We all have a roll of ribbon that we keep at home in case we need to wrap or decorate something. However, rarely do we stop and think about the history of this apparently minor product. Today’s ribbons are made of many types of materials, from nylon to satin and some are even decorated with luxurious rhinestones or pearls. In the beginning, though, ribbons were only made of cloth. Their history is strongly connected to the history of the textile industry as a whole: as soon as people learned how to make clothes, they started looking for ways to set them apart and even show social status. For example, when poor communities did not afford to buy or make finely woven fabrics, they used to buy small ribbons to add as decoration and make them look more beautiful. One of the earliest mentions of ribbons is Geoffrey Chaucer’s tales and there are even documents that describe the exchange of bows between Europeans and exotic traders. When commercial activities with the Oriental world intensified, regular pieces of fabric started to be decorated with luxurious materials such as gold, silver and precious stones. This is how ribbons turned from regular items into a mark of distinction. At the beginning of the 16th century, orders such as Knights of the Garter could be easily recognised by the blue ribbons that they wore on their uniform, tradition which is still around today. The Parliament even prohibited the average folk from wearing them, because they were considered as a sign of nobility, a luxury that only the rich were worthy of wearing. From a sign of nobility, ribbons gradually started making their way into the fashion world, so by the beginning of the 1700s, they were the favourite adornment of fashionable ladies and lords. They used them for dresses, underwear, hats, gloves, capes and pants and basically every type of clothing. When wigs became a must in the Victorian age, people would make intricate designs that featured ribbons, among many other garments. The trend came back around many times. In fact, almost every century could find a use for ribbons. In the 19th century, there was a never before seen increase in the demand, mostly because wars had stopped trading activities. The trend remained extremely popular in Europe and in the East. Interestingly, it took a long time for it to reach the Americas, mostly because of the tensions between the two regions. Many things changed throughout the centuries, especially in terms of manufacturing. If in the beginning the process was only handmade, the Industrial Revolution brought new technologies to streamline manufacturing. Instead of fading away with time, ribbons adapted to the modern eras and today they are made of fabric, grosgrains, metal, plastic and other synthetic materials. Prices vary a lot too: from cheap wholesale birthday ribbons to luxurious satin or velvet ones, which are used as decorations in exclusive hotels and restaurants. Things will probably get even more interesting the future, when computers will redefine the manufacturing, design and colour control process. To find wholesale birthday ribbons and buy small ribbons, please visit this website.
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