Artists have used the language of dress as a narrative in their work since the beginning of recorded art, to speak to us of character and values, including socio-economic status such as rank, profession, trade, age group, religious tradition, sexual mores, psychology and style. The sculptures of the Greco-Roman period, the portraits of Goya, Velazquez, Sargent, and Manet tell us much about their subjects through their manner of dress and their style. Through fashion. style became a powerful means of self-expression. Documenting this style for magazines has been the major role of fashion photography and in that role, fashion photographers have created brilliant works of art, many of which are in the photography collections of the major museums of the world. This course will, with the use of slide shows, books and magazines, cover the beginnings of fashion photography including very early influences, and up to fashion photography as it is today.