Globalisation in fashion today feels like a modern phenomenon. Thanks to fast fashion, social media and the internet, we’re more connected than ever. But, fashion’s global reach dates back centuries, to one of the world’s most infamous trade routes: the Silk Road.

Stretching from China to the Mediterranean, the Silk Road wasn’t just a network for trading prices, precious stones and tea. It was also the first global fashion highway, transporting luxurious fabrics (most famously silk), across thousands of miles and connecting diverse cultures in the process.

Silk, which originated in ancient China, became one of the most coveted materials in the ancient world. While it was prized for its beauty and softness, it also held symbolic power. Wearing silk was a sign of wealth, power, and prestige. The Roman Empire, for example, became obsessed with silk imports, with Roman aristocrats willing to pay astronomical prices for the fabric. In fact, the demand for silk in the West was so high that it contributed to a massive trade deficit with China, leading to the phrase “silk for gold.”

But the Silk Road wasn’t just about silk. It introduced the world to a wide range of fabrics, designs, and weaving techniques. Chinese silk was often embroidered with Persian patterns, Indian dyes were used on Roman tunics, and Central Asian designs influenced Byzantine fashion. Essentially, the Silk Road created a melting pot of fashion influences, where East met West in a dazzling display of creativity and craftsmanship.

The impact of the Silk Road on fashion was enormous in the spread of ideas and craftsmanship. Today’s global fashion industry owes much to the ancient exchanges that took place along this route. It’s a reminder that even centuries ago, fashion was was global, constantly evolving through the interactions of different cultures and economies.