11 x 14” Oil on Clayboard

Early trade during America’s western expansion was largely driven by luxury goods.   Beaver pelts were plentiful to the Native Americans at that time, and they desired items which they did not have the resources or technology to produce. Both sides had something to offer, and both desired something they did not have.

This set up a fashion exchange, an industry which is still alive and well in modern day: just check out the adornments found at fashion week!

What do we prize today as being “top fashion” and what do we sneer at from yesterday.  Everything old is new again, as it is said.  Hemlines go up, hemlines go down!