Nylon is one of the most interesting textiles in the history of fashion, why is that so? Let’s take a look at the history!

Nylon was first created in 1931 by an organic chemist named Wallace H. Carothers. Nylon is a type of synthetic fabric which basically comes from a mixture of chemicals. Nylon has many advantages because it is light, elastic, sturdy and durable that is suitable for various fashion items ranging.

The early days of its use, nylon was concentrated in the manufacture of socks during World War II. From silk to nylon becoming an affordable alternative and providing ease of use and maintenance. Sarah Collins, professor of fashion at SCAD, said that the re-emergence of nylon fabric today is due to the same current situation, the pandemic with World War II. People minimize all expenses to use funds wisely in daily needs and also in a business to keep it going.

In the 1950s, nylon fabric was booming. The rapidly growing commercial sector resulting a wide variety of nylon products, until it famous on Paris runways in 1955. But as Collins also said “nylon handbags are a relatively modern fashion, so they have a short history. While plastics like Lucite were used in the 1950s for handbags, nylon was not often used in women’s handbags until Prada.”

Yup, Prada often uses nylon fabric especially for their bags, where the Prada nylon backpack is now an icon, in 1984. In 2019, Prada released Re-Nylon which is an alternative to the nylon scraps made from Econyl. It is a sustainable yarn made from waste.

On this day, people are interested in 90’s fashion styles which makes them tempted to have the same product. We can see nylon fabrics are far more varied, ranging from stockings, raincoats, hats, sports clothes, bags, to phone cases. No wonder Generation Z are interested in nylon because of the affordable price. Some brands that release bags with nylon fabrics are Prada, Moschino, Marni, Versace, Kate Spade, Longchamp, Hereu, The Row, Rag & Bone, Isabel Marant, etc.