Defining Fashion for Fashion

In one of my classes, we were required to define a term that related to our field. I chose the term Fashion. Please enjoy!

Fashion

Fashion is a common term used to describe a current trend, with an emphasis primarily on clothing. It changes over time as new styles are created and produced seasonally for various retailers to introduce to shoppers. Also, fashion may vary within society as well as across various cultures. Factors such as age, gender, social class, and occupation also play a role in an individual’s fashion.

Fashion may be used alongside and associated with the terms of style, mode, or vogue. Unlike style, which is a descriptive term of one’s personal adherence to taste and elegance, fashion accords itself with conventions adopted by society or culture (Yahoo! Education, 2009).

                                                                    DKNY Spring 2011 

Fashion & Its Roots

The word fashion originates from Old French: appearance and manner. In the mid 1800’s, mass production of clothing was introduced, lowering the cost of clothing to the general public. This allowed and encouraged people to purchase and wear more stylish clothing. Fashion that is introduced and maintains its popularity through generations becomes a clothing style. An example may be cardigans or blazers. These styles are relevant in fashion and never go out of style, hence are always in fashion. The opposite are fashion items that are coined the term: fad. A fad is popular for a short duration but quickly loses its appeal. An example is platform shoes or cropped tops. An important note about fashion: it is always changing.

Tidbits about Fashion

·         Fashion-related occupations include: fashion designers, retail buyers, stylists, apparel manufacturers, fashion journalists, apparel business management, fashion photography, and fashion marketing and merchandising.

·         The four renowned fashion capitals of the world are Milan, New York City, Paris, and London. Each city hosts two fashion weeks per year; one is held in fall while the other is held in spring. Fashion week consists of runway shows that showcase the designer’s clothing collection for the upcoming season. For example: fall fashion week showcases designers’ creations for spring while spring fashion week showcases creations for fall. This cycle allows for manufacturers to produce fashions in a seasonal and timely manner.

·         American fashion designers include Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Michael Kors, Donna Karen, Vera Wang, and Calvin Klein.

Sources:

"Dictionary - Yahoo! Education." Yahoo! Education -Dictionary, Colleges, Scholarships,

Homework Help, Schools, Reference,Thesaurus & More. 2009. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/fashion.

"Fashion - Credo Reference Topic." Credo Reference Home. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2011.

<http://www.credoreference.com/topic/fashion>.