So maybe history was never your subject, but it doesn't take a history-buff to know that fashion has been around about as long as the Bible, and luckily for you POISE is here to reveal the background of fashion's three most vital components. It's a fascinating sorty, one that continues to develop on an almost daily basis, so sit back, and read along, as we uncover where perfume, makeup and purses really come from.

Perfume

As it turns out, the array of scents that we like to call perfume have been popular for centuries. According to fashion-era.com, ancient civilizations utilized perfumes and ointments as part of religious activities and even in the practice of consummating marriages. Some of the most popular scents of this early time included frankincense, peppermint, and rose. As time passed, the trade of spices and herbs influenced the development of the perfume industry, because people were given more options for ingredients. Upon choosing which spices they fancied the most, they would hand-brew them into the scented concoctions of their liking. There were times in history when perfume fell slightly out of style, but it always regained popularity and became the billion dollar industry that it is today because of important developments of the chemistry techniques of the 19th century.

Purses

Henrrietta Timmons, fashion writer and owner of Henrrietta’s Handbags, explains that these fundamental accessories first became a symbol of affluence in the 14th century. Originally, however, the bags were attached to the waist. During the early years, handbags were used mostly by travelers, but by the 17th century the advent of embroidery and intricate stitching helped to pave the way for the delicate, yet practical fashion accessories we all know and adore today.

Makeup

Love it or hate it, need it or leave it, make up is an enormous part of many womens’ lives. No matter what your personal opinion is on makeup, we all have the Egyptians to thank for it. According to the Expanded Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, makeup was used in Egypt to enhance features and to darken eyes. Greeks and Romans experimented with cosmetics to a certain extent, particularly with rouge. During the French Revolution, makeup became highly unfashionable. However, as we all know, it soon regained momentum and has developed into one of the most essential beauty items on the market.