry.”‬‭Fibres & textiles‬

‭in Eastern Europe‬‭30, no. 6 (2022): 1–11.‬‭https://doi.org/10.2478/ftee-2022-0047‬