This document discusses how ancient Egyptian, Sumerian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine fashion influences contemporary design. It provides examples of modern pieces inspired by each era, such as a sequined Oscar de la Renta gown reflecting beaded Egyptian dresses, a Paul Smith striped sheath channeling Sumerian shawls and belts, and an Etro piece incorporating Byzantine colors, embellishment and necklines. The styles of each time period, like Egyptian beadwork, Sumerian wraps and Greek draping continue to inspire designers today.

1. FASHION WITH A HISTORICAL
INSPIRATION
Egyptian, Sumerian, Greek, Roman & Byzantine: how
the ancient world influences contemporary fashion.

2. EGYPTIAN SPARKLE
Women’s clothes in the
ancient Egypt were often
decorated with beads and
jewels, they were ankle-
lenght and mainly bare
shouldered, like the
kalasiris.
This is an Egyptian inspired
piece by Oscar de la Renta
for the Spring 2008 season,
a long, elegant, sequined
gown with jewels sparkling
around the neckline.
Photo: Marcio Madeira

3. SUMERIAN TWIST
 Wraparound skirts,
rounded belts, fringes,
shawls: these were all
typical components of
Sumerian clothes.
 This piece is by Paul
Smith for his 2009 Spring
ready-to-wear collection, a
knee-high, neutral-palette
sheath dress with a
striped, fringed shawl
wrapped around the top
part and a belt at the
waist that perfectly
completes the outfit.
Photo: Marcio Madeira

4. GREEK BEUTY
 The chiton was the main
garment worn by men and
women, long, with pins at
the shoulders and a belt at
the waist to secure it.
 Today Greek inspiration
can be seen especially in
the classical draping. This
is a white, one-shoulder
dress, with gold applique’
and silver waist-belt by
Temperley London’s
Spring 2009 collection.
Photo: Marcio Madeira

5. ROMAN SPLENDOR
 The toga was the
principal garment worn
by Romans, often
covered by women with
stolas and pallas. Here
Lanvin, for his Spring
2008 collection, was able
to catch the light
draping and the sheer
color from the Roman
simplicity of a one-
shoulder toga.
Photo: Marcio Madeira

6. BYZANTINE DECOR
 Byzantines modified the
Roman look by adding
color, ornamentation and
different fabrics coming
from the East. Their
garments were often really
closed at the neck, as this
piece from Etro Fall 2009
collection, with gold,
bronze and copper tones,
an embellished neckline
and designs inspired by
the ancient Byzantine art
and fashion.
Photo: Marcio Madeira

7. REFERENCES
 Style.com. Oscar de la Renta review by Nicole Phelps.
September 10, 2007.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2008RTW-
ODLRENTA/
 Style.com. Paul Smith review by Tim Blanks. September
15, 2008.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-
PAUL
 Style.com. Temperley London review by Tim Blanks.
September 15, 2008.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-
TEMP
 Style.com. Lanvin review by Sarah Mower. October 8, 2007.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2008RTW-
LANVIN
 Style.com. Etro review by Sarah Mower. March 1, 2009.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2009RTW-
ETRO