The term “Art Deco” is taken from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes which was a World's Fair held in Paris, France, in 1925, though the name was not used until after the 1960’s. It is therefore also called Style Moderne or 1925 Style.

Art Deco was a popular design movement from 1920 until 1939, affecting the decorative arts such as architecture, interior design, and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as fashion, painting, the graphic arts, and film. Its popularity apexed during the 1920s. Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was purely decorative. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, functional, and ultra modern.