Perspectives: The intertwined histories of chemistry, fashion, and advertising

Abstract

When thinking about the intersection of chemistry and design, many chemists might first envision the design of molecules or industrial processes. Stepping back to view the bigger picture, however, reveals that the interplay of innovations in chemistry and the design of physical objects are more deeply ingrained in our daily lives than it might seem. Exploring the chemistry-design intersection of fibers in our clothing, fiber treatments such as dyeing, and fashion, for example, not only illustrates the history, technology development, and impacts of innovation, but also hints at how studying interesting (and perhaps underexamined) stories could lead to thinking ahead about social responsibility and about innovations in both the chemistry and design fields. Deciphering the intertwined histories of chemistry and fashion design requires an interdisciplinary approach. This includes studying the archival records of synthetic fibers and their design applications, discussions between fiber producers and the fashi...