, New York, 1955 Fashion today is a global industry, and most major countries have a fashion industry. Seven countries have established an international reputation in fashion: the
United States,
France,
Italy,
United Kingdom,
Japan,
Germany and
Belgium. The "big four"
fashion capitals of the fashion industry are
New York City,
Paris,
Milan, and
London.
United States The United States is home to the largest, wealthiest, and most multi-faceted fashion industry. Most fashion houses in the
United States are based in
New York City, with a high concentration centered in the
Garment District neighborhood. On the US west coast, there is also to a lesser extent a significant number of fashion houses in
Los Angeles, where a substantial percentage of high fashion clothing manufactured in the United States is actually made.
Miami has also emerged as a new fashion hub, especially in regards to
swimwear and other beach-oriented fashion. A semi-annual event held every February and September,
New York Fashion Week is the oldest of the four major
fashion weeks held throughout the world.
Parsons The New School for Design, located in the
Greenwich Village neighborhood of
Lower Manhattan in New York City, is considered one of the top fashion schools in the world. There are numerous fashion magazines published in the United States and distributed to a global readership. Examples include
Vogue,
Harper's Bazaar, and
Cosmopolitan. American fashion design is highly diverse, reflecting the enormous ethnic diversity of the population, but is largely dominated by a clean-cut, urban, hip aesthetic, and often favors a more casual style, reflecting the
athletic, health-conscious lifestyles of the suburban and urban middle classes. The annual
Met Gala ceremony in
Manhattan is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious
haute couture fashion event and is a venue where fashion designers and their creations are celebrated.
Social media is also a place where fashion is presented most often. Some influencers are paid huge amounts of money to promote a product or clothing item, where the business hopes many viewers will buy the product off the back of the advertisement. Instagram is the most popular platform for advertising, but Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and other platforms are also used. In New York, the
LGBT fashion design community contributes very significantly to promulgating fashion trends, and
drag celebrities have developed a profound influence upon
New York Fashion Week. Prominent American brands and designers include
Calvin Klein,
Ralph Lauren,
Coach,
Nike,
Vans,
Marc Jacobs,
Tommy Hilfiger,
DKNY,
Tom Ford,
Caswell-Massey,
Michael Kors,
Levi Strauss and Co.,
Estée Lauder,
Revlon,
Kate Spade,
Alexander Wang,
Vera Wang,
Victoria's Secret,
Tiffany and Co.,
Converse,
Oscar de la Renta,
John Varvatos,
Anna Sui,
Prabal Gurung,
Bill Blass,
Halston,
Carhartt,
Brooks Brothers,
Stuart Weitzman,
Diane von Furstenberg,
J. Crew,
American Eagle Outfitters,
Steve Madden,
Abercrombie and Fitch,
Juicy Couture,
Thom Browne,
Guess,
Supreme, and
The Timberland Company.
Belgium In the late 1980s and early 1990s,
Belgian fashion designers brought a new fashion image that mixed East and West, and brought a highly individualised, personal vision on fashion. Well known Belgian designers are the
Antwerp Six:
Ann Demeulemeester,
Dries Van Noten,
Dirk Bikkembergs,
Dirk Van Saene,
Walter Van Beirendonck and Marina Yee, as well as
Martin Margiela,
Raf Simons,
Kris Van Assche,
Bruno Pieters,
Anthony Vaccarello.
United Kingdom British fashion draws on the diverse cultural traditions, craftsmanship, and materials of
England,
Scotland,
Wales, and
Northern Ireland, and is celebrated for its diversity, creativity, and historical depth. It has played a significant role in shaping global trends; from the formal tailoring of
Savile Row to the rebellious subcultures of
mod and
punk. In the late-18th and 19th centuries
London became a hub for refined tailoring and is now recognized as the UK's fashion capital. Modern priorities such as
sustainability,
gender fluidity,
inclusivity, and
slow fashion have shaped new expressions of British style; often blending heritage with innovation. Some traditional brands, like
Lyle & Scott, have refocused their appeal towards youth and urban markets, paving the way for a new generation of designers and labels such as
A-COLD-WALL*, who quickly gained international recognition, have established London's reputation as a centre for
streetwear.
London Fashion Week is a major global event, showcasing both established names and emerging designers from the UK’s influential art and fashion schools. Well-known British designers include
Thomas Burberry,
Alfred Dunhill,
Paul Smith,
Vivienne Westwood,
Stella McCartney,
Jimmy Choo,
John Galliano,
John Richmond,
Alexander McQueen,
Matthew Williamson,
Gareth Pugh,
Hussein Chalayan and
Neil Barrett.
France Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2011–2012 Fashion Show Most French fashion houses are in
Paris, which is the capital of
French fashion. Traditionally, French fashion is
chic and stylish, defined by its sophistication, cut, and smart accessories. French fashion is internationally acclaimed.
Spain Madrid and
Barcelona are the main fashion centers in Spain. Spanish fashion is often more conservative and traditional but also more 'timeless' than other fashion cultures. Spaniards are known not to take great risks when dressing. Nonetheless, many of the fashion brands and designers coming from Spain.
Germany Berlin is the centre of fashion in Germany (prominently displayed at
Berlin Fashion Week), while
Düsseldorf holds Europe's largest fashion trade fairs with
Igedo. Other important centres of the scene are
Munich,
Hamburg, and
Cologne.
German fashion is known for its elegant lines as well as unconventional young designs and the great variety of styles.
India Most of the Indian fashion houses are in Mumbai,
Lakme Fashion Week is considered one of the premier fashion events in the country.
Lakme Fashion Week in India takes place twice a year and is held in the populous city of Mumbai. The first show occurs during April featuring summer collections. The second show takes place in August to showcase the winter collection.
Lakme, a cosmetic brand for Indian women, hosts the event. This fashion week started in 1999 and originally partnered with the
FDCI, Fashion Design Council of India then later switched to a sponsorship with Lakme. However, as more and more Chinese designers matriculate from the world's top fashion schools, Chinese designers such as
Shushu/Tong and
Rui Zhou have made their way into the world's top fashion weeks, and Shanghai has become a fashion hub in China. Additionally, a
revival in interest in traditional Han clothing has led to interest in
haute couture clothing with historical Chinese details, particularly around
Chinese New Year.
Soviet Union Fashion in the
Soviet Union largely followed general trends of the Western world. However, the state's
socialist ideology consistently moderated and influenced these trends. In addition, shortages of
consumer goods meant that the general public did not have ready access to pre-made fashion.
Switzerland Most of the Swiss fashion houses are in
Zürich.
Mexico In the development of Mexican indigenous dress, the fabrication was determined by the materials and resources that are available in specific regions, impacting the "fabric, shape and construction of a people's clothing". Textiles were created from plant fibers including cotton and agave. Class status differentiated what fabric was worn. Mexican dress was influenced by geometric shapes to create the silhouettes. Huipil a blouse characterized by a "loose, sleeveless tunic made of two or three joined webs of cloth sewn lengthwise"
Mexican Pink is a significant color to the identity of Mexican art and design and general spirit. The term "Rosa Mexicano" as described by Ramón Valdiosera was established by prominent figures such as Dolores del Río and designer Ramón Val in New York. With access to European fashion and dress, those with high social status relied on adopting those elements to distinguish themselves from the rest. Juana Catarina Romero was a successful entrepreneur and pioneer in this movement. ==Fashion design terms==